Favourite moment of humour in Craig's films?

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  • edited November 2011 Posts: 74
    You could feel the women melt in the audience.

    Haha now that's funny! I remember the stare he gave her after that line, made me think: "you're obviously out of practice, son".

    Another funny moment in CR is when Bond is being serviced by Solange and she's clearly enjoying it but he doesn't look stimulated at all :-D.

    Craig's delivery is very dry and there are lots of humourous moments. Such as in CR when Bond cracks a joke to Mendel about chocolates and Mendel laughs weirdly and Bond just smirks to himself.

    I loved the exchange in QoS: "Please, my friends call me Dominic" "Yes, I'm sure they do". Not rude per se but cutting nonetheless. I also quite liked the "Can I offer an opinion? You people ought to find a better place to meet!". And also Mr. White's "Tosca isn't for everyone" remark hah. :-D
  • Posts: 5,745
    I love the chocolate scene.

    "You didn't happen to bring any chocolates did you?"
    "No, haha!"
    And then Bond gives this look like he expected a recovery gift. At least thats how took it. I know if I was missing half my manhood, and a man was coming from Sweden to see me, I'd expect some kind of gift. Ha.
  • HASEROTHASEROT has returned like the tedious inevitability of an unloved season---
    Posts: 4,399
    HASEROT wrote:
    Shark wrote:
    Look who's acting infantile now. Baltimore_007's speaking for himself and no one else.
    i misread his statement... i read "this viewer" as "the viewer"... to which i apologize....

    not acting infantile at all good sir.

    No harm done. I was speaking for myself and no-one else. I haven't read the Royale novel and only seen the film but will always insist the torture scene was a bit cringeworthy and from this end it all seemed a bit silly. Needless to say Flemings work was always of the highest caliber and of great respect but every now and again I see things that I may deem questionable. One thing about Craig as Bond I enjoy is that it is usually played straight faced and there's none of the Moore-esque japery from years past, and said it before he was a vast improvement on Brosnan for the most part in bringing back a bit of realism to the role

    it's been a while since i've read CR, but I believe the only major difference in the torture scene, was that instead of a knotted rope used to abuse Bond's left and right, they used a rug beater..... not entirely sure which would feel worse - i supposed you can get more velocity from swinging a rope... anyways...

    i always felt that in the scene, what else has Bond got left - he just rolled his Aston about half a dozen times, his brains gotta be still buzzing from that - he's been stripped down to nakedness, and his boys are getting bludgeoned with a rope... while it's not tongue in cheek style dialog we would have expected - i found it very real, and visceral - plus his "losing it" was a way to try and advert the pain (mind over matter if you will)... besides, put in the same situation, i think i would be yelling far worse.... and honestly - how often have we seen Bond tortured?... not really that much...... so it was pretty much something new we were experiencing with the character for the first time..... the only other real time we've seen him tortured was during the credits to DAD, and possibly Dr No's Tube City of doom... beyond that, it's been 40 years of close calls.

  • A line that I've stolen and used often - I can't remember who said it first - is that watching Brosnan in TWINE and Craig in CR clearly shows the difference between a "TV actor" and a "film actor". I think that the torture scenes in TWINE and CR are good examples of this.
  • Agent007391Agent007391 Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, B, A, Start
    Posts: 7,854
    What are you talking about? Which one is the TV actor and which is the film actor?
  • Posts: 5,745
    What are you talking about? Which one is the TV actor and which is the film actor?

    Brosnan the TV actor, epic pain face over and over again.
    Craig Film actor, can convince emotion and pain in more than one way.
  • SharkShark Banned
    Posts: 348
    HASEROT wrote:
    It's been a while since i've read CR, but I believe the only major difference in the torture scene, was that instead of a knotted rope used to abuse Bond's left and right, they used a rug beater.....

    No, the differences run far deeper than that.

  • HASEROTHASEROT has returned like the tedious inevitability of an unloved season---
    edited November 2011 Posts: 4,399
    Shark wrote:
    HASEROT wrote:
    It's been a while since i've read CR, but I believe the only major difference in the torture scene, was that instead of a knotted rope used to abuse Bond's left and right, they used a rug beater.....

    No, the differences run far deeper than that.

    i'm talking about in general @shark - the basic construction of the scene, fudge the dialog
  • Posts: 2,107
    There is humor in the Craig films and I like these ones;

    Starting a mass sound of car alarms with the german tourist's car and confronting him at the bar again with a simple good evening gesture.

    Wanting the valet ticket as well as the car (aston martin he won). "Oh, and the valet ticket?"

    Taking Solange to his place....*and round and round we go*

    Patting Dimitrios on the cheek after killing him.

    The taxi discussion with Vesper Lynd ; "... You're Stephanie Broadchest..." , "Don't worry, you're not my type"
    -Smart?
    "Single"

    The whole torture sequence...


    QoS

    "That was rude" after Camille almost shoots his head off. "You were supposed to shoot her" - Well, I missed! Flip punches the backup man on the bike.
    "Can I offer an opinion? I really think you people should find a better place to meet."
    The handcuff discussion.
    Quip about the being teachers on sabbatical leave who have just won a lottery.
    The mom discussion on the plane.


  • Posts: 74
    JWESTBROOK wrote:
    I love the chocolate scene.

    "You didn't happen to bring any chocolates did you?"
    "No, haha!"
    And then Bond gives this look like he expected a recovery gift. At least thats how took it. I know if I was missing half my manhood, and a man was coming from Sweden to see me, I'd expect some kind of gift. Ha.

    For me, it was Bond taking the piss out of Mendel's funny laugh, hence that smirk and look he gives. Plus it was a bad joke and Mendel still found it hilarious.

    For me a highlight of QoS is this exchange:

    M: "Oh Bond, if you could avoid killing every possible lead it would be deeply appreciated"

    Bond: (quite nonchalantly) "Yes ma'am, I'll do my best" (casually throws away phone)

    :-D
  • Posts: 5,745

    For me a highlight of QoS is this exchange:

    M: "Oh Bond, if you could avoid killing every possible lead it would be deeply appreciated"

    Bond: (quite nonchalantly) "Yes ma'am, I'll do my best" (casually throws away phone)

    :-D

    Definitely got a long laugh at of me, even still.
  • SharkShark Banned
    edited November 2011 Posts: 348
    Bond: (quite nonchalantly) "Yes ma'am, I'll do my best" (casually throws away phone)

    :-D

    IIRC, that hardly casual or nonchalant. Bond seemed pretty pisssed to me, in both how he reads and throw away the phone.

    That's one of my problems with Craig in general, though more so with QOS. He lacks a light touch, and everything has an aggressive swagger to it. Even when he's just throwing down the keys in the hotel suite with Fields, there's no sense of grace, cool, or elegance to it. He makes everything look like too much effort, which is the complete opposite of Connery.
  • w2bondw2bond is indeed a very rare breed
    Posts: 2,252
    I surprised only one person's mentioned the "seasick" line, but I admit it gets "lost at sea, adrift", amongst the rest of the shaky film.
    I quite like the "smart single" line in CR.
    Also the florist line got quite a chuckle from the audience at the cinema
  • edited December 2011 Posts: 11,189
    The humour in the Craig films has been a mixed bag so far.

    Personally for me it was FAR more effective in CR than QoS. Craig needs to work on the way he delivers the humorous lines as sometimes he mumbles and/or sounds monotone. At least when Connery delivered a dry quip you could hear what he said and the man made the line sound cool. I failed to raise a smile when he practically mumbled the "I do hope so" line. Similarly the "of course you are" remark to Fields just fell a bit...flat for me.

    I much preferred the line: "that last hand...nearly killed me"in CR. Great scene, clearly delivered and well timed as was:
    -"yes, considerably"
    -"Skewered, one sympathises"

    The "little finger" remark was ok but nothing special.

    I can understand the @Shark's feelings. Craig is perfectly capable of delivering a dry line but the circumstances and execution need to be right, otherwise it just comes off as awkward. The "she's seasick" line could have come from Jason Statham judging by the way Craig looked when he came off the boat. It felt like he was copying Connery from TB ("she's just dead") but without the class and eligant surroundings.

  • SharkShark Banned
    Posts: 348
    w2bond wrote:
    I surprised only one person's mentioned the "seasick" line[

    I believe I mentioned it, but only as an example of a lame one liner. It falls flat on its face because there's no irony behind it.
  • edited December 2011 Posts: 11,189
    ^agreed. Something about it doesn't work. Same with the "I missed" line. The whole scenario felt rather Jason Statham-y to me. It may be fashionable to dump on Pierce these days but at least he was a bit more comfortable with the light humour.

    Example:
    (DAD) Peaceful Fountains of Desire: I come with compliments of the manager
    Bond: I'm sure you do (pause) come in

    (QoS): Fields: Mr Bond my name is Fields I'm from the consulate
    Bond: of course you are (no pause) what are you doing at the consulat fields?

    The former sounded smoother and a bit more...natural and relaxed in delivery to me. I dunno
  • edited December 2011 Posts: 11,189
    ^agreed. Something about it doesn't work. Same with the "I missed" line. The whole scenario felt rather Jason Statham-y to me. It may be fashionable to dump on Pierce these days but at least he was (largely) better with the light humour.

    Sorry for the double post
  • w2bondw2bond is indeed a very rare breed
    Posts: 2,252
    Shark wrote:
    w2bond wrote:
    I surprised only one person's mentioned the "seasick" line[

    I believe I mentioned it, but only as an example of a lame one liner. It falls flat on its face because there's no irony behind it.

    Not that it matters but you didn't mention it in this thread. I was referring to BritishChap007's post on page 2. It does remind me a lot of the "just dead" line and I do agree Connery pulls it off with a lot of cool, right down to the eye roll. I still like both lines though

  • CommanderRossCommanderRoss The bottom of a pitch lake in Eastern Trinidad, place called La Brea
    Posts: 8,331
    I don't get the whole 'humour' discussion in the first place. James Bond books and films are spy thrillers. OF course humour is allowed, but it shouldn't be the main ingredient, and it certainly shouldn't be slapstick. That's Austin Powers. I think it's sad Roger Moore seldom took the role seriously, and Brosnan felt he had to use that legacy too.

    That said I'm very happy with the way Craig makes dry, witty comments now and then. His 'scratching my balls' came just in time to lighten a by that time rather uncomfortable audience, as the torture was the harshest thing seen in decades in a Bond-film. Perhaps ever.
    The best one? Well, I don't know, many comments got a chuckle out of me, but perhaps the lottery winning teachers is the best, as it's a lame excuse to go with a cover which he doesn't care about (like he's going to be on that plane the next day, right!) but has to be said to stop Fields protesting and calling the embassy.
  • DaltonCraig007DaltonCraig007 They say, "Evil prevails when good men fail to act." What they ought to say is, "Evil prevails."
    edited December 2011 Posts: 15,723
    James Bond books and films are spy thrillers. OF course humour is allowed, but it shouldn't be the main ingredient, and it certainly shouldn't be slapstick

    IMO it's the complete opposite. The films should be as humorous as possible... Even the novels were much more humorous than the Craig films. The Fleming novels were more in line with the DAF and TMWTGG films than the Craig outings. For me Bond aren't meant to be serious and dark. For me Bond films are epic, fun, entertaining, and funny adventures. In my perfect world, the 23 films would only be DAD's, TB's, YOLT's, DAF's, TMWTGG's, MR's and OP's. IMO, Bond = humour. Whether it be the novels or the films, this equations is essential to me.
  • Posts: 11,189
    There wasn't the "campy" humour that's in a lot of the films BUT there were certainly lighter moments. You can't expect people to take you seriously and name a character Pussy Galore.
  • St_GeorgeSt_George Shuttling Drax's lovelies to the space doughnut - happy 40th, MR!
    Posts: 1,699
    The one instance from Craig's two efforts that genuinely emits a laugh out loud from me (despite however many times I've seen it) is in CR when Bond's just been jolted back to life by Vesper applying the mini-defibrilator and he looks at her and, seeing her look of pure fright, asks "You OK?", to which she responds "ME?".

    Craig's matter-of-fact delivery of the line, completely in spite of the circumstances, as if Bond (who's faced and cheated death before no doubt) has instantly moved on from the moment and is suddenly concerned by another's plight, is wonderful and always amusing, methinks...
  • Here are some of my favorites:

    Casino Royale
    Dryden: You needn't worry. The second is...
    Bond: Yes... considerably.

    MI6 Agent: That's our man. Burn scars on his face.
    Bond: I wonder if bomb-makers are insured for things like that.

    Dealer at Hotel: Trip Aces. Aces win.
    Bond: (Reaches for the chips and Aston Martin keys) Oh, and the valet ticket?

    Quantum of Solace
    Mathis: I think she has handcuffs.
    Bond: I do hope so.

    Tanner: She wants to know about Slate
    Bond: Tell her Slate was a dead end.
    Tanner: He said Slate was a dead end.
    M: Dammit, he killed him!

    Bond: I'm not dwelling on the past, I don't think you should either.
    M: You killed him.

  • Posts: 5,745
    Tanner: She wants to know about Slate
    Bond: Tell her Slate was a dead end.
    Tanner: He said Slate was a dead end.
    M: Dammit, he killed him!

    Bond: I'm not dwelling on the past, I don't think you should either.
    M: You killed him.

    I never noticed, but there's a pattern in the dialogue.
  • James Bond books and films are spy thrillers. OF course humour is allowed, but it shouldn't be the main ingredient, and it certainly shouldn't be slapstick

    IMO it's the complete opposite. The films should be as humorous as possible... Even the novels were much more humorous than the Craig films. The Fleming novels were more in line with the DAF and TMWTGG films than the Craig outings. For me Bond aren't meant to be serious and dark. For me Bond films are epic, fun, entertaining, and funny adventures. In my perfect world, the 23 films would only be DAD's, TB's, YOLT's, DAF's, TMWTGG's, MR's and OP's. IMO, Bond = humour. Whether it be the novels or the films, this equations is essential to me.

    DC007, while I certainly don't share the same Bond movie rankings as you I do agree that we should each be entitled to our own opinions and likes and dislikes. However, I just want to clarify something - can you explain how DAF and TMWTGG are closer to Fleming than CR and QoS? I'm currently re-reading the Fleming novels in order (I just started GF) and I don't see how one would arrive at that conclusion.
  • SharkShark Banned
    Posts: 348
    However, I just want to clarify something - can you explain how DAF and TMWTGG are closer to Fleming than CR and QoS? I'm currently re-reading the Fleming novels in order (I just started GF) and I don't see how one would arrive at that conclusion.

    I've said it before, but the Mankiewicz trilogy captured the benign bizarre of Fleming's novels (especially the later ones) better than any other films in the Bond canon, for all their flaws. It's the surreal humour, macabre atmosphere and imagery, and oddball charactures. DIAMONDS also approximates Fleming's take on America pretty well (that also extends to Thrilling Cities).
  • Posts: 4,622
    Well said Shark! The Mankiewicz films capture the benign bizarre wonderfully. The Guy Hamilton touch doesn't hurt either. Not to mention Sean and Rog.
    IMHO of course, only the first 6 films really connect with the Fleming novels. After that Eon went off in its own direction, adapting the character to the contemporary milieu.
    On topic: funniest Craig moment: when Mathis tell his girlfriend to give Bond cheap wine and she says that's all he's got anyway. :P
  • Agent007391Agent007391 Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, B, A, Start
    edited December 2011 Posts: 7,854
    These aren't from Craig films, but I'm replaying Blood Stone right now and two of my favorites came up again.

    Both occur in Istanbul, Bond walks into the construction site and the guy at the gate says "No one goes in there, without a hard hat." Bond replies "Of course. Safety first." And as soon as he's passed the guy, he tosses the hard hat away.

    The second is when Bond's just caught up with Bernin (a minor villain) at the end of the chapter, and Bernin goes "You don't need me anymore." Bond just says "You got that right" and then kicks him off the edge. I thought both moments were hilarious.
  • DaltonCraig007DaltonCraig007 They say, "Evil prevails when good men fail to act." What they ought to say is, "Evil prevails."
    Posts: 15,723
    DC007, while I certainly don't share the same Bond movie rankings as you I do agree that we should each be entitled to our own opinions and likes and dislikes. However, I just want to clarify something - can you explain how DAF and TMWTGG are closer to Fleming than CR and QoS? I'm currently re-reading the Fleming novels in order (I just started GF) and I don't see how one would arrive at that conclusion.

    As Shark already said, the macabre atmosphere, the benign bizare, the colourfoul oddball characters, the take on America (DAF)...
  • Agent007391Agent007391 Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, B, A, Start
    Posts: 7,854
    I can't even understand how you could say TMWTGG is close to Fleming. And the word is "colourful", not "colourfoul", that's like saying the colors suck (yep, I used the non-American spelling for one, and the American for the other).
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