I can't remember the last movie we saw at a cinema, but it must be around two years ago. Today, my wife and went to see the 25th and latest Bond film, No Time to Die. Don't worry, I am not going to give away anything here, nor am I going to spend much time on the movie at all. I liked it, my wife liked it, but I have heard there are that a lot of people have mixed feelings about it.
In fact, my father-in-law was saying that he heard a about a reporter who walked out in the opening scene because she felt that a car chase scene was too long. You might say, "Hey, that's a spoiler" - but is it? My point being that after 24 previous films, we should all pretty much know what to expect from a bond film, unless we have never seen one before. Which gets onto my next point.
I don't know if it is a point, but the original books were written in the early 50s, the first movie release was in the early 60s and it has endured through and is entering into its eighth decade, which is remarkable. However, it seems that these days, people expect everything to fit into their own little current view of the world, where all of the social causes and moves in culture are reflected in every piece of current material that could be consumed by anyone. Every film and show has to be a running commentary on whatever is in the news today.
The problem with this is, it is self-serving and limiting the potential of artistic expression, as well as whitewashing the past out of existence, which is probably why, we are doomed to repeat the same mistakes.
However, I think the Bond character has changed a lot in the recent iteration with Daniel Craig and is reflective of the modern man. The early womanizing ways of the Connery 007 are largely pushed into the background and when they do arise, it is as a way to take Bond's mind away from his past, to get distance. The current Bond is trying his best to do the right thing, but is largely broken and suffering, struggling to find his place in a world that is no longer his. In many ways, Bond is a caricature of how many men may feel in today's world, wanting to be the hero, but knowing that the other side of his coin is filled with demons of the past, many no fault of his own - He was just doing what needed to be done at the time and because of it, he is forever walking with a target on his back.
Bond doesn't get the luxury of whitewashing his past, as it is with him always and he must constantly look over his shoulder as that past is ever-chasing to catch up. Each moment of his existence is haunted by what has come before and each time he finds a slice of happiness, it is tainted and shadowed and lives in a world where he must constantly worry if his mistakes are being repeated or, his successes will be met with vengeance. No matter what he tries, the past is with him.
I think as a society these days, we have forgotten about timelines and progression, where we say we want to move on into a better future, but when it suits us, we are all too happy to dredge up the past. Just look at how ten year old tweets these days are brought up in the media to crucify someone, by applying the rules of today without the vision of the time in which they were written, nor the context. It is a rewriting of history without the visibility on what those times were like. Sure, they might look dated in juxtaposition with today, but this is how time moves, this is how change happens.
What this has done is made everyone wary of offending anyone, otherwise they will be raked over hot coals until their carcasses are seared with the anger of people who have never come close to experiencing the levels of hardship and resilience of the past. Now, everyone is a victim on the search for someone to blame for the shitty feelings they have about themselves, as if their emotional state is the responsibility of others, even those they do not know and, those who create for a different audience.
Like the reporter, they will get up and walk out of a cinema in disgust, but never recognize that they chose to sit there in the first place, they bought the ticket. They will damn well write about it for money, fame, likes, stars, hearts and whatever else attention that their self-inflicted victimization can reflect as the fault of others, though - as if their opinion matters. It is very much like the people who dislike Hive, yet cannot seem to find the logout button, so they keep posting in the hope for reward.
Victims, looking to capitalize on their victimhood.
Does this make them victims, or are they self-serving, dishonest, untrustworthy and morally corrupt individuals?
Yet, here is Bond, often a victim of circumstances beyond his control yet, emotionally and physically broken from the past and yet, when there is a job to be done, he does it to the best of his ability, unapologetically.
And perhaps this is what people these days dislike about Bond - he doesn't apologize for who he is, he doesn't care what others think of him, he doesn't bow down to the pressure of public opinion or social convention - he does what he thinks he needs to do, in a way that he believes is the best way to do it. It doesn't always work out, but tomorrow, he will approach the day in the same way - no matter the pain it causes himself.
When I sit down to watch a movie, I want to be able to suspend my disbelief, experience the unlikely and escape into a world that I do not live. I don't want the petty squabbles of immediate culture to invade the screen - as there is enough coverage of that in the real world as it is. Yet, when people spend all their time playing victim, it is no wonder that all they experience is victimization - even when they are the ones buying the ticket.
People are so afraid of social death, they have, No Time to Live.
Taraz
[ Gen1: Hive ]