James Bond is the most successful pop cultural representation of the shared fantasies and frustrations on the lost imperial stature of Britain. The Earth remains protected as long as he has the licence to kill. Quite a lot of rubbish, considering the Union Jack has long taken a back seat in the superpower position to the Stars and Stripes. That is also true for fictional spies. Jason Bourne, the beefier and meaner post-terrorist attack brother of Bond, has stolen the thunderball from the more iconic secret agent from across the pond. In the aftermath of the asinine movie instalments at the end of the Pierce Brosnan Era, questions arose if Bond is still relevant. The durable film franchise replied with an unforeseen move, hire a blond actor and out-Bourne Bourne. Grittier than his predecessors, the Daniel Craig Era eschewed the debonair crap of the earlier Bonds. The moment he responded, “I don’t care” to the eternal question of the bartender whether he prefers his martini shaken or stirred in his first film, something special is afoot. He lost some traction in its unremarkable sequel but in his latest film, he secures his foothold once more and delivers one of the best Bond performances of all-time.
A disastrous mission in Istanbul cast doubts on the leadership of M (Judi Dench) and the entire British intelligence. The failure proved fatal, as former agent-turned-terrorist, Raul Silva (Javier Bardem), obtained a list of agents scattered throughout the world. Out for some personal retribution, he zeroes in on M. It is up to Bond to avert serious bloodshed on British soil.
For serious fans of the franchise, the filmmakers included several tongue-in-cheek nods to the earlier films. Exploding pen references aside, the latest instalment felt like a transition movie of sorts to the next chapter of Bond. That the means of threat of the main baddie is a list of information tells us that the Bond films have accepted the modern concept of global terrorism. That the quarter master spent more of his time on a computer instead of inventing cool gadgets, adds credence to the earlier statement. That it spent a considerable amount of screen time on the ministerial interrogation of M, questioning her abilities and the need for special agents, pushed the complicated relationship of politics and intelligence to the spotlight. This Bond film is made of serious stuff. This Bond film echoes the perils a nation confronts in the time of structured terrorism. This Bond film ushers in a more authentic hero.
Much has been said between the similarities of Skyfall and The Dark Knight. One cannot help but notice the massive influence of the comic book adaptation hit to Bond. Themes of order and randomness pervade throughout the film. The MI6 lose its methodical hold of the situation next to an unpredictable character prone to planned terroristic activities. Just like in Gotham, the heroes needed to alter their approach and surprise the villain with their own unpredictable plan. In addition, like the Cape Crusader, Bond has to die another day to save Britain. Resurrection is indeed one of his hobbies.
Like in the other Bond films, the antagonist is as important as the lead character. Bardem is one of the best in the storied franchise. He has the prerequisite physical deformities but unlike Scaramanga, it is not inherent but rather inflicted. He prefers cruel mind games as oppose to the usual egomaniacal diatribe of his ill-famed predecessors. That he revealed his real face just once in the course of his interrogation is a proof of his preference for mental torture. (I am a fan of subtle film effects and the face reveal is both deliberate and efficient.) The buzz around Bardem’s character is his face-off against Bond where the latter’s sexual preference is put in question. Girls are another staple of the franchise. Compared to the other Bond films, the female of objectification has lessened in the latest instalment. Berenice Marlohe has a shorter screen time than the usual and the other female character is more of a surprise. (She had a view to a kill but did not hit the proper aim.) James Bond is the focal point of the objectification. It is no coincidence the camera lingered too much on his bare upper torso. That is one hell of a break from the past.
Speaking of breaking from the past, the film features a new quarter master. Q is a computer nerd with a sense of humor whose weapons of choice for Bond are a pistol and a radio. The people behind the film must be quite conscious with the recent emergence of a new breed of heartthrob – THE SKINNY NERDY BRIT – for casting Ben Whishaw as Q. The Benedict Cumberbatches and the Tom Hiddlestons have taken over the celluloid and Ben is about to take a piece of the spotlight pie. SPOILER: of all the character changes, however, none is more radical than with the top post. M has died and has been replaced. He has iconic shoes to fill but the replacement actor is more than capable. END OF SPOILER: the question remains if Daniel will don another suit and pair of cufflinks for one more Bond film. He has revived the franchise despite premature criticisms after the producers announced him as the successor to Brosnan. The chiselled actor has a prolific non-Bond career and will not suffer a terrible post-Bond profession. He should continue.
The sun has set on the British Empire but its influence on popular culture has not diminished. In music, the usual superstars had taken a backseat as one songstress set fire to the rain in the billboard charts. In the small screen, their dominance has spilled to the other side that the top dramatic actor is the lead star of Homeland. Not to mention the eternal Countess Grantham. In films, the Brits continue to snap superhero characters like a famished pit bull. But James Bond remains its most successful pop culture export and it is difficult to see its end because of its remarkable transformation and brilliant lead star. Indeed tomorrow never dies for this durable film franchise.
- On the homoerotic scene
- Ben. Ben. More Ben.
- I scattered FIVE JAMES BOND FILM TITLES all throughout the post. GO FIND IT.
RATING: A+
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CAST: JAMES FRANCO, MILA KUNIS, RACHEL WEISZ, MICHELLE WILLIAMS, ZACH BRAFF, BILL COBBS, JOEY KING, TONY COX
