It looks like you're new here. If you want to get involved, click one of these buttons!
^ Back to Top
The MI6 Community is unofficial and in no way associated or linked with EON Productions, MGM, Sony Pictures, Activision or Ian Fleming Publications. Any views expressed on this website are of the individual members and do not necessarily reflect those of the Community owners. Any video or images displayed in topics on MI6 Community are embedded by users from third party sites and as such MI6 Community and its owners take no responsibility for this material.
James Bond News • James Bond Articles • James Bond Magazine
Comments
ESB quote
"I've really put you through a lot, haven't I? Well, that's brothers for you: they always know which buttons to press."
Exactly
It's likely even more confusing in foreign languages, where the subtleties are not picked up.
Blu-Ray Disc.
My thoughts exactly, the most fun Bond in decades.
Indeed it is. I think people got into a sort of lull because his first three were so different compared to SP and forgot how fun and grandiose they used to be back in the day. SP is the first "formula" style Bond since... hell, TWINE maybe? TND?
Frankly the idea of Bond and Blofeld being almost brothers was too close to Austin Powers/Dr Evil territory for me at the time: "Who throws a cup-cake? Honestly!"
I also didn't think the ret-conning worked particularly well either. While the morphing of Quantum back into Spectre made sense considering the idea behind Quantum in the first place, the idea of Blofeld being the author of Bond's pain didn't sit right with me. I'd have preferred it if he had been introduced as a new foe who would continue to be there going into the next entries in the series.
However, having said that I found I enjoyed it much more when re-watching it on Blu-ray. I can only assume already knowing the above and just accepting it for what it was made it easier to just go along for the ride. And outside of the above it was already a great ride anyway. I think as I get more familiar with Spectre it could grow into a favourite.
Skyfall, undoubtably will suffer the most in the long run.
CR will probably always be most people's favourite.
QOS is the one to be rediscovered or discovered even in the future as being an underrated gem, even if it is a flawed gem.
I predict, that Spectre like GoldenEye will always be remembered fondly by most people and stand the test of time.
Spectre has a timeless quality, maybe the most timeless Bond movie ever. This will be watchable in 2035 and in 2055, because it's neither boring or campy, it's evenly paced, visually beautiful and the plot doesn't take itself too seriously unlike Skyfall.
I don't know how the rest of the world will feel about it in time, but I suspect it will remain for the masses, along with CR, as Craig's highlights if he signs off.
I agree with everything you say here. Very good analysis. :-bd
SF has aged well amongst the general public but the consensus among fans is its great but not the best Bond ever.
SP is interesting because it was polarizing but I think it will age well beacuse it almolst feels as if its Craigs first true bond film.
Personally I'd watch SF over SP any day of the week, I've still not bought the Blu ray and will wait for it to drop considerably in price before parting with any cash for it.
I seriously can't see how such a devisive and flawed film is going to age better than a film regarded as Craig's answer to GF. I actually prefer QOS, for me it's Craig's worst entry.
I'm just saying the majority will probably lean that way.
I'm sorry, but SP was way, way too successful at the BO to be remembered by a majority as a minor Craig Bond. QOS, yes, but certainly not SP.
SF was a phenomenon, especially because of the 50th Anniversary and the huge success it had. Therefore it will always be remembered fondly and be glorified by most.
SP almost repeated SF's success. Don't be fooled, the BO doesn't tell the whole truth, in many markets SP broke ticket sales records and is now standing near the top of lists, together with SF of course. Something no other Bond movie has accomplished since TB (and SF). And the currency exchange situation hurt the BO of SP considerably, that's a fact.
Skyfall could be viewed as Craig's GF.
SP could be viewed as Craig's TB. And it probably will, that's my guess.
GF and TB still have huge followings, where GF is generally viewed as "the Bond movie" which to no small part has to do with glorification.
You're in the US. We all know they didn't get Spectre. Pretty much the rest of the important markets were quite enthusiastic about Spectre with various ticket sales records showing it nicely.
Why would Spectre outdo movies like Jurassic World and Avengers with almost double the ticket sales in European markets but not be "absorbed" by the audience.
Sorry, don't buy it.
The most hilarious thing is though, now saying Spectre's BO success is owed to Skyfall.
This is very true. With SF there was a buzz with people discussing it at work, on the tube etc.
With SP people at work just said:
'Have you seen the new Bond?'
'Yeah. It was alright wasn't it?'
'Yeah.'
And then back to work.
And as you say the opening week draw of SP in this country was based on people's anticipation after SF.
The fact that SP beat SF in the opening week yet didn't manage to beat it's overall box office (I'm talking UK only here) suggests less repeat viewings and not as good word of mouth as SF.
Fact remains Spectre is inflation adjusted the 3rd most successful Bond movie after SF and TB together with GF.
If a majority of people really would have found Spectre to be so-so it would never had that kind of success.
Just accept reality people.
SP was successful all the way. Just look at current sales of DVD/Blu-ray/Downloads. That would never happen if the mass audience wouldn't have loved Spectre at the cinema.
Spectre's success is even more astonishing because SF clearly profited highly from the 50th Anniversary and hype around that which created all that positive buzz, even before anyone had seen SF. Spectre had nothing of that at its disposal.
SP beat first week BO's over SF because it was opened on record amount of screens around the world. It's only logical to have a faster decrease in attendance after that.
I certainly appreciate it more on blu ray than I did in my 3 viewings in the theatre, but time will tell what the general story on this film is.
In fact, if we get a soft reboot for B25 with a standalone story and perhaps a new actor, then that is as telling as anything (similar to how Quantum was brushed under the proverbial rug for SF). If on other other hand, we get a straight continuation story in B25 (with or without Craig) and mention of Blofeld, then I think it's safe to say that EON believes fully that SP met their goals.
I agree on that. I also would prefer the franchise had stayed away from that billion dollar BO success. Damn 50th Anniversary :))
Star Trek and Mission Impossible are good examples for franchises which never were able to get past a certain BO.
Nobody would ever demand a billion dollars BO from a Star Trek movie or a MI movie. And look how those franchises have flourished lately.
Both Star Trek movies are regarded as successful with BO's of 385, respectively 465 million USD. And a third one will be released this year and there are two! more in the pre-works already!
Sadly the "damage" has been done with SF. From now on, as various posts on this site illustrate, Bond movies will be judged by many people by SF's billion dollar BO and anything less is regarded as a failure or a mediocre result.
SP did exceptionally well in the UK, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, The Netherlands, Scandinavia in general and other, smaller markets. Many records were broken, which doesn't mean SF was beaten necessarily. SF still holds many ticket sales records throughout Europe, also outside the franchise!
It's a bit of work to collect all that info and statistics but the info is out there.
I stand by my view - if we see B25 as a follow on from SP, then EON likely feels the film met their internal expectations. If we see some major changes in approach and story (or cast for that matter) then it's quite likely that either EON, or the new studio, or both, feel that a new direction is required, which in a way answers the question of how they feel at least.
Notice how they tied the retcon to SF of all things (even though that film could have easily remained as a standalone). I believe that was because they understood that SF was a highly respected and reviewed entry, and they wanted SP to bask in that halo glow.
Conversely, they made no mention of Quantum in SF, although they could have continued that story or at least alluded to it. QoS was a polarizing entry, and they knew it.
So, time will tell, based on how they approach B25, how they really feel about the public's view on SP.