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The DANIEL CRAIG Appreciation thread - Discuss His Life, His Career, His Bond Films

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  • 0BradyM0Bondfanatic70BradyM0Bondfanatic7 Quantum Floral Arrangements: "We Have Petals Everywhere"
    Posts: 28,694
    The amount of times I find myself unconsciously walking like Sean or Dan's Bond out in public is almost embarrassing. But who better to model yourself off of in that regard than Bond?
  • SuperintendentSuperintendent A separate pool. For sharks, no less.
    Posts: 871
    Haha.
    Same here. For many years now.
  • 0BradyM0Bondfanatic70BradyM0Bondfanatic7 Quantum Floral Arrangements: "We Have Petals Everywhere"
    Posts: 28,694
    @Superintendent, we watch these films so much, they almost become absorbed into who we are. I guess it's only natural that we consciously or unconsciously pick up on the mannerisms of the Bonds we love to bring some of their essence into our lives. I often have the thought, "What would Bond do," so it's at least natural for me.

    If I'm straightening a tie or suit out, it's the Craig way of shuffling your shoulders. If I have to throw something, I hawk it to the side as he does in such a trademark fashion. Somewhere along the way I even picked up Sean's nostril flaring from GF that comes out at certain moments. Crazy, really.
  • ThunderfingerThunderfinger Das Boot Hill
    Posts: 45,489
    0BradyM0Bondfanatic7 wrote: »
    I really only see this with Brosnan, however, and he's also the one that gets the random hate in threads that have nothing to do with him.

    Haven t you noticed those couple of guys who always have to mention how Moore sucks in every thread?
  • ShardlakeShardlake Leeds, West Yorkshire, England
    Posts: 4,043
    It's not I think Craig sucks in SPECTRE, I just think it's a drop on his previous performances.

    I'll make it clear now I was there at the beginning when it was announced that Craig was the new Bond I couldn't have been more happy, I knew his work from before even Layer Cake especially Our Friends In The North (still his greatest performance and the best performance of any Bond ever outside the series).

    I knew we'd get some real dramatic heft to Bond and he didn't disappoint, up until SPECTRE he was knocking it out the park for me.

    I know some didn't like what they did with him in Skyfall but I think he was great in both half's of the film. It work for me, that moment when he glides towards to the casino in Macau is such a classic moment, as Bond comes back from the dead clean shaven confident and ready to get to business.

    Maybe the injury Craig sustained during SPECTRE might have been why me and others just weren't as convinced by him as before. That and the material wasn't inspiring him, it was clear he was delighted with Skyfall he said it enough, I don't remember him getting so worked up over SPECTRE in fact that famous taken out of context controversial comment might have had more to it than just him being sick of being asked that question.

    I just think with Bond 25 they need to give him back the threat and drama, I'm not saying he needs to be wounded and moping about but there was something that SPECTRE seriously lacked that was evident in all of his previous 3 performances.

    Craig thrives on danger and drama as Bond and flippant and nonchalance is not his area. Moore did this to a tee and Connery in FRWL just about got the balance perfect between suave deadly panther and dead pan charismatic 007.

    I still think this is the best Bond performance but Craig can do the pithy sharp one-liners but he can't carry off the cheesy ones, thing like when Greene says my friends call me Dominic and his response back or the way he just dead pan opens the boot of the Aston and looks at White and says "Time to get out"

    Bond 25 needs more of that, yes make him confident but please not smug.

  • doubleoegodoubleoego #LightWork
    edited April 2017 Posts: 11,139
    That scene where Bond walks through the casino, heading towards the game just after the dinner jacket scene with Vesper was Craig in raw alpha mode. The way he glided through the casino with supreme confidence and ownership of the whole room was brief but impactful. SP otoh had him damn near voguing.
  • bondjamesbondjames You were expecting someone else?
    edited April 2017 Posts: 23,883
    doubleoego wrote: »
    That scene where Bond walks through the casino, heading towards the game just after the dinner jacket scene with Vesper was Craig in raw alpha mode. The way he glided through the casino with supreme confidence and ownership of the whole room was brief but impactful. SP otoh had him damn near voguing.
    A perfect example of Craig at his best. That is the scene that came to my mind as well as I was writing above about how awful he moved in SP. I can't believe it's the same actor quite frankly. Age and time changes people and we sometimes forget that. There is something to be said for the raw energy & confidence of relative youth.
  • 0BradyM0Bondfanatic70BradyM0Bondfanatic7 Quantum Floral Arrangements: "We Have Petals Everywhere"
    Posts: 28,694
    Thunderfinger wrote: »
    0BradyM0Bondfanatic7 wrote: »
    I really only see this with Brosnan, however, and he's also the one that gets the random hate in threads that have nothing to do with him.

    Haven t you noticed those couple of guys who always have to mention how Moore sucks in every thread?

    I haven't at all, no. Nor have I seen Roger burned at the stake by members as Pierce seems to invite.
  • barryt007barryt007
    edited May 2017 Posts: 19,339
    Craig is still splitting opinion here on the forum ,so this is a thread to vent your anger at what you dont like about his tenure,or what you do like,from his portrayal as Bond through to his real life persona in interviews,how he conducts himself,his watch contract etc.

    Everything that has an influence on his role as Bond ,good or bad.

    Discuss....
  • RichardTheBruceRichardTheBruce I'm motivated by my Duty.
    edited May 2017 Posts: 13,790
    Very much approve. All four, a second Golden Age for Bond.

    They're straightforward action and adventure in a classy style, with smart humor. His films also focus on Bond in a good way, and use the reboot to celebrate and build over time elements of the established film formula. They don't create the kind of reservations I have for the silly moments that occurred 1971 to 2002, however much I like those films.

    I could take another four of the same. So what I hate is they didn't get out more missions with him already.
  • JohnHammond73JohnHammond73 Lancashire, UK
    Posts: 4,151
    Craig has been a good Bond and, for the most part, I've enjoyed all his movies. However, just once, I would like a one off, standalone adventure rather than how the first 4 have been connected.
  • peterpeter Toronto
    Posts: 9,509
    I'm with you @RichardTheBruce , although, I'm not sure if I want four more of the same. I want to see them continue to stretch Dan, like in the first three films, especially (and no, that doesn't mean more personal things, but lets unleash his masculine, physical work; make his Bond go through the ringer)
  • bondjamesbondjames You were expecting someone else?
    Posts: 23,883
    I don't have an opinion on his real life interviews, although the 'wrist slash' comments (while made in jest) just prior to the release of SP did impact my expectations and perceptions of the film. So if he is to stay on, I hope he will be more careful in how he expresses himself in interviews, realizing that the press are out for blood given he has been the incumbent Bond for 10+ years, and will twist his words to make a point.

    Regarding his tenure as Bond: I'm overall a fan. I think he has brought depth to the character and he has a certain quiet underlying machismo which allows the producers and directors to broach emotional subjects more readily than they can with a more effete actor (Brosnan imho), where such approaches can seem overbearing and somewhat un-Bond-ly.

    Having said that, while I do like a lot of what he brings to Bondom, I do find Craig a bit robotic. Also, a bit distant. I'm not sure why, but apart from CR, there has been a level of inaccessibility to his Bond interpretation for me, which is perhaps ironic given his tenure has involved the most 'peeling back'. Perhaps that is exactly what he wanted to convey, in which case it's masterclass acting.
  • RichardTheBruceRichardTheBruce I'm motivated by my Duty.
    Posts: 13,790
    I'm good with that, @peter. I definitely expect new things from each Craig Bond film.
  • peterpeter Toronto
    Posts: 9,509
    If Craig comes back, I'd love to see a Bond that thinks that he has seen everything, and that's his hubris, and then--

    -- whether it's SP (if DC comes back, I imagine this to be the case), or another entity, whatever, or whomever it is, I'd like it to be such a force, that Bond's knocked sideways. His arrogance that he's almost infallible comes crashing back to earth.

    All of a sudden our hero's on shaky ground and has to find away to "resurrect" to overcome the obstacles laid out before him.

    Let Craig Bond be Craig Bond...
  • bondjamesbondjames You were expecting someone else?
    edited May 2017 Posts: 23,883
    @peter, it's a nice thought, but didn't they already do this very successfully with SF? That was part of the draw after all. After Craig had proven to be such a 'horribly efficient' killing machine in QoS, he is knocked sideways and is vulnerable for a time in the latter film. It's something which Silva exploits.
  • peterpeter Toronto
    Posts: 9,509
    I agree @bondjames that this was explored in SF... it's maybe a thread that I wish to be picked up on: as far as Bond knows, he's defeated SP. What else is there?

    He's now older, and, he thinks, wiser. Nothing can, or will, surprise him.

    Then, and I'm speaking more in images than concrete terms, the "force" (SP or another entity), comes and wallops him so hard, knocking him off balance; this now aged warrior has come to the point of doubting everything he thought he knew--

    -- in SF Bond was angry and betrayed, but I'm not sure he ever doubted himself. Self-doubt can make a powerful enemy... and make for interesting choices. Every move Bond makes is predictable to the enemy, and every move he makes further weakens him, until--

    -- he has to re-invent himself to "slay the dragon".
  • bondjamesbondjames You were expecting someone else?
    Posts: 23,883
    peter wrote: »
    -- in SF Bond was angry and betrayed, but I'm not sure he ever doubted himself. Self-doubt can make a powerful enemy... and make for interesting choices. Every move Bond makes is predictable to the enemy, and every move he makes further weakens him, until--

    -- he has to re-invent himself to "slay the dragon".
    There's a bit of Wayne's path in TDKR to that premise @peter, but I agree that it's one that can be explored with Craig. He has the chops to pull that off.
  • barryt007barryt007
    Posts: 19,339
    Ending in a 'Garden of Death ' Scene.
  • peterpeter Toronto
    Posts: 9,509
    thank you for splashing that realization in my face, @bondjames! I suppose there is a little of that going on (I had different imagery in my mind, but it certainly parallels to this).

    It's the type of story that I'm driven to: the hero faces insurmountable obstacles and has to look deep within his soul to not just survive, but to defeat an evil that will harm many if its not stopped.
  • BT3366BT3366
    Posts: 1,917
    Like everything about Craig and his performances. He really did bring a fresh approach and energy to the role. Like Dalton, I can watch the movies just for Craig and not so much worry about everything going on around him.

    He's not exactly Moore, closer to Dalton and Connery as far as interviews, but Craig also doesn't do anything to offend either, the "slash my wrists" comments aside.

  • bondjamesbondjames You were expecting someone else?
    edited May 2017 Posts: 23,883
    peter wrote: »
    thank you for splashing that realization in my face, @bondjames! I suppose there is a little of that going on (I had different imagery in my mind, but it certainly parallels to this).

    It's the type of story that I'm driven to: the hero faces insurmountable obstacles and has to look deep within his soul to not just survive, but to defeat an evil that will harm many if its not stopped.
    The TDKR story is anchored in comic folklore, as Bane is known as the villain who broke the Bat's back. There is resonance to it among the hardcore.

    The equivalent in Bond's case would be Blofeld killing Tracy. So for this to work, perhaps they will have to do a Shatterhand type film. However, perhaps they don't 'remake OHMSS' but rather jump to a post-Madeline death scenario to open the next one (or do a flashback in the PTS, or Bond having nightmares), like YOLT which starts some time after Tracy's death. So start it some years after SP's ending.
  • Samuel001Samuel001 Moderator
    Posts: 13,355
    Barry, I've merged this thread with the Daniel Craig topic as it covers the same kind of things. I hope you don't mind. :)
  • barryt007barryt007
    edited May 2017 Posts: 19,339
    Not at all my old friend,do as you seem fit.
    Makes sense tbh.
  • peterpeter Toronto
    Posts: 9,509
    It would be nice to see Craig stripped right down to the bare bones, @bondjames . I'm wondering if they can do this without killing Madeline ( I don't mind never seeing her again), or--

    -- if she is back, she was a victim, along with many others, in some giant atrocity (several planes around the globe were shot down? An attack on the international school she now teaches at (where adults and children perished?))... none of these are very good ideas, I'm just hoping that if Maddy does come back, and they need to dispose of her, it's done so it doesn't dredge up Vesper too much...

  • bondjamesbondjames You were expecting someone else?
    edited May 2017 Posts: 23,883
    I think many would agree that she wasn't an especially compelling character @peter. This is why I believe any continuation story should start some time after a tragic event, which is referenced as being in the past. In such way, the focus can be on Craig's Bond and his reaction to it, as well as his attempts to 'climb back' from the devastation and forge ahead, including getting justice. This will provide some acting 'meat'.

    It may seem a bit 'heavy' given where we've gone of late, but that's the way I'd play it if they decide to go here.
  • peterpeter Toronto
    Posts: 9,509
    I like it @bondjames!

    Perhaps we should write a ten page pitch and get into Babs, lol
  • 0BradyM0Bondfanatic70BradyM0Bondfanatic7 Quantum Floral Arrangements: "We Have Petals Everywhere"
    edited May 2017 Posts: 28,694
    peter wrote: »
    If Craig comes back, I'd love to see a Bond that thinks that he has seen everything, and that's his hubris, and then--

    -- whether it's SP (if DC comes back, I imagine this to be the case), or another entity, whatever, or whomever it is, I'd like it to be such a force, that Bond's knocked sideways. His arrogance that he's almost infallible comes crashing back to earth.

    All of a sudden our hero's on shaky ground and has to find away to "resurrect" to overcome the obstacles laid out before him.

    Let Craig Bond be Craig Bond...

    I definitely wouldn't want to see this, as we've been there and done that. I want Bond's world to be rocked, but when Blofeld expects him to crumble, his rage and bloodlust is so high he wills himself to bust like a bulldozer through a styrofoam wall. Instead of Bond giving into his sorrow, he uses it as his motivation to push himself beyond what many think he has. The unstoppable and intense killer is what Craig opened with, and I think it'd be great to see him finish that way, strangling Blofeld to death with his bare hands following a raid on his HQ with his fellow 00s.
  • peterpeter Toronto
    Posts: 9,509
    I also continued on with this, @0BradyM0Bondfanatic7:

    -- in SF Bond was angry and betrayed, but I'm not sure he ever doubted himself. Self-doubt can make a powerful enemy... and make for interesting choices. Every move Bond makes is predictable to the enemy, and every move he makes further weakens him, until--

    -- he has to re-invent himself to "slay the dragon".

    plus

    It's the type of story that I'm driven to: the hero faces insurmountable obstacles and has to look deep within his soul to not just survive, but to defeat an evil that will harm many if its not stopped.

    And, i agree with you @0BradyM0Bondfanatic7 , he should be driven by lustful vengeance, and a story like this should end with him destroying Blofeld in the most satisfying way; but it's the journey to get there that I'm talking about...

    This Bond thinks he's destroyed Spectre, right? What else could there be...? What hasn't he seen, and defeated?

    This would be exploring the arrogance of his character again, but from the other side of the spectrum; this is not the arrogant novice, but now the arrogant veteran who's seen it all, and it all ended on a bridge one night a few years ago.

    But Spectre (or another entity), knocks him so off kilter, everything he thought he knew of himself comes crashing down with an act that's so horrible (and, if Madeline has to come back, it will also involve her, as well as others), that Bond has to dig into his soul and go to the darkest point of it in order to win and get his vengeance...

    P
  • 0BradyM0Bondfanatic70BradyM0Bondfanatic7 Quantum Floral Arrangements: "We Have Petals Everywhere"
    Posts: 28,694
    Well, SPECTRE isn't destroyed, so I don't think Bond would have an allusions about that. I think a large part of why he spares Blofeld is so the government can pump him for information. Where that'd end up, who knows. I'd be interested if Bond 25 actually played with Blofeld's vacant seat being fought over, but I think it'd be far easier if his disciples inside the British government (they've gotta be there) sprang him.

    I just don't think we need another down and out Bond story, as QoS was. Instead of being held back, he'd feel released and driven to do what his id is telling him to do.
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