Bond movies have certain ingredients that I think should definitely stay.
I don't mind if they mix the recipe up a bit, sometimes taking out a key ingredient, but then re-introducing it again later on (notably Q) but to ditch the gun barrel, well to me would be like a step too far.
We can have a shorter Bond. We can have a blond Bond. We can have a Bond that actually gets beaten up and bruised...we can even have Bond in jeans, but do we really want a Bond without the iconic gun barrel?..Well, I'd rather not. I didn't mind the digression in CR, but as it was really shaking things up, it worked. But let's get some of the old spice and magic back....it's worked for 40 years, why fix it?
She's worth whatever chaos she brings to the table and you know it. ~ Mark Anthony
Well oddly, I think there's a case for that even, afer CR showed that it can exist without it. And indeed, when it made its big appearance in the end credits, I was a dubious about how well it fitted: we had a very modern movie and suddenly a very 1960's theme tune for the hero, which didn't quite work for me. That was more the way it was performed than the tune itself, though- a bit less twangy guitar this time hopefully.
I do think there's a case for getting rid of the old stuff; CR's new feel was slightly hampered by the old stuff they felt they had to put in (what was the DB5 doing there?), but generally I think some of it is just too good to ditch altogether, like the gunbarrel and theme. I see no reason to think that it couldn't survive without them, but there's no real reason to ditch them.
I just hope somebody with your outlook doesn't get into a decision-making position on the film franchise.
But if we look at Never Say Never Again which is missing the Bond theme and logo- yes, it's a shame not to have them, but it's still a Bond movie and any discrepancies in it compared to the proper series aren't down to some graphics and music.
I would disagree. The music in NSNA was at its best completely unfitting. The lack of gunbarrel was a well-defined reminder that this movie had nothing to do with the canon series and was blasphemous from the get-go. I can't get over how wrong the soundtrack was and how inappropriate the musical overlay was during each scene. The opening swanky lounge music during an outpost infiltration made about as much sense as "Pour Some Sugar On Me" during any part of Schindler's List. For me, NSNA was so far removed from the Bond laundry list that it didn't feel like a Bond movie at all. I could handle a veteran 007 and a dark-skinned Felix. But the fringe was pathetic.
LoeffelholzThe United States, With LovePosts: 8,993Quartermasters
edited September 2008
I enjoyed the DB5 in CR, especially as it was hardly there, and serves nicely as a plot point about Bond's skill at cards. The theme at the end of the film, coming as it did after the various subtle musical Bond 'cues' dropped at key moments, really worked for me as well---and it seems to have been effective for most of the audience.
I think worries about the gunbarrel being omitted will soon prove to be academic. Eon played a good, bold hand with CR, but they also know where their bread is buttered. Various trappings of the the Precious Classic FormulaTMwill reappear, in stages, throughout Craig's tenure...at least, that's what my gut tells me. This time, it's the gunbarrel and a more liberal use of the Bond theme. Next time, it will be Moneypenny, or Q, or both...
Perhaps another Beach Boys song?
Check out my Amazon author page!Mark Loeffelholz
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
The gun barrel is what gave each canon film identity in pop culture. It's been spoofed God knows how many times thanks to its great popularity. It's far from the most crucial ingredient, but it would be like having a Thanksgiving turkey with no wishbone. You just gotta have it. It takes all of no more than 12 seconds of screen time. Just keep it there. It's never hurt anybody.
But let's get some of the old spice and magic back....it's worked for 40 years, why fix it?
Why, Lexi....whatever do you mean ? )
On a serious note.... I hope they don't bother with the traditional gunbarrel walk for DC's tenure - I like what they did in CR. Has anybody heard whether it's been filmed or not ? You normally get a whisper from somewhere.
I agree with you my fellow Bond enthusiast! The white dots and gun barrel opening a part of the James Bond feel of things, get rid of it and it doesn't feel quite there? I'm all for ridding of the so silly gadgets and make him a colder, tougher(not too tough) agent, who has to rely on his training and instincts.
Anyone would like to see the white dots with the electronic sounds and the Bond theme after the shooting, as in Dr No? also the gunbarrel in black and white. It would be a nice upfront reminder that the series has indeed been rebooted.
The gun barrel will sure be back in Quantum of Solace, but if it´s come in the beginning sin´t sure at all. Maybe it´s come like Casino Roayle did...
I agree when we says that Bond films have things that do them to Bond films. Many people says that Bondfilms have their own genre, I agree. The girls, cars, villains, gun barrel, q, m, monnypenny, musicvideo and so on.
Some of these iconic things and people might not return ever again, that´s bad isn´t it?
You know in America it’s “bling, bling”, but out here it’s “bling, bang”.
I think that a lot of the gadgetry was beginning to extend beyond the realm of plausability. In reality, CR had just as much in the way of gadgetry as many of the others. The main difference was that Sony had its name slapped on it. I was watching FRWL the other day and wondered what it must have been like for first-time audiences to see a car phone. Now everyone's texting left and right and jacking into computers. The world of spy work has changed. It's time for Bond to catch up with that. Secret documents have gone from being locked in safes with a combination to locked in computers with a password.
What I still see remaining the same though is Bond's cold-handed use of a handgun, which in my opinion is why the simple gunbarrel that identifies the film should remain in each installment with limited margin of artistic variation.
I'm pleased the gunbarrel will return in a traditional form. Looking at the question posed, Forster was asked if the 'traditional gunbarrel' will return, not just 'the gunbarrel'. He answered in the afirmative, so we must believe the traditional white dots, barrel walk, music et al will kick off the movie. Excellent news. Hopefully the gunbarrel music will be traditional Bond too, and not like some of Arnold's Brosnan era varients.
I thought the gunbarrel walks and music for TND and TWINE were pretty standard and traditional. DAD, yes. That was goofy with the bullet and that extra botchy percussion.
I thought the gunbarrel walks and music for TND and TWINE were pretty standard and traditional. DAD, yes. That was goofy with the bullet and that extra botchy percussion.
They walks were traditional but the music wasn't. There wasn't the big, brassy DA-DA DAH as the white dots crossed the screen. The cue started at the wrong point in the Bond score. Barry's gunbarrel arrangements were far superior to any of the other composers'.
Check out the new BOND ON SET book for some mouth watering pics of the shooting of the gunbarrel.
All present and correct are the white background, black tux and the good old PPK - which Dan appears to be pulling from a hip holster.
Very good to hear this... B-)
Sadly, we Yanks have to wait until 20th October to get our copies of the new Bond On Set X-(
But I've got mine pre-ordered...
Check out my Amazon author page!Mark Loeffelholz
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
You beauty. Cannot wait to see Craig's unique gunbarrel stroll. When a Bond movie opens with that - and the score is composed dramatically (get it right this time Mr Arnold) - it really sets the tone for a cracking PTS and movie to follow.
This was the problem that I wanted to avoid.
I am now learning toooooo much about QoS that I wanted before I see it in just three weeks time. I fear that I may stop reading ajb007 until 1 Nov.
Check out the new BOND ON SET book for some mouth watering pics of the shooting of the gunbarrel.
All present and correct are the white background, black tux and the good old PPK - which Dan appears to be pulling from a hip holster.
All VERY cool looking B-)
Duncan
Just ordered a copy from Amazon.
Also, I noticed that on the QoS soundtrack CD there are 24 tracks of which not one is titled gunbarrel opening. I know it hasn't always featured on Bond soundtracks in the past, but it makes you wonder...
Also, I noticed that on the QoS soundtrack CD there are 24 tracks of which not one is titled gunbarrel opening. I know it hasn't always featured on Bond soundtracks in the past, but it makes you wonder...
If memory serves me correctly (I'm at work right now and don't have my soundtracks at hand to check) I don't believe any soundtrack album--even the ones with the gunbarrel music on them--have a track with "gunbarrel" in the title. So I wouldn't worry about it.
Check out the new BOND ON SET book for some mouth watering pics of the shooting of the gunbarrel.
All present and correct are the white background, black tux and the good old PPK - which Dan appears to be pulling from a hip holster.
All VERY cool looking B-)
Duncan
There's some scans on CBN: looks good- Dan's stance almost looks like he hasn't been walking but just standing there, but that remains to be seen of course.
LoeffelholzThe United States, With LovePosts: 8,993Quartermasters
Some really great shots over there! The gun barrel shots look intriguing...and I like the notion of a hip-holster.
Very exciting stuff... :007)
Check out my Amazon author page!Mark Loeffelholz
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
There's some scans on CBN: looks good- Dan's stance almost looks like he hasn't been walking but just standing there, but that remains to be seen of course.
Thanks for the link (he said sarcastically). To spare others from prowling the forums like I did, here they are--but you have to scroll down a bit:
I won't mention it at all next time!
Seriously though; so many forums have odd rules concerning non-promotion of other forums I didn't want to risk it. One forum I go to won't even allow YouTube links or you get chucked off!
What do you think, though? Doesn't quite look like he does the normal turn- it's like he's standing still. Or perhaps walking towards the camera?
Comments
I don't mind if they mix the recipe up a bit, sometimes taking out a key ingredient, but then re-introducing it again later on (notably Q) but to ditch the gun barrel, well to me would be like a step too far.
We can have a shorter Bond. We can have a blond Bond. We can have a Bond that actually gets beaten up and bruised...we can even have Bond in jeans, but do we really want a Bond without the iconic gun barrel?..Well, I'd rather not. I didn't mind the digression in CR, but as it was really shaking things up, it worked. But let's get some of the old spice and magic back....it's worked for 40 years, why fix it?
I just hope somebody with your outlook doesn't get into a decision-making position on the film franchise.
I would disagree. The music in NSNA was at its best completely unfitting. The lack of gunbarrel was a well-defined reminder that this movie had nothing to do with the canon series and was blasphemous from the get-go. I can't get over how wrong the soundtrack was and how inappropriate the musical overlay was during each scene. The opening swanky lounge music during an outpost infiltration made about as much sense as "Pour Some Sugar On Me" during any part of Schindler's List. For me, NSNA was so far removed from the Bond laundry list that it didn't feel like a Bond movie at all. I could handle a veteran 007 and a dark-skinned Felix. But the fringe was pathetic.
I think worries about the gunbarrel being omitted will soon prove to be academic. Eon played a good, bold hand with CR, but they also know where their bread is buttered. Various trappings of the the Precious Classic FormulaTM will reappear, in stages, throughout Craig's tenure...at least, that's what my gut tells me. This time, it's the gunbarrel and a more liberal use of the Bond theme. Next time, it will be Moneypenny, or Q, or both...
Perhaps another Beach Boys song?
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
Oh come to terms with the times, man! If anything, they'll put in a Backstreet Boys song.
Yeah - Sean Connery had the walk of Bob Simmons
Why, Lexi....whatever do you mean ?
On a serious note.... I hope they don't bother with the traditional gunbarrel walk for DC's tenure - I like what they did in CR. Has anybody heard whether it's been filmed or not ? You normally get a whisper from somewhere.
I do - but I'm not sure how they would/could do this and still keep it fresh and not turn it into a gimmick.
http://movieblog.ugo.com/index.php/movieblog/more/your_quantum_of_solace_questions_answered/
So that tells us there's one there . . . but under what pretenses . . . or are there any?
I agree when we says that Bond films have things that do them to Bond films. Many people says that Bondfilms have their own genre, I agree. The girls, cars, villains, gun barrel, q, m, monnypenny, musicvideo and so on.
Some of these iconic things and people might not return ever again, that´s bad isn´t it?
Very bad...?:)
What I still see remaining the same though is Bond's cold-handed use of a handgun, which in my opinion is why the simple gunbarrel that identifies the film should remain in each installment with limited margin of artistic variation.
They walks were traditional but the music wasn't. There wasn't the big, brassy DA-DA DAH as the white dots crossed the screen. The cue started at the wrong point in the Bond score. Barry's gunbarrel arrangements were far superior to any of the other composers'.
All present and correct are the white background, black tux and the good old PPK - which Dan appears to be pulling from a hip holster.
All VERY cool looking B-)
Duncan
Very good to hear this... B-)
Sadly, we Yanks have to wait until 20th October to get our copies of the new Bond On Set X-(
But I've got mine pre-ordered...
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
I am now learning toooooo much about QoS that I wanted before I see it in just three weeks time. I fear that I may stop reading ajb007 until 1 Nov.
Just ordered a copy from Amazon.
Also, I noticed that on the QoS soundtrack CD there are 24 tracks of which not one is titled gunbarrel opening. I know it hasn't always featured on Bond soundtracks in the past, but it makes you wonder...
If memory serves me correctly (I'm at work right now and don't have my soundtracks at hand to check) I don't believe any soundtrack album--even the ones with the gunbarrel music on them--have a track with "gunbarrel" in the title. So I wouldn't worry about it.
There's some scans on CBN: looks good- Dan's stance almost looks like he hasn't been walking but just standing there, but that remains to be seen of course.
Very exciting stuff... :007)
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
Thanks for the link (he said sarcastically). To spare others from prowling the forums like I did, here they are--but you have to scroll down a bit:
http://debrief.commanderbond.net/index.php?showtopic=48619&st=180
Seriously though; so many forums have odd rules concerning non-promotion of other forums I didn't want to risk it. One forum I go to won't even allow YouTube links or you get chucked off!
What do you think, though? Doesn't quite look like he does the normal turn- it's like he's standing still. Or perhaps walking towards the camera?