Wow, what's with all the instant negativity? I haven't heard this before for any of the previous films except a little for QoS, where they mentioned some classic set design and new suits. This seems like the obvious next step, to really capture the feel and elegance of the original Connery films.
I don't think he means they are making the film look like a period Bond (they aren't), but that elements of style will be honed. If Mendes delivers some of this through the direction/camerawork that would be nothing but a good thing, as many films today could really benefit from some more traditional/more naturalistic/longer shots, dialogue scene styles and less IN-YOUR-FACE flashy cameraplay and handheld BS. We'll see but it's better than them saying, "oh this one will have even more explosions, gadgets and action than before" or something, which they have regularly done in the past.
I am very glad to hear this myself. Obviously it remains to be seen how well they do it, that is a given for any news that comes out before we see anything of the film itself, but it's a good thing to hear from Wilson, and some of the small glimpses we've seen of on-set pics back it up. This is one sharp suit, even with the classic, plain, thin dark blue tie of the sort that not only Connery would wear but also the original Bond in Fleming's books. Daniel Craig has the potential to bring a great deal of humanity to the character ontop of this sort of thing also, which, in terms of potential, show great promise for what would be an amazing Bond film.
I do genuinely believe they are really going for it this time. Everything I read, hear and see glimpses of for this film is not the usual old rhetoric I've come to recognise well in the run ups to many Bond films. Casino Royale was probably the closest in terms of unusual/interesting/different hype, and it paid off very well - but this time Daniel Craig is looking very settled, very well versed in Fleming's vision and with a great deal more influence it seems. Likewise, Sam Mendes is a very different director choice - a seriously strong talent with much more substance than Forster when it comes to story-telling over flashyness and leagues ahead of Martin Campbell in all fields. This will easily be the most "artistic" Bond film, but in terms of substance, character, story, humanity and nuanced style - not flashy, trying to look good and fundamentally lacking BS.
Every time I think about it also, it keeps surprising me, but MAN does this film have a serious cast. Another thing that's very special indeed for a Bond film. Ben Whishaw is amazing, one of the UKs absolute finest, down-to-earth, classically trained actors with an astonishingly heart-felt appreciation and dedication to the roles he plays. I'd never have expected them to hire him for any role in a million years. Javier Bardem! A powerhouse of gaze, presence and brilliance, often even in entire scenes where he says nothing - a man hand-picked for a starring role by the Cohen brothers.
I've had my pessimistic grumbles on a few occasions for whatever reasons, but this keeps sounding sweeter and sweeter quite frankly.
