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Comments
The others for the most part were spared such embarrassment.
I think what opening post is getting at, is more the broader tone of the films. ie we are not likely to see Bond and Anya van-hijinks with Jaws at the pyramids, in a Craig film, or even a Connery film, at least not in a scene involving Bond.
But I do think Craig Bond does deliver the glib very well.
He's got some great lines in upcoming Spectre, known to those that have read ahead, worthy of prime Connery, or even some of the zingers that Flemings Bond would deliver, especially when he was insulting villains.
Sardonic, dry wit is essential to Bond. This element was a staple of Fleming's Bond as well. In fact Fleming's Bond would engage utter frivolity at times. He takes off on a drunken beer binge with a random German drinking buddy he runs into in OHMSS.
The pair had a real hoot.
Some of the lines he delivers in YOLT could be right out of Monty Python, especially when he's verbally giving it to Blofeld and Bunt at the Castle of Death, but the humour never takes away from the danger element which is so prevalent in Fleming's work.
My favourite funny Fleming is Goldfinger. Bond is relentless in his barbs and digs, directed at the expense of both Oddjob and Goldfinger, two utterly humourless villains.
eg "How's the agoraphobia, Goldfinger?" as the two stroll down the vast, wide open expanse of the golf fairway. :))
I think Craig's Bond has caught the spirit of essential Bond glibness.
As someone mentioned, the facial expressions, we saw from Craig, during the initial meeting with Q, were vintage, worthy of some of Connery's best withering looks, and I think very much channeling Fleming's Bond as well.
Craigs humour in the last three movies was not very spectacular to say it kindly it was sometimes so obviously aimed at the past of franchise in a look-at-me-being-better kind of way it was more annoying than funny.
And to be honest I do not mind, as long as it fits the character of the Bond being played.
The current production team wouldn't know subtle humour if it hit them in the cranium with a jackhammer.
Lightheartedness only works in Bond films if it is in good taste and subtle enough not to pull you out of the pace of the story. See TB for the very best interwoven humour from the franchise... ("Most girls just paddle around, you swim like a man" - "so do you, Mr Bond" ...."well I've had quite a bit of practice..."
Agree with the above. Would love if Craig gets some lines ala Goldfinger the novel.
I agree with the ‘fun’ sentiment. It’s not about being light-hearted, or funny, it’s about having a spark. Not being too earnest.
That s it. Not slapstick, but a glimmer in the eye.
As for Roger nobody does it better or has done since, humor is a skill.
I wonder if anyone at all could walk in Moore s shoes in that regard today, and still be a believable Bond.
No way. Broz (not his fault, though) failed miserably. Only Moore could do Moore-type one-liners without being cringe-inducing.
The ''gunbarrel'' (eye barrel) set at the beginning of Spectre and silly humor joke with watch.
Blofeld brother is not only rushed, but unneeded.
QOS and Spectre are good in black humor.
I whant a movie who is earlier like QOS/Spectre, but overall a movie who have thrill of Goldeneye, Octopussy and The Living Daylights.
And nobody should,thats as light as Bond should go.
If the writing isn't up to snuff in the one liner department or if their lead doesn't have what it takes to deliver the line with confidence, then drop it. In such a scenario it's best to go serious rather than making a bloody fool out of everyone just to emulate the past.
Keep it authentic & internally consistent, whatever you do.
I agree completely. Having comedy in the Bond films doesn’t mean a return to Moore era gags, it just means some wry humor every now and then.
True. The humor is SP was good. The toxicity in the film came from trying to combine the classic formula with Craig era emotional BS; giving us Bro-feld and a weak love story to screw it all up.
What they do need is an actor who is as comfortable with a quip as he is with action.
This is why I think Hugh Jackman was huge missed opportunity. He’s a solid actor who can do action as good, if not better than Craig and has a charm and ability to drop a humorous line with ease.
Jackman would have been a great Bond. He's aged well too, which also makes not casting him an even more missed opportunity. Has he done a British accent in movies before?