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I have no doubt SF will represent the commercial peak of the Craig era and that we're close to the end of his time as Bond. That doesn't mean he has to stop.
There was talk of Rog leaving after MR I think, when he was probably already older than Dan is now. but he ended up doing 3 more. Those 3 films probably didn't match the commercial success of Spy and MR but I'm glad we've got them, especially FYEO and OP - 2 of my favourites.
I think where Craig has shot himself in the foot is the story arc. If they can ditch that there's no reason he can't do one or two more very decent films.
Like a lot on here, I'd like to see budgets stripped back and a bigger focus on quality writing. Some chance of that with P+W though!
Bond 25/26 is pivotal - what made DN-LTK era so successful was that the geopolitics was lacing the plot and implied, not stated. Bond going after ISIS or fighting a Trump like figure as some would propose isn't a Bond film and isn't the escapist element anymore. I'm hoping for something different from Bond 25 but feel the series is still searching for its place and what it's about ever since AVTAK
So there's precedent for changing tack mid stream. However, I only think it makes sense if Craig does two more. It doesn't make sense to have a stub film at the end of his tenure, that has been so connected to date.
I also don't think Babs & Co. will want to repeat the length (in terms of number of films) of the Rog years. Times have changed, audience expectations are different, and we are in the disposable and 'refresh' era. Moreover, it takes far longer to get these off the ground now.
I somehow understand both of you, but you have to take into consideration how much Moore's last two movies contributed to giving Bond an old dodderer's image. I somehow find it strange that no one ever mentions the condescending almost contemptible way Kristina Wayborn's character treats Bond in OP every time he makes a pass on her. To the best of my recollection this is the only James Bond movie in which women behave that way towards Bond.
I love FYEO dearly, but to me it clearly should have been Daltons first movie. Cut the childish comedy parts out of it and it would've been a perfect entry.
Have it followed by OP with its outstanding cold war plot and again cut the embarrassing humor out of it and you would have established a new (still relevant and dangerous ) Bond firmly in the 80s and set up for the 90s. Of course someone would have had to tell Dalton to get rid of that terrible over acting of his, Develop some body tension and generally get a more relaxed, cool attitude.
But for me FYEO and OP are not just some of my favourite Moore films. They're top ten Bond movies IMO
I would have thought Eon wouldn't go back years to a arc, but then, SP.
It's too soon to know what Craig and Babs are thinking. She is keeping him "in the family."
They don't need SPECTRE or Blofeld going forward.
100% agreed.
You complain that there is no news...what's going on...why are they so quiet...tell us something.
Well they will, when there is something to announce. Some of you seem to forget that before social media and the internet were available to the masses, any such news was limited at best. Growing up the only Bond news I got was an occasional piece in the newspaper, and or the films trailer. We waited two years for anything sometimes. But I never once questioned why I wasn't hearing any news.
Yes we're diehard fans of the Bond films. Yes we want news. But you don't always get what you want, when you want it. I don't know how many times it has to be said.
News of Bond 25 will come from EON, when they're ready to give it.
I SAY that they are inept not because of the past, they were amazing in the past but I FEEL that this second generation production team is out of creativity as they were handed the bond franchise by other more accomplished people.
The last four films have all been bold ventures on the part of Broccoli and Wilson.
That means CASINO ROYALE kicking things off then QUANTUM OF SOLACE, SKYFALL, and SPECTRE. What they've also presented are more straightforward adventures that are smart, classy, and celebrate the previous films in a fun way.
I'm lovin' it.
Well they didn't bring them back for no reason and definitely not just one film in the Craig era they are in for the long haul past Craig. It would be foolish of them only being in one film.
Couldn't agree more
Well, I don't think many people would find it a stretch to say that 'bringing them back for no reason' is exactly what they did. It's another case of, just because the could, they didn't stop to think if they should. The logical move would've been to hold back and use them as a unique selling point going into the next actors tenure - making sure they nail it. For me, that is more problematic now.
They can feasibly bring back Waltz's Blofeld for a denouement with Craig. I don't think they should use YOLT wholesale as others are suggesting, but the Blofeld of the novel (and the organisation) is a spent force and he himself fruitcake. This is a viable way to continue. Howver, beyond (and even including that) Spectre as an organisation do not have the gravitas nor appeal to serve as a credible threat going forward imo. They'd need seriously retooling, which I would leave until the next incumbent but one, if at all.
However, for me, it's absolutely clear to see that the general audience (and I include myself in this) favour a 'villain of the week' scenario. From 73' through 2015', that's over 40 years, Bond survived on a diet of eclectic, individual villains. It's key to what keeps Bond ticking. It is no surprise to me that CR and SF have been the clear standouts in this era. There's nothing more exciting, in my mind, than seeing what nefarious force they concoct for the new adventure. Silva came through on that score, as (unsurprisingly) did Le Chiffre.
I have to agree, Blofeld doesn't seem to work on screen. At any rate they've never really come close making him work. It's telling when the best Blofeld appearances are in FRWL and TB when he's in relatively few scenes and we only hear his voice and see his hands.
YOLT - doesn't live up to what you're expecting after FRWL and TB - the expected menace isn't there
OHMSS - best incarnation
DAF - Blofeld in drag?! Charles 'it's a jump to the left' Gray?!
FYEO - does that even count?
SP - I'm a jealous 'brother'
Blofeld returning should be an event. He's Bond's arch nemesis and it's about time the films sold him as such. Don't have him lingering in the background in every film. Just every few films, bring him back for another round with Bond. Make it clear that (regardless of the actor) they have shared history, spare us the introductions, but keep that history vague so it works no matter what timeline or era we're in. Take inspiration from the books (the TB and YOLT versions would work particuarly well on screen imo) and focus on selling the audience on why he deserves to be classed as Bond's arch enemy.
I think the other issue with SPECTRE agents as villains is that they often don't need much motivation. The script can use it as a crutch instead of making an interesting fleshed out character. "Oh they work for SPECTRE so they're evil and want money, the end" (e.g. Largo, Osato, even Blofeld in the films). But then the Craig era had the opposite issue; a villain with a clear personal motivation (Silva) was shoehorned in and it didn't quite work.
Silva was one of the reasons that SF got major traction. He was a throwback to the larger than life personalities of the classic days. They tried to go there before in the 'new' era (including with Carver) but it didn't catch.