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Description
As some of you can tell, I’m a James Bond fan. And the fallout from No Time to Die’s controversial ending is still being felt, albeit in the shape and form of a really bad taste in my mouth. One that is still lingering 21 months later. It’s more of a soap opera melodrama than a Bond movie, and it’s one (along with Spectre) that I have no earthly desire to rewatch ever again. For me, the Craig era ended with Skyfall, which was the last great Bond movie. Once the execrable "Bond/Blofeld as brothers" storyline was implemented by the writers, that was the end.

It’s funny how Daniel Craig can be praised to high heaven for his gritty and realistic portrayal of 007, yet Timothy Dalton did it first, more refined than Craig, and got vilified for it in the late 80’s.

To be blunt - Dalton had RESPECT for the character itself, having been on EON’s books as early as the late 1960’s. He read all the Ian Fleming novels to understand the character, never wanted to emulate Roger Moore, turned down the role twice (the first time being that he was too young at the time), did all his own stunts without getting hurt, and actually felt threatening when pointing a gun at someone. His Bond also avenged his allies, was morally ambiguous, and never shot up embassies or constantly resigned from MI6 like Craig did. A binge watch of the entire series from Dr. No to Skyfall during the first lockdown 3 years ago made me find a new found appreciation for the Dalton era.

But sadly, both his only two Bond movies - The Living Daylights and Licence to Kill - are two of the lowest grossing entries in the franchise’s 60+ year history.

Why, you ask? Well, for starters, US audiences in the 80’s were turning to the likes of Arnie and Sly for their action kicks, and saw Bond as a relic of the past. Even though Moore’s name ensured box office success for the Bond franchise, his lighthearted antics were becoming increasingly played out. Then there was Pierce Brosnan (the original choice to succeed Moore) having contractual obligations to Remington Steele, which upset fans whom viewed Dalton as more of a placeholder rather than an outright replacement. Those two problems, coupled with the Cold War ending, and legal disputes between MGM and EON delaying Dalton’s contractually written third till 1994, caused Dalton to get fed up and lose interest in the role. Once he stepped down, Brosnan was quickly installed.

These days, Dalton is getting the credit he deserves. Still, had he been given at least another two outings in 91 and 93 before signing off, I believe his tenure would have been different.

As for Craig, he started off so well. I remember the outrage that greeted his casting in the role in October 2005. And when Casino Royale did gangbusters at the box office a year later, the naysayers were silenced. Sadly, after Skyfall, it all went downhill. His Bond went from a coldhearted killer to a broken down family man, ended up married to a wet blanket of a woman and basically gave up at the end of his career. Yes, it was all part of his character development, but that’s still no way for one of the most enduring spy in pop culture history to go out.

And yes, I am aware that Bond fathered a child in the You Only Live Twice novel, but Fleming never revisited that scenario before he passed away. Can you imagine Dalton’s Bond having a child? Or, for that matter, Connery, Lazenby, Moore or Brosnan’s Bond fathering a child? Yeah, me neither.

Let’s hope the next Bond reboot goes back to the womanising, drinking and gambling persona that’s been missing for a long time. Because it’s time for the ultra realistic phase to end.

PS - this isn’t a knock at Daniel Craig or a comparison. It’s just my honest opinion.

Description
As some of you can tell, I’m a James Bond fan. And the fallout from No Time to Die’s controversial ending is still being felt, albeit in the shape and form of a really bad taste in my mouth. One that is still lingering 21 months later. It’s more of a soap opera melodrama than a Bond movie, and it’s one (along with Spectre) that I have no earthly desire to rewatch ever again. For me, the Craig era ended with Skyfall, which was the last great Bond movie. Once the execrable "Bond/Blofeld as brothers" storyline was implemented by the writers, that was the end.

It’s funny how Daniel Craig can be praised to high heaven for his gritty and realistic portrayal of 007, yet Timothy Dalton did it first, more refined than Craig, and got vilified for it in the late 80’s.

To be blunt - Dalton had RESPECT for the character itself, having been on EON’s books as early as the late 1960’s. He read all the Ian Fleming novels to understand the character, never wanted to emulate Roger Moore, turned down the role twice (the first time being that he was too young at the time), did all his own stunts without getting hurt, and actually felt threatening when pointing a gun at someone. His Bond also avenged his allies, was morally ambiguous, and never shot up embassies or constantly resigned from MI6 like Craig did. A binge watch of the entire series from Dr. No to Skyfall during the first lockdown 3 years ago made me find a new found appreciation for the Dalton era.

But sadly, both his only two Bond movies - The Living Daylights and Licence to Kill - are two of the lowest grossing entries in the franchise’s 60+ year history.

Why, you ask? Well, for starters, US audiences in the 80’s were turning to the likes of Arnie and Sly for their action kicks, and saw Bond as a relic of the past. Even though Moore’s name ensured box office success for the Bond franchise, his lighthearted antics were becoming increasingly played out. Then there was Pierce Brosnan (the original choice to succeed Moore) having contractual obligations to Remington Steele, which upset fans whom viewed Dalton as more of a placeholder rather than an outright replacement. Those two problems, coupled with the Cold War ending, and legal disputes between MGM and EON delaying Dalton’s contractually written third till 1994, caused Dalton to get fed up and lose interest in the role. Once he stepped down, Brosnan was quickly installed.

These days, Dalton is getting the credit he deserves. Still, had he been given at least another two outings in 91 and 93 before signing off, I believe his tenure would have been different.

As for Craig, he started off so well. I remember the outrage that greeted his casting in the role in October 2005. And when Casino Royale did gangbusters at the box office a year later, the naysayers were silenced. Sadly, after Skyfall, it all went downhill. His Bond went from a coldhearted killer to a broken down family man, ended up married to a wet blanket of a woman and basically gave up at the end of his career. Yes, it was all part of his character development, but that’s still no way for one of the most enduring spy in pop culture history to go out.

And yes, I am aware that Bond fathered a child in the You Only Live Twice novel, but Fleming never revisited that scenario before he passed away. Can you imagine Dalton’s Bond having a child? Or, for that matter, Connery, Lazenby, Moore or Brosnan’s Bond fathering a child? Yeah, me neither.

Let’s hope the next Bond reboot goes back to the womanising, drinking and gambling persona that’s been missing for a long time. Because it’s time for the ultra realistic phase to end.

PS - this isn’t a knock at Daniel Craig or a comparison. It’s just my honest opinion.