The Gent and I have been watching the James Bond 007 movies, in order, for the last couple of months. They range from 1962 with Dr. No to current times, 2021 No Time To Die.
I’ve seen most of the James Bond movies, but not all. And the ones that I have rewatched are just as good as the first time.
Recently, the franchise was in the news about putting warning labels and disclaimers on the books. This is what probably prompted us to start watching the movies again.
Modern day reprints of Fleming’s Bond novels now come with a disclaimer stating: “This book was written at a time when terms and attitudes which might be considered offensive by modern readers were commonplace. – The Guardian
Why must the delicates do this? What happened to people? There are the quibbles out there that think people cannot think for themselves. When did this happen? We need to stop this nonsense about the need to “protect” the people.
Happy Birthday to #JamesBond baddie and legendary TV detective, Telly Savalas!
Spy fans will know him best as Ernst Stavro Blofeld in 1971s ON HER MAJESTY’S SECRET SERVICE!
But who was your favourite Blofeld?
Hear more in our OHMSS review: https://t.co/vH5RTm55u1 pic.twitter.com/76QucwFOzV
— SpyHards – A Spy Movie Podcast (@SpyHards) January 21, 2024
So, spoiler alert: I hear James Bond dies in the latest movie. I have NOT watched it yet. The last of the more current Bond movies I watched was when Judi Dench as M died in Daniel Craig’s arms in 2012 Skyfall.
The last movie we watched (in order) was A View To A Kill (1985), and the last one with Roger Moore as James Bond. So far, this might be my favorite Bond movie only because this is the first I recognized actors like Christopher Walken, Grace Jones, and Tanya Roberts.
Both Sean Connery and Roger Moore were outstanding Bonds. I think they should have replaced them earlier than they did. They aged quickly but still held their own, even in the fight scenes. Yes, I know about stunt doubles.
However, I am ready to move on to the next era of James Bond with Timothy Dalton and Pierce Brosnan. And then, of course, Daniel Craig. I think Daniel is my favorite James Bond!!!
Who would I like to see next as Bond? NOT A WOMAN.
How about Idris Elba would be excellent. Maybe Jon Hamm? Dreamy Patrick Dempsey would be interesting. And Ben Affleck, why not?
I am not the only one wishing for Idris Elba. Here is a totally 100% FAKE dream movie trailer with Mr. Elba as Bond.
So what’s really in store for the future of James Bond?
Bond 26, the codename for the 26th film in the 60-year-old James Bond movie series, has not yet been officially announced, but its release is as inevitable as 007 enjoying his martini shaken and not stirred.
Bond’s co-owner MGM was acquired by Amazon in 2022, and long time 007 producer Michael G Wilson assured fans that the character will return: “It’s a whole new world,” he said in 2022. “We’ve got to see what happens with Amazon. But there’ll always be a Bond.”
However, co-producer Barbara Broccoli poured cold water on fans’ hopes that it might happen soon, telling the Guardian in October 2023 about Bond 26: “I think these movies reflect the time they are in, and there’s a big, big road ahead reinventing it for the next chapter and we haven’t even begun with that.” – Yahoo Movies
What? Reinvent? No, no, no! If they are saying these movies reflect their time, then you better be talking about bad guys and villains, NOT James Bond himself. Don’t you dare make him into a nonbinary, squishy climate-change activist hipster doofus.
Well, I guess if they do that, then I can always go back and rewatch the good ole days when James Bond was freaking awesome.
The Gent and I talk about our movie watching of the James Bond films on the podcast occasionally.
