SMERSH, SPECTRE, etc have been trying to kill off James Bond for decades...but now it looks like MGM might just due to it's financial issues. That's right, after surviving lasers aimed at his "manhood", underwater/volcanic lairs, Femme Fatales, Russian Super-spy's, Metal clawed/jawed mad-men, etc... the recession has put Bond closer to his end then any other threat before...Fear not...Bond is not going away. It may take more time for the next installment to hit the theaters (which is killing me!!!) Craig may not get to slip back into his Brioni Tux(I hope he does) but Bond will be back & now is the time for some reflection.
Bond villains have generally been over the top...but fun. The last few Le Chiffee, Dominic Greene & Mr. White are more realistic then most...but again they are bad/evil men. What Bond really needs is someone more conflicted. Not necessarily just misunderstood...but not so blatantly evil...even though they should be bad & need to be taken "off planet". Keep in mind Bond is no Dark Knight...Bond is an Assassin. He is a Government Agent who is "Licensed to Kill". However instead of a Osama, Saddam, Holder, etc... I think we need someone closer to a Tony Soprano or maybe a darker version of one of our current hero's a la Don Draper or Tommy Gavin. Take Don for instance. He's not evil...but he is a liar, stole a man's life, a philanderer, manipulative, & cold. Or what about Tommy Gavin from Rescue Me? On the one hand he's a Firefighter & a great one...a true hero. On the other hand he's a out of control drunk who's a horrible influence on everyone around him especially his oldest daughter. He cheats on his wife, screws up his kids, screws his cousin/best friends wife, gets into fights with everyone...he's a total disaster that poisons everyone around him. Could you imagine one of these men for your Father, a friend, brother, etc...?!? While surely not Bond villain's... they suck. Yet...we...love...them!
Now let's look at Tony Soprano. A father who loves his children & his wife. Revered his father, took care of his Momma & his crazy sister. Looks after his friends & watches their backs. Has a stable job & is moving up through management. He takes his daughter to look at the best schools. Gets his son hooked up with the job of his dreams, looks out for his neighbors, etc... who wouldn't want Tony for a Dad, Bro, best friend? Of course there is the fact that he has not only ordered men to be killed, but has killed them with his bare hands. Not that it was ever (or at least not often) personal...just business. You know...like Bond...just not ordered by a elected Government...just by an organization. A Tony is what Bond needs...not an overly obvious evil bastard that needs to be killed...but someone you have to think...this guys no angel...but is he really evil? Does he really deserve to die ? Has he really given a government real reason to order his execution? Do we believe he really deserves to die? Make no mistake...I don't want the next Bond villain to be a Tommy or Don...I want in the end for he/she to deserve what they get...just not so blatant..closer to the sad reality...that many "Bad Men" have a good side...just like many good men...can have some very bad sides...
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