Do you take the films seriously?

[Kadov]

009 said:

I could not believe the abuse that Pierce Brosnan got from many people after Daniel Craig was cast as Bond. From being regarded as the best Bond since Connery and a popular Bond who relaunched Bond and made a popular last film in Die Another Day, he was suddenly a laughing stock who nearly killed James Bond.

I think these people are fringe group. They don't represent the entire mood of society; they represent the extreme end of Bond fandom. They rallied around Craig, CR, and Eon with no objectivity because that is their world. But as I read their comments at those other forums, especially after the Craig casting, I sensed something in their attitude--their reaction was too protective, too defensive. It seemed that deep down inside they couldn't believe that Eon went with Craig. But Craig is Bond, he's the front end of the franchise, the current face of the Bond universe, so these types of fans had to dive into Eon's decision and swallow it. I haven't looked at those forums in a while. I wonder how they've reacted to the DVD sales of CR. It seems to me that the sales haven't been chart-topping. Does any one know what its latest figures are?

Because of my job (in the entertainment industry), I travel a lot and meet all sorts of people. When it comes to the discussion of movies, I'd say that one of the common topics is why is Brosnan no longer Bond and why did "they" get that new guy? Brosnan is an admired actor to the rest of the world.

[James]

Very interesting post kadov. What I found especially revealing was the way that many of Craig's biggest current cheerleaders on forums (including mods) dissed him when he was first linked to the role and said he didn't look the part. Once he was cast there was a wholescale about turn with everyone scrambling to jump on the bandwagon. I can only presume two things;

1) Some people would rather be in the herd than 'left out'.

2) They can cast just about anyone as Bond now and get away with it!

[James]

poirot said:

The irony is that when the Craig backlash first appeared, his supporters immediately said, "Don't blame the actor!" (Of course, they themselves had no problem blaming Brosnan.)

It's well documented that Brosnan wanted Bond films that were closer in tone to Fleming, yet EON continued to go in the opposite direction every time. And these are the people everyone now has complete faith in?

I think the trashing everyone gave Brosnan to somehow bump up Craig was very weird. It's fine if someone thinks Brosnan was crap but at least say it at the time! Historical revisionism I think.

[harrypalmer]

Many people on the popular James Bond forums were giving Daniel a terrible time when he was linked with the part, as though he was never actually a serious contender.

When he was cast, as James said, they changed their tune and defended Daniel to the hilt - even though they had been saying he was unsuitable for the part only months before.

[skywalker]

009 said:

I could not believe the abuse that Pierce Brosnan got from many people after Daniel Craig was cast as Bond. From being regarded as the best Bond since Connery and a popular Bond who relaunched Bond and made a popular last film in Die Another Day, he was suddenly a laughing stock who nearly killed James Bond.

Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli try to distance themselves from the last few Brosnan James Bond films. But they made the F****S!!!!!!!

A belated welcome to the forum 009.

[skywalker]

poirot said:

The irony is that when the Craig backlash first appeared, his supporters immediately said, "Don't blame the actor!" (Of course, they themselves had no problem blaming Brosnan.)

It's well documented that Brosnan wanted Bond films that were closer in tone to Fleming, yet EON continued to go in the opposite direction every time. And these are the people everyone now has complete faith in?

I agree with you on that Poirot. An intersting question would be what if Craig had starred in DAD, would he have been criticised to the same degree as PB even if the film was in the same style as before.

[poirot]

skywalker said:

An intersting question would be what if Craig had starred in DAD, would he have been criticised to the same degree as PB even if the film was in the same style as before.

From the way everyone acted, you would think that Craig was handed the script for DAD 2, then promptly set about to rewrite it!

I think that if he had starred in a "more of the same" Bond film, it would've been the disaster many expected. Craig simply doesn't possess the type of charm one associates with James Bond, which is why so many raised an eyebrow at his casting.

[alex]

poirot said:

skywalker said:

An intersting question would be what if Craig had starred in DAD, would he have been criticised to the same degree as PB even if the film was in the same style as before.

From the way everyone acted, you would think that Craig was handed the script for DAD 2, then promptly set about to rewrite it!

I think that if he had starred in a "more of the same" Bond film, it would've been the disaster many expected. Craig simply doesn't possess the type of charm one associates with James Bond, which is why so many raised an eyebrow at his casting.

I never really understood the implication that it was a case of either hire the great Daniel Craig or make Die Another Day 2.

[skywalker]

alex said:

poirot said:

From the way everyone acted, you would think that Craig was handed the script for DAD 2, then promptly set about to rewrite it!

I think that if he had starred in a "more of the same" Bond film, it would've been the disaster many expected. Craig simply doesn't possess the type of charm one associates with James Bond, which is why so many raised an eyebrow at his casting.

I never really understood the implication that it was a case of either hire the great Daniel Craig or make Die Another Day 2.

How many Bond fans blame Brosnan for DAD. Like you said Alex, It's as though if Brosnan had stayed on, DAD - The sequel was on the agenda. I suppose the reason so many 'fans' blame PB is due to the fact he wrote, directed and produced the film.

[FormerBondFan]

Barbara Broccoli is the main reason Pierce got blamed.

[alex]

Casino Royale seemed to inspire a lot of people to declare that most of the series was rubbish. I don't know if I'm a bit strange but I can watch any of the original Bond films.

[009]

Thank you for the welcome Mr Skywalker

I thought it was weird how one minute Pierce Brosnan is the greatest Bond ever and the next minute everyone is belitteling him..

[skywalker]

alex said:

Casino Royale seemed to inspire a lot of people to declare that most of the series was rubbish. I don't know if I'm a bit strange but I can watch any of the original Bond films.

Then that makes me strange too then Alex.

[skywalker]

009 said:

Thank you for the welcome Mr Skywalker

I thought it was weird how one minute Pierce Brosnan is the greatest Bond ever and the next minute everyone is belitteling him..

Your right OO9. Brosnan was indeed hailed a great Bond, yet now is appears uncool and disrespective to Fleming to enjoy any of his Bond movies.

[harrypalmer]

Those who seem to criticise many of the Eon Bond films set themselves up as experts of the Fleming thrillers.

They suggest that Casino Roylale is close to Fleming, and that is why they like it so much.

Personally, as a fan of Fleming's work (and with a soft spot for the many other simillar thriller writers) I can't see how Casino Royale 2007 is 90% more Fleming than any of the other Bond films.