http://frostmagazine.com/2011/03/bond-b ... lain-dr-no
by Amy Wallington
Mar 12, 2011
frostmagazine.com
It seems the rumour mill that is Bond 23 has finally made a decision and is going ahead after all, this film has changed its mind so many times that the audience would have more faith in an Eastender’s extra winning next years’ OSCAR than the famous line ‘Bond, James, Bond’ being resounded on multiplexes nationwide. But alas, we go forth under the notion that it is actually happening or at least for this present moment in time it shall be.
It is common knowledge to most, that Bond 23 has had a wealth (pardon the pun) of production problems, mainly due to financial difficulties. There were doubts amongst many as to whether or not this film would happen or whether it would remain on some studio shelf gathering a lifetime’s supply of dust. Devastating news at first to most fans of the series, and probably a shock to the Oscar winning director Sam Mendes slated to work on said Bond flick, but these fears were not to last long, and by some magical miracle it now appears everything is going ahead just as planned. I guess we are to just ignore the melodrama that was ‘we have no money,’ it seems in movieland, problems can be resolved in the quickest of fashions.
But with us now heading into a 23rd Bond, one must look to answer many questions, do we as a collective audience actually want another Bond film, the answer is no doubt, a resounding yes! We want Bond Back. Not just any Bond though, we want our Bond back; the British Bond, the Bond who had charisma, the cool suave character who could take out a room with a single glare, not this emotionally destroyed man who would be far greater suited for a guest appearance on a psychiatrists’ couch or even the Jeremy Kyle Show to discuss his many deep rooted issues, before being allowed to even appear in the same room as live weaponry.
I am not saying that Daniel Craig has not been a great Bond, he has indeed, he took the role in a new direction that some may argue was much needed after, should I even say it aloud, Die Another Day. An apparent signage to a trilogy of Bond films meant a succession of storyline unlike any other Bond film, but there are many issues to contend with when doing a series, rather than a one off. The storyline has to be fantastic, truly gripping; enough to hold the attention of an entire audience, a tale that will ultimately leave them wanting the next development in the continued saga.
Now Casino Royale set up the trilogy perfectly, with Craig at its helm providing a stellar performance as a different type of Bond, certainly a performance to divide a room of Bond enthusiasts especially those who picked Brosnan, Connery or Moore as their favourite that’s for sure. Casino Royale was a step into the past; an uncovering of the original theme laid out by creator Ian Flemming. It certainly delivered on this, giving us a more realistic and gritty Bond that most of us were not accustom to. Casino Royale was almost the Bond film for those that dislike Bond films! Then came Quantum of Solace, now every part of me wanted to enjoy the second outing by Craig, after what was a top-notch effort for the first part. But to claim I was delighted would almost be like saying Catwoman was the best of the Batman series. My disappointment wasn’t just in Craig’s performance, he wasn’t exactly given the best Bond film to work within, and yes a writer’s strike could be cause for production to slack. I feel though these were not the biggest faults surrounding the project. It wasn’t so much what terrible things made up the motion picture, more what lacked in terms of the entire production, where was M? Where were all the other characters for that matter? Where was the cool car? Not some hybrid! Where were all the gadgets? Where was everything that makes you go, YES! That was a Bond film! It just wasn’t…
But the past is the past, and the anticipation of 23 is enough to warm the cockles of every Bond fan around. What can Sam Mendes do? With a history of known successes and even awards upon his shelf, he truly is the man to bring Bond back from the darkness. The question arises now, where does Bond go from Quantum, does Mendes stick with the trio and push forward hard to keep the remainder of audience left over from Solace, or does he take it in a completely new direction. I certainly hope the latter. He needs to bring back that element of Bond that made the series so welcomed for the first 21 films. Bring back the charisma that we all know and love. Bond needs to be fun, more of a jaunty tale, not something you have to part with every emotion, just to follow the dramatic story.
With Ralph Fiennes rumoured to be Brit-ing up the bad guy, things are certainly looking up, I do pose the question however, would the series improve if the man playing Bond were also replaced? Could a new face steer Bond away from being another Bourne imitation and back to the heyday of the British Spy. Whatever direction they choose to take Bond, I for one am excited!
