The name's Bond, James Bond.
With the release of Spectre, it's our 24th time to hear those infamous words. They have been said by nearly everyone at some point in their lives. Bond has become the ultimate spy, outlasting all his rivals.
With Spectre set to break box offices records, the latest version of Bond will be no different. With that, I thought it would be good to take a look back on the lasting influence of the James Bond franchise, and why it has been so successful.
From it's incarnation in Ian Fleming's first book, Casino Royale in 1953, to it's cinematic debut in Dr. No in 1967, James Bond has endured in both forms for over half a century, capturing the hearts and imaginations of people the world over.
Daniel Craig currently holds the Bond mantle, being the 6th in the franchise. Each portrayal of the infamous spy has resulted in a revamp of the character and the tone of the films. Sean Connery was the first person to embody James Bond. He initially created a realistic, gritty Bond that reflected the current social climate. However, the end of Connery's reign noted a shift in the tone of the films, to a more outlandish, comedic protagonist. This was amplified during Roger Moore's tenure, who created a character that related heavily on comedic one-liners, rather than the razor sharp intelligence, for which Bond was known. While Timothy Dalton brought gravity to the films, Pierece Brosnan aimed to bring a forgotten sleekness to the spy, but Daniel Craig has stripped back the gloss of James Bond and transformed him into the character we currently know.
No matter, the transformations that Bond has undergone, each incarnation has the same thing in common. They are all aspirational figures. They provide an escape from one's everyday lives. They allow people to enter the world of the suave, sophisticated spy. To travel the world, save the day and get the girl.
However, without the luxurious lifestyle, good looks and quick wit, all that remains is a flawed character. Behind the glitz and glamour, lies a trained serial killer, 007 has a licence to kill and there is no getting away from that. Such a profession leaves an indelible mark on one's psyche. Therein lies the core of his character. No one is infallible, not even Bond. Ian Fleming never wanted to create the perfect man, and neither do the films.
While original films hold an old world charm, a promise of a world no longer in existence, the latest films echo the current pace of todays society. The real triumph of the Bond franchise is it's constant ability to reinvent the storylines and the character. With Spectre set to be Daniel Craig's last outing as the infamous spy, only time will tell if the newest revision will hold up to the standards set by the the last 24 films.
0 comments:
Post a Comment