I Just watched “No Time To Die” which was too long. They could have easily lost half an hour or so, but I loved it anyway. It was a classic Bond movie, including an island that’s the evil lair. It wasn’t trying to hard to be Bourne or Mission Impossible (which is a problem I’ve had with the recent ones).
This was more classic Bond. And the music was mostly classic Bond too. Also, Cary Joji Fukunaga knows how to direct close combat scenes incredibly well (as I knew already from “True Detective”). Maybe car chases not so much. Overall, I loved it. Did I mention it’s like classic Bond? They even end it with the theme from “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service” because, why not?
It gets a thumbs up from me.
The question they ask at script meetings is “What would you do better?” Here are my initial thoughts.
I still like the idea of a gentleman spy so I think that should be played up next time – I think they’ve gone too much down the Bourne / Mission Impossible / even Die Hard route. It’s a bit too much of an action movie.
Gentleman thief is always good too – like Lupin, on Netflix (check it out if you haven’t).
People love Downton Abbey. They love The Crown (in fact I’ve even seen the guy who plays Prince Charles suggested for the new Bond by some).
I’d make it smaller scale (so cheaper to make), shoot it all in the UK, and make it more like a real spy movie, like Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, just with our beloved womanising, high-functioning alcoholic at the centre. Or maybe I’m now describing Harry Palmer and The Ipcress File.
I don’t think you need exotic locations – just how the wealthy live in London – the finest bars and restaurants etc. Because that is really Bond, and I think the producers may have forgotten that London high-life is exotic for everyone around the world, except those who get to enjoy it daily (I mean the people who make it and star in it).
And then we have a big ending with a lair under the Thames Barrier or the Dome or the London Eye or something. Bond saves London from flooding maybe (just to keep it topical). Bond saves the girl. And that’s job done – all in under 2hrs this time! 😀
I’m just thinking – blow the Thames Barrier – flood the City of London – raid the Bank of England like Goldfinger with Fort Knox. Or, to be more contemporary, they could short the stock market then tank it (but that’s a bit boring). Then again “Tomorrow Never Dies” was just about a media mogul who wanted to sell more papers by starting a world war – so there’s that.
Anyway, if you meet a producer, those are my initial notes. I can expand on them.
And if these ideas are stolen I have internet proof I came up with them. 😀
