The Science Fiction Elements Of Bond

[MichaelZWilliamson]

This was a panel I was part of at a convention a few years ago.

There are futuristic and high-tech elements all through Bond, some more believable than others.

What are some that caused willing suspension of disbelief?

What are some that hanged your disbelief by the neck until dead?

For me, the Aston Martin DB5 is the coolest movie car ever. After all, most of it was real.

[Kristatos]

What are some that hanged your disbelief by the neck until dead?

I'm guessing everyone is going to say the invisible car for the latter, but the thing that helps Bond is that the military is constantly developing all kinds of secret stuff that most of us would think is in the realms of sci-fi. If you look as the fantastic gadgets in the early Bond films, many of them are now commonplace: miniature voice recorders, keyrings that respond when you whistle and so on.

[MichaelZWilliamson]

The invisible car is based on experimental technology. It's not that good and not likely to be for a variety of reasons, but it's conceivable. That bothered me a lot less than lasers that magically separate a car from the frame without burning off occupants' feet, or lasers crammed into wristwatches that can cut material that takes a 10 meter tube and a few kilowatts to do with a CO2 laser in an industrial shop.

However, the submarine cars, bombproof cars (notice how those come and go depending on the movie?), etc, are beyond silly.

[Kristatos]

The invisible car is based on experimental technology. It's not that good and not likely to be for a variety of reasons, but it's conceivable. That bothered me a lot less than lasers that magically separate a car from the frame without burning off occupants' feet, or lasers crammed into wristwatches that can cut material that takes a 10 meter tube and a few kilowatts to do with a CO2 laser in an industrial shop.

Yes, but how many people in the audience actually know that it "takes a 10 meter tube and a few kilowatts to do with a CO2 laser in an industrial shop"? I didn't, and I'd venture to suggest that ignorance is bliss when watching a Bond film, or many other films. For example, I have a bee in my bonnet about the Clive Owen King Arthur film because early medieval history is one of my interests, so I was constantly having my enjoyment spoiled by spotting historical errors that 95% of the audience would have been untroubled by.

[MichaelZWilliamson]

For example, I have a bee in my bonnet about the Clive Owen King Arthur film because early medieval history is one of my interests, so I was constantly having my enjoyment spoiled by spotting historical errors that 95% of the audience would have been untroubled by.

Yeah, that's why I watch very few movies.

The most unbelievable aspect of Bond, ever, for me, was in The World is Not Enough, when we were supposed to believe that Denise Richards was not only a nuclear scientist, but in fact, an actress.

[Kristatos]

The most unbelievable aspect of Bond, ever, for me, was in The World is Not Enough, when we were supposed to believe that Denise Richards was not only a nuclear scientist, but in fact, an actress.

Yes, a hot nuclear scientist who looks good in shorts is not beyond the realms of possibility in our world, and par for the course in Bond's world, but couldn't they have cast someone who can at least fake the sort of intelligence that one would expect from a nuclear scientist? She doesn't have to be a genius, just be able to play one convincingly.

[MichaelZWilliamson]

Especially when compared to Sophie Marceau, the only Bond villain I ever felt any empathy for.

One question I have is how the rocket pack in Thunderball got into the chateau?

[katied]

The parachute jump in QOS anyone?

[MichaelZWilliamson]

The parachute jump in QOS anyone?

I literally don't remember.

The movie was such crap all I remember is bits of car chase, bits of plane chase and bits of flaming inferno.

Was there a plot and acting somewhere?

[Omega]

So many bad parts comprising Qos hard to pin one down because it blends together. I think of the DC3 dog fight then bailout and motorcycle flip as the worst offenders.

[MichaelZWilliamson]

So many bad parts comprising Qos hard to pin one down because it blends together. I think of the DC3 dog fight then bailout and motorcycle flip as the worst offenders.

I vaguely remember there being a DC-3.

I guess the rest of it must have REALLY sucked, because I literally do not recall:)

There was a reasonably hot looking if underfed chick at some point, an interrogation and car chase at the beginning, a plane, a huge fire. Nothing about it seemed like a Bond movie. More like a Matt Damon movie.

[Mazer Rackham]

The number one Quark complaint has got to be tossing René Mathis in a roach infested dumpster! Talk about taking a piss on the spirit of Bond! Not to diminish their dishonoring the memory of Fleming.

Scifi elements of Bond pushed the envelope with the anniversary extravaganza DAD, however the invisible car was actually a working theory, a trench coat was talked about at the time and not long after a Tank. The genetic manipulation s**t would be best on the cutting room floor.

Moore and the 1970s interpretation of new technology was laughable. Bulky and incomplete. Ideas that later became tool real world were a complete joke on screen. Dalton and Brosnan reeled it back under some semblance of control. Amazing what direction change a recast can bring, looking forward to the new 007 They had a decent balance for most of Brozza's term (DAD excluded) then neutered Bond in CR continuing the minimalist experiment in Quark. Time to cut bait on Craig which is exactly what the series needs to bring excitement and adventure escapism back home where it belongs.

[MichaelZWilliamson]

I'm more concerned they get a competent director and cameraman, and someone who can WRITE Bond.

Cubby Broccoli and Ian Fleming must be spinning in their graves.

[Dr. No]

A lot of what they did was real. Although lasers gave them the most problems, After Star wars it was mandatory to make lasers do somthing cool.
LTK had writable CD roms long before the technology became common place. Roger Moore had Jet Skis. TND had Cars controlled by RC Phone long before someone built an app for the iPhones

[katied]

The number one Quark complaint has got to be tossing René Mathis in a roach infested dumpster! Talk about taking a piss on the spirit of Bond! Not to diminish their dishonoring the memory of Fleming.

That was pretty bad. A "WTF?!?" moment, if ever there was one

[Kristatos]

The number one Quark complaint has got to be tossing René Mathis in a roach infested dumpster! Talk about taking a piss on the spirit of Bond! Not to diminish their dishonoring the memory of Fleming.

That was pretty bad. A "WTF?!?" moment, if ever there was one

But, but, it shows what a badass cold-blooded killer Bond was, just like Fleming wrote him (© A bunch of 12-year-old Craig fans who have never read any Fleming).

[katied]

If they keep putting stuff like Bond throwing his friends into trash dumpsters, eventually they are going to turn people off. (the 12 -year-old Bond fans will love it, though! )

[carl stromberg]

Although I do love it, I think the Moonraker laser battle was a bit over the top. Could they do that today?

[Kristatos]

Although I do love it, I think the Moonraker laser battle was a bit over the top. Could they do that today?

I thought it was totally wrong for a Bond film. It was as incongruous as that Snatch Wars video that Sweeney posted - but at least that was done for comic effect.

[Dr. No]

I like Moonraker but it was too far over the top. I am thinking that this one was the last one with jaws