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Comments
It Canada happen.
OK. A few points, here...
No offense to Demange, but it is highly unlikely that a director with an unproven track record, who has never tackled a production like a Bond film, will be handed the reigns when it is DC's last film and when a brand new distributor is on board. Not gonna happen.
The elevation of Campbell into a mythic figure is really puzzling. I would say to Bond fans who are clamoring for Campbell to be careful what you wish for. CR is a great film. But it is a flawed film and has not aged well at all. In terms of production design, SF and SP beat it by a wide margin, and I suspect both films will age much better. Let's not forget that CR includes the following:
An overly long parkour scene that also borders on nonsense. Thanks, Martin.
An embassy set that is so fake it looks better suited for 60s filmmaking. Thanks, Martin.
A Ford Fusion ad; one of the worst filmed vehicle shots in Bond history. Thanks, Martin.
An attempt to make downtown Prague look like downtown Miami by placing a few palm trees along the street. Ugh!. Thanks, Martin.
An overly long Miami airport action sequence that includes a 747 taking out police cars. Thanks, Martin.
The worst line and line delivery during DC's tenure: "I won't consider myself to be in trouble until I start weeping blood." Ugh. Thanks, Martin.
And it would seem that in order to include his drawn-out action sequences, he cut much of the material for the PTS. This was actually BETTER:
I am not trying to berate Campbell here. But the affection bestowed his way is really out of proportion to what he brought to the table. He was the first director in about forty years to be working with Fleming's material. That's a huge benefit. In fact, almost all of the above-mentioned issues occur in the first half of the film, NOT based on the novel. So what does that say?
I say leave Campbell where he is.
I love No Escape. (Any other fans around here?)
Well, respectfully I guess we agree to disagree. I consider your points barely noticeable details. Campbell proved his skills long before he handled Fleming material, with "Goldeneye". Moreover, my point is that it was exactly his handling thar brought that material alive so effectively. Equal emphasis on plot and action and exemplary internal and external rhythm of shots, something that Mendes lacked (DB10 reveal, anyone?). Anyway, I guess that's all pointless since he's not doing the next one.
2-Vertical Limit
3-Edge of Darkness
4-The Professionals (TV Series, 5 episodes)
Sounds plausible enough for me to want him to come back.
The other No Escape, the one starring Ray Liotta.
(Though I do love the one you mention, as well.)
I respectfully disagree with just about everything you've said about Campbell / CR, except for the Ford bit indeed - thanks TripAces. It always reminds me of a commercial too. I think the film has aged great thus far.
It's one of the entries I rewatch the most. I prefer the PTS that was actually used. Also - the special effects are very good (Venice collapsing house, for example) and still look good in my opinion. Better than some of the effects I've seen in later films.
I'd love to see Campbell return. I don't think he will. Campbell may not be a guaranteed success with all of his films, but he sure has a pretty great track record when it comes to Bond.
What I think you can do with his last entry is strip out the turgid personal stuff that has seriously hampered the last two movies.
CR played the emotion card and won spectacularly. You can only do that every so often with Bond.
QoS was clearly designed as a brutal antidote and with a little bit more script development might have joined CR on the podium of Bond classics.
The introduction of Mendes triggered massive box office but pulled Bond away from meaningful interaction with his dangerous world. These films float along like handsome dreams. Give me the more immediate, visceral vibe of the Campbell / Forster double any day of the week.
So what tone would suit Craig best for B25?
I think he needs a solid spy story first and foremost. No Bond needs an engaging, gripping yarn more than Craig right now.
If the writers were limited to watching one past entry for inspiration, I'm thinking the chilly, efficient vibe of FYEO.
The Parkour sequence is one of the crowning glories of the Craig era, not only is it one of the best action sequences of the series but it's also one of the greatest of the 21st century.
SF & SP might have better production values (and I'm a big fan of SF) but neither is as memorable and iconic as Casino Royale.
This is the bar that DV or whoever gets to helm Bond 25 needs to meet.
Having just seen BR2049 I can pretty much envision what Villeneuve would deliver, should he get the assignment. It will thematic but focused on character. More SF than CR but with his well earned reputation for creating rich characters. He will be a worthy successor to Mendes.
Royale remains the only decent Craig era film because of its structure. Its follow-up was a mess the moment it was pitched as a direct sequel, and an homage to The Bourne Supremacy/Ultimatum (that shakycam and choppy cut'n'paste editing ruined the film). It could have been a bigger adventure with more to see in vain, but failed to deliver the promise Royale gave us at the very end.
Now, with Skyfall, despite my hatred of that film, some things did feel refreshing, yet it was uninspired, relying on its past by inserting easter eggs from the past of the franchise, and downright copying the Christopher Nolan enigma of melodrama storytelling.
I needn't say anything about Spectre because nothing felt consistent with that film. But, I loved it mainly because it brought the old Bond tropes back, and the Bond persona from the Connery/Moore/Brosnan era made it to the final film with the attitude of the character. But, that doesn't really say much about it. Other than the pre-title sequence (which, in my opinion, is the best Bond PTS right next to Goldfinger), the whole film was mediocre at best. At best.
These are the ramblings of a madman
Good morning @Major_Boothroyd!
You must get that all the time.
Frequently!
*slams the Lotus door as 007 drives off*