33 replies to this topic

[Shrublands]

There is quite a bite to discuss here, so I thought it needed it's own thread

http://collider.com/...terview/162988/

Plus, as he’s interviewed more, it’s a place to put that sort of thing.

[thecasinoroyale]

Thanks for the link Shrublands.

A very good interview and very convincing that Mendes and the team really want to give us the best they can deliver, with the classic elements we want from a Bond film. Quite good to hear about Javier Bardem discussing with Mendes about having a 'classic villain' again, that should be very good to see.

[Shrublands]

I’m fascinated by the fact that the two words he chose to describe Silva are 'Flamboyant' and 'Frightening'.

[thecasinoroyale]

Yes, exactly! We've not had that for a long time in a villain. Off my head when I think of those words I think about Jaws, Max Zorin...maybe Sanchez, Mr.Big, Le Chiffre? And even they don't have both, just flickers of either flamboyant or frightening.

So I'm excited to see what Bardem will bring to Silva as a villain, how big a villain he will be!

[SecretAgentFan]

Finally, a more interesting interview!

I must admit: I was a bit sceptical when Bardem was announced as the villain - since his NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN-role made his casting pretty obvious. But now I´m hoping for a completely different take, a real Bond villain that is dangerous and also fun.

Maybe a real flip side to Bond? Something he might have become?

[thecasinoroyale]

Do you mean, Bond tapping into becoming a villain to get Silva, SAF?

I've yet to watch 'No Country For Old Men', but want to do it before 'Skyfall' to see Bardem in action in a real meaty role. I've only seem in, in sections, of Eat, Pray, Love (NOT my choice, btw!) and I didn't take much of him then, but who would in that drib film!

[stamper]

That crap vilain from QOS must be pissing in his pants of fear now. "the madness of sarkozy" blahblahblah, you're POWNED frenchie!

[thecasinoroyale]

Sllllllllllightly off-topic here stamper, wouldn't you say?!

[Luigi Ferrari]

http://www.hollywood..._visit/25951730
...
Mendes' goal is to return to the franchise's roots, before Bond shifted its goals from character storytelling to action flick.
"My favorite is From Russia with Love. For me, the movies divide around into two around about Moonraker. Moonraker is when the movies became an action adventure spectacle. Pre that, they're more like thrillers with a great sequence thrown in. The fight on the train in From Russia with Love or the boat chase in Live and Let Die, but fundamentally they're structured like thrillers."
...
Mendes is eager to capture that darkness.Hinting at what kind of grinder he's created for Bond, Mendes delved into his favorite scene of the modern series.
"That torture scene in Casino Royale — it's pretty vicious. You can't imagine it happening to Pierce Brosnan or Roger Moore. It was a shock, but it reminded you of the true darkness that had been in the Fleming novels."


Sorry if it has already been posted.

Edited by Luigi Ferrari, 02 May 2012 - 03:26 PM.

[thecasinoroyale]

Thanks Luigi...that's make so much sense when you read it as it's often forgotten what Mendes says:

"For me, the movies divide around into two around about Moonraker. Moonraker is when the movies became an action adventure spectacle. Pre that, they're more like thrillers with a great sequence thrown in."

Such a good point and you can really see that's what happened, they became action-adventures and in the Brosnan era they almost lost the Bond essence.

Really sounds like Mendes wants to bring it back to being a thriller with the action sequences dotted around, although in todays market the sequences have to be quite big to survive in the cinema hungry action market! Lots of confidence in this, I just hope it's well placed and not taken away!

[JCRendle]

http://www.hollywood..._visit/25951730
...
You can't imagine it happening to Pierce Brosnan or Roger Moore.

We can try...

[Matt_13]

Really smart guy. Fantastic interview.

[thecasinoroyale]

I agree, fantastic report!

[Col. Sun]

I just think Sam Mendes really, really gets Bond, both in the movies, and all importantly, in the Fleming stories.

From his interviews, it's plain he has a very, very clear and very strong vision for Skyfall.

I also think, out of all the directors, he is displaying the deepest grasp of Bond since Terence Young and Peter Hunt.

I'm going to say it now - and with total confidence - Skyfall is going to be a classic Bond film and up there with the best of them.

[thecasinoroyale]

I just think Sam Mendes really, really gets Bond, both in the movies, and all importantly, in the Fleming stories.

From his interviews, it's plain he has a very, very clear and very strong vision for Skyfall.

I also think, out of all the directors, he is displaying the deepest grasp of Bond since Terence Young and Peter Hunt.

I'm going to say it now - and with total confidence - Skyfall is going to be a classic Bond film and up there with the best of them.

Sue me, but I agree again with your words Col. Sun. That's the impresison I've got, a real understanding for both Bond and quality, classic film making.

Now, just make it even more epic and say Mendes will return for Bond 24, like in the old days, let's make this a real working Bond crew over a number of films!

[SecretAgentFan]

Do you mean, Bond tapping into becoming a villain to get Silva, SAF?

Maybe. But I think it´s more like Silva having served for M in Operation Skyfall was abandoned by her - and now comes back as the antagonist. And Bond has to acknowledge that M would sacrifice him at any time as well. Of course, we know that Bond would not turn to the dark side. But Silva might be a mirror image of himself.

[thecasinoroyale]

Hmm, yeah, I like it. Almost, at a stretch, Bond and Trevelyan in 'GoldenEye'.

I suppose if Mendes wants to push Bond to his limits, this is a good plot narrative for this, the relationship between M, Bond and Silva. Mendes always said the relationship between Bond and Silva was very "complicated" so I like your thinking!

[Judo chop]

Good interview. Meaty, but not spoilery.

I do appreciate Mendes' perspective on Bond as he puts it here, and his comment about the character NOT needing to be a 'navel-gazing depressive' gives me great hope.

I’m fascinated by the fact that the two words he chose to describe Silva are 'Flamboyant' and 'Frightening'.

Yeah. It tickles the imagination. I can't wait to see what Bardem and co. have come up with.

[Shrublands]

I think the most shocking thing about Skyfall is going to be how stylistically apart it is from the rest of the series.
Yes, there will be lots in it that one can turn round and say, “Well, that’s very classic Bond”. But the impression I’m starting to get is that this film is going to be much more cinematically sophisticated than any Bond film we have seen.

[Pussfeller]

There is definitely a higher level of talent behind the camera, but I would expect Mendes and Deakins to control themselves and keep the look of the film within the established Bond ambit. I don't expect they'll spring anything too artsy or experimental on us.

[BoogieBond]

That was very interesting, liked his comments on OHMSS. OHMSS is sort of proof you can have a great Bond film with all the Bond baggage and it can still be a good story and characters, you don't have to get rid of certain Bondian elements in order to freshen it up.

Edited by BoogieBond, 02 May 2012 - 06:03 PM.

[Judo chop]

I think the most shocking thing about Skyfall is going to be how stylistically apart it is from the rest of the series.
...the impression I’m starting to get is that this film is going to be much more cinematically sophisticated than any Bond film we have seen.

I'm not prepared to be shocked.

Of course, if I were... um.

Anyway. For one, I totally expect cinematic sophistication from Mendes. What would shock me is if he didn't bring his stylistic panache to the shoots.

In addition to that, I don't think Mendes and Forster are that far apart, visually speaking. (Their films I mean. Not they themselves. Mendes is way hairy.) They're of the same cloth, IMO. I think Forster had some great stuff in QOS. Enough to pave the way for what I expect from Skyfall. Of course Forster had some failed stuff too, but I think at least Forster was of a mind to reach for the same goals that Mendes proabably will acheive.

[Royal Dalton]

I just think Sam Mendes really, really gets Bond, both in the movies, and all importantly, in the Fleming stories.

From his interviews, it's plain he has a very, very clear and very strong vision for Skyfall.

I also think, out of all the directors, he is displaying the deepest grasp of Bond since Terence Young and Peter Hunt.

I'm going to say it now - and with total confidence - Skyfall is going to be a classic Bond film and up there with the best of them.

Yes, I think so, too.

I can't really say I agree with his comment about Moonraker being a dividing line, though.

[Judo chop]

I just think Sam Mendes really, really gets Bond, both in the movies, and all importantly, in the Fleming stories.

Yes, I think so, too.
I can't really say I agree with his comment about Moonraker being a dividing line, though.

He's all but convinced me as well.

What Moonraker comment are you referring to RD? Must be from a different interview, cause I didn't see any reference in the one up there.

[Matt_13]

Bit of a longer Collider article. http://collider.com/...stanbul/163195/

[Royal Dalton]

What Moonraker comment are you referring to RD? Must be from a different interview, cause I didn't see any reference in the one up there.

His quote from Luigi's post, Judo:

http://www.hollywood..._visit/25951730

Mendes' goal is to return to the franchise's roots, before Bond shifted its goals from character storytelling to action flick.

"My favorite is From Russia with Love. For me, the movies divide around into two around about Moonraker. Moonraker is when the movies became an action adventure spectacle. Pre that, they're more like thrillers with a great sequence thrown in. The fight on the train in From Russia with Love or the boat chase in Live and Let Die, but fundamentally they're structured like thrillers."

It just seems like a really odd thing to say to me.

I mean, how is For Your Eyes Only any less of a thriller than Diamonds Are Forever, for instance?

[Harmsway]

It's a promising interview. But a good interview doesn't always signal a good film, alas. Still, I have a good feeling about SKYFALL, even though I think it's going to be mighty controversial among Bond fans.

[Vauxhall]

I’m fascinated by the fact that the two words he chose to describe Silva are 'Flamboyant' and 'Frightening'.

That's the second time I think I've seen Silva described as "flamboyant" or similar, and multiple references to both Mendes and Bardem having lots of ideas for how to play the character. I think he's either going to be extraordinary or perplexing, or perhaps a bit of both.

[S K Y F A L L]

I’m fascinated by the fact that the two words he chose to describe Silva are 'Flamboyant' and 'Frightening'.

That's the second time I think I've seen Silva described as "flamboyant" or similar, and multiple references to both Mendes and Bardem having lots of ideas for how to play the character. I think he's either going to be extraordinary or perplexing, or perhaps a bit of both.

Perhaps Silva and Patrice are "involved."

[Matt_13]

I’m fascinated by the fact that the two words he chose to describe Silva are 'Flamboyant' and 'Frightening'.

That's the second time I think I've seen Silva described as "flamboyant" or similar, and multiple references to both Mendes and Bardem having lots of ideas for how to play the character. I think he's either going to be extraordinary or perplexing, or perhaps a bit of both.

Perhaps Silva and Patrice are "involved."

There's a thought. Considering that we know nothing about either of them, I suppose it's in the cards.