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Bond 25 can only surprise positively, given the expectations I dare to have. I can see them going in both those directions – none of which appeal that much, really.
Somewhat ironically, he was associated with the brand famously in both The Persuaders and Cannonball Run, perhaps by way of compensation.
That is an interesting fact! I don't like yellow cars that much, but the AM he drives in The Persuaders is an exception. The Lotus cars he drove did suit his Bond, I think. A little more extravagant than the cars of Connery. Then again, Moore weighed that up with driving the Citröen in FYEO, too…
I also agree about his The Persuaders car. Beautiful. That's the same model that Laz drives in OHMSS and in my view is the best of the lot.
That's a good point. I forgot about that.
I have a soft spot for the good ol' DB5, but I can't really say that the OHMSS/Persuaders DBS is any less of a car. Maybe a bit more muscle car look, but still very, very stylish.
Intentional, perhaps? A way to differentiate the Moore Bond to the Connery Bond?
Edit: Of course, he didn't have to order one in TSWLM.
Yes, I believe it was definitely intentional. The closest he got was Anya ordering it for him in TSWLM.
Yes, that's true. Nice touch, really. Clever way to do things differently than the usual "drink ordering routine".
1. Many women use sex, too, to lure Bond (albeit unsuccessfully) to his death. Some examples: The PTS of GF, Fiona in TB, the PTS in TSWLM, Elektra King is TWINE. Bottom line: when it comes to using and manipulating people, there may be no better weapon than sex, and Bond himself is no different.
2. Furthermore, one could make a case that Connery's Bond is quite fond (and protective) of women, outside the spygame. Case in point: Tilly Masterson. When she is struck down by Odd Job, Bond does the unthinkable: he runs to check on her, despite the risk involved. I am not sure a female-hating superspy does that. Bond's actions here reveal something far more complicated than "Bond is a pig."
@TripAces, this is one of my favorite things about Connery's Bond, and another reason I find him very Flemingesque. He has an inherent protection over and worship of women, despite the consequences to himself, and despite how the public seem to view Bond as misogynistic with Sean being the "face" of the 007 brand who is judged through that fact. I'm of the mind that those calling Bond a misogynist either don't know the meaning of the word or haven't seen the films, or both. When you get down to it the claim doesn't hold water.
The example you list from GF is a good one, but even in that same film one only has to spot Bond's mood after Jill's death to see how angry he is for bringing an innocent into the spy world; he cares so much M has to calm him down from head hunting Auric himself. But from jump in '62 Bond is very protective of Honey, ready to smash the Dom Pérignon bottle at No's dining table the moment she's touched, and he has a similarly endearing chemistry with Tatiana because she's even more innocent and in over her head.
My favorite example of Connery Bond's warmth and big heart lies with Domino in TB, though, as he really shines there as a chivalric figure probably more than he does in the entire era. I just love how quickly he rushes to Domino's aid when he sees what Largo is doing, the protective and comforting way he holds her when they dance and the soft way in which he tries to break the news of her brother's death to her on the beach.
As Fleming noted, the tough silent types are using the sentimentalists, and I think Bond fits that description well, on the screen and on the page, especially when it comes to how Sean, George, Tim and Dan have played him in particular; essentially, a hard man with a soft heart. I think it's a vital part of an actor's duty to get that essence of Bond's character just right, where the performer gives you the feeling that no matter what his Bond is ready to go to the very limits of his life blood to protect the women around him no matter the harm to his own person. It's as much a part of Bond to me as everything else, the style, the calm in chaos, the wild confidence and masculine draw.
But women using sex to entrap and destroy men is a very old sexist stereotype, going back to the femme fatale and La Belle Dame sans Merci, and before them to the Sirens. The temptress archetype is based on a fear of female sexuality wielded by non-subservient women. The Bond novels are actually less interested in this sort of character--Tatiana Romanova for example comes close to being a sexual temptress but turns out to be morally good. Nor do equivalents of Fiona or Elektra exist in Fleming.
Since when is this a stereotype? From my personal experience there are enough women who will sleep with men either to get back at another man, because they fancy the fun or to get him to pay for her luxury lifestyle. And of course there are plenty of men who do the same.
Bond is a gentleman, and thus protective of women, even though he may not stay with them for long (due to his job). Those who think he's a misogynyst basically fail to understand human nature.
https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2015/10/james-bond-misogynist-daniel-craig
EDIT: As an aside, I think all the Bond actors have played the role in a manner that should show the viewer quite clearly that they are in fact protective, and not dismissive, of women (jokes from time to time notwithstanding). That much should be clear to everyone.
It has been for hundreds of years.
That's not exactly what we're talking about. The temptress/femme fatale stereotype uses sex to lure men to their doom, not merely to express a fit of pique or enjoy luxuries.
I basically agree, but I'm not sure how many people outside this message board would (not even Daniel Craig!), especially since "misogyny" is now being used in place of "sexist," which certainly can apply to the Bond films.
I'm shocked I didn't previously make the connection, because he had a reasonably noticeable part in the earlier film.
Like Sean Bean and Kenny from South Park.
I never noticed the blood (or bruises) on Bond's hand.