The names Bond...James Bond...
Yes, if you haven't heard (or seen), the teaser trailer to the newest James Bond 007 movie has come out...and its AWESOME. First off, I love Daniel Craig as James Bond. I think he really gets the physical and suave criteria down for the role. Through his two movies, Daniel Craig has found a way to connect with the audience; making them feel like it is really James Bond on screen...something George Lazendouche couldn't do. (and an argument can be made for Roger Moore's final two Bond films)
Casino Royale is a modern classic. Filmed near flawlessly by Martin Campbell, Casino revived a franchise that people had a sour taste in their mouth after Die Another Day. Campbell may have not been the right guy for Green Lantern, but the studios made the right choice by signing him do do Bond. With Casino, Campbell was able to revive the world's favorite agent. He did it with Goldeneye, which to this day, is my favorite James Bond movie. Casino Royale felt like a genuine Bond flick, and it made people fall back in love with the iconic hero. By making the most money out of the franchise, Casino boasted its inevitable sequel.
Okay, I will start off by saying that I enjoyed Quantum of Solace. I thought it was a solid overall movie...but not a good Bond movie; infact a very poor Bond flick. Through its trailers and other advertisements, Quantum of Solace looked like it would upstage its predecessor. I'll admit-it had some intense action sequences, but the whole movie seemed to center its focus just on the action, and nothing more. Daniel did a very fine job; just as good as he did in Casino as a matter of fact. But it just didn't feel like a Bond movie. While the relationship between M and Bond was very good, the film lacked the genuine bond feel that its predecessor had. I don't know why the studios grabbed Marc Forster to do Quantum to be honest. I mean, he's not an action/thriller type director. He's more of that drama type of fellow. Even though Stranger than Fiction was a pretty good movie that Forster crafted up, his work on Quantum wasn't impressive at all. But, it gave him some experience in the action field.
And now we're nearing the 3rd Daniel Craig Bond movie. Now you may say that I might be overreacting when I say it looks fantastic through the trailer (just like Quantum did), but hear me out. So below are 3 reasons as to why I think Skyfall will kick ass.
1. Sam Mendes
In order to make a successful Bond movie, you have to grab a person that understands the type of film that Bond comes from. Martin Campbell certainly did. Hell, the guy is a Bond fanboy. Marc Forster really wasn't. It seemed like the studio enjoyed Stranger than Fiction and decided to sign him as the next Bond director. So now we have Sam Mendes, director of American Beauty, Road to Perdition, and Jarhead. I wasn't a too big a fan of American Beauty; I felt it was overrated and that Fight Club deserved to win best picture in 1999. Still, it was a solid flick and enjoyable. Mendes' best film to this day is Road to Perdition. That is one of the best Comic book adaptations today, and I felt that one should've been at least nominated for Best Picture back in 2002. Jarhead, though falsely advertised, was a pretty good military movie. Mendes is a guy with true talent, and he knows how to thrill an audience. He even said he thoroughly enjoys James Bond. So, just like with Casino, the studio grabbed a guy who knows what he's doing. Mendes isn't the best director around, but he is a pretty fine choice for the next Bond film. And from the trailer, it looks like the guy has given us another great 007 entry.
2. The story
One of the many reasons as to why Quantum failed as a Bond movie is that the plot was tied in with Casino. Naturally with Bond movies, the plots are supposed to be fresh and innovative; and not tied with their predecessors at all. That's what gives Bond some diversity from say Bourne and Ethan Hunt. None of the Pierce Bronson movies were connected through their stories. That's what made them enjoyable (with the exception of Die Another Day) Quantum didn't feel fresh or exciting, it just felt like the second part of Casino Royale. With Skyfall, the plot isn't directly connected to its predecessors; giving it a new feeling. Good; I don't want Bond moping over that traitor he fell in love with. Even though I was morbidly disappointed with Quantum, I think it was good that it was very successful and at the same time a disappointment. Why? Because that teaches the filmmakers a lesson; and it means we could be in store for an improved sequel. From the trailer Skyfall's title seems to be the name of a mission, so that means that the title makes sense with the plot...something that Quantum of Solace seriously lacked. Skyfall's plot will bring us back to that genuine Bond feel.
3. Bringing back some old characters
Tying in with that whole 'good Bond feel', Skyfall is bringing back something that we want...Q. Without Q, how would James be able to escape so narrowly without Q's interesting and amazing gadgets? Q's character is always there to provide us with the comedic relief. By bringing his character back to life, the filmmakers are really crafting Skyfall into a great Bond movie. Now, at first I thought that Naomi Harris was going to play moneypenny, but I was proved wrong. On IMDB there is no one listed as playing Moneypenny...YET. Could she be in this new flick? Maybe. If she isn't, I feel it won't be too big a loss, but if she is I'll be satisfied.
With Mendes, a fresh plot, and Q coming back (and maybe moneypenny?) Skyfall will make us forget Quantum of Solace, and give the audience more respect for Daniel Craig as Her Majesty's secret service agent. It may be speculation, and the trailer may be just as impressive as Quantum of Solace was, and I understand if your argument calls me out for being ignorant, but those three points are something to definitely consider. I have no doubt that Skyfall will kick some wholesale ass this year,and be a Bond film that we'll be talking about for many years to come. It'll probably have some Bond humor, some cool ass gadgets made by Q, and enough action to keep the audience thrilled. I'm psyched.
So what do you think about Skyfall's trailer?
thoughts?
comments?
let me know!