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Keeping up with the times - is it really a good thing?
w2bond
is indeed a very rare breed
One thing often heard in the process of Bond filmmaking is that the producers are always "keeping up with the times". The most notable examples are Live and Let Die (Blaxploitation), Golden Gun (Martial arts) and Moonraker (Star Wars). More recently world issues have crept into the Bond films - Quantum of Solace (resources) and Spectre (global surveillance).
Most articles claim the producers have adapted and stayed modern by using current issues in the films and is often used as praise to indicate the Bond films are remaining contemporary. While this is true, why can't the producers think outside the box and become the trendsetter again instead of trend follower?
I'm afraid the answer could simply lie from a financial perspective - the studios do not want to gamble on something unique in case it backfires, whereas following the most popular trends at the time is a much safer path. This is quite evident in the choice of theme song artist since the mid-80's which have had increased studio input.
It may not happen for some time, and almost certainly not while Craig is still Bond, but what about a return to the outlandish? He does not have to go into space, but what about a Ken Adam style lair or iconic henchman? Perhaps modern audiences "do not go for that anymore" but there are some more unconventional ways to go forward, such as Bond driving a Bentley
Most articles claim the producers have adapted and stayed modern by using current issues in the films and is often used as praise to indicate the Bond films are remaining contemporary. While this is true, why can't the producers think outside the box and become the trendsetter again instead of trend follower?
I'm afraid the answer could simply lie from a financial perspective - the studios do not want to gamble on something unique in case it backfires, whereas following the most popular trends at the time is a much safer path. This is quite evident in the choice of theme song artist since the mid-80's which have had increased studio input.
It may not happen for some time, and almost certainly not while Craig is still Bond, but what about a return to the outlandish? He does not have to go into space, but what about a Ken Adam style lair or iconic henchman? Perhaps modern audiences "do not go for that anymore" but there are some more unconventional ways to go forward, such as Bond driving a Bentley
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Comments
In the 70s, TMWTGG is in the wake of the Bruce Lee/Kung Fu phase, LALD is in the wake of Blaxploitaion films - Shaft etc. And Moonraker was in the wake of the enormously successful Star Wars and Close Encounters.
BB and MGW have always started their planning with 'what's the threat in the world'. Hence a Rupert Murdoch type in TND, oil is the basis of the plot in TWINE.