Bond Forever, Bourne Forgotten
by John Scott LewinskiIn a new listing of film and TV’s coolest heroes, James Bond emerged in the top spot — while rival spy Jason Bourne was MIA — finishing behind the likes of young Harry Potter and Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
In its 20 All-Time Coolest Heroes in Pop Culture rankings, Entertainment Weekly listed 007 #1 — a move not likely to please fan’s of every hippie’s favorite spy (other than Valerie Plame), that assassin with a conscience, Bourne. In fact, if EW was going to run a Top 2 All-Time Most Cheesed Off Folks right now, it might rank Bourne’s cinematic creators –Team America star Matt Damon and United 93 director Paul Greengrass — in that order.
Damon or Greengrass seem obsessed with attacking the James Bond films and the character himself every chance they get. Mixing up a bitter soup of professional envy at Bond’s legacy and success, personal insecurity at producing movies beholden to Bond and (of course) self-righteous political arrogance, both artists froth at every opportunity to brand Ian Fleming’s creation a soulless killer. Ignoring Bond’s efforts to battle terrorism and global crime, they stamp him a militarist imperialist misogynist.
That’s a lot of “ist”s to heap on a fictional character, and the Damon/Greengrass vitriol festival seems unwilling to turn the same critical eye toward their own non-corporeal screen creation. While Robert Ludlum’s character is an impressive and skilled killing machine, the movie Bourne is gloomy, bitter, self-absorbed and motivated only by personal revenge and the desire to be left alone (a trait of questionable heroic value).
But Bourne fights predominantly middle-aged white men in suits who are part of the military and intelligence establishments. Combine that with the character’s inherent narcissism, and he’s the perfect screen hero for the hard left.
But EW left him out of their Top 20 — a decision that could indicate Bourne is already fading into also-ran spy status as Daniel Craig and the Bond franchise flourish. In fact, whether the magazine’s editors realize it or not, the EW list is very conservative friendly, including fine, upstanding badasses like Dirty Harry, Jack Bauer and Batman. Then again, the left alienates itself from heroic qualities when it so frequently surrenders to moral relativism and the simple-minded “weak always good, strong always bad” mentality. So, it’s hard to balance such a list politically.
There’s talk of another Greengrass/Damon/Bourne project in Hollywood, but that series will never match Bond’s pop culture significance and historic resonance with movie fans — and that will forever burn in the guts of hard left ideologues who forget “it’s only a movie.”
Email this to a friend | Print |
Share on Facebook
| Tweet this
| 
Follow Us on Twitter
Subscribe via RSS
Tips & Feedback
110 Comments
I always liked Vin Diesel as XXX a lot better than any Bond movie. There, I said it.
Also, I think Daniel Craig sucks as Bond. (There, I said that too.) Sean Connery and Pierce Brosnan were the only ones worthy of the double 0.
XXX was a better Bond movie than most Bond movies of the past 10-15 years.
The Bourne movies all tell the same story and there isn't much of a story there to begin with. The Bournes are a series of stunts and set pieces with a monologue at the end. The Bond movies at their best are full of interesting ideas, characters, sights, hot ladies, cool gadgets, humor, great music, etc. Bourne movies have no humor, cold characters, gray scenery, and pretty dull dialogue.
Excellent commentary, John.
I remember looking forward to the first Bourne flick. Then… there it was… the plot laid out before my eyes. ("Why didn't I see this coming?") The bad guys were, once again… as ever and always in our Liberal Hollywood… the bad guys were US intelligence folks: "They created a monster… who found his soul. Now, the monster turns on its creator."
(Interesting… I wonder if there is a correlation between this oft-repeated anti-hero plot line, and the average Liberal's personal rebellion against his/her own creator. Hmmmm.)
I could barely stomach the whole movie. Sure… great action scenes… fun, creative killings. But, the sub-text just didn't resonate: "America IS NOT THE BAD GUY, FOLKS!!!!!"
And, the Greengrasses and Damons of Tinseltown just can't see it. It is, indeed, one of the strangest things.
Eagerly awaiting the advent of the New Hollywood…
Bourne is an excellent character, but I can't help viewing him with an Achilles' heel every since that idiot Matt Damon decided to throw in his highly deflated two-cents' worth on Palin back in September.
Agreed and Palin would make a better character than Damon.
Very nice contrast and comparison with lots of insight in a very brief paragraph.
I liked Q of S, but unfortunately it did seem to have a lot of 'Hunh, I'm not following this.' moments.
And like CJ below me, I look forward to the New Hollywood.
There's no movie yet, but Mitch Rapp will put them all to shame. No time to waterboard, just shoot'em in the knee caps, glean desired intel, then kill'em….Where's the movie, come-on!!!!!
VD was okay as XXX, but I was never really wowed by the any in the movie really. Daniel Craig was excellent as Bond in Casino Royale, Quantum of Solace was lacking. Pierce Brosnan was good, but nothing really memorable and I real can't take him serious as a fighter. The Sean Connery Bond films I have yet to see.
Actually, the Bourne movies are pretty good. I would rate them in order of quality, 2, 3, and 1. (There, now I said it). That aside, the political message from these movies were infantile and unoriginal. USA as bad guy? Check. CIA conspiracy? Check. Misuse of power in the name of national security? Check. Gag me. At least they had "the Professor" take out "Mugabe" before the end of the first film.
Still, as far as quality goes, well paced, good acting, and clean action sequences, hard to argue with. Yes, Matt Damon is a moron every time he opens his mouth on social issues. He mouths off about American values while living under the very protection of this awful country. Unfortunately, that is not enough to make the movies bad.
Bond films, with a handful of exceptions, are not made with the best quality. That the message is more balanced than Bourne is not enough to make it a better movie, or character. So Bond wins the popularity contest. What does that do for me?
I pride myself with my Bond Collection – I've got em all. What I think is amusing is, although these flicks surpass the test of time, as far as sales and ratings when they run, a lot of the actors are terrible. In Moonraker, Micheal Lonsdale plays an American with a dreadful English accent . His acting is horrible, and yet the gimmicks, Bond gals transcend. How about that Squeeky mess, Tanya Roberts in a View to a Kill; I could go on and on. Connery was the best, followed by Pierce, but one thing is for certain, Damon couldn't hold any of the Bond's jock-strap, in my august opinion.
She certainly has more testosterone than Myatt Damon. Come to think of it, she'd be more manly than most Hollywood men, if she weren't so hot.
I've been a big Bond fan since I was a girl – used to watch them on t.v. with my dad. I've always loved Sean Connery and I was one of those weird gals who liked Timothy Dalton, but disliked Roger Moore. I think Daniel Craig has done a fine job in the role and I look forward to his future efforts.
I stopped liking Matt Damon when he spouted off that stuff about Sarah Palin and her being like a "bad Disney movie." Too bad because I did kind of like the Bourne movies.
But he would love to hold any one of their jockstraps. If he plays it right, they might even make Ben Affleck the next Bond. Wouldn't that be cute?
I had to watch Q of S twice and I'm glad I did. I really liked it after the second viewing.
How in the hell is Harry Pre-pube Potter cooler than Han Solo!? Ridiculous.
At least as far as the Bond parts go, Craig comes off as a blond, bland, blithering, Brit bimbo. He's a pretty good actor otherwise, but I felt Craig's real personal fear of guns in every scene. Although he was never in contention for the part (as far as I know), I would like to have seen Adrian Paul of Highlander mini-fame (TV and movie) in the part. He's a decent actor, does action and romantic scenes well, and even looks a little like a younger Connery.
Todd, you got there ahead of me.
Except that QoS was also a series of stunts and set pieces with a monologue at the end. If you can tell, I was extremely disappointed with QoS. I thought all of the story telling and characterization from Casino Royale went out the window in QoS. What infuriated me the most were the stylized place names that popped up everytime Bond switched locales. They were annoying and unecessary. ____I like the Bourne movies for what they are to me: great physical stunt pieces and nice chase scenes. I see the govt conspiracy plot lines as unintentional comedy.
I thought his best role was in Team America
Okay, now for my There, I said it…
Love Craig. Love "Casino Royale." "XXX" was fun but cheesy.
*Whew* Had to get that out.
Princess Leia: "I love you."
Han Solo: "I know."
– Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back
My daughter thinks that's the coolest 'guy line' in movie history. Heck, I think I agree with her. : )
While lists like this are always subjective, it shows that people still want strong, independent men/women who will stand up to evil and fight for freedom. It shows that even in EW, if you can strip away all of the liberal deception, this country is still center-right.
eek.. no thanks, Lawhawk.. if the stories I heard were even half-true about Paul, we'd have "Christian Bale" type eruptions every day, and NO shooting for Bond would ever be done… I still with Statham had gotten the Bond role.. but eh, what can you do but enjoy who they give you (or not watch Bond at all… {but this from a guy who's a Dalton fan
}
Timothy Dalton did a good job in The Rocketeer, playing as an America Hating Actor Living In Hollywood.
And it was not in the script. George Lucas may be a $&^*^%$%%&*^#$^^*_& idiot, but damn, them's some good movies.
MATT
DAMON.
The script of the Bourne movies was just terrible, I'm sorry, but it's true. Matt Damon plays a good stump which works for his character, but David Straitham screaming ridiculous lines and Julia Stiles as pale and dead as a week old fish was just awful.
Ludlum wrote dreary Cold War books that will not stand the test of time. People will be reading Tarzan of the Apes and Travis McGee novels long after Ludlum has been forgotten.
Funny, I didn't see any characters from "Valley of Elah" or "Stop Loss" or "Rendition" or any other B.S. P.C. Lefty product in that list. Must be a series of typos.
Count me in the pro-Craig camp. I thought he was pitch perfect in Casino Royale. The opening is one of my top 5 Bond scenes. I like the grittier version because I think the campiness, over the top gadgets, had gone as far as it could go. I would have liked to see Clive Owen, but after last his last couple of roles I think that ship has sailed. If he could get back his personna from "Croupier", maybe.
The Bourne movies lack imagination to me. They give you the same old liberal villain — the evil American military industrial complex. They are shot as a collection of stunts, held together by the principle of deus ex machina. There is no plot, there is nothing we haven't seen a hundred times already.
More disturbing to me, there is a subtle message placed into these movies — particularly the recent one. Did anyone notice that the killers the US hires to do its dirty work (whether bombing or shooting) are all Arab-looking? The message, consistent with Damon's philosophy, is that the terrorism we've seen in placed like Spain, London, Morocco, New York, and India (NOT coincidentally all locations in the films) is actually caused by the American government and its hired killers. To me, that's a despicable message, especially considering that the film is meant to be sold overseas.
Why that would be thabulous.
Please, don't say that! There goes my appetite for the next year. Ben Affleck isn't fit to play a villain in a Bond flick, let alone 007 himself. There aren't enough steroids in the world to make him man enough to play Bond.
Wow. I couldn't disagree more, counsellor (Please approach the bench!). The only Bond DVD's I have are Connery and Craig. I actually think Craig's more grim and uncompromising Bond reboot is fantastic. He'll never be Connery – nobody will – but I like what he's doing with the character. I've always liked his acting in just about everything he's done, while admitting that he plays pretty much the same character all the time.
I know I'm going to get a lot of flack for this, but the one actor I'd really like to see get a shot at Bond is Jude Law. He's a fantastic actor with a broad range and he can do classy incredibly well… not to mention comedy. seriously, I think he'd be a great Bond.
Wow. I couldn't disagree more, counsellor (Please approach the bench!). The only Bond DVD's I have are Connery and Craig. I actually think Craig's more grim and uncompromising Bond reboot is fantastic. He'll never be Connery – nobody will – but I like what he's doing with the character. I've always liked his acting in just about everything he's done, while admitting that he plays pretty much the same character all the time.
I know I'm going to get a lot of flack for this, but the one actor I'd really like to see get a shot at Bond is Jude Law. He's a fantastic actor with a broad range and he can do classy incredibly well… not to mention comedy. seriously, I think he'd be a great Bond.
Hadn't hear that about Paul. Oh, well. I've always thought Statham was really good in his stuff, even when the plots were absolutely preposterous. But a bald Bond? I guess Connery could lend him one of his pieces.
After looking at the list, three comments:____At 17, Nancy Drew. While pleasant, I'm surprised she's here because I didn't think she was that popular anymore. I know there was the recent movie, but I don't think the box office was very good. I liked the blend of retro/current that was going on, but I don't think it hit with the right audience. I would like to hear from any mothers with daughters if I am right or wrong.____12 was Capt. Kirk. Looking back now, I see him as more one-dimensional. My choice is Capt Picard, but I think we should leave that battle royale for another thread.____8 is Buffy which I think is a great choice. My favorite show of the 1990's-2000's. Great use of sci-fi to explore current issues and ideas. Smart, at times confident and at times unsure, everything I hope to find in a girlfriend
I object! I ain't approaching no bench. I guess we're going to have to agree to disagree on Craig. On the other hand, I don't think Jude Law is a bad choice at all. My only objection to him would be a minor one–he looks a little delicate, which is what turned me off about Dalton and Brosnan, even though they're both fine actors. Connery set the standard for bulk, even though Fleming himself emphasized the attributes you've mentioned.
I object! I ain't approaching no bench. I guess we're going to have to agree to disagree on Craig. On the other hand, I don't think Jude Law is a bad choice at all. My only objection to him would be a minor one–he looks a little delicate, which is what turned me off about Dalton and Brosnan, even though they're both fine actors. Connery set the standard for bulk, even though Fleming himself emphasized the attributes you've mentioned.
Since my wife liked his work–Good Will Hunting in particular–I was always able to tolerate him, even to the point of getting some of his films. But after he opened his stupid sewer in that hateful anti-Sarah Palin rant I had finally had enough. I scoured my DVD library for every Damon movie (okay I did hold onto Saving Private Ryan) and took them down to the local FYE to trade them in for store credit, afterwhich I used to purchase a few more John Wayne and Jimmy Stewart movies. I urge everyone out there to do the same. Support REAL Americans.
Does that offend you John Stewart? F**k you too.
As for 007 Connery is miles ahead of the pack. Although I was first introduced to Bond by way of the Roger Moore films, in retrospect most of them were bloody awful, with For Your Eyes Only being by far the best. I will also voice support for Timothy Dalton, who did an admirable job restoring James Bond to a serious spy/assassin rather than the comedic and cartoony character he had become in the seventies. Most fans of the original Bond books also recognize that Dalton was also by far the closest actor, in personality and physical description, to the character Ian Fleming created.
Interesting side note:
In that list of ALL TIME heroes, the Dark Knight's Batman is listed #18.
In this list:
http://www.ew.com/ew/gallery/0,,20268462,00.html
of ALL TIME villains, Dark Knight's Joker is listed as #4.
I think most would agree those are at least reasonable placements.
Yet somehow, this film was not even nominated for Best Picture in the recent Oscars.
What a joke.
Quantum of Solace was kind of a downer for me. I'm not too keen on Craig being Bond. That being said I'd take him over Damon's Bourne any day.
I'd have to vote no on Jude as well. Way too much of a pretty boy and I can't imagine him throwing a punch.
If you want someone who doesn't look delicate, allow me to go outside the box and suggest Rosie O'Donnel. heh heh heh heh
My favorite Bonds are Dalton and Connery. And yes, I always rolled my eyes whenever Greengrass and Damon would bash Bond.
As entertaining as the Bourne movies are, they will just go down in history with the likes of Harry Palmer, One Man Flint, Austin Powers, etc… good alternative reactions on the Bond saga.
Having read all of the Ludlum books I would quess Robert Ludlum is spinning in his grave with the end result of these Bourne movies .
Omigod! I just had a sickening thought. J. Garafolo. She'd not only be tough enough, she'd be the first one who was man enough to sport tats. Yes, I said tAts.
PS: When it comes to Rosie O'Donnell, it's always a good idea to stay outside the box.
I'm glad you clarified your vowels. Garafolo (shudder).
Yikes! I need to go wash my mind out with soap now. You should too.
Quantum of Solace was as anti-American as any of the Bourne movies (well, the two I saw, anyway). A big disappointment, especially after the excellent Casino Royale.
I don't think it's necessarily Daniel Craig who sucks as Bond, it's what he was given to work with. JSL stated that "the movie Bourne is gloomy, bitter, self-absorbed and motivated only by personal revenge and the desire to be left alone…" The thing is that's exactly how Daniel Craig's Bond plays, so which is the trendsetter? Actually the precursor to both is Timothy Dalton's Bond.
BTW, Vin Diesel rocks, I believe a very underrated actor. XXX is great, but it's Samuel L Jackson who makes that film. Cheers, Frank
Neglected to give my 2 cents on Bourne. While one of my first reads was "The Bourne Identity," I soon found this series to be formulaic and poorly researched, pop spy 'literature' at its most basic level. Actually my favorite Ludlum novel is 'The Matarese Circle,' and I'm looking forward to Denzel's portrayal of Scofield in the film directed by David Cronenberg.
And now that I have that nauseating thought in my mind, I'm going to clarify my bowels.
Naw, I've already been picked to star in "Eternal Sunshine of the Dirty Mind."
Yes, Dalton was the closest to Fleming's character. Coming from someone who read all of the books.
Good point. I liked to 1st Bourne movie, but then 2nd was only ok and the 3rd sucked. They got farther and farther from "Jason Bourne, the bad ass" and went deeper into "Jason Bourne, bringing down THE MAN".
The first difference I noted from the 1st book and the 1st movie was Bourne's treatment of guns. In the book, he keeps every one he can get his hands on. At different points in the book, he has a gun in each pocket, in his belt, a few in his bags, etc… In the movie, he is so conscientious that he throws them all away. Lame.
I've read the Ludlum books as well. They were a bit dated in some respects but I do think that some of what they changed was a mistake… such as making Borne an assassin! That's sort of huge. And because he *is* an assassin a whole lot of other things have to be different as well as it all moves along. But really, the change made the amnesia an entirely different beast, too… all getting his memory back did was have him go from being an assassin to being… an assassin. The novel was more complicated. The good guys and bad guys were more confused rather than simply unknown. They removed the villain in the book entirely… and replaced him with the US government. He just ceased to exist. Poof! And since he was the whole reason for Borne to do what he did to go so deep undercover… well, it was all gone. All he ended up being was a rogue agent with amnesia. Ho Hum.
What?! No Snake Plissken? No Jack Burton? No Snake Eyes or Wolverine? WTF!
They did say pop-culture and not just movies. But all they showed were movies and TV.
Hey Harry Palmer is totally different from Bourne. You actually have to think witha Harry Palmer story.
Bringing a modern version of Palmer would be very enjoyable, but probably not profitable.
By making the US government the one and only villain in the Borne movies they limited what they could ultimately do. By the time one gets done *reading* the Borne Identity, Supremacy, and Ultimatum, Borne is sneaking into Red China. At the end of three movies all the cool titles are used up and he's got no where else to go.
When watching a Bourne film, I put politics aside and take it all in – all three films hold up well, and the car chase through Moscow is tied for first with the chase from Ronin as the best I've ever seen (apologies to all McQueen/Hackman buffs here). I loved the new Casino Royale, but did not like Quantum of Solace. When they make a third, yes, I'll go see it – just as I will if they make a fourth Bourne film.
As for the list itself, I second those when I say Harry Potter? Huh? And a Buffy guy to the end, she should have been the highest-rated lady of the list – I'd have put her at three or four, behind Batman, Han Solo and yes, Bond.
Dalton? Timothy Dalton? Ewww…..
Ppppllleaaaassssseee Stoooooopppppp!
Too…..much…..laughing…….must……….breathe…………
(Glad I did like everyone else…no open containers around the computer)
Ben just did SUCH a good job with "Daredevil", one of my all time bestest superheroes. Then hewent on to destroy Tom Clancy next.
I cried over my first editions.
I'd rather have Niven as a zombie doing Bond again than that.
But I gotta ask about this:
What's with the constant revision thing? SW always had huge plot holes in it, so why go back and make them bigger?
"Han shot first."
And if I had somebody's nasty little pistol in my face, SO WOULD I !!
Who?
LOL!
Yes, QOS wasn't a Bond movie except in name. They went too far trying to be like Bourne, whioch is pointless because Bourne is one note. They need to step up their game and return to the classic elements next time or they will start to upset their audience.
Unfortunately, QOS made a lot of money, so we'll see if they bother.
I *totally* though QOS was trying to be Bourne. I wrote a review on my blog and said the same thing. At first I was convinced they had to have been directed by the same person. One should never mess with the Bond formula.
Craig comes darn close to a Steve McQueen "cool" in both movies, and in my book has deposed the great Sean as James Bond, (Sean's still great) I also thought QOS was as good OR better than Casino…there I said it. The reboot of the Bond films has been absolutely brilliant as they say in UK. Both are in my DVD collection, who is this Bourne guy anyway, a prince trying for the throne of the king of spies, ain't gonna happen.
No, no, no, please no. Not Jude Law. He looks a LOT delicate and really kind of creepy.
And Luke Skywalker isn't on the list at all?! He must be too heroic.
Ah, what a fun thread — all these comments on this topic, with the playful attitude.
Count me in as one who wanted Clive Owen to be the next Bond, then felt Daniel Craig did a great job.
Pierce Brosnan has always seemed too slight and delicate for the role (IMO).
After the great rehab of Casino Royale, Quantum of Solace was a big thudding disappointment.
I'd forgive the dull, lame writing if only the action scenes were not ruined by that stupid combo of only tight close ups and speed-freak editing, rendering the scene into visual gibberish, producing only a reaction of 'What exactly just happened??'
It was as if the Bourne series had claimed the Bond series as a victim.
That last Bourne film gave me a rare headache with its combo of wobbly camera work and framing the shots too tightly too often. I'd love to see both the Bourne film action scenes and the action scenes in Quantum of Solace re-edited so that we can enjoy actually understanding the sequence of actions, like watching a boxing match, instead of tumbling down a flight of stairs.
If you don't know who Travis McGee and Tarzan are, I feel extremely sorry for you.
The Bourne character (in the films at least) is monotonously grim.
He barely seems human. It's a drag to spend that much time in his company.
Give me characters who have a sense of humor; who show a capacity to enjoy being alive.
Such as James Bond in Casino Royale, or the Sean Connery version of James Bond.
The other Bonds were too lightweight for me.
The director Marc Forestor is totally the wrong kind of director for James Bond. He does artsy little films for the most part. He over compensated for it with QOS. Also, the villain was kind of a joke. IThe actor is good, but the character was just some euro-trash weenie who creamed like a girl in the fight scenes.
Well, Huc: The flak is in, and it looks like Law is out. Now how strange does that sound coming from me?
I admit for a while, I was hoping they'd give Gerard Butler a shot. I think he'd be a serviceable intersection of Brosnan and Connery. But after seeing his screen choices the last couple go-rounds… I find myself in a smaller camp.
*MissQuinn*
Aw, how about these possible titles: Bourne Again, ReBourne, Bourne Free, Bourne to be Wild,
Bourne Under A Bad Sign, Bourne to Lose … Oh, somebody stop me!
PS: to take a line from Good Will Hunting: Bourne: Let the Healing Begin!
The joke was Ludlum. L U D L U M.
Besides, your answer was not in the form of a question.
Ouch.
Most likely. Too bad a lot of people are going to judge his novels by the movies.
I have all three Bourne films, and I do watch them with a jaundiced eye toward reality, seeing them as the totally freak fiction they should be seen as.
My money, the Bauer would simply shoot the Bourne, a la "Indiana Jones". We'd miss all the supercool hand to hand, but it would be more realistic. Silent armed combat beats unarmed combat every day of the week, and twice on Sunday.
And Brosnan 007 would have popped the Bourne, and then say something dry and witty.
I would prefer Butler or my choice Clive Owen over Craig who doesn't look the part. I think Butler could do it, definitely. But I think Owen is more on target. He looks like the Bond Ian Fleming describes.
If the Bourne series is exhausted, and so is the Ocean's Eleven series, how about a creative strange blend of the two? Have Jason Bourne tangle with the Ocean's gang (minus Bernie Mac, what a shame, seriously).
The Bourne series gains some much-needed levity and comaraderie, and the Ocean's series might gain something like ballast, before it just drifts away as totally weightless fluff.
When Damon's Bourne character confronts his Linus character, they could insult each other's politics!
And no MacGyver?
Roger Moore was my first Bond. I think "Moonraker" was the first one I saw in the theatres. I always thought the EARLY Moore (Live And Let Die, Man With The Golden Gun) were good. Yes, Moore got silly later on, but you can't win 'em all.
That said, I thought Casino Royale was wonderful. I haven't seen QoS yet, but I'll be picking up the DVD any time now.
For the record, I thoroughly enjoyed Licence To Kill and Goldeneye. There, I said it.
I am with you, Kevin. The only movies I have bought in the last couple of years are his two Bond films.
When I temped at MGM, one of the highlights was getting to see Casino Royale before anyone else. The company was having an employee screening at the movie theater across the street and they needed a few nerds for a test screening to make sure the sound and picture quality were up to par. They asked me and my fellow geeks from records and archives to go across the street and simply watch the movie. The three of us had the theater all to ourselves! Not a bad way to spend a couple hours on the clock.
My first Bond film in the theater was Goldeneye which might still be my favorite Brosnan Bond movie. I own all the others on DVD (with Casino Royale on Blu-Ray). I haven't seen Quantum yet but I've got it on my Netflix list. My favorites might be From Russia With Love, Goldfinger, and The Spy Who Loved Me. I did NOT like The Man with the Golden Gun. And I do feel Dalton was underrated. I particularly enjoyed The Living Daylights.
When I temped at MGM, one of the highlights was getting to see Casino Royale before anyone else. The company was having an employee screening at the movie theater across the street and they needed a few nerds for a test screening to make sure the sound and picture quality were up to par. They asked me and my fellow geeks from records and archives to go across the street and simply watch the movie. The three of us had the theater all to ourselves! Not a bad way to spend a couple hours on the clock.
My first Bond film in the theater was Goldeneye which might still be my favorite Brosnan Bond movie. I own all the others on DVD (with Casino Royale on Blu-Ray). I haven't seen Quantum yet but I've got it on my Netflix list. My favorites might be From Russia With Love, Goldfinger, and The Spy Who Loved Me. I did NOT like The Man with the Golden Gun. And I do feel Dalton was underrated. I particularly enjoyed The Living Daylights.
Jason Bourne isn't half the spy as Bond, Matt Helm, Derek Fling, or Nick Carter. Then again, Matt Damon isn't half the actor as Roger Moore, Pierce Brosnan, Daniel Craig, Dean Martin. He isn't a tenth of the actor as James Coburn or Sean Connery.
ONe thing I would disagree with the list about Bond. To me his most heroic line was the one they listed as his least. Bond had the testicular fortitude and the good taste to not like the Beatles- a fact that I've always enjoyed as I personally despise them as well.
In everything I've seen Statham in, it seems he'd be the same cut as Craig. I prefer the sytlish, campy, gadgeted, kill-a-room-full-of-bad-guys-without-dirtying-up-his-suit kind of Bond. The grittiness in Casino Royale really didn't do anything for me. If I wanted grit, I'd watch my Bourne movies, which I happen to like.
I really have no idea who would make a good replacement for Craig. Jude Law will always make me think of Vasily Zaitsev, but to me, he's the best name put forth so far.
Gotta agree with you. I love Craig as Bond. I initially didn't like QOS near as well as Casino…but I've watched it three times now and I keep getting more out of it.
Not Janeane! #ell's bells, NO! You would have to wash and disinfect her for days before she could shoot a single frame. I keep waiting to hear how they had to shut down the filming of 24, due to virulent case of body lice/gonorrhea. I am in the minority, I know, (my hubby thinks I am nuts), but I loved Roger Moore the best. I think Connery is a much better actor than Moore, but I have to go for the one who would make me want to drop the panties. Sorry, guys.
Oh, didn't see your post HHW. He looks like a sissy to me, too. And he may also have the Janeane Garrofola problem, see above. He is known for sleeping around. And around, and around.
I could go for Clive Owen! (oh, yeah). He is sexy, suave, and looks like he would enjoy punching someone. I like that in a man. Butler, is o.k., a little to buttoned up for my taste.
I've heard that. Ugh. To be perfectly honest I don't see a lot of "manly" men actors anymore. Which is why, I would imagine, so many of us keep our hopes high for Clive Owens and hope he'll start getting good roles instead of the stinkers.
[...] Planet Ajaxian added an interesting post on Bond Forever, Bourne ForgottenHere’s a small excerptIn a new listing of film and TV’s coolest heroes, James Bond emerged in the top spot — while rival spy Jason Bourne was MIA — finishing behind the likes of young Harry Potter and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. In its 20 All-Time Coolest Heroes in Pop Culture rankings, Entertainment Weekly listed… [...]
I don't know if he's already been mentioned, but what about Sean Bean as James Bond?
I've not heard these stories myself, but my wife and I did meet Paul once when we was living in Palm Springs and found him to be a genuinely friendly and approachable person. Now, admittedly, I never had the opportunity to work with him but I would be hesitant to believe any hearsay without something to back it up.
we're talking Bond, not Jabba the Hut
J.G.'s not tough. She just has a big mouth. Big difference.
Indeed, the modern irony of that character was not lost on me.
Goldeneye's my favorite. I'll admit it.
He already played the villain in Golden Eye; might be interesting to see him as Bond in the future.
I agree Daniel Craig sucks as Bond. IMHO Timothy Dalton in "The Living Daylights" was the best Bond (not so hot in the second installment, unfortunately). I also think Clive Owen as the Bond-like character in the first Pink Panther film was better than Craig. Brosnan didn't resonate as Bond — he didn't come off as a 00. Connery was better, Moore forgettable. I'd like to see either Hugh Jackman or Clive Owen as the new Bond.
Has anyone ever read Mr. Flemings' books? I've just finished the first one 'Casino Royale' and was flabbergasted by it. "How could I have never read this?", spoke I. It was incredible and every page actually taught me something about Old Europe as compared to the europe now. Anyway, the closest any of the movies got to the Real Bond was 'Dr. No' and 'Casino Royale'. Just a small scene in the former where Connery set warning traps -in 'Casino ~'- in his hotel and most of what happened at the casino sans all the chop socky came from the book.
The actor who closely matches the authors' character is indeed the latest in his talking scenes. They PC'd the hell out of him since his opinion of Vesper spoken on the very last page was far more brutal then what was said in QoS. He felt betrayed by the 'bitch' for soiling the Queens' Honor and I did hope that the new Bond would show it. Alas, it was not meant to be for hollyweird don't like such Hard Men to occur in shows now.
I plead to everyone; please read his novels. Novels that told complete stories in under 250 pages as compared to any 3~400 page Bourne ones. I noticed how amazing 'Casino Royale' really was and was saddened that even then, Old Hollywood was skittish about it.
I did. Our high school library had the series. I believe Ian Fleming died the year I was born. The books have a particular feel to them more common of that era, narrative distance and a bit of a chill that actually works pretty well, I think, to highlight the tortured elements of Bond's psyche. It's been so long I hardly remember them, but I do recall that the Bond in the books wasn't a "player" but fell profoundly in love, and I'll never forget (other than which book it was!) when his true love killed herself and left a note explaining that she was an enemy agent or working for them, and Bond responds to some inquiry about her with something very like (hey it was almost 30 years ago I read it!) "The bitch is dead." OMG, tore my 15 year old school-girl heart to shreds.
I'm with Kevin. I like Craig and the new direction of the films. Craig isn't a pretty boy like Brosnan who ruined the series and the gadgets worked prior to 1980, but then became gimmicky. I like the more realistic tone of the new Bond. I would vote to keep Craig as Bond – I think he brings a new interpretation to the character. If they wanted to go with the suave deboinaire type then I'd go for Hugh Jackman or Clive Owen.
The only thing I would cast Damon in is a remake of Frankenstein playing the monster- his blockhead would require little make-up and he wouldn't need to talk.
I forgot about that guy, he would have been great. I still think they should have kept Timothy Dalton for more movies than they did.
The only thing I would cast Damon in is a remake of Frankenstein playing the monster- his blockhead would require little make-up and he wouldn't need to talk.
LOL – and they could use the soundbites from Team America for his lines – MATT DAMON
Omigod! I just had a sickening thought. J. Garafolo.
Can a Bond have prison tatts?
I own the first (Bourne), fell asleep during the second and third. Not kidding.
You must be logged in to post a comment.