comment #1

Michael says ...

So, Reitman's an auteur now?

comment #2

Alex Billington says ...

Completely agree with you Jeff. Something seems very odd about this. I like Mendes, he's a great filmmaker, but he really does not seem like the right fit for James Bond. It sounds like they couldn't get anyone else they wanted and just went with Mendes, who agreed when they gave him a big enough paycheck.

Whatever the case, I'm a bit worried about Bond 23 now, and I'm a huge James Bond fan. Let's hope he does a good job...

comment #3

NDH says ...

I have a feeling that Wilson and Broccoli want to go in a different direction after the onslaught to the senses known as Quantum of Solace. What better way than to hire Sam Mendes to direct and Peter Morgan to write the script? Mendes will be the first Oscar winning director to helm a James Bond film, so I'm definitely looking forward to seeing what he can bring to the franchise.

comment #4

The Filmatelist says ...

I can think of few filmmakers so monstrously heavy-handed and overrated as Mendes, but I certainly wouldn't blame him if he wants to have a little leverage in the industry by helming a "hit" before taking on another project.

comment #5

Hollis Mulwray says ...

Mendes has always been less than his reputation. American Beauty borders on the hysterical and Revolutionary Road must count as one of the biggest adaptation failures since Bonfire.Bond is one of the reasons many men fell in love with the power of movies and moviegoing. Tarantino, Scorsese, and Spielberg have all dreamed out loud about getting their hands on a Bond. Maybe Mendes will find his niche. Daniel Craig did a great job for him in Perdition. I for one look forward to Mendes turn at bat.

comment #6

Eloi Manning says ...

Fantastic choice. And Bond is hardly a "facetious franchise". Top-drawer directors like Spielberg and Tarantino have always wanted to helm a Bond film.

While Quantum of Solace was a bit too po-faced and relentless on the action, the Craig-era Bonds have generally been of an excellent high quality. Casino Royale was fantastic. So Mendes will do his reputation no harm by directing one of these. It's not like he's directing a Transporter sequel, or xXx.

comment #7

jse33 says ...

I don't care who directs as long as the action scenes aren't zoomed in 100x like they were in Quantum. That was a horrible filming decision.

comment #8

Uncle Milty says ...

Sam Mendes is great. I'd love to see his take on the Bond franchise.

comment #9

Eloi Manning says ...

I seem to remember people wondering why Mendes was doing a comic-book gangster film after American Beauty. It turned out alright.

comment #10

Pynchon8 says ...

Are Mendes and Reitman really auteurs?

comment #11

Ponderer says ...

Mendes is, though I think it's more onstage than on film thus far. Besides, Baz Luhrmann and QT have both expressed interest in this in the past, and of course, Spielberg's interest led to Indiana Jones. It could be an interesting and valid artistic choice. (And with Haggis on board, Casino Royale turned out to be first-class all the way.)

The closest reference is probably Michael Apted. His Bond shot turned out like shit, but he's still the director of the ...Up films, so what the hell, why not?

comment #12

drbob says ...

On what basis do we consider Sam Mendes a "top-of-the-line dramatic auteur?" Please enlighten me.

comment #13

prairie_oysters says ...

Why not. And for that matter Wes Anderson can helm an 'Our Man Flint' remake.

Frankly I wish MGM/Eon would just blackmail Martin Campbell into doing every last Bond film. He's steered the ship on the only two watchable Bond Movies of the last 20yrs.

Years ago Tarantino expressed a desire to direct a James Bond film and at the time I thought that sounded like a terrible idea - the last thing a Bond movie needs it to be spritzed up with pop culture references and asymmetric plotting. On reflection I think he'd be an ideal candidate if he could be made to promise an observation of certain Bond mandates. Tarantino is a fantastic action director with a clear eye for spatial geography and editing rhythm, can handle two men holding a compelling verbal exchange at gunpoint and knows how to deploy music. If only he could be convinced that it was in his best interest to lean into the Bond mold rather than try to bend the character and the tenants of the series into his universe all would be fine and dandy.

comment #14

Uncle Milty says ...

"On what basis do we consider Sam Mendes a "top-of-the-line dramatic auteur?" Please enlighten me."

What would be the point? You're clearly too arrogant to actually listen to the reasoning. And no matter what, nothing will change your mind.

I'm pretty sure you'd have directors you like that others don't, so really, don't get too pleased with yourself.

comment #15

HanekeFanBoyNumberOne says ...

Bond's regaining credibility and Mendez needs a hit (and he's probably cheaper than most think).

Makes sense.

comment #16

Deathtongue_Groupie says ...

prairie - outside of the shot with sunglasses, there was nothing particularly Tarantino-esque about his episode of "ER" so I don't see a real danger of it with Bond. In fact, Tarantino is too reverential of these genre pics to want to do anything other than the expected tropes.

Sam Mendes - meh. Without Conrad Hall.... well, we don't need to go into all that again I guess.

comment #17

corey3rd says ...

the back to back meh box office on Revolutionary Road and Away We Go shows a guy who does need something to take the burden off his name before he gets isolated in a ghetto surrounded by his genius.

Speak of which - was Mike Judge's Extract one of the worst films of the year from a guy who should know when things aren't working right.

comment #18

Deathtongue_Groupie says ...

FYI - Jury's in for AVATAR on Monday, $8M. A 53% collapse from last Monday, about what was expected. A 50% drop this weekend and then another 30% or higher drop this coming weekend means TITANIC's domestic record is most likely safe for a while longer.

comment #19

DarthCorleone says ...

If we were still in the Brosnan days, then I would agree this is a very questionable move by Mendes. (It wasn't Brosnan's fault, but his Bond movies universally sucked.) With the return of some life and credibility to the franchise over the last two films, however, I'm willing to see what Mendes does with Bond.

Still, would I rather see him spending his time on something else? Sure, but I don't fault him for wanting to take a shot at Bond. I imagine Bond would be a fun playpen for any director.

comment #20

The Bandsaw Vigilante says ...

This is...wow. Didn't see this one coming, but suddenly I'm hugely interested. Not that I wasn't interested in the next Craig Bond flick, of course, but this news just made my day.

Also, Jeff -- how is this really any different at the end of the day than Chris Nolan signing on to take over the Batman franchise, or some other, high-toned, established auteur doing something similar?

Yeah, I know this isn't going to be another Revolutionary Road, but at least they're trying to keep the whole pedigree relatively elevated. You gotta give the Broccolis credit for that much.

comment #21

wildphantom says ...

Deathtongue....
Avatar's $8.1 million Monday was huge!! Down just over 50% from Sunday as everybody returned to work/school.
Already this week it is showing ridiculous legs.

Based on the way the week is looking it could do near $50 million this weekend, taking it to $430 million.

Long way to go yet but Titanic is definitely not safe.

comment #22

joe banks says ...

"FYI - Jury's in for AVATAR on Monday, $8M. A 53% collapse from last Monday, about what was expected. A 50% drop this weekend and then another 30% or higher drop this coming weekend means TITANIC's domestic record is most likely safe for a while longer."

Actually, 8 million on Monday should be the biggest January weekday ever. A normal drop would be 70%. And its still 2 million more than Dark Knight's third Monday (which was during the summer to boot). If you're expecting that to translate into a 50% weekend drop, not going to happen.

comment #23

MilkMan says ...

I caught some of Rev. Road on cable last week and Mendes is not too good of a director to do a Bond film. This seems to be in his wheelhouse. Maybe he'll become the John Glen of the 2010s and spare us any more of his Oscar-bait bullshit. BTW: Anyone who thinks American Beauty was Mendes' film is mistaken. It was Spacey's film. If it wasn't for Spacey's editing chops AB would have been even worse than it is.

comment #24

BoomerSooner says ...

Can't they just bring Martin Campbell back?

comment #25

dinovelvet says ...

Fantastic choice. It just shows how far EON have come in reviving the franchise. Could you imagine them trying to land someone like Mendes for Die Another Day? And I guess this opens up the possibility of Kate Winslet as a Bond girl.

comment #26

bmcintire says ...

Martin Campbell and Matthew Vaughn would seem likely candidates, but I am personally excited to see Mendes' name attached. Both ROAD TO PERDITION and JARHEAD were a pleasure.
I would never have imagined Marc Forster as a Bond director, and I thought QUANTUM was a blast.

comment #27

Deathtongue_Groupie says ...

Joe banks - then tell that to other 9 films in the top 10, only one of which dropped 70% (although at 68% FROG PRINCESS came close). But the 50% drop was what most predicted for the weekdays. Some are saying it will happen this weekend as well, as the various factors of weather, holidays and running time spread the patronage more evenly over the first 3 weekends. As it starts to conform more to what is expected (like yesterday's drop), then the less likely it can reach $600M.

Me myself knows better than to predict anything about this film other than the fact that the worldwide record is very likely to fall as it is only $700M away at this point. I wouldn't put money on domestic until the 5th weekend when it will either hold or continue the usual pattern of declines.

comment #28

ElstonGunnAICN says ...

As NDH says, Oscar-nommed Peter Morgan (who's apparently also selling out?) is writing the script. He's penned a project or two about powerful relationships and political tug-of-war among British leadership.

Morgan has already said it's going to be a shocking story. It's nice to be excited about a Bond film.

comment #29

algarciashead says ...

People like and need money. (Reitman already has plenty.)

comment #30

DarthCorleone says ...

How about Kate Winslet for the new Miss Moneypenny since the character has not been cast since the reboot? That could be a fun appearance and would only require her on set for a day.

comment #31

Momus says ...

I don't care who's going to direct it - Bond is a perpetuum mobile franchise, and Morgan's script should be good enough. The real reason to be concerned is the choice of DoP and editor for Craig 3, because Craig 2 really majorly sucked.

comment #32

lipranzer says ...

"prairie - outside of the shot with sunglasses, there was nothing particularly Tarantino-esque about his episode of 'ER'"

Well, I do seem to remember Dr. Lewis wearing a tie-dye T-shirt, and Chloe wanting her music, but I take your point.

comment #33

Sams says ...

Alfonso Cuaron did Harry Potter, so why not? And I read that the next script was going to be very different from the last two so this could make it even more interesting. Just hope it's still the escapist fun ride that you expect Bond to be.

comment #34

BizzarroJeffWells says ...

God, RR was a load of shite.

comment #35

The Winchester says ...

"You can't be a top-of-the-line dramatic auteur and then just flip over like a turtle, hold your nose and and whore yourself out to a facetious franchise."

Then why did we get Quantum of Solace from the director of Stay, Finding Neverland, and the Kite Runner?

And Revolutionary Road was pretty awful. If I want to spend two hours with miserable assholes in suburban hell, I can visit my family.

comment #36

Josh Massey says ...

My question: if you were a James Bond producer, would you want Sam Mendes to direct your film?

Count me among those who are baffled by his critical praise - Away We Go and Jarhead had their moments, but Revolutionary Road was the most overrated non-Haggis film in a decade.

comment #37

raygo says ...

I rented Revolutionary Road and couldn't wait to return it. Simply agonizing to sit through. I couldn't believe anyone was calling for an Oscar for Winslet. The Reader was the correct choice, even with its flaws.

comment #38

TulseLuper says ...

It could do Mendes some good if he can prove himself a capable nuts-and-bolts filmmaker and not somebody who relies on stylistic flourishes all the time. My only worry is that he can balance story and action in a way that Marc Forster was incapable of doing with Quantum of Solace.

But with a script by Peter Morgan that won't be rushed due to a writers' strike and the best Bond since Sean Connery still on board, I don't think we need to worry.

comment #39

Mark says ...

Revolutionary Road was the most overrated non-Haggis film in a decade.

How can a movie that made no money and got zero award recognition be overrated? Too many other good canidates; Babel, Mystic River, Knocked Up, Twilight, Farenheight 911

comment #40

Gordon27 says ...

"Joe banks - then tell that to other 9 films in the top 10, only one of which dropped 70% (although at 68% FROG PRINCESS came close)."

DTG - I believe what he actually meant to say was that the 70% drop is standard for the #1 movie going Sunday into Monday (ie, 'National Treasure 2', 'Return of the King', 'Marley and Me'; even 'Titanic' was 66%). You do have to admit, though, every other movie in the top 10 dropped more (whereas it's usually the highest movie that drops the most in this transition out of the holidays).

comment #41

LFF says ...

Comment #1: RE Revolutionary Road
The biggest issue with RR is that it is too long. At least 20 minutes needed to come out of that movie. The film also sails right past two natural endpoints: Winslet at the window, bloodstain, roll credits. or, if you really want, let it play out till Leo leaves hospital, runs down street, roll credits. Instead it goes on well past that, and there's no need for it. I like Kathy Bates too, but its Kate and Leo's story. Once they are gone the movie should be over.

comment #42

LFF says ...

Comment #2: RE James Bond franchise
I think you guys are being awfully revisionist with regards to the Brosnon bonds, which were a major step up from the Daltons. "Goldeneye" is one of the best ever in the series, and there are worthwhile moments in all the others from that era. (although "Die Another Day" is very bloated. That said, the opening sequence is great, and "Die" has one of the best sound mixes I've ever heard. Too bad the movie wasn't better.)
I think Mendes could be an interesting choice, particularly if he amps up the actual spying and suspense instead of trying to outdo the action.

comment #43

Noah Cross says ...

Matt Helm franchise??? Awesome!
But not Reitman...We need Michael Mann for this...

And if that can't be, someone needs to interest David Fincher in Remo Williams.

comment #44

Movie fan09 says ...

Mendes will be the first Oscar winning director to helm a James Bond film, so I'm definitely looking forward to seeing what he can bring to the franchise.

Mendes comes from the theater and you can tell by the way he directs his actors.
everything is stilted and trying to reach the back of the 'theater' instead of having real experiences in the moment.

comment #45

bulltron says ...

Jeff,

I imagine you are sitting back in your chair, feet up on the desk, cackling over all the comments this post will generate.

Opinion is rarely united on this site, but it's good to see everyone loving Bond and despising Revolutionary Road. For a brief moment, all is right with the world.

comment #46

Gordon27 says ...

"Instead it goes on well past that, and there's no need for it. I like Kathy Bates too, but its Kate and Leo's story."

The only reason I disagree with this is because I thought the last scene was one of the few things in the entire movie that wasn't derivative and, moreover, actually worked.

"I think you guys are being awfully revisionist with regards to the Brosnon bonds, which were a major step up from the Daltons."

I've always thought Dalton himself was a great Fleming Bond, but was saddled with only a half of a good movie between the two [largely contained within 'Licence to Kill'].

comment #47

Kevin says ...

Jeez. The James Bond franchise and the career of Sam Mendes. Two things I could give a fuck about. Christ.

comment #48

K. Bowen says ...

One of Mendes' problems is that he thinks he understands America, but he doesn't. It should be interesting to see him doing a British character.

comment #49

DeeZee says ...

Why not just be honest and put up dollar signs?
http://www.thedigitalbits.com/articles/miscgfx2/bluray3dlogos.jpg
No decent scripts out there for Spidey 4?
http://tinyurl.com/yfpre53
Will the Farrelies finally have an interesting comedy again?
http://tinyurl.com/yhyk379
Guess Quien.
http://www.themoviebox.net/movies/2010/Our-Family-Wedding/trailer.php
New From Paris w/ Love trailer.
http://www.themoviebox.net/movies/2010/From-Paris-With-Love/trailer.php
Fishtank trailer, courtesy of Dark Horizons.
http://www.apple.com/trailers/independent/fishtank/
Amy Adams talks Leap Year @
http://www.darkhorizons.com/interviews/1527/amy-adams-for-leap-year-
Multiple Sarcasms trailer.
http://www.apple.com/trailers/independent/multiplesarcasms/

comment #50

Roman says ...

"You can't be a top-of-the-line dramatic auteur and then just flip over like a turtle, hold your nose and and whore yourself out to a facetious franchise."

Bullshit. Pretentious load of bull that doesn't hold up to either logic nor even subjectivity.

If a director feels like he could make a great movie in the Bond franchise. There is absolutely no reason to believe that a director could honestly and truly believe that he can make a great movie with no overt sacrifices in a franchise where all movies are prety stand alone anyway. There is nothing undiginfiying about that. Think about that.

(And then go and rewatch Casino Royale).

And it's not all about paychecks either. Direcotrs are fans too. It's exciting for them (And I bet you didn't have a problem with Tarantino doing CR either).

But you probably understand all that you just choose to be a hater.

Especially since you seem to have no problem with Howard doing Da Vinci Code.

"It's undignified."

You're undignified.

No the bigger problem I have with all this is that I'm not sure Mendes is very fitting choice. This franchise really needs Campbell back.

No matter, let's give Mendes a chance.

Also, Facetious franchise? Get a hobby, Wells.

"What's next -- Jason Reitman reviving the Matt Helm franchise?"

I get it! An indirect dig at Spelberg. You must be so proud of yourself, dimwit.

comment #51

Anthony Thorne says ...

If Mendes is the guy it seems they're sticking with their method of picking directors from the Commonwealth (UK, NZ and maybe Australia if I'm missing one) but not the US, HK, Japan etc etc. So no Woo, Tarantino, Spielberg etc.

I loved, loved, loved CASINO ROYALE but didn't see SOLACE because everyone on the planet seemed to think that it was shit.

comment #52

The Bandsaw Vigilante says ...

Spottiswoode is Canadian, so that fits the whole "Commonwealth" hiring-pattern, too.

The British Commonwealth helped establish the cultural meme that any new member nation has to get a huge number of its people killed on a battlefield, any battlefield, to pay its dues; sort of a hazing ritual, as in "sacrifice your best and brightest and toughest fighting some OTHER nation's war, or you can't be in the club."

(...Hence, ANZAC Day.)

comment #53

Ghost072 says ...

I can't believe some people are still doubting Avatar, even in threads unrelated. This movie will smash all the records in the end. People are still finding this movie and realizing they have to see it in the theater. Just like Titantic, it will continue to roll on when all the skeptics think it's done. Only now the reason is obvious: the experience can never be the same at home. P.T. Barnum would love this film's word of mouth...

comment #54

Dan Revill says ...

Fuck. And. Yes.

I'm a fan of this move.

I also was a fan of Revolutionary Road. I thought it was devastatingly good. I do sorta agree that the Kathy Bates denouement wasn't needed, but otherwise I think it's a near flawless film. People loved Far From Heaven but not Rev Road? It's the same style in many ways. Anyhow...

Quantum was enjoyable, even if it sorta seemed to veer a little off of the chosen path that seemed set after Casino Royale. It'll be interesting to see a Mendes shot Bourne inspired chase scene.

comment #55

DeeZee says ...

Oh, yeah forgot these. http://tinyurl.com/yjham4h
http://tinyurl.com/ygl9xzp http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=munbt8qpCiQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nqvg0C90FhM
As for Mendes, was Chris Columbus busy that day?

Eloi: Perdition's a different type of movie from Bond.

prairie: "Tarantino is a fantastic action director "

If you like those close-up cameras, sure.

Deathtongue: "In fact, Tarantino is too reverential of these genre pics to want to do anything other than the expected tropes."

So why does the white guy run the show in Jackie Brown? As for Avatar vs. Titanic, at this point, it's up to Japan, since China's yuan's not big enough to deliver yet on international grosses.

corey: I dug Extract, but it's not really the usual type of comedy angle he goes for, so I can see why it didn't sell well.

Darth: The only Brosnan Bond movie really which came off flat to me was The World is Not Enough. The others were passable.

Milkman: I thought AB was Spielberg's film, because Bening was totally shitty as an actress, and Cooper's character just felt like another extension of Stevie's father issues. Man, you can totally see how that hackery led to the pre-"nuke the fridge" scene in Indy 4.

comment #56

Deathtongue_Groupie says ...

Oh, D.Z. why do you even try?

If it was possible to have someone committed based on online postings alone...

comment #57

Terry McCarty says ...

Since Joe Wright's also going the action-movie route, it makes sense for Mendes as well.

One hopes that Mendes isn't as condescending and nose-holding as Marc Forster; QUANTUM OF SOLACE ranks as one of the Bond franchise's low points (Gemma Arterton's lively performance excepted).

comment #58

Terry McCarty says ...

prairie_oysters wrote:
Why not. And for that matter Wes Anderson can helm an 'Our Man Flint' remake.

With Jason Schwartzman playing Flint as a trainee agent, Gene Hackman coming out of retirement to play Lee J. Cobb's "boss" role and lots of 60s gems from the Allen Klein catalog....

comment #59

Dan Revill says ...

Gene Hackman should come out of retirement just so that Welcome to Mooseport isn't the last film on his resume. Maybe he can play Bond's American nemesis.

comment #60

fitz-hume says ...

Mendes is even more interesting choice than Marc Forster was. Should ensure that Bond number 23 will turn out to be more than just another Bourne clone. It's great to see Broccoli and company going against grain of today's Hollywood.

comment #61

LexG says ...

I'd like to think my Bond directors don't even know who John Krasinski IS, let alone that they've directed him in something.

comment #62

shm says ...

As one Bond fan put in one of the Bond boards - a decade ago we were settling for the director of 'Stop or My Mom Will Shoot'. Given the stories of Spielberg, Scorcese, and Tarantino not directing in the franchise because the Bonds were more 'producer-driven' - I am personally excited about Sam Mendes. Craig, Broccoli and Michael Wilson (with help from Martin Campbell and Haggis) have definitely raised the profile of the Bond franchise to A/A+ level instead of the B+/A- that it had existed in since the late 60's. I don't know if Sam Mendes knows an action sequence from a hole in the ground but it will much more interesting to see his and Morgan's take on Bond. And if it sucks - there will always be the next one. BTW - for everyone who is complaining about Quantum of Solace - have you seen The Man with the Golden Gun or Tomorrow Never Dies or A View to a Kill lately?

comment #63

LexG says ...

"for everyone who is complaining about Quantum of Solace - have you seen The Man with the Golden Gun or Tomorrow Never Dies or A View to a Kill lately?"

Yeah... they're AWESOME. Two of the above have John Barry scores and an insoucient Moore in his awesome smarmy glory; TND long reigned as the most robotic Bond, free of the series' beloved tropes... UNTIL the heartless, cruel, cold, barely 100-minutes sans credits QOS with its Haggistastic shots of thirsty Bolivian peasants and wannabe Phil Seymour Hoffman fat guys in low-rent Greengrass wannabe locales.

All three of those movies shame the nasty, dreary Solace.

comment #64

DCIJB says ...

I love the fact that the most commented articles on HE are always Bond-related!

comment #65

bents75 says ...

Quantum of Solace was largely crap, but I might be inclined to watch it a second time. I wouldn't watch any of the last three Brosnan films again if you paid me.

I'm surprised I don't see anyone bringing up The World is Not Enough. Laughable from beginning to end.

Denise Richards as a nuclear physicist?

Quite possibly the least believable casting in history... they would have to cast Megan Fox as a molecular biologist to top that one.

comment #66

bents75 says ...

I would also add that Dalton was the shit, and so was License to Kill.

Robert Davi, Benicio Del Toro...Wayne Newton! You couldn't match that combination if you tried.

comment #67

Rich S. says ...

"Quite possibly the least believable casting in history... they would have to cast Megan Fox as a molecular biologist to top that one."

I think they really pushed it with the casting of Olga Kurylenko as a Colombian. She was game for the part, and very sexy, but the bronzing makeup designed to make her look Latin was, shall we say, a questionable choice.

I would have loved to have seen QT's take on Bond, but you know he would have gone retro and set it in the 60s. Still, his predilection for using existing musical cues would have probably given us a Frankenstein-esque John Barry score, and that would have been worth the price of admission right there.

comment #68

LexG says ...

Also, for all the guys clocking in to gripe about this or that Bond entry, or about Dalton, Brosnan and Craig?

I know this is the NETFLIX ERA and a lot of you younger guys maybe Netflixed a couple of the Connerys and Moores out of curiosity in the last three years to see what the fuss was about, so to you a Man With the Golden Gun or Diamonds are Forever seems like some weak Swingin' 70s shit that the Bourne-esque Craig movies blow out of the water.

But for those of us who have LIVED AND BREATHED Bond for nearly our entire lifetimes (to me it's as formative as STAR WARS), it's kind of hard to compare a middling Brosnan entry from 2002 we maybe saw once in a theater and once on Showtime, or last year's Craig movie, to the first 15 or 16 movies that we've seen HUNDREDS of times, that we know inside and out from 1978 ABC airings that ran three hours in crappy grain through VHS and TBS on through to Spike marathons... SO many of us have that 30, 40-year nostalgia for Bond that the Connery, Moore, Lazenby entries are all sort of rendered equal by time and repetition, and the post-Dalton years are all too "new" to even really consider, kind of like the STAR WARS prequels or Crystal Skull.

comment #69

Eloi Manning says ...

LexG: As a Brit, I was practically raised on Bond too, given that they were on TV almost every weekend or public holiday. What I like most about the franchise is its absolute disregard for continuity, and that each Bond actor has a unique flavour and feel that they give the character. I think it's fine to like Casino Royale without disparaging Live & Let Die. It's all part of the Bond fun. And after all, it's one of the absolute most purely fun franchises in movie history.

I think that's why Solace was a let-down. They had scarcely any scenes of Bond actually enjoying himself; no kicking back, relaxing with a Martini. The best scene of the film was when he checked into that luxury hotel because he was so disgusted with their pre-arranged digs. That's what I want to see in the next one, and I think Craig feels the same way as he's made comments to suggest he'd rather lie on a beach a bit more than roll around in the desert.

Mendes' films are actually quite funny and I think as a Brit from a generation where he'll have also grown up on Bond, he'll inject some more of that humour that was so sadly lacking in Solace. Doesn't mean he needs to go the Roger Moore eyebrow-raising pun-route, but I do hope he saves it from the super-serious Greengrass style that impacted Solace.

I enjoyed Solace, just didn't love it. I loved Casino Royale, however. Had the right balance of humour and action, plus some slick luxury locations and fit birds. It's not rocket science to make a successful Bond flick.

comment #70

Eloi Manning says ...

Also: it does rather baffle me that Greengrass is so beloved by serious critics. I liked the Bourne films, but really all Greengrass changed from the first one was the addition of far more incomprehensible shakycam. Bay gets slaughtered for the fight scenes in Transformers, yet Greengrass is hailed as some sort of visionary, despite the fact that it was really Saving Private Ryan that made the style trendy again.

comment #71

le corbeau says ...

Any director who wouldn't want to make a Bond film is dead to the pleasures of commercial filmmaking.

Which is fine if you're Bresson, but not if you're Sam Mendes.

comment #72

Rich S. says ...

LexG and Eloi,

One of the toughest things to convey to a younger generation was how limited our access was to media growing up. I grew up outside Chicago, and so had access to all three networks, two PBS stations and three fairly decent independent channels, all on antenna. Many were not as fortunate as I was.

Therefore, a new Bond film, which was inevitably shown on the ABC Sunday Night Movie, was an EVENT. A new Bond was about the only thing my parents let me stay up to watch, because once ABC showed it, it could be literally years before you had a chance to see it again.

So, like you guys, Bond was my Star Wars, Harry Potter, Twilight, etc. I've liked some better than others (Goldfinger, From Russia with Love, Live and Let Die and Goldeneye are my favorites), but I can honestly say I've enjoyed every single one on some level.

comment #73

Edwardo72 says ...

Why has no one touted Guy Ritchie? After the outstanding re-working, re-invisioning of Sherlock Holmes, surely the powers that be would like to synergise one Britiains Greatest Directors with Britians greatest spies?

Actually... David Yates should be the man to make the next Bond film.

comment #74

COCO says ...

''Shaken....not stirred''......now for the ''Road to Bond''.......this Eloi likes it.......meh...popcorn anyone?

comment #75

cangefilmfest says ...

Mendes is hardly Renoir or Bergman or even a Haneke. I don't think he's overqualified. Now Terrance Malick would be a strange and disappointing choice. If anything Mendes would just screw it up. As a film, the last Bond movie was better than 'Revolutionary Road.' I desperately wanted someone like Daniel Craig's Bond to come in and shoot that bickering couple. Mendes is just not versatile like Soderberg. In fact, I'd be quite earger to see a Soderberg-directed Bond flick!

comment #76

Thesilenttype says ...

"Anthony Thorne says ...

If Mendes is the guy it seems they're sticking with their method of picking directors from the Commonwealth (UK, NZ and maybe Australia if I'm missing one) but not the US, HK, Japan etc etc. So no Woo, Tarantino, Spielberg etc."

Marc Forster is German, so that puts an end to that.

comment #77

le corbeau says ...

"Now Terrance Malick would be a strange and disappointing choice. If anything Mendes would just screw it up."

I want Terence Davies! A Bond film where he sits around in the pub singing the themes from past Bond films, intercut with memories of his father beating him as a boy. "Nobody does it better..."

comment #78

Noiresque says ...

Sam Mendes is one of the more leaden "name" directors, and I suspect the next Bond film will be another QoS. EON would be wiser to hire a "genre" journeyman, like Noyce, for instance, than to go for an unsuitable prestigious name. Honestly, Michael Bay would be preferable.

comment #79

Edwardo72 says ...

Noyce - now that is the most sensible choice I have heard.

comment #80

Momus says ...

@ Ronald McFirbank

I want Terence Davies! A Bond film where he sits around in the pub singing the themes from past Bond films, intercut with memories of his father beating him as a boy. "Nobody does it better..."

LOL

On second thoughts... At least the lighting would be interesting. Not to mention acting. Gillian Anderson could star as the villain, and Bond would relive his gay past, and refuse to make love to Keira Knightley and Siena Miller, and Dame Judi would add a song or two, and... and... and finally we would have the perfect Craig 3. :D