Bond 23 Press Conference

And no Quantum. Huh. Interesting.

It's no good hearing the Bond girls talk about training for action, though... have EON learned nothing from the popularity of Vesper?

They really couldn't do any better than that French bird?

Well, I watched a couple of the videos and read the transcript. Some of my thoughts...

- I like what I've heard so far from Mendes. He seems genuinely enthusiastic about the project and comes off as confident, but still seems eager to learn (regarding his comments about directing the action and working with the second unit). It appears that he's very intent on making a film that fans are going to love (in response to the question about the Oscars). Mendes comes off as intelligent and enthusiastic, compared to Forster in the QoS press conference, who gave the impression that he was "above" Bond and didn't really understand what he was getting into.

- SKYFALL is growing on me. It's not a bad title...but it's not great either. Dan said that the title plays a big role in the story, both as an emotional cue and as geographical location (I assume it's the name of the Scottish castle). So, if they can incorporate the title into the film in such a way, I think it'll work just fine. Plus, I like the logo. Very simple and clean.

- Google image results don't do Berenice Marlohe justice. She looked drop-dead gorgeous at the press conference, especially in that red dress. She's also got a great smile and a seemingly infectious personality. Hopefully she won't be just some generic femme fatale / traitor type that we've seen so much of. I can't say I'm overly thrilled with Naomie Harris' casting, especially as a main Bond girl. She's rather conservative looking, and doesn't seem to be much of a presence or command a lot attention. So far, the girls are kind of a mixed bag for me.

- As far as the story goes, it could be interesting. I think it's a little unfair to judge the film just based on an intentionally vague two-sentence snippet. But, it's the type of story they tried to do with TWINE: an action/drama trying to make a significant emotional connection. If handled correctly, it could be brilliant. But, it could easily turn into TWINE: Part II. But, if they're going to try and go down this road again, then Mendes is certainly the guy to try it with. Him at the helm definitely eases my concern with the story quite a bit.

- If I were to guess....I'd say the story has to do with some kind of botched operation Dench carried out during the Cold War, and Fiennes is the link to that. Bardem said Bond has the background on his character, so Bond is probably investigating Bardem for whatever reason, who is probably working with Fiennes. At the end of the film, Bond is ordered (by Finney?) to take out Dench because Fiennes/Bardem are gunning for her and threatening national security. Anyway, you can't really fault the producers for wanting to expand Dench's role in SKYFALL. I mean...she is a good actress and it's her last film, so this is the last opportunity to really put her acting chops to use (something they really haven't done in any of her other Bond films, save maybe Goldeneye).

- I'm very excited about the crew Mendes selected, particularly Deakins and Gassner. It's probably safe to say that at the very least, SKYFALL will be a very technically sound film. But, whatever happened to Tariq Anwar? There was that interview a couple weeks back where he confirmed that he was working on the film. After the editing debacle with QoS, maybe Michael decided to go with Baird (because of the CASINO ROYALE connection) and gave Anwar the axe?

- Marlohe and Harris doing weapons training? Very bad. No Quantum and a stand-alone story? Very good.

Anyway, I'm very excited about SKYFALL. Can't wait to see some set photos and read some more interviews as the production starts.

I liked what Mendes said about balancing the action & drama and yes, he was very enthusiastic. Looked to be really enjoying himself.

dr. strangelove wrote:

- Google image results don't do Berenice Marlohe justice. She looked drop-dead gorgeous at the press conference, especially in that red dress. She's also got a great smile and a seemingly infectious personality. Hopefully she won't be just some generic femme fatale / traitor type that we've seen so much of. I can't say I'm overly thrilled with Naomie Harris' casting, especially as a main Bond girl. She's rather conservative looking, and doesn't seem to be much of a presence or command a lot attention. So far, the girls are kind of a mixed bag for me.

I said a few not nice thing about Naomie's casting at MI6 - I've seen her in her previous movies (most of them too) and she doesn't impress me at all.

The people at MI6 called me racist for criticizing Naomie's past acting roles and her acting talent.

Berenice is smiling because it's every actress' dream to become a Bond girl.

Just like in the old days every young girl's dream was to grow up to become a Playboy Centerfold!

I'm watching the press conference. So Harris will not be Moneypenny. She's a field agent. Well, we know who's gonna die in reel 4.

Shame that Purvis and Wade are still involved.

dr. strangelove wrote:

- If I were to guess....I'd say the story has to do with some kind of botched operation Dench carried out during the Cold War, and Fiennes is the link to that. Bardem said Bond has the background on his character, so Bond is probably investigating Bardem for whatever reason, who is probably working with Fiennes. At the end of the film, Bond is ordered (by Finney?) to take out Dench because Fiennes/Bardem are gunning for her and threatening national security. Anyway, you can't really fault the producers for wanting to expand Dench's role in SKYFALL. I mean...she is a good actress and it's her last film, so this is the last opportunity to really put her acting chops to use (something they really haven't done in any of her other Bond films, save maybe Goldeneye).

Has it been confirmed that this will be Dench's last Bond film?

dr. strangelove wrote:

Anyway, you can't really fault the producers for wanting to expand Dench's role in SKYFALL. I mean...she is a good actress and it's her last film, so this is the last opportunity to really put her acting chops to use (something they really haven't done in any of her other Bond films, save maybe Goldeneye).

They certainly tried though, didn't they?

dr. strangelove wrote:

- I'm very excited about the crew Mendes selected, particularly Deakins and Gassner.

Same.

Quote :

Judi, have you really got a grip on who M is seven films in?

Judi Dench: “I’ll never get a grip on who M is, like I won’t get a grip on anyone in my office either, no. But, that’s my job isn’t it? Just try and keep a grip.”

Of course she'll never get a grip on M. The character's written differently every film, and Dench just shows up and does her scenes without understanding their context. What's she saying, anyway - that M will never get a grip on her employees? Give me a break. If you're running a spy show and you find yourself bumping into traitors every other week, it's time to go. M should be fired in this film.

Who said it is her last 007 movie??

I cannot recall it mentioned anywhere. That is unless it is written in loads of threads where the lads that are afraid of women in roles of authority moan about a female M.

So there is always a chance that she'll be back for a 8th time. I really wouldn't mind.

saint mark wrote:

Who said it is her last 007 movie??
.

She's 76 for crying out loud!

Plus if she really is so central to the plot of SkyFall I don't think they'd be able to just stick her behind a desk in Bond 24.

Given the plot it could be the perfect film to retire her M. Think about it. She's about to retire, suddenly some bad stuff crops up from her past and bites her in the ass and she assigns Bond to investigate so and so to validate her name. Bond gets the bad guy, M gets to retire with her dignity intact and Finney takes over MI6 office and then tells Dame Judi Dench "excuse us lady, man talk" then smacks her ass as she walks out the door. It's the perfect send off.

Finney's a bit old though. Maybe Fiennes will take Dench's place?

dr. strangelove wrote:

No Quantum and a stand-alone story? Very good.

Good, but a bit frustrating. Way to make QoS feel like a waste of everyone's time! Guess Jesper Christenson's out the picture, too. Oh well. Damned if you do include Quantum, damned if you don't, it seems. But I'd be lying if I said I minded the chance to pretend QoS never happened in Craig's timeline.

saint mark wrote:

Who said it is her last 007 movie??

I cannot recall it mentioned anywhere. That is unless it is written in loads of threads where the lads that are afraid of women in roles of authority moan about a female M.

You might find it written in loads of threads where the lads who don't care for poorly-written characters moan about the female M.

Mr. Brown wrote:

Shame that Purvis and Wade are still involved.

Yeah I guess they are sleeping with someone up high, but having finally seen the conference I am heartened by how genuinely enthused Mendes seems to be.

Sharky wrote:

saint mark wrote:

Who said it is her last 007 movie??

She's 76 for crying out loud!

And Finney is only 2 years younger, so odds are he's not a new M and only here for the one appearence I guess.

MBalje wrote:

Quote :

Director Sam Mendes confirms the locations as Shanghai, Istanbul and Scotland.

No India comes a big suprise.

No South Africa too, which is an even bigger surprise. Supposedly they've switched those scenes to Turkey or China.

Have to imagine given the plot synopsis and Dench's age that "SkyFall" will be one big send-off for her M.

Everyone I know says their favourite Bond films are the ones where Judi Dench gets a big part.

Fuck me, that conference was my worst fucking nightmare x1000, right up there with being sodomised by a horde of disease-infested chimps then having some bastard stick a video of it on YouTube.

Lazenby. wrote:

Fuck me, that conference was my worst fucking nightmare x1000, right up there with being sodomised by a horde of disease-infested chimps then having some bastard stick a video of it on YouTube.

A video of simian sex? Perhaps that's the blast from M's past that Bond has to emotionally wrestle with.

Looking forward to it huh Lazenby.?

I'll try to find a link, but I remember reading a couple different articles where Dame Judy herself said Bond 23 will be her last Bond film.

She had the role for 17 years so far, just as long as Bernard Lee had it now that I think of it. I'm sure she's ready to leave the office once and for all.

Makeshift Python wrote:

She had the role for 17 years so far, just as long as Bernard Lee had it

Tell me about it. It's gonna feel even longer than that by the time she's dumped her domination all over SkyFail, complete with her 'Give us an Oscar' badly-written death scene no doubt.

The winner of the Best Actress Oscar is Dame Judi Dench in James Bond: SkyFall.

strewth.