50 Years of Bond

So, I recently acquired (from Amazon) the Bond 50 Blu-ray Collection that compiles all 22 of the mainstream Bond films released between 1962 (Dr. No) and 2008 (Quantum of Solace).

While the set was released prior to the 11.09.12 release date of the latest Bond film, Skyfall, in theaters, the designers of this lovely boxed compilation obviously had hard core collectors in mind because they included a "reserved" slot for the Skyfall Blu-ray disc.

I plan on keeping the disc in its original case once I pick up my own Blu-ray copy of Skyfall, but, as a collector, I have a lot of appreciation for the thought that went into the design of this set.

Tangents aside, I've been watching my way through the Bond series (in order of release) and have made my way up to Thunderball (1965).

It can be difficult for me to choose favorites when it comes to films, especially older films, but of the four films I've seen so far, I probably enjoyed this one the most. And I use "enjoyed" somewhat liberally here. I'm sure I'm a little biased because I'm from a younger generation and am used to higher quality (on all fronts) in today's film industry, but it was difficult for me to take Thunderball very seriously because of the cheesy action and dialogue, gaping plot holes and Bond's tendency to just carelessly leave expensive clothing and equipment lying all over creation. And the underwater fight sequence at the end. I'm sure the underwater filming was a big deal back in the 60s, but when Bond and his allies had either killed or disabled over two dozen of the dozen men (wait, what?) that Largo had brought along on his nefarious mission, I was too busy scoffing at the lack of continuity to truly appreciate what was proably groundbreaking camera work. And I'm certain that true Bond fans (especially from the "Connery generation") would tear me a new one for dissing Thunderball, just as I'll probably light into punk kids 25 years from now when they scoff at the Daniel Craig era of Bond's film legacy. It would appear, however, that that legacy is making a return to its roots with Skyfall.

Prior to Skyfall's release in theaters, I read an article in Entertainment Weekly discussing how director Sam Mendes and Co. essentially wanted to create a Bond film that paid homage to the earlier films in the series. They wanted to bring back some of the elements that would be familiar to those from the Boomer generation who watched the original Bond on the big screen, perhaps trying to draw back in an older crowd that had begun to shy away from the darker, grittier tone of the more recent installments. A cameo for the classic, gray Aston Martin, the re-introduction of "Q Branch" and it's wacky technical gadgets, and the return of Bond's bantering office frenemy, Moneypenny, are all instantly recognizable nods that older fans will delight in.

When I finally went and saw Skyfall at the "cheap theater" (Cinemark 10 in Matthews), the film was still in its first week. I remember arriving early and sitting in the parking lot waiting for the rest of my party, agonizing that we weren't going to get good seats (that theater does get busy, believe it or not). As the showtime approached and I continued to wait, a slew of vehicles began pouring into the parking lot and I watched nervously as a crowd of folks began to emerge and make their way towards the theater. But they exited their vehicles slowly and carefully, and their progress towards the cinema doors was unhurried and shuffling. Nearly all of them sported heavy clothing, glasses and graying hair, and I realized that these were all Boomers come to see their favorite unstoppable British spy in action on the big screen once again.

Sure enough, when my ticket was purchased and I made my way into the darkened theater to find a seat, I counted nearly two dozen other viewers and not a head under 50. (Of course, they were all sitting quite a ways back, and so there still good seats to be had.) Throughout the movie, I couldn't help but grin at the cheering and clapping and hoots of laughter coming from the seats behind. Knowing how much those folks were enjoying the little flashes of familiarity streaming across the screen was almost as fun as the movie itself.

That being said, I truly appreciate that, in a series that has now spanned over a half a century, every generation will have their own memories of what they consider "their" Bond. My Bond will always be Daniel Craig, because Casino Royale (2006) was the first 007 film I had the pleasure of viewing in its entirety. I was aware of the previous installments and the various actors who had donned the 007 mantle over the years, but getting ahold of all of the installments of such an expansive series had always proved either too difficult or too expensive.

All in all, while the older Bond films may be a little cheesy and outdated at times, I am thrilled with the Bond 50 Collection and relish being able to finally watch the series in its entirety. While I'll always have my Bond, getting to know the 007s of generations past can only increase my appreciation for newer Bond installments, and for those yet to come.