15 replies to this topic

[Agent 76]

I just saw the making of, of The Living Daylights , and I think that movie in particular , means the begining of a new era in Bond Movies , kind a like:The Modern Era of James Bond.
Timothy wanted to give another kind of James Bond , more gritty and kind of angry & cold , but I liked...what you think about this? that was really the begining of Modern Era of 007 or just not?
thanks
Stay Cool...stay 007!

Edited by Agent76, 30 January 2004 - 07:11 PM.

[Loomis]

It marked the beginning of an era, yes, but unfortunately it was also the end of one. It's the last Bond film with a thoroughly British feel. LICENCE TO KILL and the Brosnan pictures all pander shamelessly to what The Powers That Be think American audiences want to see. THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS was followed by what I'd call the "Trying Too Hard to Please" era.

[booyeah_]

All of the movies before TLD in some way feel dated. So it did start a modern Bond era in a way.

[doublenoughtspy]

I agree with Loomis - it really marks the end of an era of classy thrillers with a British feel.

LTK on have been very Americanized, and have been the victim of focus groups and while they have been entertaining, none has reached the artistry of The Living Daylights.

I do agree that there is a visual style change that began with Daylights - and while it is just 2 years later than AVTAK it feels like a whole generation apart - and that is not just because of a new actor.

This is an off the cuff generalization - but here is a breakdown of what I see as the stylistic eras of James Bond.

Era 1: Dr No - OHMSS

Era 2: DAF - MWGG

Era 3: SWLM - FYEO

Era 4: Octo-AVTAK

Era 5: Living Daylights

Era 6: LTK - DAD

[Loomis]

LTK on have been very Americanized, and have been the victim of focus groups and while they have been entertaining, none has reached the artistry of The Living Daylights.

Agreed (although I do love LTK).

while (THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS) is just 2 years later than AVTAK it feels like a whole generation apart

Absolutely. It's such a radical departure. I find it really hard to believe that the two films were just two years apart, and were directed by the same guy, written and produced by the same team.... indeed, that the two films are part of the same series (but if that's a head-scratcher, just try reconciling LTK with OCTOPUSSY).

This is an off the cuff generalization - but here is a breakdown of what I see as the stylistic eras of James Bond.

Era 1: Dr No - OHMSS

Era 2: DAF - MWGG

Era 3: SWLM - FYEO

Era 4: Octo-AVTAK

Era 5: Living Daylights

Era 6: LTK - DAD

Very interesting. I think you've nailed it, although I feel that LTK is really an era unto itself, like TLD.

[Kingdom Come]

Hmmm... but I don't agree with u on Era 6 - LTK was a million miles away from GE for example.

[doublenoughtspy]

Hmm, You guys have convinced me.

The number works out better anyway.

The 007 Stylistic eras of 007

1) Dr No - OHMSS

2) DAF-MWTGG

3) TSWLM-FYEO

4) Octo-AVTAK

5) TLD

6) LTK

7) GE-DAD

[SnakeEyes]

I personally think DAF is an era to itself, reflecting the TSWLM-FYEO era. It's just so campy, and yet the 2 Moore films after it are almost sensible.

TLD truely was an era all of its own, such a classic film, Bond or not.

[CommanderBond]

It marked the beginning of an era, yes, but unfortunately it was also the end of one. It's the last Bond film with a thoroughly British feel. LICENCE TO KILL and the Brosnan pictures all pander shamelessly to what The Powers That Be think American audiences want to see. THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS was followed by what I'd call the "Trying Too Hard to Please" era.

but without the american audiance the bond movies wouldnt be as big as they are today.

[Agent 76]

is a fact , but in a sort of way their influence damage the series a little bit..

[Qwerty]

Very interesting list of the eras! I agree and disagree with bits here and there.
I feel that The Living Daylights did mark the ending of Roger's comedy and the beginning of Dalton's harder edge. That's obvious. It was quite a change to the fans as well. I'm glad that there is always change in the Bond films. It keeps them fresh. The Living Daylights did start something new and different, as will many other Bond films.

[Chaotician]

TLD truely was an era all of its own, such a classic film, Bond or not.

I couldn't agree more! With so many Bond films you can say "Well, it was a good Bond flick." But TLD is just great cinema all on it's own. It's just pure class.

And yeah, I also think TLD marked the first ever "modern" 007 film. The cartoonish antics of the Moore era largely vanished for years, until Die Another Day's misfired second-half.

[PrinceKamalKhan]

I just saw the making of, of The Living Daylights , and I think that movie in particular , means the begining of a new era in Bond Movies , kind a like:The Modern Era of James Bond.
Timothy wanted to give another kind of James Bond , more gritty and kind of angry & cold , but I liked...what you think about this? that was really the begining of Modern Era of 007 or just not?

It was. I remember how modern and fresh TLD seemed when it first came out. The slapstick goofiness that I'll admit I did(and still do) enjoy in TSWLM and MR had grown tired and stale by AVTAK. TLD and Dalton gave the Bond series a badly needed shot in the arm. The more complex-than-usual Bond plot was a plus after the stale predictability in AVTAK as well. In fact, many aspects of the Brosnan era: more serious edge, more "love interest" than merely "sex interest" Bond girl, more complex storytelling started with TLD.

[Tarl_Cabot]

LTK doesn't belong in the Brosnan camp...

I remember seeing that poster thinking 'cool!' A new era for Bond and a new lease on life for the series! I loved the 87-89 films...I've been waiting 15 years for a decent follow up!

[White Tuxedo]

It was. I remember how modern and fresh TLD seemed when it first came out. The slapstick goofiness that I'll admit I did(and still do) enjoy in TSWLM and MR had grown tired and stale by AVTAK. TLD and Dalton gave the Bond series a badly needed shot in the arm. The more complex-than-usual Bond plot was a plus after the stale predictability in AVTAK as well. In fact, many aspects of the Brosnan era: more serious edge, more "love interest" than merely "sex interest" Bond girl, more complex storytelling started with TLD.

I agree.

If I were doing Eras....

Classic Era: DN-DAF

Moore Era: LALD - AVTAK

Dalton/Brosnan (Modern) Era: TLD - I would guess the final Brosnan. Though, it won't be so "modern" come next Era.

Really, I think TSWLM-AVTAK is an Era all it's own. Maybe the "High Moore" a la High Renaissance. LALD and TMWTGG (while still better than AVTAK) have a sorta "bargain basement" quality to them- esspecially TMWTGG. Say what you will about DAF, I think it has the class of the Connery films but is mixed with the camp of Moore. Still, I consider it a tad closer in tone to Connery. Thus, I consider it to be "Classic".

TLD certainly marked the beggining of a new Era, but I don't as much care for this current Era. I like TLD, LTK, and DAD... but I'm not a big Brosnan fan. He's good, but still. I just think it's sad that Dalton never did a third.

My problem now is that we've lost what Bond is. Bond is not TND/TWINE. It's lost it's sense of fun and many young fans have been spoiled by Brosnan into think that it's gotta be this emotional mess like TWINE. I miss the simple, mostly sound plots of the films that were done for enjoyment. Even TLD was done for fun.

Edited by White Tuxedo, 01 February 2004 - 04:42 AM.

[Sir James]

I too see TLD as a redefintion of James Bond and has continued right up to DAD. This Bond is the most accurate to be played consistantly IMO. Dr. No, FRWL, OHMSS, FYEO and GF TB and TSWLM were all examples of this kind of Bond but were dominated for the most part by films that really didnt hti the balance between the literary and cinematic realms. The Dalton to Brosnan era has attempted to find the balance and Im sure one of the films from TLD to DAD has perfected it. I hope the trend continues.