James Bond Thread: movies, books and comics news

Topic

This is a thread to talk about James Bond.

Replies

Al-x wrote:

Your thoughts on how OHMSS would have been with Connery.

Hard to say. Connery was a better Bond than Lazenby was, but:

1. Connery turned down the role because the studio wouldn’t pay the salary he was demanding, so he may have turned in a less-than-stellar performance at that point; and

2. To compensate for the loss of Connery, the studios seem to have put an extra effort into making OHMSS a great Bond film, creating a more personal and gritty story than the previous and subsequent films. It’s closer in style to the Daniel Craig Bond films.

Screen Rant has a pretty good article explaining why Connery would not have been able to pull off the job that Lazenby did on OHMSS.

https://screenrant.com/james-bond-her-majesty-secret-service-connery-not-worked/#:~:text=He%20was%20heavily%20harassed%20by,the%20way%20for%20George%20Lazenby.&text=If%20playback%20doesn't%20begin%20shortly%2C%20try%20restarting%20your%20device.

1 user thanked author for this post.

Al-x

‘How Bond treats women is shocking’ Bev Turner slams Bond movies

Next you’ll be telling me that some Bond movies don’t pass the Bechdel test

3 users thanked author for this post.

Ben, Christian, Todd

OK, new rule, along with Daily Mail links, no GB News links – come on JR you must have some self-respect and standards.

4 users thanked author for this post.

Bruce, Todd, Uncle Retrospective, lorcan_nagle

Can we ban Talk TV as well?
Cunts.

3 users thanked author for this post.

Bruce, lorcan_nagle, Ben

Dave wrote:

Next you’ll be telling me that some Bond movies don’t pass the Bechdel test

Even more shockingly, I’ve heard that Bond movies glorify violence!

4 users thanked author for this post.

Ben, Todd, Dave, JRCarter

I would watch a James Bond living in a dystopian Britain with nothing to lose who turns against his masters.

https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/five-actors-who-hated-being-in-james-bond-movies/

Arjan Dirkse wrote:

I would watch a James Bond living in a dystopian Britain with nothing to lose who turns against his masters.

Too bad the Tories lost the last election.

Okay, I had chatgpt write an exposé for this, and it’s fucking awesome:

Exposé: James Bond: A Dystopian Future in “Shattered Kingdom”
Synopsis
The year is 2028. Britain is unrecognizable, a bleak landscape ravaged by economic decline, social unrest, and an authoritarian regime. The ruling Conservative Party, after securing an unexpected victory in the 2024 elections, has tightened its grip on the nation, turning it into a surveillance state where dissent is met with brutal force. In this harrowing vision of the future, James Bond must navigate a dystopian Britain to uncover the truth behind a shadowy cabal controlling the government.

Setting the Scene
The film, titled Shattered Kingdom, opens with a sweeping shot of a once-great Britain now in ruins. London’s skyline, once a symbol of progress and prosperity, is dominated by government drones and propaganda billboards. The iconic Big Ben is half-destroyed, a chilling reminder of the civil unrest that followed the controversial 2024 elections. The streets are filled with citizens struggling to survive under the ever-watchful eye of the state, while the government, now a puppet of corporate interests, uses technology to monitor and control every aspect of life.

Plot Overview
James Bond, now a disillusioned and rogue MI6 agent, has been off the grid since the rise of the new regime. When an old ally from within the remnants of MI6 reaches out, Bond is pulled back into the fray, tasked with investigating the disappearance of key opposition leaders and uncovering a plot that could seal the nation’s fate.

As Bond delves deeper, he discovers that the Tories’ victory was not a mere political triumph but the result of a conspiracy orchestrated by a group of powerful oligarchs known as “The Architects.” These shadowy figures have used their wealth and influence to manipulate elections, suppress the media, and install a government that serves their interests. Their ultimate goal: to transform Britain into a corporate-run state, free from democratic accountability.

Character Dynamics
James Bond (Daniel Craig): A hardened and cynical Bond, haunted by the failures of his past missions and the state of his country. His personal mission is not just to expose the conspiracy but to reclaim the Britain he once fought for.

M (Ralph Fiennes): Now leading an underground resistance, M is more determined than ever to restore democracy. His relationship with Bond is strained, but they are united in their goal to take down The Architects.

Q (Ben Whishaw): Q operates from a secret lab beneath the ruins of MI6 headquarters. He provides Bond with the latest in anti-surveillance gadgets, allowing him to navigate the heavily monitored streets of dystopian London.

Vera Black (New Character): A former journalist turned hacker, Vera leads the information warfare against the regime. Her knowledge of the digital landscape is crucial to uncovering The Architects’ plans.

Prime Minister Evelyn Storm (New Character): The face of the authoritarian regime, Evelyn is a charismatic yet ruthless leader. She is a pawn of The Architects, but her ambition and cunning make her a formidable adversary.

Themes
Shattered Kingdom explores themes of power, corruption, and resistance in a world where democracy has been eroded. The film reflects contemporary fears of authoritarianism and the dangers of unchecked corporate influence, serving as both a thrilling action movie and a cautionary tale.

The film also delves into Bond’s psyche, portraying him as a man out of time, struggling to find his place in a world that has changed beyond recognition. His journey is one of redemption, not just for himself but for the country he loves.

Cinematic Style
Director Sam Mendes returns to helm this project, bringing a darker, more atmospheric tone reminiscent of Blade Runner 2049. The cinematography is characterized by stark contrasts, with scenes bathed in cold, artificial light to emphasize the oppressive nature of the surveillance state. The film’s score, composed by Hans Zimmer, blends orchestral arrangements with industrial sounds, creating a sense of unease and urgency.

Conclusion
Shattered Kingdom is more than just another James Bond film; it is a reflection of a world teetering on the edge of chaos. As Bond fights to expose the truth, audiences are left to ponder the real-world implications of a society where democracy can be so easily undermined. In this dystopian vision, the stakes are higher than ever, and the fate of Britain rests in the hands of a rogue agent with nothing left to lose.

Has anybody here got Barbara Broccoli’s e-mail address? I am pretty sure she’s going to want to go with this.

Hehe…that is pretty cool.

 

Still I think it could work with Labour putting people in gulags for unsound opinions as well. ;)

Funnily enough, though, it’s always the right who actually want to ban free speech by law; what they themselves are complaining about is just people telling them they’re being assholes. And James Bond killing people for doing that seems a bit over the top.

Traits and controversial behaviours James Bond can’t have in 2024

JRCarter wrote:

Traits and controversial behaviours James Bond can’t have in 2024

I look at the movies as a reflection of the times they were made. While even then it wasn’t right, it was considered “acceptable” at the time.

Really though, you can look at television and the movies over the years and there will always be something that will make you cringe today.

2 users thanked author for this post.

Al-x, Sean Robinson

One of the things I think the Bond movies did quite well was that circa Goldeneye in 1995 they pivoted to a more modern take on the character that acknowledged that a lot of his characteristics were outdated and less acceptable in the modern day, but didn’t change him – they just changed other people’s attitudes towards him.

I think that’s a sensible way of acknowledging modern standards without destroying some of the more dated elements that are nevertheless at the heart of the character.

2 users thanked author for this post.

njerry, Todd

Yeah, it was pretty good how they poked fun at him back then. I do think that he changed a bit back then as well, though, but not in a way that people would notice too much. I guess that’s pretty much the way forward again this time.

1 user thanked author for this post.

Dave

The best-dressed James Bonds in the history of the 007 franchise

https://www.thegentlemansjournal.com/article/best-dressed-bonds/