comment #1

Dixon Steele says ...

Jeff,

You're right about Craig being a good choice and why.

But you're wrong about Bond films. They've been around for decades and always will be. They're popular both here and especially overseas.

And as I stated in another post, the Bourne films are second-rate. The first one was awful, the second one better.

There's only one Bond...James Bond. And don't you forget it.

comment #2

nickc says ...

Daniel Craig is a PERFECT Bond and I think he'll kick some serious ass in the role. Anyone who saw Layer Cake and Munich would know this.

comment #3

Anonymous says ...

Paul Greengrass?

Fuck it, I'll take Bond anyday. At least with that series, they know how to edit an action sequence without making the audience sick.

comment #4

T. S. Idiot says ...

#&*?! #&*?! #&*?! #&*?! #&*?!
Your shrink is right, Jeff. I feel better already.

comment #5

Please explain it? says ...

Bond has been around for 40+ years now. And in all that time, outside of Connery's first three outings, I have no idea why this franchise continues to endure. What is remotely appealing about watching the same, silly frickin' movie over and over? Sure, they paint the car different colors each time out, but inside it's still the same car. It runs the same, it sounds the same, it starts and finishes the same. No movie franchise in existence has gotten away with so much creative bankruptcy as Bond does. Why can no one turn away from these movies PG sex scenes and unimaginative action sequences? Someone tell me. Please!

And for the record, I feel Connery's first three outings were classics. His following Bond outings became increasingly bloated and goofy. There was the Lazenby debacle. Then Roger Moore came along and things got REALLY goofy! James Bond fight Voodoo thugs! James Bond in space! James Bond vs. Grace Jones! I think Dalton tried his best but wasn't cut any slack. He tried to give the character edge but Bond was on the downward spiral before he even showed up. Then the absence and then subsequent resurrection with Brosnan. Who could've been the best Bond if the movies around hadn't been ranged from mediocre (Goldeneye) to wildly, off the chart, moronic (Die Another Day).

And please, don't point out how Brosnan's films became increasingly more successful financially. Financial success does not mean a movie isn't comletely retarded.

comment #6

Anonymous says ...

*Jeff stands on a hilltop*

"The Bond movies are over!"

*He shakes his fist*

"And the Pirates movies are empty. EMPTY, I say!"

*Jeff ROARS at the heavens*

"And I STILL hate Lord of The Rings! (even though they are very proficeiently made)"

Rage on, Jeff. Rage on.

comment #7

Anonymous says ...

Bond is far from dead. The series has survived the '70's and Roger Moore, making the series the movie equivalent of the cockroach - something that can probably survive nuclear anhilation. That being said, I'm a big Bond fan (Connery and Brosnan only). Daniel Craig looks to be a good choice (although I was hoping for Clive Owen). And even though I loved the Bourne films (especially the second one), I am more amped up for Casino Royale than the next Bourne. Bond in a casino, forget about it. Maybe Wilson and Brocoli have learned a thing or two from Bourne (which in turn learned a thing or two from old school Bond). Plus, Martin Campbell brought us the best Brosnan Bond film. The trailer looks like old-school Bond. It's time the quality of the movie matched the box-office. I think Bond is back, again.

comment #8

ML says ...

Bond is far from dead. The series has survived the '70's and Roger Moore, making the series the movie equivalent of the cockroach - something that can probably survive nuclear anhilation. That being said, I'm a big Bond fan (Connery and Brosnan only). Daniel Craig looks to be a good choice (although I was hoping for Clive Owen). And even though I loved the Bourne films (especially the second one), I am more amped up for Casino Royale than the next Bourne. Bond in a casino, forget about it. Maybe Wilson and Brocoli have learned a thing or two from Bourne (which in turn learned a thing or two from old school Bond). Plus, Martin Campbell brought us the best Brosnan Bond film. The trailer looks like old-school Bond. It's time the quality of the movie matched the box-office. I think Bond is back, again.

comment #9

VictorLazlo says ...

I would remind everyone that Roger Moore's Bond films were very popular at the time. MOONRAKER was the highest grossing Bond flick until THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH.

comment #10

Ron Mexico says ...

I view Bond as one of the last charismatic rock stars in the world. Like current milquetoast rock stars such as Rob Thomas, Bourne makes for a dull spy. Bond is Mick Jagger, he might be old and predictable but his sense of style is a welcome form of entertainment in this increasingly bland world.

comment #11

Doug says ...

I've seen "Munich" and "Layer Cake" - and "Sylvia" and "The Jacket" and "Road to Perdition" and "Lara Croft: Tomb Raider" and Craig is not Bond. Never will be.

comment #12

Josh Ehrnwald says ...

Who is the baddest JB out there?

James Bond, Jack Bauer, Jack Bristow, or Jason Bourne? And, what's with the "JB" thing anyways?

The *CLEAR* winner, though?

Jim Beam. He has repeatedly kicked my ass...

comment #13

L.B. says ...

Jack Black.

With karate he'll kick your ass.

comment #14

Anonymous says ...

Jack Black IS James Bond.

comment #15

AdamL says ...

Greengrass ruined the Bourne franchise. Some of those action scenes were unwatchable. I'll take Doug Liman any day.

comment #16

The King says ...

Jeff, which hand were you pulling yourself with when you came up with "we're living in a Matt Damon, Paul Greengrass and Jason Bourne world. They own the rough-and-tumble secret-agent realm of 2006 and into the foreseeable future, and that's that".

Don't get me wrong, Greengrass is a quality filmmaker. United 93 (as I have stated in a plethora of previous posts) is the film of the year thus far and Bloody Sunday was top-notch but The Bourne Supremecy was a major turdburger. The action scenes were some of the poorest ever committed to celluloid and the story was stripped of all the novel's complexity and detail.

As for Matt Damon, gimme a break. I doubt I've ever seen a less cedible hardman in the history of cinema! Not only is he a lunkhead but he can't stoush woth a damn! The preposterously over-edited fight sequences in both Bourne films are testimony to his limp wristedness and un-coorination. Man! What an absolute fairy!

If I want realism, I'll go with Munich, if I want escapism, I'll go with Bond, if I want something that endeavours to straddles both but comes up short, I'll go with Bourne.

comment #17

The King says ...

Jeff, which hand were you pulling yourself with when you came up with "we're living in a Matt Damon, Paul Greengrass and Jason Bourne world. They own the rough-and-tumble secret-agent realm of 2006 and into the foreseeable future, and that's that".

Don't get me wrong, Greengrass is a quality filmmaker. United 93 (as I have stated in a plethora of previous posts) is the film of the year thus far and Bloody Sunday was top-notch but The Bourne Supremecy was a major turdburger. The action scenes were some of the poorest ever committed to celluloid and the story was stripped of all the novel's complexity and detail.

As for Matt Damon, gimme a break. I doubt I've ever seen a less cedible hardman in the history of cinema! Not only is he a lunkhead but he can't stoush woth a damn! The preposterously over-edited fight sequences in both Bourne films are testimony to his limp wristedness and un-coorination. Man! What an absolute fairy!

If I want realism, I'll go with Munich, if I want escapism, I'll go with Bond, if I want something that endeavours to straddle both but comes up short, I'll go with the decidely mediocre Bourne.

comment #18

Walker says ...

Who is the baddest JB out there?

James Brown.

comment #19

Sarah Nyland says ...

I'm not a pot bellied dwarf living in my mother's house.I happen to be a college student living in my own apartment in New York and I still think he's the wrong choice.Daniel might be a good actor but he lacks the suave good looks needed to be James Bond.I saw the trailer of Casino royale in a crowded theater and there was not one person who said that he was the right choice.

And James Bond is still vital today."Die Another day",the last bond, managed to be one of the most succesful of the franchise,so I doubt the assertion.

comment #20

Pete says ...

The Bond movies might still make money, but if another was never made, would anyone (outside of real franshise fans) notice ?

When a new one comes out, all the marketing and promotion means a lot of casual movie goers will see it, as well as the real fans. But if there was no Bond movie released in the next decade, how many people would be thinking, "You know, I haven't seen a new Bond movie in a while. What's up with that ?"

comment #21

Pete says ...

The Bond movies might still make money, but if another was never made, would anyone (outside of real franshise fans) notice ?

When a new one comes out, all the marketing and promotion means a lot of casual movie goers will see it, as well as the real fans. But if there was no Bond movie released in the next decade, how many people would be thinking, "You know, I haven't seen a new Bond movie in a while. What's up with that ?"

Are there enough franchise fans that their Bond-want would be noticed ? That's a real question, not me commenting on the popularity.

comment #22

Arran says ...

Um, has anyone here actually read any of Ian Fleming's original books? OK, neither have I, but I'm told the book Bond is a ruthless, hard bastard and that Timothy Dalton has actually been the filmic JB to come closest to that. On that note, I think Craig is a good choice. Even though I was pulling for Clive Owen too (who, I gather, repeatedly turned down the role for fear of being pigeonholed as Bond).

comment #23

Martin benitez says ...

Maybe I haven`t read the right damn sites well because the in vast magority, people seem to like the gruff tougher Bond, it`s rather with the Brocollis they have issues with. And the fact that they`re not ready to make the proper changes to make a compelling franchise.

comment #24

Rich S. says ...

Hey "Please explain it?"

You want to know why the Bond films endure? Don't ask me. Ask yourself. For all your raging, it sounds like you've seen every damn one. I love Bond, and even I have managed to miss a couple.

comment #25

Anthony N. says ...

If we are living in a Matt Damon world, stop it. I want to get off. (cue orchestra...)

comment #26

Ian P. says ...

James Bond is completely a creature of the 60's and the Cold War. Without them, he's Austin Powers. Yes, in that limited sense, Bond endures.

comment #27

amy says ...

Daniel Craig will take me back to seeing Bond again. Timothy Dalton was the best Bond, my best Bond anyway. I lasted about 15mins of watching Pierce Brosnan be Bond, all style no substance there. Bond is meant to be cold, ruthless with zing in his delievery. Daniel Craig will bring that back.

comment #28

The King says ...

Ian P, I'm with you brother!

comment #29

The King says ...

Sorry, I meant to say, Anthony N , I'm with you brother!

No offence Ian P.

comment #30

Rob G says ...

I haven't seen a Bond flick since "The Living Daylights." (Which I actually half-way enjoyed. Wayne Newton! Del Toro! Felix eaten by a shark! C'mon!). However, I will be in line for "Casino Royale," simply because of Craig.

And, I'm glad I wasn't the only one who thought the "Bourne" action scenes by Greengrass were horrendous. I like the "Bourne" flicks. I like Greengrass. But those scenes were edited by someone in need of a large dose of Ritalin.

comment #31

J. Huff says ...

Rob G -

Wayne Newton, Del Toro, and Felix eaten by a shark were all in License To Kill. Maybe you misspoke? (And keep in mind that Felix's being eaten actually occured in one of the first Bond novels. Felix was missing a hand, I believe, in most of the series.)

comment #32

addison says ...

I may go to see craig. I've liked him in everything I've seen him in. The real problem isn't his ability to bring his cold, ruthless, style to the Bond franchise. It's whether he's allowed to bring his cold, ruthless, style to the franchise by the producers.

I was annoyed by the editing in the second Bourne film but I think both of them hold up better than any of the recent Bond films.

comment #33

christian says ...

jeff, stating the bond films are dead just does not make it so. a dead film series is one that doesn't make money anymore. that's why there's been no bourne movie a year. and why we haven't seen a series of rough and tough xxx's.

bond endures, will endure for reasons ayn rand lays out perfectly in her essays, "bootleg romanticism" in that bond represents a hero. people around the world like heroes. bond's heroism is a fantasy of a global suave spy network, and that modern take is why the books and the films are successful.

the movies have rarely captured bond's novel character, but that cold, yet moral hero is appealing to this very day.

the 60's are still cool, and austin powers showed the cultural power of the bond mythos still holds attraction. tell all the young famous dj's who worship john barry music that bond films are dead. they'd laugh in your face. the vegas/rat pack/lounge popularity is linked right up with bond.

i don't think the past few films have been all that good, but they could be great given the right actor/writer/director.

maybe if michael mann directed the next one you'd be less obstinate...

comment #34

00-ST says ...

Am really looking forward to Craig's Bond more than any since early Connery. He actually LOOKS like an assassin. (He also kind of reminds me of Putin.)

First three Bonds and OHMSS still the class of the series. (The first half of Die Another Die seemed promising, but that second half...!)

comment #35

Dixon Steele says ...

How come nobody's writing about...George Lazenby?!

comment #36

mario says ...

Christian, excellent post!

I agree that Bond is an essentially timeless character, in fact I think most "heroes" and/or "heroic tales" are fundamentally timeless. Its the method of storytelling that's gotten stale. I *think* Jeffrey's assertion isn't that the Bond character is dead, its that the formulaic Bond movie is dead, and that the Broccolis need to let the storytelling evolve in order for the character to stay relevant.

comment #37

T. H. Ung says ...

Mario, you mean the readers of HE misunderstood Jeff's post? How could that happen, that never happens here, and who would want it to anyway, what fun would that be? Thanks Mario, every dozen or so comments should remind readers what the post was about and then let the average citizen have back at it. Now that's a good, proven formula. Except when T. H. comes along, the self proclaimed official conversation killer. Mike Douglas just died on his birthday, 81st , I believe.

comment #38

Anonymous says ...

" [...] This is a very queer sentence [...] "

Are you trying to say Craig is not a cunning linguist?

comment #39

T. H. says ...

Wasn't the post really about the new lightbulb in Jeff's brain since Mel, that we are all full of suppressed rage? Wasn't it the gall of Craig to say, "There's no point in making this movie unless it's different. It'd be a waste of time unless we took Bond to a place he'd never been before." in the EW article that got Jeff's goat going to write this post.

This post is old, someone needs to wake Jeff up, the heathens are turning to cunning linguism.

comment #40

Please Explain It says ...

Rich S.

I have seen all the Bond films. And when I was a kid I could barely tell one from another, but I was young and it was fun to watch stuff blow up. I grew up and the films increasingly tedious and silly nature became more and more transparent.

comment #41

T. H. says ...

Don't fight the appeal of a thick, blond, blue eyed dude, you'll lose everytime and it's only begun to be exploited, Bond is now about the dude and not the girl. I think you should get with next month's program already: It's The Bond Girl who is dead. She went from being slapped, to liberated, to dead.

comment #42

christian says ...

thank you mario. i agree the series needs massive infusion of new blood. but the filmmakers need to do is go back to the books and focus on the character, not just the action. fleming's bond is a fascinating, witty, often downtrodden and brokenhearted hedonist assassin who does question his orders and the cold war culture at large. the odd thing is that the book's action scenes are the least interesting; bond's pov is what the books zing.

but i still think jeff is wrong about what audiences want from this kind of hero. "miami vice" is proof positive that somber psuedo-dark grit-fests are not the next big thing. the novel "casino royale" is not gritty, but filled with a desperate romanticism that explains exactly how james bond becomes james bond.

craig looks fine.

but bond does not play texas hold'em.

comment #43

T. H. says ...

Oy, Christian, that's why the book was adapted for the screen, navel gazing, exposition, and desperate romanticism don't play unless you want "The Hours" or something.

comment #44

matty c says ...

I can't believe no one has commented on how fucking hilarious this was, so I'm re-posting it down here. Unfortunately, 'twas posted anonymously, so I can't credit the author:

*Jeff stands on a hilltop*

"The Bond movies are over!"

*He shakes his fist*

"And the Pirates movies are empty. EMPTY, I say!"

*Jeff ROARS at the heavens*

"And I STILL hate Lord of The Rings! (even though they are very proficeiently made)"

Rage on, Jeff. Rage on.

*****

Funny, funny shit, man (or woman). I would add to the list something about Munich's laughable sex montage, another of his favorite targets.

comment #45

mario says ...

Christian, while I am not familiar with the Bond books, I agree that Bond's "world" is the Cold War era, but that could easily be modernized - there's plenty of international intrigue Bond could get involved in in today's world - without too much of a leap.

However, I don't think Miami Vice's failure is proof positive that audiences don't want dark and gritty actioners. I would say that it merely shows that audiences aren't interested in a movie based on a cheesy tv show regardless of how similar or dissimilar they are. The Miami Vice title just carried too much baggage...

comment #46

The King says ...

What proves that Jeff's taste is as abysmal as every other 15 year old out there is the lather he got himself in over the Bourne Supremecy's unfathomable car chase which must have featured a cut every second. There's quality quick cutting (The Wild Bunch) and then there is choppy, over edited shite (The Bourne Supremecy).

Jeff, if you wanna see a stomp ass car chase then revisit Bullitt, The French Connection, Ronin, Mad Max 1 & 2 or The Seven-Ups (for lovers of car chases - seek this one out, the movie ain't great but the chase is mouth-watering). All are examples of real car chases not the nonsense Bourne served up.

I've already given my views on ponce Damon's less than manly fightinjg skills. Check out these two Rod Taylor flicks (Dark of the Sun and Darker than Amber) if you are keen two of the most credible punch-ups ever put on film.

comment #47

Nola says ...

I will be seeing this opening weekend. I am more of a Denzel type. However, Daniel Craig is a smoking, bad ass. A man among boys.

comment #48

Anonymous says ...

The last three Bond films were just dreadful. Matador was a better spy flick from Pierce than Die Another Day.

And I resent Craig calling me an over weight guy living in my parents' basement. I'm in my wife's living room. And my wife after looking at the trailer didn't like Craig. She thought he was the main crook's henchman - not Bond.

comment #49

Aladdin Sane says ...

Daniel Craig is going to kick ass. I read the EW piece, I like how he said he watched all of the films again, to see what each actor brought to the table, and then opted to throw that all out in his re-imagining of the character. Smart move. Either it'll work really well, or burn him. Doesn't matter though, because I'll be there opening weekend. Martin Campbell did direct the best of the Brosnan Bonds after all. The whole card game change from baccarat to Texas Hold 'Em though? Way to placate to the masses. Oh well, it shouldn't ruin the experience. I can't even play Baccarat, but the name just sounds cooler.

comment #50

Jay T. says ...

The reason we should be excited about this Bond movie is MARTIN CAMPBELL! Does anyone question that Golden Eye was the best of Brosnan's Bond movies? On that note, I think Craig will work out nicely.

comment #51

T. H. says ...

Smoking, I like that. Can't wait, will Craig really say "The bitch is dead now" when Eva Green's Vesper Lynd comits suicide? Or too Un PC?

comment #52

J. Huff says ...

T.H. -

The thing that concerns me about adapting Casino Royale is that the thing is thin and not all that filmic. Will Vesper Lind actually be a double agent who commits suicide? Or are we going to have a longer, complicated plot where that doesn't happen? After all, the first twenty minutes or so of The Living Daylights (save the opening teaser) followed the short story very well, but then it went all off on its own. I imagine that Casino Royale will do the same thing.

comment #53

Rich S. says ...

Craig and Campbell ought to be ecstatic. Jeffrey's track record lately has been sterling. Lately, he has invariably picked the biggest blockbusters, by expressing his absolute revulsion towards them. A movie's box office is almost inversely proportional to how well Jeff likes it. Don't believe me? Peter Jackson's only recent box office disappointment, Kong, Jeffrey actually liked on first blush. By these standards, Casino Royale is going to be huge.

Oh, and Please explain it? My point was that as long as you keep watching 'em, they'll keep making 'em. A hundred posts on a blog aren't going to influence the studios as much as the $10 you plunked down at the multiplex (or the DVD counter at Blockbuster or Target).

comment #54

T. H. says ...

Thanks for the memories King - "Bullitt, The French Connection, Ronin, Mad Max 1 & 2 or The Seven-Ups (for lovers of car chases - seek this one out, the movie ain't great but the chase is mouth-watering). I've already given my views on ponce Damon's less than manly fightinjg skills. Check out these two Rod Taylor flicks (Dark of the Sun and Darker than Amber) if you are keen two of the most credible punch-ups ever put on film."

Huff, thanks for the explanation, the Bond Girl may, may not. They are keeping her under wraps, Craig's getting all the attention so far.

comment #55

christian says ...

t.h., it's odd that you think the desperate romanticism of "casino royale" is not filmable when you ponder if the great last line of the book would be included. that line defines who bond becomes. you think hollywood could "adapt" a better line?

and it's completely visual. from french casinos to car chases to underground lairs. a great director could make the exciting card play fly. just add some set piece action beats, have a good actress for a change opposite bond and follow the major beats of the story.

but i can't stand the modern take on bond films. i don't want to hear james bond talking about osama bin laden. or downloading info on his ipod.

comment #56

Lisa says ...

I hated the trailer but will see this for Craig. I thought Goldeneye was the worst Brosnan film I hated the music.

comment #57

T. H. says ...

Christian, I admire you for breaking it down like that. Casino Royale has been made before, you may have mentioned this already, but have any of the other versions stayed closer to the book?