Today, as many readers are likely aware, is the release date of one of this year's major action movies, the new James Bond film Skyfall. This means that at midnight last night (because seriously, what movie doesn't get a midnight release anymore?) die hard Bond fans, Daniel Craig lovers, Dame (or Day-um) Judi Dench supporters, and Adele someones-like-you took to the theaters to see Bond take on a creepy blonde Javier Bardem (first Bond, then Bardem?), as well as, according to the trailer, a scorpion. I was not among those in the theater, as I was getting ready for bed, but if early reviews and blogosphere buzz are to be believed, when I do get to see this movie, it will be quite impressive. And as the tiny Daniel Craig in the gun-barrel "O" above indicates, we're taking on Bond in today's report. As in talking about him. Not fighting him. He'd destroy us.
So with everyone saying Skyfall is so good, it's got to have a few key ingredients. Beyond the basics of a good (if not incredibly far-fetched) story and a strong leading man to be Bond, a good James Bond film needs...
An Action-Packed Opening
Before the opening titles even roll, the film's got to establish itself as a bad-ass piece of Bond awesomeness. The best way to do this is an action scene that grabs you right away. The Daily Beast put together their favorite openings, and I think they capture things pretty well. Goldeneye certainly takes the cake, and I always associate the secret duck with Goldfinger. Not on the list, but one I have a secret love for, is The World Is Not Enough, just because I loved doing an impression of Sir Robert King saying "Take this pin. It was the detonator." Overall favorite, though, has to be the gritty opening to Casino Royale that brought a fresh edge to the character, cutting back on late-Brosnan era corniness, and replacing it with a dark, character driven piece of work. (And for those who want more traditional action, just wait til the Parkour scene after the song plays through.)
A Good Song
With the opening action wrapped, it's time for a song. The James Bond opening songs (click musical note to play song) are always a product of the decade of the film. Given that famous musicians are always brought on to provide them, this decade-relation should come as no surprise. Consider 1965's Thunderball song "Thunderball" by Tom Jones, the obviously 80s "A View to a Kill" and "The Living Daylights" by Duran Duran and A-Ha respectively. You'll also notice a trend of song being named after film, which has been carried through almost all of the Bond films after Dr. No. There are some notable exceptions. I can't believe they couldn't find someone to sing a song called "Octopussy." Though I'm not surprised that nobody could work "Quantum of Solace" into a catchy little lyric, considering the incredibly effective way that it was worked into the film. Oh wait...
A Cool Title
Speaking of titles, they are almost invariably super cool. (Note the Quantum of Solace exception given above.) A View to a Kill, Live and Let Die... even Die Another Day, awful as the film was, is a pretty kick-ass title. And just imagine the titles that could have come if the films had started production prior to 1962. If you can't imagine any, Andrew Howley took care of some for you. Two Lefts and a Reich would be incredible, and imagine the gadgets the Newton-esque Q counterpart would provide in Objects in Motion. Then again, there are the forgotten Bond films of the Bush era. (Actually, some of these might have been better than Die Another Day... )
A Hot Bond Girl
Next ingredient to heat things up a bit: The playfully named Bond Girl. Where, but in a James Bond film, could Denise Richards pass for a nuclear physicist? And where, but in that same Bond film, would that physicists name be "Christmas Jones"? And where, but in that same film, would Pierce Brosnan get to say "I always wanted to have Christmas in Turkey" and not be talking about December 25? There's a whole vast history of beautiful women who have seduced, tricked, trapped, been trapped with, and, in the latest Bond story arc, even broken the heart of James Bond. There are also some great Bond girls who never were, and hopefully never will be.
A Super Creepy, Crazy Villain
Finally, let's wrap it all up with a villain who just wants to watch the world burn. No, wait, that's the Joker. But seriously, Bond villains aren't far from the supervillains of the comic book world, especially in terms of their plots for world domination or turning a quick (billion) buck(s). Whether they cry blood, carry golden guns, throw deadly bowler hats, or love gold, these villains all have one thing in common: They expect Bond to die. Of course, they'll toy with him a bit first. Or torture him mercilessly in one of the most painful sequences I've ever seen on film. (Looking at you, Casino.) The point is, it can't be simple. It's all a game. A most complicated game.
All told these ingredients combined (shaken, not stirred) work together to create a gem of a Bond movie. And it sounds like Skyfall makes the grade. Catch it in theaters this weekend. (I get money from MGM now, right? That's how that works?)
For those who have Monday off, enjoy the long weekend. I'll be back on Tuesday with what I anticipate will be some smaller scale reporting than this week's.
Til next week,
Mousseau. Evan Mousseau
(Please, like you didn't know I would sign off like that.)
No comments:
Post a Comment