It may seem odd to say that time has been set for the release of ‘No Time to Die’. The Sepember release of the film features Daniel Craig in his fifth and final outing as the fictional MI6 agent James Bond and it will be the twenty-fifth instalment in the Bond film series.
Never say never Bond is instinctive in survival, optimistic in action to achieve the mission and resourceful in one liners and gadgets. And, in this way he signifies humankind’s current struggle against an unknown organism and every effort to survive to bring normalcy back.
In No Time To Die, Bond has left active service and is enjoying a tranquil life in Jamaica. His peace is short-lived when his old friend Felix Leiter from the CIA turns up asking for help. The mission to rescue a kidnapped scientist turns out to be far more treacherous than expected, leading Bond onto the trail of a mysterious villain armed with dangerous new technology.
We are in the technology age and progress is a double-edged sword. Our wit and wisdom will help us to move forward by harnessing science.
In the Skyfall movie there is dialogue between Bond and his nemesis Silva.
James Bond: Everybody needs a hobby.
Silva: So, what is yours?
James Bond: Resurrection.
Like ever optimistic Bond, we have to resurrect our lives that have been put on pause by a virus. We allowed the virus to affect us as we have become fragile because of indiscipline and lifestyle choices. We must become strong physically and mentally tough to make our progeny better.
Bond is mentally tough and tries to stay that way. Why do you think James Bond wants his martini shaken not stirred?
Firstly, a shaken martini has more antioxidants than a stirred one. Secondly, he is consciously trying to lower the potency of his beverage, thereby giving the appearance of heavy drinking without actually doing so (which could lull his nemeses into a false sense of security while also assuring he kept his wits about him).
In the real world, Andrew Lycett, an Ian Fleming biographer, believed that Fleming liked his martinis shaken, not stirred, because Fleming thought that stirring a drink diminished its flavour.
Whatever is the theory, we are shaken and sure enough stirred into action to tackle the crisis.
Fleming wrote the first Bond novel, Casino Royale, in 1952. Since then over 100 million copies have been sold worldwide. The Bond films also smash box-office with each movie making over seven billion dollars’ worth worldwide.
From the iconic performances by Sean Connery to tough Daniel Craig, several actors have pulled on the suit and stepped into the famous Aston Martin on screen. Each Bond gives the character his own flair.
But Bond’s witty one-liners live forever.
“My dear girl, there are some things that just aren’t done. Such as, drinking Dom Perignon ’53 above the temperature of 38 degrees Fahrenheit. That’s just as bad as listening to the Beatles without earmuffs.” Bond (Sean Connery) says in the movie ‘Goldfinger’. Notice how Bond takes dig at the Beatles.
Bond is ironic – “Why is it that people who can’t take advice always insist on giving it?” Bond (Daniel Craig) muses in ‘Casino Royale’
How to maintain focus with courage is demonstrated by Bond in ‘Spectre’. Film’s villain Franz Oberhauser asks Bond: Why did you come?
James Bond: I came here to kill you.
Franz Oberhauser: And I thought you came here to die.
James Bond: Well it’s all a matter of perspective.
In ‘Quantum of Solace’ James Bond throws a one-liner – ‘They say you’re judged by the strength of your enemies.’
Well, try to choose your enemies and problems.
Indians did feature in Bond movies like Vijay Amritraj and Kabir Bedi. In Octopussy the character Kamal Khan (bad man) is played by Kabir Bedi.
In one scene Kamal Khan tells Bond: You seem to have this nasty habit of surviving.
James Bond: You know what they say about the fittest.
The fittest survive and bond with them and their principals.
OctopussySome quotes for your make the weekend light:
Q: Age is no guarantee of efficiency.
James Bond: And youth is no guarantee of innovation.
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Fiona: Some men just don’t like to be driven.
James Bond: No, some men don’t like to be taken for a ride.
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M: You don’t like me, Bond. You don’t like my methods. You think I’m an accountant, a bean counter more interested in my numbers than your instincts.
James Bond: The thought had occurred to me.
M: Good, because I think you’re a sexist, misogynist dinosaur. A relic of the Cold War, whose boyish charms, though wasted on me, obviously appealed to that young woman I sent out to evaluate you.
James Bond: Point taken.
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James Bond: In my business you prepare for the unexpected.
Franz Sanchez: And what business is that?
James Bond: I help people with problems.
Franz Sanchez: Problem solver.
James Bond: More of a problem eliminator.