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Comments
It's a fait point. But personally, just on this specific topic (and only in retrospect) I'd rather have known beforehand.
At least now I know what to expect.
But it should be left to you to make the decision to click on the spoiler.. not have someone else randomly blurt it out in an off topic thread. Which is a fair point.
I know, and I agree, like I said, I've been avoiding most spoilers. But I was just saying this one didn't bother me personally.
The sequence is designed as an opener, not a closer. The dots and music establish an atmosphere of suspense and mystery, which in its climax shows the dangerous efficiency of Bond's character as he gets the assassin before the assassin can get him. All of this is designed to prepare the audience for a riveting tale of spy against spy - where danger lurks around every corner. All of the sequence's effectiveness is lost by putting it at the end of the film. Morever, the minor variation on the James Bond theme during the sequence helps establish each film's individual tone. All of this value is lost by putting it at the end of the film. It just becomes a relic, a tradition without a narrative or storytelling purpose.
Having the gunbarrel end the pre-title sequence in Casino Royale still serves these purposes. In fact, I would argue that the PTS is just an extended gunbarrel. It establishes the danger and brutality of Bond's profession and culminates in the suspenseful moment of him getting the other guy before he gets Bond.
To me, that is a more powerful argument for having the gunbarrel at the opening. Screw tradition for the sake of tradition - that is how we get movies like Die Another Day. Tradition is only so good as the purpose it serves remains. The gunbarrel became tradition because using it as the opening for Bond films was a very effective piece of film making - it was a way of setting a tone and mood for the rest of the film.
Great post and I agree with you.
@MusicEditorcouk: @Gareth_00789 yes I do…because it didn't feel right - there's a MUCH better way of opening it…but you can't please everyone ;)
Off twitter guys , our very own @Gareth00789 lol
Really? I seem to recall Craig doing plenty of spy work in CR and QoS.
CR:
It's been alluded to that, Bond had been spying on Dryden before being ordered to kill him.
Bond and Carter spying on Molloka before the foot chase ensues
Bond using M's laptop to trace the point of origin of the Ellipsis text message.
Bond going to the bahamas and using the video feed to identify Dimitrios
Bond investigates Dimitrios using the MI6 database.
Bond using Solange to try and extract info from her about Dimitrios.
Bond follows and spies on Dimitrios to see what he's up to.
After killing Dimitrios, Bond tails and spies on Dimitrios' backup guy to the airport
Bond and Mathis bug LeChiffre's inhaler
Bond listens in on what's going on with LeChiffre and the African guys
Bond discovering Vesper hasn't deposited the money and then goes to investigate, spying on her from the shadows
Do I really need to list the spy work he does in QoS???
Sorry. Its just with the actual thread saying spoilers in the heading, i thoguht a tag wasnt needed. I also thought. Its not realy a nice spoiler and most people would rather find out now than sat at the cinema wondering why the gun barrel isnt there. Sorry to anyone who i spoiled it for.
Welcome to the forum. I love what you said there. That is everything in a nutshell. You are correct with it all.
i can't recall exactly how long the QOS gunbarrel itself is - but maybe it's quick because they wanted DC to turn and fire his gun at exactly 0:07, which he does ;-)
I've seen much worse "messing with traditions" in other Bondmovies...
Absolute joke. There is NO better way of opening a Bond film than the gunbarrel sequence. A gunbarrel at the end of a Bond movie has no relevance at all. Ridiculous.
Hi, Guys. That was me. I was greatful for his reply, but im also let down by it. I dont think any bond film can have a better opening than a gun barrel.
There must be some spectacular opening then to take away the gb.
We all have to wait and see! Throughout the years I often found that the gunbarrel distracting because it doesn't add anything (don't kill me X_X ), like it takes away the surprise factor of the PTS. So if they found some thrilling way to open the film and if the GB works better at the end it's fine for me.
By the way @Gareth00789 good job with twitter.
20 pages of generally mindless flannel and TheManwiththeWalther comes along and settles matters with a single shot. His aim is true. Welcome aboard!
If it doesn't add anything at the start how does it add anything at the end? It's just a cool opening sequence.
I don't see how it takes away the surprise factor. It doesn't tell you about the PTS before it opens does it?
I think seeing the white dots roll across the screen gets me more excited more than anything else, not distracted.
A very effective piece of filmmaking? Sure, it's been a nice addition to the series, but it's not like it was there for shock value.