Brosnan - What went wrong?

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  • chrisisallchrisisall Western Mass, USAPosts: 9,061MI6 Agent
    You should have been here when Craig was cast...that's all I'll say. The sky was literally falling :o :))
    I missed the storm. Thankfully. -{
    Dalton & Connery rule. Brozz was cool.
    #1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS
  • Virgil37Virgil37 Posts: 1,212MI6 Agent
    Matt S wrote:

    to say he was out of shape is sheer nonsense talk!
    he has a flat stomach and looks just fine!
    guess you're only a Bond fan since DC?


    I've been a Bond fan 40 years, PB Bond was not in shape, compare him to Toby Stephens in the fencing fight, I rest my case. PB never had the killer look.

    Connery in his early films, GL and DC all look like they could kill you.



    Have you seen The November Man or The Fourth Protocol? Brosnan can be tough and dark, and I think he does it more effectively than Craig. If Brosnan could get back into shape for The November Man in his 60s, he could have done it a decade earlier for CR.

    That's always been my point about Brosnan. He played his best James Bond in non-Bond movies. Specially in The Fourth Protocol he's absolutely spot on. Unfortunately, he wasn't allowed to play that kind of Bond, and Craig was. I don't think more effectively than Craig, but close enough.

    Let's not forget that Tarantino wanted to make CR with Brosnan, not Craig or anyone else. And Tarantino's leads tend to be both good actors and tough guys. No, the problems of the franchise in 1995-2002 were the scripts, directors, and a general lack of direction as pointed out.
  • chrisisallchrisisall Western Mass, USAPosts: 9,061MI6 Agent
    *virtually hugs Virgil in a manly not-gay way*
    Dalton & Connery rule. Brozz was cool.
    #1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS
  • Virgil37Virgil37 Posts: 1,212MI6 Agent
    Jag wrote:
    Gassy Man wrote:
    Before I joined this forum, I would never have guessed that there is so much "hate" for Mr.Brosnan. lately, in every thread you can read begative comments about the Brosnan films, now this gets started; I tell you it is really crazy :s
    would be nice some people on here must really understand that there are fellow fans on here (like me) that like him. and therfore shouldn't aleays pick on him!
    I wouldn't say hate so much as disappointment. And the box office numbers suggest the general audience feels the same way.


    Box office numbers? Brosnan's movies did not exactly lose money... The higher figures for Craig are due to inflation and more marketing. You don't get box office success by just making a great movie nowadays.

    Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think Craig's inflation adjusted figures are still larger than Brosnan's films. You don't get box office success by making a great movie now or back in 1995. GE had one very large marketing campaign. Bond was everywhere looking at you with his Omega and BMW, I remember it very well. So, no, Craig's success over Brosnan does not come down to inflation adjustment and marketing.
  • Virgil37Virgil37 Posts: 1,212MI6 Agent
    chrisisall wrote:
    *virtually hugs Virgil in a manly not-gay way*

    But of course, my friend. -{
  • JagJag Posts: 1,167MI6 Agent
    Virgil37 wrote:
    Jag wrote:
    Gassy Man wrote:
    I wouldn't say hate so much as disappointment. And the box office numbers suggest the general audience feels the same way.


    Box office numbers? Brosnan's movies did not exactly lose money... The higher figures for Craig are due to inflation and more marketing. You don't get box office success by just making a great movie nowadays.

    Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think Craig's inflation adjusted figures are still larger than Brosnan's films. You don't get box office success by making a great movie now or back in 1995. GE had one very large marketing campaign. Bond was everywhere looking at you with his Omega and BMW, I remember it very well. So, no, Craig's success over Brosnan does not come down to inflation adjustment and marketing.


    Product placement has always been a feature of Bond movies, but you can't compare marketing budgets of Craig movies, which have had the whole Sony business supermachine behind them with Brosnan ones. Unfortunately advertising sells, even though, as my grandpa wisely used to say: "Advertising is not necessary. If it's good, people will buy it". I think he may have overestimated humankind in this respect! :)
  • JagJag Posts: 1,167MI6 Agent
    chrisisall wrote:
    image.jpg
    Gods, he looks like the Stay-Puffed Marshmallow man here! :D


    I think this photo illustrates perfectly why Brosnan has been the best Bond: the best body hair! Even better than Connery's...

    Unlike some other actor, he would not have a laser near his chest, and we all know that Bond has hated lasers n his body since Goldfinger.

    Seriously, even Austin Powers knew that!

    And I'm saying that as a straight man, so it means a lot. :))
  • Gassy ManGassy Man USAPosts: 2,972MI6 Agent
    Jag wrote:
    Gassy Man wrote:
    Before I joined this forum, I would never have guessed that there is so much "hate" for Mr.Brosnan. lately, in every thread you can read begative comments about the Brosnan films, now this gets started; I tell you it is really crazy :s
    would be nice some people on here must really understand that there are fellow fans on here (like me) that like him. and therfore shouldn't aleays pick on him!
    I wouldn't say hate so much as disappointment. And the box office numbers suggest the general audience feels the same way.


    Box office numbers? Brosnan's movies did not exactly lose money... The higher figures for Craig are due to inflation and more marketing. You don't get box office success by just making a great movie nowadays.
    http://www.investopedia.com/slide-show/top-5-bond-movies-inflation/?header_alt=true

    This site claims, when adjusted for inflation, the Craig Bonds all outperform the Brosnan ones:

    http://www.007james.com/articles/box_office.php

    This page, though, suggests how tough it is to make a determination about profitability and all that, based on how the books are cooked:

    http://www.thejamesbonddossier.com/james-bond-films/box-office-figures-for-the-james-bond-series.htm

    Based on raw numbers, the three previous Craig Bonds grossed nearly $500,000,000 more than the four Brosnan Bonds combined. Of course, this does not adjust for inflation. But I suspect Spectre will do great if not equal business to Skyfall, and even when adjusted for inflation, will place the four Craig films ahead of the four Brosnan films. Whether or not that makes them more profitable is another question, but good luck getting that information. Movie stars have sued the film companies because of claims of lost pay because even financially successful films on paper can be made to look like they have lost money.

    But bear in mind, too, that Craig's Bonds, at least anecdotally, have brought more casual audiences into the theater, as people who say they were not Bond fans before are attending Craig's films. Tangential popularity -- such as Adele's song -- have also outpaced those of many Bonds in the past, including Brosnan's.
  • JagJag Posts: 1,167MI6 Agent
    Interesting, your first link claims that Casino Royale grossed more than Skyfall. Your second link claims that Skyfall grossed about double that of Casino Royale. Who do we believe? :))
  • HatThrowingHenchmanHatThrowingHenchman Russia With LovePosts: 1,834MI6 Agent
    don't forget one of the main reasons why the Craig films grossed more than Brosnan's: the digital world was improving, everything was connected, mobile phones started to play more important roles,etc....
    "You see Mr.Bond, you can't kill my dreams...but my dreams can kill you.Time to face destiny" - "Time to face gravity"
  • Agent PurpleAgent Purple Posts: 857MI6 Agent
    Plus, a key reason why the Craig films are quite different from the Brosnan films has to do with a shift in tastes. The Brosnan films were a response to franchises like Die Hard, Rambo, Lethal Weapon, and Terminator. Much like the Craig films were a response to the Transporter and Bourne franchises.

    Each a reaction to their respective time.
    "Hostile takeovers. Shall we?"
    New 2020 ranking (for now DAF and FYEO keep their previous placements)
    1. TLD 2. TND 3. GF 4. TSWLM 5. TWINE 6. OHMSS 7. LtK 8. TMWTGG 9. L&LD 10. YOLT 11. DAD 12. QoS 13. DN 14. GE 15. SF 16. OP 17. MR 18. AVTAK 19. TB 20. FRWL 21. CR 22. FYEO 23. DAF (SP to be included later)
    Bond actors to be re-ranked later
  • LoeffelholzLoeffelholz The United States, With LovePosts: 8,990Quartermasters
    Product placement was ubiquitous in the Brosnan era as well 8-) In TND, a Sony Ericsson was the BMW's remote control. Smirnoff? Heineken? Check and check.
    Check out my Amazon author page! Mark Loeffelholz
    "I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
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  • JagJag Posts: 1,167MI6 Agent
    Product placement was ubiquitous in the Brosnan era as well 8-) In TND, a Sony Ericsson was the BMW's remote control. Smirnoff? Heineken? Check and check.

    Like I said earlier, product placement goes back to the Connery era, and has grown ever since, though by my standards only reach ridiculous levels in Skyfall (I could live with Omega mentioned by name in CR!).
  • JagJag Posts: 1,167MI6 Agent
    Plus, a key reason why the Craig films are quite different from the Brosnan films has to do with a shift in tastes. The Brosnan films were a response to franchises like Die Hard, Rambo, Lethal Weapon, and Terminator. Much like the Craig films were a response to the Transporter and Bourne franchises.

    Each a reaction to their respective time.


    That's an interesting point. Bond movies at the time were, in my opinion, way better than Rambo, Terminator, Die Hard or Lethal Weapon. Now - not so much. Still better than Transporter, but no better than Bourne at all.
  • Gassy ManGassy Man USAPosts: 2,972MI6 Agent
    Jag wrote:
    Interesting, your first link claims that Casino Royale grossed more than Skyfall. Your second link claims that Skyfall grossed about double that of Casino Royale. Who do we believe? :))
    Well, exactly -- I acknowledged that in the comments. It depends on how the amounts are calculated and by whom. What do you have statistics wise that shows the Brosnan films did better than the Craig ones? Don't forget that first link was calculating amounts in 2012, while Skyfall was still in release.
  • broadshoulderbroadshoulder Acton, London, UKPosts: 1,363MI6 Agent
    Jag wrote:
    Product placement was ubiquitous in the Brosnan era as well 8-) In TND, a Sony Ericsson was the BMW's remote control. Smirnoff? Heineken? Check and check.

    Like I said earlier, product placement goes back to the Connery era, and has grown ever since, though by my standards only reach ridiculous levels in Skyfall (I could live with Omega mentioned by name in CR!).

    You've obviously not seen Moonraker and the British Airways product placement.
    1. For Your Eyes Only 2. The Living Daylights 3 From Russia with Love 4. Casino Royale 5. OHMSS 6. Skyfall
  • blame_thatcherblame_thatcher Posts: 199MI6 Agent
    He had one great film, one really good film, and two sub par films
    Brosnan had no great or good films. Mediocrity was the best that was achieved during his era.
  • blame_thatcherblame_thatcher Posts: 199MI6 Agent
    chrisisall wrote:
    What went wrong? Hiring Tamahori. His vision of Bond was too schizophrenic.
    Well, Brosnan wanted Brett Ratner to direct a Bond film.
  • blame_thatcherblame_thatcher Posts: 199MI6 Agent
    Interestingly, Spectre is probably the Bond film that Brosnan wanted to make.
  • Willard WhyteWillard Whyte Posts: 166MI6 Agent
    Jag wrote:
    Brosnan would not have owned CR, he looked out of shape in DAD and he didn't have the look of a killer in his eyes, DC has the killer look and is cool in the role.


    You are correct that Craig looks like a killer, but don't forget that the classic Bond should also look like a gentleman...


    Totally agree, PB pulls the charm of Bond off effortlessly.
    I smell a rat
  • Penfold HeartPenfold Heart Posts: 159MI6 Agent
    I personally think he went from "excellent" (GE) to "pretty good" (TND) to "passable" (TWiNE) to "downright sh*te" (DaD).

    He is the only Bond for me who started really strong and got gradually worse, DC was heading the same way until he was redeemed with SPECTRE.
  • Willard WhyteWillard Whyte Posts: 166MI6 Agent
    chrisisall wrote:
    chrisisall wrote:
    Jeeze, if only I could be that out of shape... :D

    keep trying :))
    I'd have to gain at least 15 pounds... :#


    :)) :)) -{ {[]
    I smell a rat
  • Matt SMatt S Oh Cult Voodoo ShopPosts: 6,596MI6 Agent
    I personally think he went from "excellent" (GE) to "pretty good" (TND) to "passable" (TWiNE) to "downright sh*te" (DaD).

    He is the only Bond for me who started really strong and got gradually worse, DC was heading the same way until he was redeemed with SPECTRE.

    Craig has been all over the place. Skyfall was definitely his worst performance, but then he gave his best in Spectre.
    Visit my blog, Bond Suits
  • broadshoulderbroadshoulder Acton, London, UKPosts: 1,363MI6 Agent
    He had one great film, one really good film, and two sub par films
    Brosnan had no great or good films. Mediocrity was the best that was achieved during his era.

    True that +1 -{
    1. For Your Eyes Only 2. The Living Daylights 3 From Russia with Love 4. Casino Royale 5. OHMSS 6. Skyfall
  • HatThrowingHenchmanHatThrowingHenchman Russia With LovePosts: 1,834MI6 Agent
    He had one great film, one really good film, and two sub par films
    Brosnan had no great or good films. Mediocrity was the best that was achieved during his era.

    speak for yourself! :p
    "You see Mr.Bond, you can't kill my dreams...but my dreams can kill you.Time to face destiny" - "Time to face gravity"
  • Agent PurpleAgent Purple Posts: 857MI6 Agent
    He had one great film, one really good film, and two sub par films
    Brosnan had no great or good films. Mediocrity was the best that was achieved during his era.

    speak for yourself! :p

    I'm with HtH, fighting the good fight for Brozzer.
    "Hostile takeovers. Shall we?"
    New 2020 ranking (for now DAF and FYEO keep their previous placements)
    1. TLD 2. TND 3. GF 4. TSWLM 5. TWINE 6. OHMSS 7. LtK 8. TMWTGG 9. L&LD 10. YOLT 11. DAD 12. QoS 13. DN 14. GE 15. SF 16. OP 17. MR 18. AVTAK 19. TB 20. FRWL 21. CR 22. FYEO 23. DAF (SP to be included later)
    Bond actors to be re-ranked later
  • am747am747 Posts: 720MI6 Agent
    There is nothing terribly wrong with Brosnan as a Bond. In fact, he was fun to watch. I rate him in the same league as Dalton, Lazenby and Craig (and a step below Connery and Moore). His films have grossed an avg of $500M (adjusted)

    However, his films were more suited to the times rather than being the ones that could stand the test of time such as say TB. In the 90s, GE was one of the best 007 films. Today. it looks like a bottom 1/2 or bottom 1/3 film. DAD was fun to watch (esp. the first half), today it is rated among the bottom ranked Bond films

    Who knows, in future, the following for his films may once again pick up
  • Agent PurpleAgent Purple Posts: 857MI6 Agent
    ^I get the impression that you like TB more than me. -{
    "Hostile takeovers. Shall we?"
    New 2020 ranking (for now DAF and FYEO keep their previous placements)
    1. TLD 2. TND 3. GF 4. TSWLM 5. TWINE 6. OHMSS 7. LtK 8. TMWTGG 9. L&LD 10. YOLT 11. DAD 12. QoS 13. DN 14. GE 15. SF 16. OP 17. MR 18. AVTAK 19. TB 20. FRWL 21. CR 22. FYEO 23. DAF (SP to be included later)
    Bond actors to be re-ranked later
  • heartbroken_mr_draxheartbroken_mr_drax New Zealand Posts: 2,073MI6 Agent
    You've obviously not seen Moonraker and the British Airways product placement.

    But Moore was on the Air France Concorde, ooo a conflict!
    1. TWINE 2. FYEO 3. MR 4. TLD 5. TSWLM 6. OHMSS 7. DN 8. OP 9. AVTAK 10. TMWTGG 11. QoS 12. GE 13. CR 14. TB 15. FRWL 16. TND 17. LTK 18. GF 19. SF 20. LaLD 21. YOLT 22. NTTD 23. DAD 24. DAF. 25. SP

    "Better make that two."
  • chrisisallchrisisall Western Mass, USAPosts: 9,061MI6 Agent
    chrisisall wrote:

    keep trying :))
    I'd have to gain at least 15 pounds... :#


    :)) :)) -{ {[]
    Glad you had a laugh, but I meant that at 5'11" 150 lbs make me rather lean... :D
    Dalton & Connery rule. Brozz was cool.
    #1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS
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