This past week, the Internet has been filled with all things Bond. We're building up to the release of Daniel Craig's third movie; Skyfall directed by Sam Mendes, which is looking to be pretty incredible. Not to mention the fact that the first Bond picture, Dr. No, just celebrated it's 50th anniversary. The Bond 50 Blu-ray collection was just released too. There's plenty of Bond content on the Internet right now to satisfy your nostalgia craving. This articles' a little different though. This is how Bond impacted my Father and I.
My earliest memory of going to the cinemas was when I was 9 years old. My Father took me to the cinema to see a James Bond film. Unfortunately it wasn't 1963 and From Russia with Love. It was 2002 and Pierce Brosnan's last Bond film, Die Another Day. As a kid, this didn't matter at all. It was James Bond.
It was so damn cool. He kicked ass, he got women and he blew stuff up. It didn't matter to me at the time that invisible cars were dumb. I'm not saying Die Another Day made me interested in film, but it opened my eyes to just how awesome a theatrical experience really is. From then on getting to go to the cinema was such a treat.
Bond is now 50 years old, it's been around for not only my entire life, but my Father's too. He's grown up with it as well in the public consciousness, and would have seen Bond flicks when he was younger. People from all different generations know and love this character.
007's foray into video games once again helped my Dad and I connect on an even new level. We played the hell out of Goldeneye. My Dad actually sneaked me out of bed at night to play it with me, because my Brother was too young for it and the game was hidden up in the cupboard. This still remains my favourite gaming memory. What could be cooler as a kid to sneak out of bed to play Goldeneye with your Dad?
The reason James Bond is still going strong today, is that the character transcends time. Generations after generations will watch Bond films and play Bond games. The franchise has adapted to be slightly less womanizing, to keep up with the times, but those core elements will always resonate in our society and Fathers will keep taking their Sons to see the movies. James Bond will always die another day. I can't wait to look back on another 50 years of great cinema.
By Brodie Marchant