It's hard to believe it's been over twenty years since I tried out and lost the role of 007 to Timothy Dalton in The Living Daylights. (Dalton is the one on the left)So now that I have you groaning, let me briefly comment on Quantum of Solace, the new 007 flick just released on dvd.
Unlike the Roger Moore and Sean Connery movies, Quantum (and Casino Royale) is a return to the written James Bond, a more somber rough ‘n tumble Bond. The movie is fast-paced ala Jason Bourne in the editing—maybe a little too fast—and the action heart-pounding. Daniel Craig is arguably the best actor to ever play the part. He has a Steve McQueen intensity that comes across in every scene like he’s ready to explode in a dozen different directions. But I still prefer the Bond of old with the moments of humor and fun one-liners sprinkled throughout. And I confess, I miss Q and Miss Moneypenny. Still, all in all, I enjoyed Quantum of Solace and would recommend it.
14 comments:
Funny you should quip on Timothy Dalton. After Connery, he's mt favorite Bond. I never warmed to Moore or Brosnan and, though I enjoyed OHMSS, Lazanby's one role wasn't enough to make much of an impression.
Casino Royale showed promise, but I have yet to see Quantum of Solace. Craig will probably be #3 in line(can't be worse than the Moores or Brosnans).
I miss Q and Moneypenny and the quips and gadgets, all the things that made a Bond movie not just another action picture. Nothing against Daniel Craig, he's a fine actor, but the way the Bond movies he's done are constructed I don't enjoy them. Maybe they are closer to the books, I don't care. To me, the new films are like watching Die Hard or Lethal Weapon. You could put any actor in as Bond in those films because he's been reduced to generic character. Casino Royale and QoS are just action pics with an accent. Ho-hum.
Randy, I mentioned Dalton only because that goofy photo of me is circa 1988 when he was 007. I liked Dalton and was hoping he would run for five or six pictures and LICENCE is in my top ten.
Corey, Maybe there's an arc to these films and in the next few entries the producers will lighten up a bit.
You look so young!
Scary, nerdy isn't it?
I think the action scenes in the Bourne films came from the earlier James Bond films. Not the other way round. Like the Die Hard films its all stunts and action - but Bond was there first.
Yeah, I got used to the quips over the years and found I really enjoyed them, although they didn't reflect the books very well.
Dominic, I agree but somewhere around Arnold's TRUE LIES it seemed like Bond started following instead of leading.
Charles, I read the QOS short story anthology recently and thought how great it would be to see these stories filmed faithfully. Of course, it will never happen.
I always liked Sean Connery as Bond with Pierce Brosnan second. Roger Moore seemed to be replaying his Simon Templar role. It would be better if film production stuck to the book stories, and got rid of the special effects.
Craig is #1 to me now. However for the previous Bonds, I can't decide between Connery and Moore. Dalton is third with a very close Pierce at fourth.
I like Connery best, you knew the suit and manners were covering up a street fighter. With Moore or the rest, you just didn't get that sense of toughness. Craig has it so, might be my next favourite.
Love the photo!
Reb, That photo is 11th grade school prom. My niece couldn't stop laughing when we rediscovered it over the weekend.
Good post, double-oh. I liked Casino Royale a bit more but both move incredibly fast. I think I may have to watch a 2nd time just to catch it all.
D.A., Yes, I would like to watch them back to back next time around. There's tons of plot happening that I know I missed.
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