James Bond Post-Daniel Craig

With Daniel Craig hanging up the tuxedo after his final run as Bond in late 2019, where do you think the 007 franchise should go? Should we reboot the series again? Have it star a women for the first time? Or do you think the 007 films have finally run their course?

As much as I'm a Bond fan, I have to say that with the release of Spectre, I haven't been as enthusiastic with the series since. Similar goes for my reaction to Star Wars: The Last Jedi. Something about these movies kind of left me in the cold with no where to go or even know what more could be done in the future. But, one film can't end a franchise...but can it lead to a change?

According to a December 2017 article from Dailymail.co.uk, EON Productions head Barbara Broccoli has stated that 'These films tend to reflect the times so we always try to push the envelope a little bit,' she replied. 'Anything is possible. 'Right now it's Daniel Craig, and I'm very happy with Daniel Craig, but who knows what the future will bring?' This is coming from the head of EON Productions herself. She seems pretty open and up in the air with possibilities. Let's just hope she makes the right one.

This totally gives me pause because how drastic are things going to change now after we leave Craig? Daniel Craig was a revolution in and of itself. He presented the world not with the tall dark and handsome agent we've all come to expect; but a more stubby, buff and blonde haired agent. This is certainly a change up in the formula. So, I guess Craig was the first step in the door for new and unknown beginnings. Luckily, his reception as the character worked in their favor. It rebooted the Bond series.

Recap with Spectre (2015)

When we last see 007, he's driving off into the sunset with Madylin Swan, daughter of the late Mr. White. I took this as a farewell. Bond got the girl; obtained the head of Spectre; and is off to enjoy a spring afternoon in London. If that doesn't say happy ending, I don't know what does. If the film were indeed to be the final Bond film starring Craig, this would have been it. The culmination of everything the past three films lead up with Spectre. However...for me it just didn't capture the emotion or suspense of Casino Royale or Skyfall. But, it is what it is and hopefully we will continue with one more adventure.

You said it, Brother.

If we have a woman be the new 007, I would honestly have a problem for one simple reason: Is it not true to what Ian Fleming envisioned. Bond should be a male, British presence. Sure, he was played by a Scottish actor (Sean Connery), a Welshman (Timothy Dalton), an Irishman (Pierce Brosnan) and an Australian (George Lazenby), however they all managed to put on the facade of being British. The two exceptions are Roger Moore and Daniel Craig, who are actually British. Having a women step in the shoes of 007 would honestly spit on the grave of Ian Fleming's character. For example, I don't think anyone would want to see a male version of Miss Marple or Ellen Ripley from Alien, it just wouldn't work. But hey, if they do end up going that route, I would still watch it. It just won't be the same.

WHAT DO YOU THINK? SHOULD THE NEXT 007 BE A WOMAN? WHY OR WHAY NOT? 


Sources:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk
Next James Bond could be black or a woman, says 007 producer: Barbara Broccoli says 'anything is possible' once Daniel Craig walks away

image of Mr. White: giphy.com

Craig is Back...But What Then?

Okay, good news is we have Daniel Craig back as 007 in 2019. The bad news, there may be a possibility that the franchise will start in a totally new direction afterwards. This I am a tad worried about. Yes, the franchise rebooted in 2006 with the introduction of Craig as Bond; however there were some connections as it still had Judi Dench as M. We finally get Moneypenny and Q after  a two film absence in Skyfall; everything is finally starting. We don't need another reboot. Please just continue the same roles with the same actors and just get a new James Bond. It's what they've done in the past. When Connery left the part, M Q and Moneypenny were the same actors. Why change it around yet again.

That being said, I understand the direction movies are changing and it's more about television shows or live streaming. You can't just have 007 pop up every 2 or 4 years. During the 60s, the spy craze was in. You had shows like Get Smart and I, Spy. It was popular and would keep you entertained while you'd wait to go to the cinema to see the new Bond film. Now, things are so in the now, if something isn't really talked about, then it's just forgotten outside of the fan base.

End of rant.

I did, however realize that the new film is currently looking for a distributor as Sony's contract ended with Spectre in 2015. As of recently, the runners up are Apple, Amazon and Warner Bros. I had read that Warner. Bros is in a closer lead to getting it, but this was a while ago.

DO YOU THINK THE FRANCHISE SHOULD REBOOT AGAIN AFTER CRAIG LEAVES?

I'm Back!!!

Wow, sorry I've neglected my readers on here. Just have had a lot going on these past few weeks and things have been occupying my time. I'm sure you all know how it is. Life gets in the way. But, just wanted to update you all and let you know I haven't forgotten about the wonderful world of Bond!

Casino Reboot

When Casino Royale was announced in 2005, I was curious how they were going to pull off an origin story while at the same time keeping it modern with the times. As you know, Casino Royale is Ian Fleming's first James Bond novel and also introduces the world to 007 in his first adventure. Published in 1953, the novel takes place in the 1950s of a British agent earning his 00 license and sent on his first mission to confront an international arms dealer by the name of Le Chiffre. If Bond beats him to a game of poker, he will defeat the man the CIA will take him into custody. This takes a wrong turn.

1953 cover of Fleming's novel

Poster for the 2006 film

Now, I'm not going to focus on the story, as you can look that up yourself here. The main point I wanted to bring up is the fact that the 2006 movie takes place in the current day rather than 1953. Quite a gap, I know...The Cold War is long over, James Bond as a character on the screen no longer smokes cigarettes or cigars, and many events have changed the world such as 9/11 and the Iraq War. So, you can understand that not only did I have a problem with the producers rebooting a series that has been on-going since 1962 and getting Daniel Craig while Pierce Brosnan was basically fired from the job; I also had a problem with them starting a series that should have been set in the 50s instead of the 21st century. What was the point? Sure, it's nice to see that EON finally got the rights to the novel and made their own official version; it's just hard to believe that the man who is James Bond is starting in the early 21st century and we are supposed to see him become the man that goes through all those countless adventures through the decades to follow. Perhaps the most obvious conclusion is that it would have been too expensive to set up a world taking place in the 50s and still maintain the level of action set pieces and stunts all the while shooting in different locations throughout the world. I just found that to be a bit confusing, as I'm sure others did as well.

We still have Judi Dench as M from the previous films, and we see Bond get a new Aston Martin so in a way this continues the adventures left from Pierce Brosnan. It also takes place in 2006 which also acknowledges the passage of time from 2002's Die Another Day. At the same time, this is a younger James Bond before he becomes the man we all know him to be. So, it's a bit of a mess. People tell me to just let it go and ignore all that came before, but if I do that...there would be nothing to reference to in terms of the character played by so many other actors and even the films based on the books Fleming wrote, no matter how different they are on the screen. Until EON says different and announces themselves that we are to forget all that came before and just hit the slate clean, I will continue debating this and not just accept the the fact that this is indeed a clean slate but just a bit of a jumble.

Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed the film a great deal-even though I like Skyfall more-but this is just a point that has been boiling up inside of me for a while and wanted to let it out.

WHAT DO YOU THINK? WAS IT WISE NOT TO HAVE THE DANIEL CRAIG VERSION IN THE 50s? IS IT FINE THE WAY IT IS? SHOULD THEY REBOOT ALL THE FILMS THAT CAME BEFORE IT? LET ME KNOW IN THE COMMENTS BELOW AND AS ALWAYS...

Bond and his Aston Martin PART II

With 2002 marking the 40th anniversary of 007 on the big screen, a new Aston Martin arrives for Pierce Brosnan's fourth and final outing as Bond in Die Another Day. With BMW's three-picture deal ending with The World Is Not Enough, the car that made James Bond what he is in pop-culture makes a long-awaited return since last seeing it in 1987. 

ASTON MARTIN V12 VANQUISH

When 007 arrives back in London after his trip to Cuba, Bond meets up with Q in the Underground and is thus given his new car.

BOND PUTTING HIS GADGETS TO USE 

Perhaps the most lavish and equipped car ever issued to 007, this V12 comes with an adaptive camouflage feature, which makes the car as good as invisible to the naked eye. Now, I know what most of you are going to say: Lame! That is so unrealistic! No way! Well, to be honest with you, it's not all that far off from reality as scientists are working on such a thing right now...or at least they were...In addition to this feature, the car is also equipped with target seeking machine guns; rockets behind the front grille; an updated GPS system; ejector seat; tire tracking spikes; bulletproof glass; rear grenade launchers and finally a keychain remote for getting Bond out of pretty tough spots.

Easy access for all the features makes it easier on 007 to maneuver. Now, only 007 could think of something so ridiculous as driving someone up the wall...or someTHING in this case. 

This car has it all and I must say I would love to get my hands on one if given the chance.


DANIEL CRAIG:

James Bond is given a new Aston Martin yet again, the 2007 DBS V12. Sleeker, and more smooth than the V12 Vanquish, this car-like George Lazenby's car mentioned earlier (see Part I)-is barely equipped with any gadgets. But what the car lacks in gadgets it makes up for in design and handling. MI6 provides 007 with this new car as he arrives in Montenegro on his mission to stop Le Chiffre. 

JAMES BOND APPROACHING HIS ASTON MARTIN DBS V12.

Coming in handy, the car does feature two gadgets in the glove compartment as well. There are two layers to store things. The top, is equipped with a defibrillator in case some harm comes to 007 and the bottom is where he can store his standard issue Walther P99 and extra accessories. Purring like a panther, Bond uses it to get his way about in the city when not playing Texas Hold 'Em. 

Useful equipment for 007

After his car is destroyed in the middle of the film after an accident in order to avoid Vesper as a decoy, Bond is equipped with another Aston from England. It's identical to the one issued, but it's much darker. Clearly it's another car because if you've seen the film, you'll know that it was destroyed after multiple flips. In Siena, Italy 007 has his second car destroyed after being attacked by several gunmen working for Quantum all the while Mr. White is in the trunk of the car. The car is still drivable, but not in the best of shape with a missing door. 


Bond is issued a new Aston Martin DB10. Well, I take that back...he wasn't exactly issued the car but he ends up with it as he sneaks off with it behind Q's back. The car is sleek and it looks totally mean, cold and almost like a liquid metal design. It is almost unrecognizable from what's come before and there really is something awesome about this new look. It's not my favorite design, especially with the front of the car, but hell, if someone where to give me one I would take it. 

2015 ASTON MARTIN DB10

The gadgets aren't perfected yet as the functions don't exactly do what they are supposed to. Bond needs to take a few steps in order to rely on a car rather than on his own instincts. 

BACKFIRE BADASS

Sadly, after this great chase, Bond has to eject from his car and it sinks in a river. The car is not talked about again.


THANKS FOR READING! WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ASTON MARTIN USED BY 007? DO YOU THINK IT'S HIS BEST CAR TO DRIVE? LET ME KNOW IN THE COMMENTS BELOW AND AS ALWAYS....

JAMES BOND WILL RETURN

Bond and his Aston Martin

There have been several Aston Martins in the James Bond film series, the most notable of course being the one that started it all in Goldfinger, the 1964 DB5. Now, that was a car to do some damage on the road! I loved it!



For today's entry, I'm going to take a moment and look back at all the Aston Martin's driven by 007 and which ones stand out to me and which ones stand out less.


SEAN CONNERY

In Connery's third outing as 007, Q gives 007 his very first Aston Martin which then turns out to be his own personal car in future films. This is a revolutionary car in that we've never seen a car with such amazing gadgets before. In the previous film, Bond's Bentley merely has a phone connected to the car, which for 1963 was never done before, but in today's standards, is hardly outstanding. When Bond asks Q where his Bentley is in Goldfinger, Q responds, "Oh, it's had it's day I'm afraid." Bond replies, "Well it's never let me down before." "M's orders 007. You'll be driving this new Aston Martin DB5 with modifications." This is when Bond meets his match in British automobiles for decades to come.

Aston Martin DB5 with modifications.

The car is not only gorgeous and sleek, but it also comes with a handful of gadgets such as:

Q's modified gadgets

An ejector seat; a rear oil slick; two front end machine guns behind the turn signals; bulletproof glass;  a rear shield to stop gunfire and more. The car for 1964 is a beauty and I'm sure the world over wanted to be like James Bond and get in one of these.

Tire slashing wheels

GPS mounted on dashboard...ingenious!

As mentioned before, the car was so renowned with 007 that in following films we see it yet again. She is featured the most even if she isn't in all the scenes or the main car of the film.

Goldfinger
Thunderball
GoldenEye
Tomorrow Never Dies
Casino Royale
Skyfall
SPECTRE

Used mainly as Bond's personal car, after it's use on the field Bond has a soft spot for the vehicle and uses it throughout the decades. In Skyfall, although the car is clearly damaged after the events of the film, Q fixes her up to be used by the end of SPECTRE. Mainly a 60's car, this car holds the routes for 007 and his adventures and different incarnations in Connery, Brosnan and Craig.




GEORGE LAZENBY

In 1969, the world saw a new Bond in Australian actor George Lazenby. With a new Bond came a new Aston Martin. This time, as a 1968 DBS. Now, although not as memorable in design or as gadget laden as the DB5, this is certainly a gorgeous looking car and is worth mentioning as it is still a part of the Bond Legacy.

1968 Aston Martin DBS 

When we first see the sleek design in the beginning of the film, Bond is driving down near a beach giving chase to whom we later discover to be his future wife, the fateful Tracey de Vincenzo.

As mentioned before, there were no gadgets in this car, other then a compartment for his telescope built into the head of his gun. It is detachable as you can see. He uses this to take a more...personal look of Tracy come to find out she attempts to commit suicide.

Compartment for Bond's shotgun and telescope built into one of the ends.

If only the car was bulletproof like the DB5 or else Tracy would have survived. Instead she gets killed by Blofeld. At the same time...this car is also memorable for the fact that this is where he loses his wife.

Funny note, but during the following film, Diamonds Are Forever, you can see the same car being repaired in Q's workshop while 007 talks to him on the phone. 

 

Aston Martin DBS spotting in Q's workshop in Diamonds Are Forever

TIMOTHY DALTON

In 1987, James Bond and Aston Martin finally reunite after nearly 20 years. Timothy Dalton makes his debut (my personal favorite 007) and along comes the 1986 Aston Martin V8 Vantage/Voltane supplied by Q. Why do I list two cars? Well, we get two different types here but I'm going to focus on the hardtop version of the car, which is the Vantage and this is when we see the car most in action.

Bond's Aston Martin V8 Vantage

The model of the car was in service from 1977 to 1989, a great time for Aston Martin and there is a bit of a Ford Mustang flare to the front of the car. You can still see similarities from the DB5 and DBS but there is a major upgrade in terms of sophistication and suspension as well as style. It does retain it's roots but adds more to it.

The car is laden with a bunch of new gadgets from Q-Branch. They range from bulletproof windows; tire spikes for traction; retractable skies for driving on ice and other terrain; a self-destruct mechanism so as not to fall into enemy hands; target seeking missiles and even a jet engine for fast propulsion. It's everything one could ask for in a Bond car.

Rocket propulsion in motion.

THE END OF PART I. STAY TUNED FOR PART II! I'll get that one done asap.

OUT OF THESE, WHICH ONE IS YOUR FAVORITE? THANKS FOR READING AND JAMES BOND WILL RETURN!








SOURCES:

Aston Martin DB5 Gadgets:

• GIF of Aston Martin courtesy of GIPHY.COM

• Images of DB5 gadgets courtesy of dailymail.com

James Bond's 1965 Aston Martin DB5 complete with machine guns and revolving number plates is offered for sale for £3m 

Aston Martin DBS:

• Images of Aston Martin courtesy of IMCDb.org

Aston Martin V8 Vontane/Vontage:

• Image of Aston Martin in Vienna courtesy of IMCDb.org
• Image of rear courtesy of Paste Magazine

Deleted Entry

Apparently my most recent post was deleted for some odd reason. I didn't get a warning, a message, or anything of the sort. It just disappeared as it were. So, in case you didn't get a chance to read it, it was essentially the debate on if James Bond is indeed one man or just a code name for all those that follow. I put in two arguments there with evidence on each side to support them. Perhaps EON got a hold of it and took it down, but if that were the case you would think they would have shut down my entire blog entry. It took quite a while to type that up and I was determined to get every detail down. I also gave credit to the people that posted the pictures along with the links to them, so something is up here.

In any case, stay tuned for more blogs as the weeks go on and have a fantastic new year.

Is James Bond a Codename or One Man?

There has been an ongoing debate on whether James Bond is one man or a title that is passed down to each new heir to the throne of 007. I'm going to give two sides of this theory and provide evidence why both points are accurate.

 IT JUST A TITLE PASSED ON?

This, I can totally understand. People get old, it's time to hang up the suit when you've moved on and pass it to the next eager agent ready to take the reins. This happens in reality as well. One steps down and the other takes over. It's a lot like getting a new Pope or President of the United States. The position is always there but the entity taking over differs from generation to generation, or term to term if you will. We all age, it's just the way of life. Having the name of James Bond is the highest of the high in the British Secret Service. Agent 007 has proved time and time again why the person in the shoes is the right man for the most dangerous of missions. He's timeless.

Another interesting note is that each time a new actor comes on the screen (with the exception of Roger Moore, as we see him bedding someone), there is a sense of suspense and intrigue leading up to when his face is first revealed in their debut film. In Connery's case, he was playing a game of chermaine defur when revealed; George Lazenby has a zoom-in on his lower face as he lights a cigarette. In Timothy Dalton's case there is a dramatic zoom-in as he looks upon a fellow agent falling to his death. With Pierce Brosnan you see his face revealed while infiltrating someone in a restroom stall...okay it sounds ridiculous but it works. With Craig, you don't get a dramatic zoom in or a lead-up to his appearance. You just see him in a room quietly waiting until his target arrives in an office when the lights go on. Not dramatic, but quite a startle. In any case, it's far better than Roger Moore's introduction. In short, if they are all supposed to be James Bond, why do they all look so different?



As I mentioned, before there are those that see him as being a different person and the name Bond is just a codename. 

Think this theory is ridiculous? Let's look at the other side of the coin,
shall we?

 IT HE ONE MAN?

On the other side of the coin, there is something that ties this all together which helps prove he's one man: his mention of past adventures and his late wife Tracey di Vincenzo. 

GEORGE LAZENBY

It starts with On Her Majesty's Secret Service and George Lazenby takes over the role of 007 from Sean Connery. In a rare scene in his office at MI6 headquarters-which we won't see again until Die Another Day-he takes out several souvenirs from his previous missions including Honey Rider's knife 9Dr. No; Red Grant's assassination wrist watch 9From Russia With Love; and. All the previous films starred Connery. Now, some may see this as the productions way of reassuring the audience that this is indeed the same James Bond we've come to know even though played by a different actor, I personally see this as being the same man that we've seen in his previous five adventures.

Perhaps most importantly, James Bond gets married in this film. After a wedding with new wife Tracey, Bond stops the car in order to rid it of all the wedding decorations and whatnot. Before realizing it, Blofeld comes screaming down the street and has Tracey murdered in cold blood. This depresses Bond to which he tells a police officer, "We have all the time in the world."

Two years later, Sean Connery returns as 007 in Diamonds Are Forever. The films starts with him on a rampage traveling the world looking for Blofeld. Why on Earth for? Simple...he killed his wife! Granted, even though the previous film starred George Lazenby, the producers wanted to tell the audience that this man is James Bond...but just the face we all know.

In the films with Roger Moore, there are two moments where his wife is mentioned. With The Spy Who Loved Me, Anya Amasova (Barbara Bach) proves to Bond that she knows his personal history as an agent. She mentions that he is only married once that his wife was killed before she is cut off by Bond, "Alright, you've made your point." As Bond brushes it off his shoulder, you can tell this is a vulnerable topic. A few films later, in For Your Eyes Only, Roger's Bond brings flowers to her grave. The grave even has the years on it: TRACEY BOND 1943-1969 "WIFE OF JAMES BOND. WE HAVE ALL THE TIME IN THE WORLD". So, this clearly acknowledges that this was Bond's wife. This is indeed the same man because why would someone bring flowers to someone else's wife with the exact same name? You wouldn't...

In Licence to Kill, Timothy Dalton's Bond has a sense of remorse when he is indirectly reminded of his wife. Della Churchill, the new wife of DEA agent Felix Leiter, tosses Bond a part of her dress and explains,

For Brosnan's Bond, we finally hear how his parents die and that he's an orphan. In GoldenEye, Alec Trevelyan, former Agent 006, compares the differences between Bond's parents demise and his: " We're both orphans, James. But while your parents had the luxury of dying in a climbing accident, mine survived the British betrayal and Stalin's execution squads." Mind you, not much time is taken to focus on this, but it's still stated nonetheless. When it comes to wife Tracy, Bond has a pause when asked by Elektra King if "He's ever lost a loved one, Mr. Bond?" In response, Bond staggers for a moment but then brushes it off.

In Die Another Day, Bond is in Q's workshop in London's Underground and you can see all past gadgets and items throughout his journey. He even notices the jetpack used in Thunderball and before turning it on asks, Does this still work/
 

James Bond 9Pierce Brosnan9 spots an old relic from his past.

For Daniel Craig's Bond, he's also mentioned to be an orphan and that both his parents died in a climbing accident. The film Skyfall explains this and thus this ties in to the fact that he is indeed the same man. There is no mention of Tracy due to the fact that this is before he's been married, however he is still the same man as Brosnan, who thus is the same man as all who came before.

Never Say "Never" Again

It's 1983 and Roger Moore is James Bond. It's 1983 and Sean Connery is James Bond. Is this right? How can this be? How did this even happen? 

ROGER MOORE and SEAN CONNERY both 007

McClory, Kevin McClory

Ian Fleming, Kevin McClory and Jack Whittingham come up with a story about the capture of two nuclear warheads and it's up to 007 to stop it. Long story short, the screenplay never came into fruition as there were many obstacles in the way to get it made into a film. So, Ian Fleming decides to turn it into a novel. The problem is he doesn't give his co-writers any credit to the story. This naturally infuriates Mr. McClory and he vows that even though Fleming did indeed create the character of 007, the story and characters featured there-in were his creation and he basically fights the rest of his life to ensure this up until his death in November, 2006.

In 1965, Thunderball is finally made into a film. Fleming is dead as he passed a year before and Jack Whittingham is out of the picture. Kevin McClory demands that if the film is to be made, he produce it since he co-wrote the original story. Albert R. Broccoli and Harry Saltzman agree to this and step back as producers for the first time in the Bond series. As I mentioned earlier, McClory created certain elements of Thunderball that he should have gotten credit for: The evil SPECTRE organization and the character of Ernst Stavro Blofeld. 

Thunderball is the 4th James Bond film. Note McClory as producer.

Once Thunderball is completed, EON Productions makes a deal with McClory that they can use the Blofeld character the following 10 years and after that, all the rights go solely back to Kevin. In addition, Kevin wanted to make his own James Bond film series himself as a way to step up to the studio that used his character. He wouldn't be able to do so until 1975, which was part of the agreement. So, since 1965 up until 1983, he focused his entire life on protecting and vowing that the premise of Thunderball is indeed his.

___________________

It's 1983 and Sean Connery is 53 years old. With the role of 007 well behind him, his career has its ups and downs. Thinking it over, Connery decides to come back when he gets a call from Kevin McClory on the idea of doing another 007 picture. It wouldn't be a part of the EON series, but in fact a Warner Bros. remake of Thunderball with some minor changes to the story dealing with his age and leaving the Secret Service for good. Seeing as this is not part of the main 007 series of films, none of the crew worked on this picture. So, McClory gets the help of businessman Jack Schwartzman to fund the production with company Taliafilm, named after wife Talia Shire. With production trouble happening in and out and Connery not having a good time either, the film soon loses funds and it's up to Schwartzman to continue bankrolling the production out of his own pocket. You can see that near the end of the film, it starts to lose it's wow factor and becomes a bit bland.

                                              Theatrical Trailer 

Now, as some consider this to be unworthy as a Bond film, it still is in my mind and no collection would be complete without it. Sure it doesn't include the classic Gun Barrel in the beginning, or the James Bond Theme, but it does have similar elements of action, entertainment and what most see as the best James Bond ever: Sean Connery. Even in his prime he looks sharper, snazzier and more effective as the secret agent than his last appearance in 1971's Diamonds are Forever. Be on the lookout for a young Rowan Atkinson (Mr. Bean; Johnny English) in a supporting role as Nigel Smallfaucet.

The villain in Never Say Never Again is also Largo, but rather than his name being Emilio Largo, it's Maximillian. These are the various little changes that were able to be made to an already existing story. I've got to say, I find this version of Largo to be far superior than Adolfo Celli's version in Thunderball. This time around, he's played by French actor Klaus Maria Brandauer and although he may not have any deformities on his face, he's just as evil if not more so and he tries to undermine Bond's mission no matter how the cost. There is a scene when 007 walks into a casino and ends up in a room with arcades. This is when he meets Bond Girl Domino Petacchi played by Kim Bassinger; not a very memorable role but it still gives her recognition for her large career to follow.

An interesting way to compete with a villain wouldn't you say? But I love it!

The music, however is not the best. The soundtrack throughout the picture is of a jazzy almost soft rock like tone and it does take a bit away from the action. With what little action music there is, it doesn't compete what is seen on the screen and for that, I can see the movie falling a bit flat. But, McClory does what he can with this production. 

Meanwhile, EON Productions and the crew of the James Bond motion pictures are pressed with a dilemma. Wanting to get a new 007 and even asking Timothy Dalton as a successor to the part, the producers change their mind and stick with 5-time 007 Roger Moore. What better way to compete with Sean Connery's rival film than have a Bond the world has already known. So, Moore is on board for his sixth film, Octopussy. Now, while I personally prefer to watch Never Say Never Again over this movie, I can understand why EON continue to make the films. This has been a series since 1962 and with the way it's going, they will not let a rival unofficial Bond film take over the focus.

Yet, the world over loves Sean Connery and many consider him to be the best 007, so Kevin McClory made the right choice to get Connery back. The film was a financial success and thought not making as much as Octopussy, Never Say Never Again is a worthy entry in the 

Why Blofeld is Weak in SPECTRE

With the recent release of SPECTRE, there have been a total of four major villains in the films featuring Daniel Craig. While some are more memorable than others, the most recent villain is my least favorite due to his lack of originality and malevolence. Here's my look at the villains.

Casino Royale has intrigue, beautiful environments and a very malevolent villain in Le Chiffre (Mads Mikkelsen).  We don't know what his motives are right away and the scar on his eye just keeps you on edge knowing that this guy is in some risky business...and no not the Tom Cruise kind. We do know he has asthma and a bunch of goons working for him. Le Chiffre is the first villain 007 faces in Ian Fleming's debut book of the same name, as well as the first villain Daniel Craig faces as James Bond. Since the films were rebooted in 2006, the producers felt it only smart to introduce a new Bond to the game. With the seriousness of Daniel Craig (thanks to Timothy Dalton) and the plot, this is not just another Bond film entry, but rather something more. Sneaky, and yet vulnerable to the people he borrows money from, makes Le Chiffre someone that is mainly just a lonely, hidden conman in the mask of evil. The chemistry with Bond and Le Chiffre is flawless because you can tell they both want to defeat each other yet both try and restrain their elegance up until the end.

What I love about this villain, is that you really get into his shoes. He comes off as a mastermind who doesn't answer to anyone, but as you see him evolve throughout the film, but as I said earlier, he's really just a conman that gambles in the stocks with clients' money on the line. After losing a game of poker to 007, Le Chiffre gets desperate and kidnaps Bond, torturing him and losing his cool as he is still not given the information he needs. Then, as Le Chiffre meets his fate, he's revealed to be a scared little man with empty promises.

Care to see the read more?

In Quantum of Solace, which is a direct sequel to Casino Royale, Dominic Greene is not bent on taking over the world, but rather something more striped from the headlines of reality. Funding for his "Greene Planet", a way to provide clean water to many countries. It's obviously a personal ploy to make deals with investors to take over governments under the Quantum organization. Lying to corporations and leaving Bolivia depleted of water in order to give power to a horrible dictator is more of a reality check in how important water is to the world around us, and doesn't really sink in with being a Bond villain. Played by Mathew Amalric (The Diving Bell and the Butterfly), Greene is more of a business conman who tries to keep his cool but utterly fails as Bond gets under his skin more and more.

Dominic Greene: The Mastermind of Preperation

Greene is not a physically threatening villain either, and is not nearly as interesting or entertaining as Le Chiffre. At the same time, there's something about the way Almaric portrays the character that makes you want to "love" to hate him. For example, there's a scene with him in the beginning of the film where he yells at Camilla and says, "Don't talk to me like I'm STUPID!....It's unattractive." The way he yells at her and then adds that little bit of elegance really makes me crack up. But, I find him entertaining nonetheless. He is by far not my favorite villain, but not my least favorite.


Skyfall introduces Raul Silva (Javier Bardem, No Country for Old Men) in the mix as a Bond villain. Having previously worked for the British government, Raul Silva is out for personal revenge after the head of the service left him for dead. Coming back to act revenge, Raul sends a virus e-mail that destroys . When Silva sends a bomb to MI6 headquarters and detonates it in the office of M, he makes his presence known and it's up to 007 to stop him. A psychotic with no means of stopping until his "mission" is complete, Silva has a sense of humor one minute and transforms that energy into a psychopathic murder. You can't get enough of his character in this film and it almost steals the show from Craig. This is what a Bond villain should be like, which is why I also enjoy watching Le Chiffre. His introduction is one long pan of him walking over to 007 and it's quite terrifying but once you watch this character, he's awesome!

After capture, Raul is sent to MI6 and finally comes face to face with M. Revealing that he has survived with cyanid behind his molar, a horrid scene occurs in which to prove why he has exacted revenge on M for so long. This isn't about killing Bond, it's not about taking over the world, it's about exacting revenge on the one person that orders the missions.. He is perhaps the most menacing of all villains in the Craig films and will certainly go down in history as one of the best! 

The way he throws that bomb in there...classic! haha

We now come to the "mastermind" behind all of the three previous villains. Ernst Stavro Blofeld played by the great Christoph Waltz. Revealing that all the previous villains out to kill Bond have worked for his organization, there is nothing threatening or memorable about the way he portrays the character. I personally found Raul Silva to be far more threatening and menacing than this guy. It's discovered that the reason for his actions is because he wants to get back at Bond for being neglected as a child. James was adopted into Blofeld's family after his parents died in a climbing accident. When discovering his father paid more attention to Bond, he's always had an agonizing hate for the secret agent.

Bond and Blofeld

Organizing an evil group known as SPECTRE, Blofeld has the ability to topple governments, threaten public officials and even have enough firepower to run a small war. Seeing that Quantum is a subsidiary of SPECTRE, which is why everything is revealed in the film, it just doesn't work to have this man behind "all your pain." I would have rather had this be a direct sequel to Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace and to have left Skyfall as a standalone film. But for this to be the ultimate mastermind behind Le Chiffre, Greene and Silva, it's a bit disappointing because I do not feel threatened by this guy in the least.

There seems to be a patter here, the weaker villains are in the weaker films while the better villains are in the better films. 

Which villain is your favorite in the Daniel Craig films? Le Chiffre, Greene, Silva or Blofeld? Let me know in the comments below and as always, thanks for reading!




Sources:

GIF of Le Chiffre courtesy of: rebloggy.com

Image of Dominic Greene courtesy of: Vinnieh.wordpress.com

Images of Raul Silva courtesy of: yourfuckedupotp.tumblr.com

GIF of Blofeld and 007 courtesy of : TUMBLR