Day 18 of 30 Days of SPECTRE!
Today we’re talking all about the climax to SPECTRE. From the Mi6 Headquarters showdown between Bond and Blofeld, to Madeleine’s rescue to taking down Ernst’s chopper, we take it apart piece by piece.
As a key part of the movie that divides fans quite dramatically we discuss any potential improvements, alternate endings and sprinkle in a little bit of Bond 25 SPECTRE-lation!
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18 Responses
Spot on…Spectre kills Skyfall
The thing about the “is this the end of Daniel”, might simply be something they needed to do, considering that Craig hasn’t signed for any more films (yet).
I think he’ll be back, and I would SO like to see Danny have the definite “Tracey” moment.
On that note … What do you think about the talk about Idris Elba as Bond. I don’t want to sound in any way racist here, but there’s just something about the “lore” of Bond, that would make it feel wrong for me.
Not putting a finger on Elba, who is epic!
I do agree with you about Elba. Someone write him an amazing original cbaracter that rivals Bond and Bourne but can’t be Bond for me. If Bond wasn’t a literary cbaracter it wouldn t matter to me how radical they got with the casting.
Exactly. And also, since they haven’t chosen to go down the “James Bond is an alias that ALL who fill the role as 007 uses to cover their true identity” path (Which, IMHO would make a lot of sense, BTW), they have to stick fairly close to the original character description.
So you’re opposed to Elba because it impinges on Bond lore, but you’re fine with the codename theory? I’d say the codename theory is infinitely more damaging to the legacy than the casting of a black man.
Very fair point!
I could say something like it clashing with the whole “_british_ secret agent” thing, but let’s face it, it doesn’t.
So it’s just a “feeling”, I guess – and let me reiterate that I have no cause not to like Elba. I truly think he’s solid.
Regarding the Codename theory, I just think that’s the only way to have an agent survive in active duty for 50+ years, and lately the movies have been actively showing how some of the characters are replaced Case in obvious point being M, but also a new Moneypenny for Timmy back in the day. They haven’t tried to claim that Dame Judy and Fiennes are playing the same character. They also speak specifically about the “New Quartermaster”.
But anyway, yes – I see your point, and it’s very valid!
I’m in total agreement with Tom and Scott as regards Skyfall/SPECTRE. I have re-watched Skyfall since seeing SPECTRE and it does have wonderful moments (personally I love Skyfall’s pre-credits almost as much as SPECTRE s). Skyfall still Daniel’s fourth best for me though.
Back to SPECTRE: it seems many of us will be disappointed if something nasty doesn’t befall Madeleine in the next one! With the change of tone this time they’ve given themselves options as to how the next one can go – back to slightly darker again perhaps or more of the same (tonally). Had they gone for a fourth dark and broody Daniel film then I feel they’d have been stuck on that path. Same lighter characterisation from Daniel but in a slightly darker story would appeal to me next time.
Q’s final line to Bond was ‘I thought you’d gone already’ (or without the already, I can’t quite remember). If he’d said left already, it would have been a more final comment, but ‘gone/gone already’ could mean anything.
Just listening to the Empire podcast – Sam Mendes interview was good, but now they’re picking the film to bits and questioning plausibility! Like you guys said – NO Bond film can ever stand up to such scrutiny. Not even Casino Royale! For example – the water in Venice isn’t deep – a building would not sink completely underwater. Plus Bond must have testicles made of reinforced leather. Doesn’t matter – it’s a Bond film! As long as the actors do a good job – the scenes are set up well and there’s enough fun to keep a smile on your face for over 2 hours then it’s a success.
Remarkable recuperative powers from the effects of cardiac arrest and defibrillation in Casino… too. You’re right, even the darkest ‘grittiest’ Bond movies have their moments that you just have to see past.
A gun can easily bring down a helicopter, that in most movies it usually takes more than that, is a different story.
I would have ended the movie by having Q arriving in his workshop and finding a gift basket full of treats for his cats to mirror the earlier chamagne scene, and then show Bond and Madeliene leave the scene in the DB5.
Great wrap up of the film finale, guys!
I definitely got the vibe that Bond is quitting the service. I think we’re all thinking “Noooooo” to another reboot without Daniel. He’s been the spark that probably saved the franchise, IMHO.
IF Daniel and Lea return, I’d be worried about the “Tracey” moment – they did that in the second Bourne movie so not original, although that’s not to say it couldn’t work if it was done right.
Agree with Tom that since the DB5 is Bond’s personal car (he won it in CR, recall) it’s fine for me if it shows up again. Could be restored without gadgets, as far as I’m concerned.
IF Daniel didn’t return and it was rebooted, could it go back to the 60’s?? If that happened, what would become of Blofeld (Waltz)?
OR – Danny returns for two more to complete the Blofeld trilogy and everybody’s happy – or as Tom would say he’ll have a massive explosion down under… 🙂 (even if this happens I’d kind of like to see Swann live and in the final final scene they’re still together… call me sentimental).
One more thing, alternate ending to Spectre – helo gets shot down into the Thames, Blofeld presumed dead, Bond and Madeleine still end up walking away together. Pan to bubbles on the surface of the water since Blofeld will return. I know, pretty cliche but still….
Thanks for all of your terrific work – 30 Days is awesome!
Doing a 50’s 60’s period piece would be so interesting if it was done seriously & well. Tarantino wanted to subvert the series in 2004 after Die Another Day, with a black & white Casino Royale starring Pierce. He couldn’t get the rights from the Broccoli’s but it could’ve been really good. Quentin’s interest probably had something to do with the studio reversing their opinion that Royale was “unfilmable” & doing their own version. Now imagine a period piece with a Connery type as good as him, pretty hard to find but it could be incredible.
For Bond’s PPK, I always thought of it as a Q-lab modified/souped-up handgun (done off-screen/a given??), and only having the ‘appearance’ of a regular PPK, thus shooting Ernst’s ‘copter down from far away is absolutely not even an issue distance/firepower-wise (Bond was just struggling to aim such distances in his numerous shots)
Also, I thought the tears coming out of Bond’s eyes when he kept on shooting at Blofeld’s helicopter to be odd at first, but upon the third viewing tonight, it’s actually very emotionally and moving, it’s only him and his PPK left , now that MI6’s now blown to bits; for me, Bond’s only true steady relationship is his PPK; if view this way, that’s the most moving scene is the whole film.. Bond giving all he got left to destroy Blofeld!
I suppose this is the most dishonorable final for a bond villain. I think a bond film is only as good as its main villain but IMO Bloefeld was very weak. I don’t mean the acting. He was just so unsuccessfull. I mean Bond always succeeded and in the end, Bloefeld was even arrested. He had not even (yet) got an honorable death.
As Tom suggested, I think something strong like a bazooka would’ve been more believable instead of bringing it down with a PPK. It would be plausible that an MI6 boat could have some firepower stashed away in a compartment. If Bond’s initial shots were deflected by reinforced armor & distance, he could then have found the other weapon & used it.
I was a bit disappointed by the handling of Blofeld’s eye scar. It didn’t have much impact. It may have been better to have that happen at the end, when his helicopter crashes. With the fresh bleeding eye wound, it would’ve given Blofeld more rage, & made their final interaction more heated. As it stands, their final scene where he tells Bond to “finish it” has no suspense. But those things didn’t take away from my overall enjoyment of the film, it’s such a fun watch.
In agreement with Tom. I was bewildered by Quantum & underwhelmed by Skyfall while most everyone seemed to love it. After loving Casino but then not liking the 2 follow ups, I had pretty much accepted that maybe the series had left me (& maybe the older fan base) behind & was geared to the new young audience. I was so happy to see the lighter parts injected into Spectre, to balance the grim dark scenes. This movie is top notch. The opening, the funeral, the Sciarra mansion, the Spectre meeting, Mr. White’s cabin, the train fight, the desert, are so artistic & beautiful. And Bond’s never been cooler, walking along the building roof, falling on the couch, little things like him twisting his wrists slowly, then breaking the cord & taking the hood off, are so great.