Bond's training...Faked?

CASINOROYALECASINOROYALE Somewhere hot
in Skyfall Posts: 1,003
Okay so I watched "Skyfall" the other day and something caught my eye. Bond fails his training badly and it is very noticeable.
I mean you can tell he is really out of shape and when he is shooting the targets his aim is horrible!
When he gets captured, Silva goes on about how M sent him when he was not ready and he is no match for him.. However outside, Bond easily shoots all the men in a crazy awesome way and has the tracker go off. Then back at the station we see Bond run I don't know how many miles and perform some pretty cool maneuvers to catch up with Silva! So my theory is, Bond failed his training on purpose. He knew Silva was hacking the MI6 computers and would see it and let his guard down. It completely makes sense to me..
Otherwise if Bond really did fail the training for reals then how was he able to pull that all off and run the way he did without even getting tired or anything?? Thoughts? :)

Comments

  • doubleoegodoubleoego #LightWork
    Posts: 11,139
    I don't think Bond was faking at all.

    He genuinely was out of it during the tests as, he hadn't been physically active in a while, he still had a bullet nesting in his shoulder and he was psychologically handicapped; still somewhat disappointed with the fact that M didn't trust his judgement and ability and that near death experience of being shot twice and falling from what could be a fatal height.

    However, Bond wasn't completely useless and whilst out in the field he was getting/gained his mojo back. In many situations such as the one's Bond finds himself in, the adrenalin of fight or flight kicks in so hard that it's like you're a completely different person, doing things you didn't think you were capable of.

    All that said, what ever rust and second guessing Bond had and was going through, his experience and physical memory of how to be an effective agent kicked in and overwhelmed the physical and mental weaknesses he was experiencing.
  • SirHilaryBraySirHilaryBray Scotland
    Posts: 2,138
    Okay so I watched "Skyfall" the other day and something caught my eye. Bond fails his training badly and it is very noticeable.
    I mean you can tell he is really out of shape and when he is shooting the targets his aim is horrible!
    When he gets captured, Silva goes on about how M sent him when he was not ready and he is no match for him.. However outside, Bond easily shoots all the men in a crazy awesome way and has the tracker go off. Then back at the station we see Bond run I don't know how many miles and perform some pretty cool maneuvers to catch up with Silva! So my theory is, Bond failed his training on purpose. He knew Silva was hacking the MI6 computers and would see it and let his guard down. It completely makes sense to me..
    Otherwise if Bond really did fail the training for reals then how was he able to pull that all off and run the way he did without even getting tired or anything?? Thoughts? :)

    That's sounds insane but it could be true. But then Bond woukd habe to take the chance M would still declare him fit for duty. It would also make two scenes pointless. Looking in to the mirror looking like a wreck and when Tanner is debriefing Bond he is struggling with the chin ups on the bar, Tanner asks him "would you rather do thos later Bond replies "you know what lets. The chards are also having an impact on the arm he then appears to remove these for analysis but it also appears to resolve the restriction. Bond is like a Spinal Tap amp he can go to 11 when he needs too. You can't over analyze it will ruin the enjoyment. Clearly Bond shouldnt be able to do what he does. At the time a woman he just slept with who he felt pitty for was just murdered and his own lifes at risk his training kicks in with the adrnaline caused by the situation. Adrenaline is a crazy thing, solider in world war 2 had arms blown of but kept running as though nothing had happened. Nice theory tough.
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy My Secret Lair
    Posts: 13,384
    I think Bond failed his training, but as soon as he removed the bullet fragments
    From his shoulder he began to get better. Silva on talking to Bond was under the
    Impression Bond was totally out of shape, which Bond played along with, until
    He had to act.
    Well that's my theory. ;)
  • ClarkDevlinClarkDevlin Martinis, Girls and Guns
    Posts: 15,423
    Well, you know what Bond pointed out in Never Say Never Again, being out in the field gives you more edge. That's my take on it.
  • Here's my take on it... the depleted uranium bullet would actually be toxic:

    http://www.mi6community.com/index.php?p=/discussion/9347/the-toxic-skyfall-bullet

    ...is this a little something the writers or Mendes have included for us to dwell on without being overt about in the film? I think so, yes.
  • 0BradyM0Bondfanatic70BradyM0Bondfanatic7 Quantum Floral Arrangements: "We Have Petals Everywhere"
    Posts: 28,694
    As others have said, by the time the training occurred the shrapnel was still inside Bond, making his aim quite well "off." Add in all his other stressors following the train incident, and you have your answer.
  • talos7talos7 New Orleans
    Posts: 8,252
    doubleoego wrote: »
    I don't think Bond was faking at all.

    He genuinely was out of it during the tests as, he hadn't been physically active in a while, he still had a bullet nesting in his shoulder and he was psychologically handicapped; still somewhat disappointed with the fact that M didn't trust his judgement and ability and that near death experience of being shot twice and falling from what could be a fatal height.

    However, Bond wasn't completely useless and whilst out in the field he was getting/gained his mojo back. In many situations such as the one's Bond finds himself in, the adrenalin of fight or flight kicks in so hard that it's like you're a completely different person, doing things you didn't think you were capable of.

    All that said, what ever rust and second guessing Bond had and was going through, his experience and physical memory of how to be an effective agent kicked in and overwhelmed the physical and mental weaknesses he was experiencing.

    This saved me a lot of typing. :)

  • SarkSark Guangdong, PRC
    Posts: 1,138
    my theory is, Bond failed his training on purpose. He knew Silva was hacking the MI6 computers and would see it and let his guard down.
    a88.jpg
  • SirHilaryBraySirHilaryBray Scotland
    Posts: 2,138
    PalkoPalko wrote: »
    Here's my take on it... the depleted uranium bullet would actually be toxic:

    http://www.mi6community.com/index.php?p=/discussion/9347/the-toxic-skyfall-bullet

    ...is this a little something the writers or Mendes have included for us to dwell on without being overt about in the film? I think so, yes.

    Spot on! +1
  • Okay so I watched "Skyfall" the other day and something caught my eye. Bond fails his training badly and it is very noticeable.
    I mean you can tell he is really out of shape and when he is shooting the targets his aim is horrible!
    When he gets captured, Silva goes on about how M sent him when he was not ready and he is no match for him.. However outside, Bond easily shoots all the men in a crazy awesome way and has the tracker go off. Then back at the station we see Bond run I don't know how many miles and perform some pretty cool maneuvers to catch up with Silva! So my theory is, Bond failed his training on purpose. He knew Silva was hacking the MI6 computers and would see it and let his guard down. It completely makes sense to me..
    Otherwise if Bond really did fail the training for reals then how was he able to pull that all off and run the way he did without even getting tired or anything?? Thoughts? :)

    I never thought of that. Interesting. Especially how later in the film Silva says to Bond "Not bad James for a physical wreck" almost sarcastically as if he now knew he was faking.
  • talos7talos7 New Orleans
    Posts: 8,252
    After his time away he was a wreck. One telling moment is during his testing;Bond waits until no one is looking to collapse after doing pull-ups. His exhaustion and disillusionment is real. Once he commits to returning to sevice he never stops training, as he is seen swimming in the roof top pool. He removes the remnant of the bullet, not only to have it analyzed but because it's also hampering his performance. At times instinct and experience kick in as well as a determination to overcome his less than peak condition. M's Tennyson quote says it all. Faking, no. Determined and dedicated, yes.
  • ThunderfingerThunderfinger Das Boot Hill
    Posts: 45,489
    Here is the original thread.
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