99 replies to this topic

[Jackanaples]

I dont want it underused

So was it underused in GOLDFINGER, where it barely makes an appearance? Was it underused in THUNDERBALL? Was it underused in YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE? ON HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE?

Look back at those films. The Bond theme is remarkably used very sparingly. Sure, it generally got one action sequence where it would go out full-blast (ala the Little Nellie sequence, or the assault on Piz Gloria), but sometimes there wasn't even that.

And that's how it should be. The Bond theme was overused by Arnold. It shouldn't be used in every action scene, every moment of Bondian cool, or anything like that - you should use it as minimally as possible. Where it fits in CASINO ROYALE makes sense and will likely be one of the coolest moments the series has ever had.

Was that Arnold's choice to use the Bond theme so much or was it something the producers insisted on? I know his title themes for TND and DAD weren't used for example. And does anyone know who was to sing "I Will Return", the original theme for DAD?

[DamnCoffee]

What i'm hearing form Arnold is that the bond theme will NEVER be used in any part of Casino Royale (not one little bit - it will never be present at any time) except from the end credits

[JimmyBond]

What i'm hearing form Arnold is that the bond theme will NEVER be used in any part of Casino Royale (not one little bit - it will never be present at any time) except from the end credits

According to the script, that's a pretty accurate assesment.

[Publius]

And that's how it should be. The Bond theme was overused by Arnold. It shouldn't be used in every action scene, every moment of Bondian cool, or anything like that - you should use it as minimally as possible. Where it fits in CASINO ROYALE makes sense and will likely be one of the coolest moments the series has ever had.

Agreed. This is even one of my biggest complaints about my favorite Bond movie, Licence To Kill. Overuse the theme, and you'll be yawning and dizzied by the repetitiveness at best. Reserve it for where it will have the most dramatic effect, such as after Bond has triumphed over near-defeat or for a deserved moment of gloriously guilty pleasure, and it will give you those goosebumps that make the movie-going experience so worthwhile.

[Jackanaples]

What i'm hearing form Arnold is that the bond theme will NEVER be used in any part of Casino Royale (not one little bit - it will never be present at any time) except from the end credits

The James Bond theme will be used in the movie. In all likelihood when you see the movie and how it's used you'll be very happy with it.

[Harmsway]

Was that Arnold's choice to use the Bond theme so much or was it something the producers insisted on? I know his title themes for TND and DAD weren't used for example. And does anyone know who was to sing "I Will Return", the original theme for DAD?

It was Arnold's choice.

And furthermore his title themes for TND and DAD were still interwoven into the score (the "Surrender" motif, and "I Will Return" makes an appearance during nearly every action sequence, as well as the Frost/Bond love scene).

What i'm hearing form Arnold is that the bond theme will NEVER be used in any part of Casino Royale (not one little bit - it will never be present at any time) except from the end credits

According to the script, that's a pretty accurate assesment.

Yup. What the script says word-for-word is:

...WE HEAR, for the FIRST TIME, the guitar strains of the FAMOUS BOND THEME. CUT TO BLACK. CREDITS ROLL.

I'm sure subtle hints of the Bond theme will be woven throughout the score building up to this final reveal. But nothing like a full statement of theme. To be honest, that wouldn't be really that much unlike GOLDFINGER, which never truly has a full statement of the theme outside of the gunbarrel.

[Matt_13]

What he said.

[K1Bond007]

The Bond theme is bad because it's a cliche that tells us 1) Bond can't get hurt and 2) Bond is gonna kick some butt.

If you want any dramatic tension at all, you can't use it in an action scene.

I disagree because that's just the nature of James Bond on screen. No one believes he's going to actually die. It's the journey, the danger and excitement that (used) to drive people to see a Bond film. Even if the theme wasn't playing Bond would still "kick some butt" and barely, if ever get hurt. Even the times when he did get hurt such as in the pre-titles to TWINE and DAD or towards the end of other Bond films, it was still used.

[Bucky]

everything about this movie is very exciting. im glad that the producers are taking some genuine chances with it trying to do something different in it.

[Orion]

everything about this movie is very exciting. im glad that the producers are taking some genuine chances with it trying to do something different in it.

everything "Radical" they are doing in this film has been done before in Bond films just never all at once which is what they are doing now.

[littlenellie]

"Barry rarely did use it in action sequences, and when he did, it was only because Bond did something extremely cool. It's only till we got to Arnold that the Bond theme was being used for the action sequences."

what about the goldeneye tank chase ?

[Orion]

"Barry rarely did use it in action sequences, and when he did, it was only because Bond did something extremely cool. It's only till we got to Arnold that the Bond theme was being used for the action sequences."

what about the goldeneye tank chase ?

not to mention alot of licence to kill, octopussy (sliding down the stairs), For Your Eyes Only ("love a drive in the country don't you") OHMSS (attack on Piz Gloria) You Only Live Twice (Little nellie defends her honour against those bigger ones who made "Improper Advances")

[JimmyBond]

not to mention alot of licence to kill, octopussy (sliding down the stairs), For Your Eyes Only ("love a drive in the country don't you") OHMSS (attack on Piz Gloria) You Only Live Twice (Little nellie defends her honour against those bigger ones who made "Improper Advances")

I did say rarely, you know. With the exception fo LTK (as that did use the Bond theme a lot) each of those examples cited rarely have the Bond theme period. OHMSS only uses it twice (once in the teaser and once in the action scene mentioned. FYEO uses the complete Bond theme once (during the teaser) and only hints at it later in the film. YOLT- Same as OHMSS, that is the only time the theme is used in it's entirity.

[MattofSteel]

so all of the action sequences will have not even a little bit of the bond theme added

I don't think this is the case - I think we don't hear the entire Bond theme until the end.

Amen.

Remember, David was quoted as saying the Bond theme in it's "entirety" wouldn't be heard throughout TWINE or DAD (the latter of which was overloaded with Bond theme snippets).

We'll hear the familiar sounds every once in awhile, just not the blaring rendition. Makes me a little sad, but at the same time, am looking forward to that great Bond sound again!

[JimmyBond]

He actually stuck to his guns with TWINE. The Bond theme in it' entirety is hardly used, he hints at it during the caviar sequence, but the full on Bond theme isnt used till the credits.

[MattofSteel]

Exactly. It's not like David isn't a huge fan of the theme himself. We WILL hear it. During the gunbarrel, for instance, it will be there. It simply....will be.

[Harmsway]

He actually stuck to his guns with TWINE. The Bond theme in it' entirety is hardly used, he hints at it during the caviar sequence, but the full on Bond theme isnt used till the credits.

Wrong. It's full-on used in the boat chase (as well as getting a strong quotation in Bilbao before that), and it's not just "hinted" in the caviar sequence - it's definitely fully quoted.

[Agent 76]

In wich way does the OHMSS soundtrack is related to Casino Royale after all?

[Matt_13]

The Bond theme will be used sparingly so the score will be largely origional music probably built off of Chris Cornells theme, just like the OHMSS score was based around the main titles theme and "We Have All the Time in the World".

Edited by Matt_13, 19 August 2006 - 01:24 AM.

[MattofSteel]

Aspects of the Bond theme will be in the score, as they always were. Refer to any one of David's previous interviews - he outlines it as a critical aspect, and if it's not there, one really misses it.

It will be there. But it will blare, at the end.

Actually, no. That statement makes it sound like I've seen the film, and they're still making it:). Best of luck to them all, I'm sure David won't disappoint. He hasn't yet.

[Qwerty]

In wich way does the OHMSS soundtrack is related to Casino Royale after all?

[box]Thanks to an update on David Arnold

[Harmsway]

Best of luck to them all, I'm sure David won't disappoint. He hasn't yet.

Actually, I'd say Arnold has disappointed on every score of his to date. At least that's how it feels from my perspective. I have very little faith in him, even though I find his "new direction" comments interesting.

[JimmyBond]

He actually stuck to his guns with TWINE. The Bond theme in it' entirety is hardly used, he hints at it during the caviar sequence, but the full on Bond theme isnt used till the credits.

Wrong. It's full-on used in the boat chase (as well as getting a strong quotation in Bilbao before that), and it's not just "hinted" in the caviar sequence - it's definitely fully quoted.

Yeah, but it's intercut with other music (in the boat chase at least), I'm talking about using it as the dominating theme, and in the Boat Chase track, the dominating theme is the TWINE theme.

[Jericho_One]

Best of luck to them all, I'm sure David won't disappoint. He hasn't yet.

Actually, I'd say Arnold has disappointed on every score of his to date. At least that's how it feels from my perspective. I have very little faith in him, even though I find his "new direction" comments interesting.

Thank God I'm not alone in this.

[SecretAgent007]

If Arnold uses the theme as Barry did in YOLT (minus the Little Nelie scene) I would be happy. I love little pieces of the theme in that one. Especially where it is just a bass guitar doing a few cords. I don't think the YOLT soundtrack even has the Bond theme on in, or those bass guitar cords. If I remember correctly. Haven't listened to it for about 15 years.

I'm disappointed that they won't use the entire theme for the climax though. Wouldn't that be the part of the film where he "becomes BOND"

Edited by SecretAgent007, 19 August 2006 - 04:04 PM.

[Qwerty]

I'm sure David won't disappoint. He hasn't yet.

The Tomorrow Never Dies score was my personal favourite. Of his three, I found Die Another Day to be the least interesting of the bunch.

[DamnCoffee]

I loved all of Arnolds scores especially DAD which is my personal favorite.

[_Ozu_]

He could use the '007 theme' after the pre-titles, after all, he has become 007 and not the real James Bond until the end of the movie, and it has been too long since we haven't heard that theme (It was in FRWL, GF, TB, YOLT, DAF and MR).

But Arnold could have to do some work on it, 'cause it may sound old fashioned (it may be interesting to hear it 21th century style)

[MattofSteel]

Best of luck to them all, I'm sure David won't disappoint. He hasn't yet.

Actually, I'd say Arnold has disappointed on every score of his to date. At least that's how it feels from my perspective. I have very little faith in him, even though I find his "new direction" comments interesting.

Thank God I'm not alone in this.

Can I ask, just out of curiosity and not trying to pick a fight, what it is you don't like about his work? I think in every modern sense of the word, he has completely defined the 'modern' Bond sound and has given us a literally perfect simultaneous homage to all of Barry's great work.

Granted, I agree there are problems, but they aren't particularly with David's work. David seems to be one of those truly gifted composers when it comes to complimenting the images on screen with his music. Namely, the film itself as a whole.

Tomorrow Never Dies was a truly amazing score, in my opinion. Defined modern Bond music, I would think any Bond music fan's dream.

TWINE was a dreary film, with action that seemed a tad unexciting and a lot of moody scenes. The score reflected it. It was sort of laid back, quiet, not my exact taste in a Bond score. I loved the TWINE theme, and I loved the Ice Chase, but beyond that all my other favourite parts were merely Bond Theme renditions.

DAD's score was close in the vein of Tomorrow Never Dies, I thought. Completely got back to the big brassy Bond sound, while at the same time paying numerous musical homages and keeping to that original Barry spirit once again. Most of the techno "material" (I move to say "background") in the album is actually excised from the film dub itself - most noticeable during the Ice Palace Car Chase. And the Hovercraft Chase, well best piece of Bond chase music we've ever had, I think. The problem with DAD was certain, minor qualities of the film itself.

I love all of David's work. Am I saying I want all his scores to sound like this? No, definitely not. I love that we're moving in a "new" direction. The big brassy Bond sound was great for Pierce's movies which, I'll admit, by the end started seeming like commercials.

Thoughts? Wrong thread?

[bsforever]

He could use the '007 theme' after the pre-titles, after all, he has become 007 and not the real James Bond until the end of the movie, and it has been too long since we haven't heard that theme (It was in FRWL, GF, TB, YOLT, DAF and MR).

But Arnold could have to do some work on it, 'cause it may sound old fashioned (it may be interesting to hear it 21th century style)

it would be great if the "007 theme" was used in this movie...ie some Conneryesque reference/nod to classic bond...ie the real James Bond is back!