The Bond Is Back

Hola!

We're back for another great week. I have been in a world wind tour as of late and we have had a few major events happen over the past few weeks.

We have experienced history (Or, so we have been told) and "Change" is on the forefront. While you have been hanging around the White House lawn waiting for "Change" to arrive - someone has been making some change over the weekend....

Which brings us to the subject of today's Blog - The return of of 007.

The Quantum of Finance
Like many over this past weekend, you may have seen the latest Bond film "Quantum of Solace" to blaze theaters this past weekend.

According to reports, the new movie garnered a record Box Office grossing just over $70 million during opening weekend for Sony Pictures and more than $250 million world wide in gross receipts.

Amazingly, I recall reading a few weeks prior when the movie opened in the U.K. to close to $10 million gross - side note translation, the US domestic market still continues to dominate the landscape of the industry in shear size, mass, production and distribution.

A more successful debut was only met by the previous Casino Royale, released in 2006 that grossed more than $600 million world wide - a very profitable and successful venture for Sony, since taking over and reviving the franchise in 2005.

Who is Your Bond?
Surprisingly, I have seen a number of movies in the Bond franchise since Roger Moore. Yes, I realize that Bond had several 'episodes' prior to Roger Moore and his tenure as the secret agent with Sean Connery (My least favorite Bond). Really, Timothy Dalton ranks higher in my book over Sean Connery.

As well, my personal favorite ultimately remains Pierce Brosnan (Dashing, handsome, with some level of depth and likability).

In this version of 007, Daniel Craig, whom I have been a fan since having viewed him in the movie 'Layer Cake' on the other hand, brings a level of interest with his out of the ordinary look and appeal of a real three dimensional character.

Albeit, conviction is difficult through a series a of meaningless one-liners, for this takes real talent of which Craig is greatly commendable. Craig's Bond is suddenly more interesting in his attempts - a similar line of a conflicted Superhero (The: I'm just an ordinary guy struggling to have meaning and lead a normal life despite my radioactive condition, caused by mishap chemical in nature...).

The Bond Superhero Franchise?
Having said, Sir Ian Fleming the original author of the Bond books, had written only a mere 12 Bond books between 1953 and 1964 (Well before your time) - there have been many more Bond films than actual books - so, when is a franchise, just a franchise?

By count and to date, there have been approximately 22 Bond films and a total of 6 Bond lead characters (Connery, Lazenby, Moore, Dalton, Brosnan, and Craig).

Quite honestly, when Sony was rumored to have been casting Casino Royale, I was quietly hoping for Hugh Jackman - Bond movies would have certainly made my priority list...

The Bond Formula
I am equally amazed that audiences still continue to support Bond in such a scale. I mean really, not to deflate the value of the franchise, but the movies are really the same...

Well, do not misunderstand, having a successful franchise is the hope and the dream of every studio and actor (Tom Cruise: Mission Impossible, Tobey Maguire: Spiderman, Matt Damon: Born Identity, Shia LaBeouf: Transformers, Arnold: Terminator, Sly Stallone: Rocky, Rambo).

Let's look at the equation: Man on said 'mission' somehow government related, always involves perilous danger, ancillary anonymous 'Woman' without clear identity for miscellaneous double agency, high-end cars, exotic locale, advanced private weaponry, good guy vs. bad guy (Largely Russian of type industrialist)...Every alleged macho cliche that anyone could hope...If you live in 1950 that is...

No Bond On Television
I have made several revelations about the lack of Bond films on television. Aside from a Bond marathon on network that you rarely watch...Have you noticed there has not been a current bond film on television?

Casino Royale (Released in 2006, mind you) has just recently made it's path to Showtime. Frankly, it is still very disappointing to see the release window for television lagging years behind as secondary for studio interests.

Studios: Television (Now transcending online) is the method in which to reach the masses. Stop trying to control everything (My reference to 1950) and embrace this form of distribution. Welcome to my world...