796 replies to this topic

[Nicolas Suszczyk]

Sorry if this has been covered in this thread already. Mendes has said that he did intend to put the gun barrel at the beginning, but when he looked at the finished film he thought that it would be too odd to have Bond turn and shoot in the gunbarrel, then open the barrel up to see him coming toward the viewer with gun in hand. So apparently he saw the similarities as a liability rather than an asset.  

 

Yep, we've been discussing that.
I don't like his decition. FRWL also starts with Bond walking and shooting.

[Nicolas Suszczyk]

Why couldn't Mendes recycle this idea from the Moore trailers? As I said before, a good way to bring the gunbarrel back to the beginning in an innovative way!

 

[x007AceOfSpades]

I actually had an idea the other night where after he turns and shoot, he walks forward and the gunbarrel fades away and it's Bond walking down the corridor. I think that would have been cool.

[S K Y F A L L]

People might think that Bond shot the agent in the chair if they showed the gun barrel at the start of the film and then Bond walking down the hall. 

[Nicolas Suszczyk]

People might think that Bond shot the agent in the chair if they showed the gun barrel at the start of the film and then Bond walking down the hall. 

 

No. The gunbarrel is not part of the movie plot (except in Casino Royale, since that was meant to make the reboot work), is just a "Bond movie open-up". See, in the first two Roger Moore films Bond doesn't even appears on the pre titles and the gunbarrel is still there. Besides, in Skyfall, Bond is seen walking through another corridor and then opening a door and there he finds Ronson wounded.

[Iceskater101]

I understand what Mendes said. I mean that makes sense but maybe what he could have done was put the barrel in the beginning and then have it fade into the dark room and then have Daniel Craig walk up. That would look less awkward.

[Mr Teddy Bear]

I understand having the 'iris' open up to reveal the first frame wouldn't work because there is no establishing shot, but I can't see why a From Russia WIth Love/Goldfinger style opening wouldn't work. The white dot suddenly shrink multiple times into nothing leaving the screen black. Then the films could begin as usual.

[iBond]

The beginning, please.

[Double-0-Seven]

I understand having the 'iris' open up to reveal the first frame wouldn't work because there is no establishing shot, but I can't see why a From Russia WIth Love/Goldfinger style opening wouldn't work. The white dot suddenly shrink multiple times into nothing leaving the screen black. Then the films could begin as usual.

 

Another good idea that I don't think anybody has mentioned yet. The screen could have faded to black and then into the opening. Without having filmed an establishing shot, that might have been the best solution if say Mendes was 100% committed to placing it at the beginning.

[Sean Moore]

I don't agree with the wording of the option, but I voted to restore the gun barrel logo to the beginning of the films. I'm glad it's back, I just want it put in the right place.

 

My observations on the film, written for those who have already seen it, is posted right here on CBn:

 

http://debrief.comma...s/#entry1242932

 

 

 

OOPS. I'VE BEEN MOVED TO POST #350 HERE:

 

http://debrief.comma...-thread/page-12

Edited by Sean Moore, 17 December 2012 - 03:01 PM.

[Nicolas Suszczyk]

 

I understand having the 'iris' open up to reveal the first frame wouldn't work because there is no establishing shot, but I can't see why a From Russia WIth Love/Goldfinger style opening wouldn't work. The white dot suddenly shrink multiple times into nothing leaving the screen black. Then the films could begin as usual.

 

Another good idea that I don't think anybody has mentioned yet. The screen could have faded to black and then into the opening. Without having filmed an establishing shot, that might have been the best solution if say Mendes was 100% committed to placing it at the beginning.

 

 

Shrinking the circle - another great idea, as someone also said in my Facebook group http://www.facebook....556725624353960

[glidrose]

Lots of great ideas here justifying putting the gun-barrel at the start (where it belongs!). Don't buy Mendes's cop-out.

 

Iit belongs at the beginning... and yet it kinda works at the end here. Would have preferred if Bond hadn't replied to Mallory's "Ready to get back to work, Bond?", but instead gave him an equivocal glance then have the film cut to the gun barrel.

 

Mind you this film turns on its head almost every preconceived notion of what a Bond films is that putting it at the end makes sense.

[Nicolas Suszczyk]

Don't wanna be a killjoy, but where are the "I love the gunbarrel at the end" posters? Damn, I'm really afraid they came to this thread with loads of goons and with a chopper with a megaphone playing this 

 

 

[AgenttiNollaNollaSeitsemän]

I didn't mind the gunbarrel being at the end - the final scene made it's placement justified.

[x007AceOfSpades]

Don't wanna be a killjoy, but where are the "I love the gunbarrel at the end" posters? Damn, I'm really afraid they came to this thread with loads of goons and with a chopper with a megaphone playing this 

 

 

I liked it at the end. It served it's purpose.

[Nicolas Suszczyk]

Good. Well, thanks for not coming with the goons and the helicopter!

[x007AceOfSpades]

What makes you think I didn't?

[Matt_13]

I really don't think it needed to be at the beginning. Bond stepping into the hallway with that quick blast of the theme was really cool, a moment that definitely would have suffered a diminished impact had the theme played over the gunbarrel a few seconds prior.

[Quantum89]

I personally don't care where they put it. The gunbarrel is a bit of fluff, superfluous really. I think it would've been too jarring at the beginning anyway, even if you had an establishing location shot before the corridor scene, I still think it wouldn't work. Given the nature of the opening sequence, I think the opening shot was appropriate and cut straight to the action, no time to dilly dally, thank you. Mendes and the Producers were right in their judgement. EON can do whatever the hell they want with it. I'm just grateful they made a damn good film.

[tdalton]

I really don't think it needed to be at the beginning. Bond stepping into the hallway with that quick blast of the theme was really cool, a moment that definitely would have suffered a diminished impact had the theme played over the gunbarrel a few seconds prior.

 

I don't think it needed to be at the beginning, but I don't hold up the opening shot of the film to be the magnificent work of art that Mendes apparently believes it to be either.  

[Matt_13]

I don't see it as a work of art, and I'm not sure Mendes does, either (seems like the sort of thing that would be detailed in the script). I do, however, think it's pretty cool and it certainly engaged me right from the get go.

[tdalton]

Maybe "work of art" isn't the right phrase, but it's obvious that Mendes holds the opening shot in very high regard for whatever reason.  I'm glad that he jettisoned the gunbarrel logo, but at the same time I think he could have come up with a better way of throwing the audience into the action as well.

[sharpshooter]

I don't see it as a work of art, and I'm not sure Mendes does, either (seems like the sort of thing that would be detailed in the script). I do, however, think it's pretty cool and it certainly engaged me right from the get go.

Me too. I enjoyed the instant nature of the opening. Walking down the corridor, raising the gun and being thrown right into an active mission. There’s good pace to it, I think. We get some good dialogue with M about Ronson, quips in the car with Eve and then the action. The Bond theme burst at the start signals who it is, but revealing the actors face has been something of an event in the past, even if just because its their debut in the role. I liked it. 

[JimmyBond]

Don't wanna be a killjoy, but where are the "I love the gunbarrel at the end" posters? 

 

 

People who are upset about something have more to say than people who are happy with something. I liked the gunbarrel at the end, but I don't feel the need to discuss it at great lengths.

[Nicolas Suszczyk]

Still unconvinced of the gunbarrel at the end. It's not enjoyable at all, particularily in Skyfall where it's just cut and pasted. At least in QOS we had a short pause and fade to black before it came. Still, none of Craig's gunbarrels are of my likings. CR wasn't bad, but I don't like the new design, the trailer version was far cooler and classic. QOS had a lame design, is too fast - not only Bond's walk and shot, but the whole gunbarrel pacing is way too fast, and the title card ruins it completely, like shouting QUANTUM OF SOLACE there. And in SF, well, the gunbarrel is cut and pasted there like something unimportant. The design is just a basic iris like in QOS, so's the blood, but I'm glad Bond walks in a normal pace and not in x4 speed! Hope Bond 24 has the first decent Craig gunbarrel, with Binder's original design and blood drip, slow-paced and back at the beginning!

[JimmyBond]

I think this thread has run it's course. At this point I feel it will only end up provoking people.

[JimmyBond]

After some consideration I've decided to reopen this thread, assuming it can incite real discussion and debate. And not just be one posters personal thread to sound off his thoughts about the gunbarrel and it's placement in Skyfall.

[DABOY]

Does anyone think MGW/BB will keep the gunbarrel pose in SF for Bond 24 or do you think it will be refilmed (yet again)?

[x007AceOfSpades]

Does anyone think MGW/BB will keep the gunbarrel pose in SF for Bond 24 or do you think it will be refilmed (yet again)?

 

They can keep the pose, I like it. Just re-do the  design which I felt looked week,

[iexpectu2die]

I felt let down, appalled even, that after featuring it so heavily in its marketing, the classic gunbarrel design wasn't even used in the film. Skyfall contained the most bland gunbarrel design in the history of the series, it looked like something from a James Bond parody. 

Edited by iexpectu2die, 24 December 2012 - 07:54 AM.