69 replies to this topic

[Quantumofsolace007]

I had to wait until the end of the film to hear "The name's Bond, James Bond", when he shoots Mr. White.

What a great way for 007 to bring it back!!!

Anyone else wished he had said it earlier, perhaps?

i totally did.

[00Twelve]

Nah, I think there couldn't have been a way to make the ending a more climactic moment than it was, with Bond introducing himself in traditional fashion and the theme blaring.

I'm glad it didn't come before then.

Makes me giddy just thinking about that ending.

[dodge]

For 22 I hope we get a split variation of The Line. Craig, for example, gives only his last name at the receptionist's desk. And the mesmerized girl then completes The Line: 'James Bond?" Some playful tribute can be paid while we all acknowledge that The Line is gettin' ollllllld.

[sharpshooter]

I wouldn't call the line old, I would call it timeless.

[dodge]

I wouldn't call the line old, I would call it timeless.

Like Sir Rog in AVTAK?

Seriously, I'd either like to see it made new, as was the "Shaken or stirred" bit in CR, or dispensed with altogether. It had a good run. But I can live with it, though it no longer rocks me.

[sharpshooter]

Improvisation I'm fine with. But, it would be a mistake to dispense of it all together. It is one of Bond's absolutely well known trademarks.

[00Twelve]

I wouldn't mind at all if it were gone for one movie or so. Hey, FRWL was no worse off for not having The Line, was it?

I rather liked the way that Bond introduced himself in the first two movies; by mimicking the introduction of the lady with whom he was speaking.

[HH007]

I had to wait until the end of the film to hear "The name's Bond, James Bond", when he shoots Mr. White.

What a great way for 007 to bring it back!!!

Anyone else wished he had said it earlier, perhaps?

No. I think he said it at exactly the right place, and I think it was a brilliant way to end the movie.

[agentjamesbond007]

Anyone else wished he had said it earlier, perhaps?

Well, if you think of the other Bond films, Casino Royale had a late Gunbarrel sequence, too late "Bond, James Bond" line (he could have introduced himself like that in the casino) This movie, in my opinion, doesn't seem to be like the older Bond movies.

[HH007]

Anyone else wished he had said it earlier, perhaps?

Well, if you think of the other Bond films, Casino Royale had a late Gunbarrel sequence, too late "Bond, James Bond" line (he could have introduced himself like that in the casino) This movie, in my opinion, doesn't seem to be like the older Bond movies.

And Die Another Day was? Are you freaking kidding me? As far as I can tell, Casino Royale was a VERY welcome return to the style of Frome Russia With love and On Her Majesty's Secret Service.

Edited by HH007, 14 March 2008 - 01:53 AM.

[sharpshooter]

I think CR was a welcome return to the feeling of the earlier films. I wouldn't have wanted it or any future Bond films to be totally like them though. I want the films to be their own thing and create their own history.

[Major Tallon]

Anyone else wished he had said it earlier, perhaps?

Well, if you think of the other Bond films, Casino Royale had a late Gunbarrel sequence, too late "Bond, James Bond" line (he could have introduced himself like that in the casino) This movie, in my opinion, doesn't seem to be like the older Bond movies.

In the novel, that's exactly when Bond used the line (meeting Felix Leiter in the casino), but I think it was well placed in the movie. To restate the obvious, the movie was about Bond becoming the agent we know, so to use it as a casual introduction in mid-film would have diminished its impact. As it was, using the line as the last words of the film marked a transition between the brash, inexperienced agent Bond had been and the more hardened agent he was to become.

Its placement in the movie was entirely right. No fault to be found.

[agentjamesbond007]

In the novel, that's exactly when Bond used the line (meeting Felix Leiter in the casino), but I think it was well placed in the movie...

Its placement in the movie was entirely right. No fault to be found.

It was well-placed according to the quote:

-"Mr. White, we need to talk."
-"And who is this?"
-"[Bond shoots Mr. White in the leg] Bond... James Bond."

He did make the conversation cohearant.

[ImTheMoneypenny]

The line is absolutely perfect exactly where it is.

[DamnCoffee]

The line is absolutely perfect exactly where it is.

I agree. If the line was spoken earlier on in the movie, the ending would have definately lost its impact.

[ImTheMoneypenny]

The line is absolutely perfect exactly where it is.

I agree. If the line was spoken earlier on in the movie, the ending would have definately lost its impact.

That's what I felt. He really had become Bond. It still gives me a giddy thrill when he delivers the line.

[sark]

For 22 I hope we get a split variation of The Line. Craig, for example, gives only his last name at the receptionist's desk. And the mesmerized girl then completes The Line: 'James Bond?" Some playful tribute can be paid while we all acknowledge that The Line is gettin' ollllllld.

How about no.

[Odd Job]

I wouldn't call the line old, I would call it timeless.

Well said!!!!

[john.steed]

For me, having the line given when it was given was the best part of the film. I am not as big a fan of Casino Royale as many as I was not particularly interested in seeing how Bond became "Bond". However, in that context, placing the line worked perfectly.

For an ending, I would place up toward the top. My favorite has to be "We have all the time in the world" from OHMSS. I also like the Baron's laugh at the end of LALD and, for humor, the end of TSWLM.

[Skudor]

The fanboy in me still gets goosebumps when the film finishes with that line.

Another part of me feels it's bit self conscious. Does it really fit where it is? I guess I never got a great feel for the whole transition business. Bond doesn't seem any different to me on the boat, talking to M at the end, than he was talking to her in her office at the beginning. Why is he Bond, James Bond now suddenly?

It's all very hero-worshippy and climactic and all that - it's also perhaps a bit too much.

[Red Barchetta]

The fanboy in me still gets goosebumps when the film finishes with that line.

Another part of me feels it's bit self conscious. Does it really fit where it is? I guess I never got a great feel for the whole transition business. Bond doesn't seem any different to me on the boat, talking to M at the end, than he was talking to her in her office at the beginning. Why is he Bond, James Bond now suddenly?

It's all very hero-worshippy and climactic and all that - it's also perhaps a bit too much.

I think he says the line now as he is more confident in the discharge of his duties as a 00, and besides 'Bond, James Bond' is more intense than 'James Bond' isn't it?

[Publius]

Bond doesn't seem any different to me on the boat, talking to M at the end, than he was talking to her in her office at the beginning. Why is he Bond, James Bond now suddenly?

I've trotted out this theory before, but to me it seems like Bond is not much different at the end of the movie from how he was at the beginning -- yet he's still had considerable character development. He started off as a cold jackhole, started to fall in love, received a harsh lesson about the real world, and as a result resolved to become an even colder jackhole to protect himself.

What's the difference? At first his behavior and apparent life philosophy stemmed from a boyish immaturity. This is helped by the fact that this "backstory" never delved into what happened to his parents or anything like that. He begins as a very simple man. By film's end, he's far more sure of and secure in that worldview because of his experiences. Now he has a justification for being the bastard he is.

[dodge]

Bond doesn't seem any different to me on the boat, talking to M at the end, than he was talking to her in her office at the beginning. Why is he Bond, James Bond now suddenly?

I've trotted out this theory before, but to me it seems like Bond is not much different at the end of the movie from how he was at the beginning -- yet he's still had considerable character development. He started off as a cold jackhole, started to fall in love, received a harsh lesson about the real world, and as a result resolved to become an even colder jackhole to protect himself.

What's the difference? At first his behavior and apparent life philosophy stemmed from a boyish immaturity. This is helped by the fact that this "backstory" never delved into what happened to his parents or anything like that. He begins as a very simple man. By film's end, he's far more sure of and secure in that worldview because of his experiences. Now he has a justification for being the bastard he is.

And what a first-class bastard he seems destined to be come in the next couple of films.

[tdalton]

I wouldn't call the line old, I would call it timeless.

Like Sir Rog in AVTAK?

Seriously, I'd either like to see it made new, as was the "Shaken or stirred" bit in CR, or dispensed with altogether. It had a good run. But I can live with it, though it no longer rocks me.

I agree. There are several cliches of the Bond series that should be retired in this "reboot" of the franchise, and "The Line" is one of them. A lot of times, when a franchise is rebooted, the studio takes the opportunity to reboot every aspect of the franchise, including new theme songs for the character (see BATMAN BEGINS) and many of the old cliches that were a part of the previous franchise are gone. This did not happen with the Bond "reboot", in which nothing was changed except for the age of the Bond character. I'd like to see several major changes made to the franchise, including the retirement of both the "James Bond Theme" and "The Line".

[Harmsway]

Bond doesn't seem any different to me on the boat, talking to M at the end, than he was talking to her in her office at the beginning. Why is he Bond, James Bond now suddenly?

I've trotted out this theory before, but to me it seems like Bond is not much different at the end of the movie from how he was at the beginning -- yet he's still had considerable character development. He started off as a cold jackhole, started to fall in love, received a harsh lesson about the real world, and as a result resolved to become an even colder jackhole to protect himself.

What's the difference? At first his behavior and apparent life philosophy stemmed from a boyish immaturity. This is helped by the fact that this "backstory" never delved into what happened to his parents or anything like that. He begins as a very simple man. By film's end, he's far more sure of and secure in that worldview because of his experiences. Now he has a justification for being the bastard he is.

Well stated.

As far as "the line" goes, it should stick around, but just be used in moderation. I mean, yeah, it's a bit tired, but CASINO ROYALE did make it cool again (best "Bond, James Bond" moment since Connery in DR. NO). No need to shoehorn it into every Bond film around the block, but it's not obtrusive enough that it needs to go away.

There are cliches to be avoided in this new Bond era, but little things like "the line" and the "James Bond theme" don't matter much at all. They're rather insignificant. Might as well keep them around.

[Harry Fawkes]

I had to wait until the end of the film to hear "The name's Bond, James Bond", when he shoots Mr. White.

What a great way for 007 to bring it back!!!

Anyone else wished he had said it earlier, perhaps?

No matter how many times I hear those words they always send a tingle up my spine. The name's Bond...James Bond.

I agree with you 'Red Barchetta' it was a great way to bring it back! As for wishing he had said it earlier no I think it was beautifully placed.

"the line" should stick around as should the Bond theme!

[Skudor]

Bond doesn't seem any different to me on the boat, talking to M at the end, than he was talking to her in her office at the beginning. Why is he Bond, James Bond now suddenly?

I've trotted out this theory before, but to me it seems like Bond is not much different at the end of the movie from how he was at the beginning -- yet he's still had considerable character development. He started off as a cold jackhole, started to fall in love, received a harsh lesson about the real world, and as a result resolved to become an even colder jackhole to protect himself.

What's the difference? At first his behavior and apparent life philosophy stemmed from a boyish immaturity. This is helped by the fact that this "backstory" never delved into what happened to his parents or anything like that. He begins as a very simple man. By film's end, he's far more sure of and secure in that worldview because of his experiences. Now he has a justification for being the bastard he is.

Well stated.

As far as "the line" goes, it should stick around, but just be used in moderation. I mean, yeah, it's a bit tired, but CASINO ROYALE did make it cool again (best "Bond, James Bond" moment since Connery in DR. NO). No need to shoehorn it into every Bond film around the block, but it's not obtrusive enough that it needs to go away.

There are cliches to be avoided in this new Bond era, but little things like "the line" and the "James Bond theme" don't matter much at all. They're rather insignificant. Might as well keep them around.

Moderation is the word. THE LINE has its place - in context. Not every single time he says his name and not just for the sake of it being said at least once in a film.

[Harry Fawkes]

I also like the way Connery says: My name's James in Never say Never Again. Very cool.

[Major Tallon]

I'd keep both the line and the theme, as well as the martini (shaken but not stirred). Still, I'm with those who've spoken out for moderation.

Updating is good, but tinkering with something that gives the brand its identity can mean trouble. Remember the confusion that followed the updated tailfins on British Airways jets? A number of posters on CBn have said that NSNA will never be a true Bond film for them because it lacks the theme and the gunbarrel. I don't agree with that, but the fact that it's said so often demonstrates how important these classic kinds of features are to Bond's identity and to fan enjoyment. Besides, "Bond, James Bond" is solid Fleming, and its use is a link to the source material.

While I'm not tired of these iconic elements, there are times that I feel they're overused, and that's where I'd draw the line. Bond has lots of drinks besides martinis, the theme doesn't have to be used a couple of times per film, and I cringed when, in the midst of escaping the missile silo in TWINE, Bond introduced himself to Christmas as "Bond, James Bond."

I'm for greater restraint in using these, but I'd hate to see them go.

[Harry Fawkes]

Best bit of the movie for me that was