A FASCINATING LOOK AT THE MAGIC BEHIND BOND

I saw Skyfall in an IMAX theater just around from the corner from Bell Lightbox.  The Lightbox is a fantastic theater where the Toronto International Film Festival calls home.  There is always something new to experience.

XTRA | A Conversation with Tim Burton

It just so happens, the latest Lightbox experience is a special exhibit dedicated to 007 himself.  So immediately following our Skyfall viewing we strolled down the road to check out:

DESIGNING 007: 50 YEARS OF BOND STYLE

What a great way to compliment a movie I highly enjoyed.  James Bond Day!

Naturally, I couldn’t take any pictures inside the exhibit but I can say that it was pretty spectacular.  The first room was a tribute to M and featured the classic look of his office.  In addition to that, we were also treated to a brief history of Bond creator Ian Flemming.  It’s hard to believe 007 has been around so long.

The next few rooms featured famous sets.  It was fascinating to see sketches from Auric Goldfinger’s laser room among others.  Nearly all of the famous locations were there with actual models and props that were actually used on set.

The detail in this exhibit was great with full size models of famous characters scattered throughout.  I was already giddy and then we entered Q Branch.  Now that is something every Bond fan should see.  There were so many famous gadgets on display.  The best gadgets!  A section devoted to Bond’s watches, a section devoted to vehicles, exploding pens and more famous spy equipment we adore.

Next up, an exhibit dedicated to the exotic locations around the world where Bond has appeared.  (Including space.)  They even had a section dedicated to the legendary opening credit sequences.  It was phenomenal stuff.

Finally, the villains.  Ernst Blofeld, Goldfinger, Odd Job, Jaws, Octopussy and more classic villains are there complete with costumes and props.

All this while surrounded by images of the famous actors who brought 007 to life.  The James Bond franchise has brought us some of the most memorable moments in the history of film.  Walking through the rooms at Bell Lightbox was a great way to compliment one of my favorite Bond adventures to date.

Click here for my review of SKYFALL.

It was well worth the trip down memory lane.  It’s been a long time since I saw a classic Bond movie.  I think it’s about time I look a couple up again.  In fact, in the days that followed, I spent some time online searching for Bond memories.

XTRA | It’s always nice to see a couple Oscars up close thanks to Paul Haggis.

WHICH MOVIE CHARACTER WOULD YOU WANT TO MEET
20 YEARS LATER?

I pondered this question for a few weeks before finally settling on a single choice.  When you can pick any character in the history of movies, it’s tough to pick only one.

I asked around for people’s opinions and the number names came up more than once.  The Terminator or Marty McFly.

The very thought of those characters 20 years later makes my brain hurt.  Did they just catch up?  McFly wasn’t able to bet on sports so he probably didn’t do anything to alter the future so how is that interesting?  The Terminator is a robot who would be horribly outdated after 20 years…  Or he would be state of the art?  See what I mean by the brain pain?

My thought early on was to go with a science fiction character.  What would Dutch be up to 20 years after being hunted by a Predator?  Is Sam just a gardener again in Hobbiton?

Think about all the villains who ended films in police custody.  That’s actually how I came up with ’20 years later’.  Parole!

Movies with young characters are decent picks too.  What’s Elliot up to these days?  Alien research?  Is he trying to contact E.T again?  Is he lonely?  Thankfully, some movies like The Sandlot tell you what people are up to but it’s fun to speculate as well.

XTRA: Why E.T Scared Me

After carefully considering the different types of characters I could pick, I ended up selecting a character that’s been the same age for about 40 years.  It’s definitely the character I’d most like to meet 20 years later.

James Bond

For the sake of this article, I’m going to assume that James Bond is around 30-33 years old on average.  Now that Daniel Craig has taken over and Mr. Bond has dialed back the aging clock a bit, we have about 10-12 years worth of missions available on DVD.  Pierce Brosnan’s ice adventure was probably the oldest we’ve seen him.  What do you think?  42 ish?

James Bond Celebrates 62nd Birthday!

I don’t think James Bond would handle retirement well.  He’s become anxious and bored but happy nonetheless.  I picture him living on a secluded beach alone but taking every chance he can get to travel.  I can’t see him quitting entirely so maybe he handles intelligence work now instead of high speed car chases and dodging explosions.

Inside his beach house is an office where he continually helps MI6 develop new weapons and gadgets.  I can’t see him training people hands on but perhaps he works as a consultant of some type.  He might even fly in to help plan big operations.

He isn’t married but I like to think he has a girl.  Someone close by.  Or maybe there was ONE girl he always wanted and finally decided to settle down.  Maybe Moneypenny wins him over?

Besides Moneypenny, is there another Bond Girl you think he would return to?

After living a life without too many relationships, I wouldn’t think he has a ton of close friends he can trust so he mainly keeps to himself.  In that way, perhaps he has a few friends in a nearby town that he shares stories with.  One of them has a 9 year old son who loves hearing tales of Mr. Bond’s unbelievable adventures.  Of course, he has to stay hidden so he doesn’t tell the child that it was him.

62 is not young in his eyes.  He still feels like he can make a difference in the field but deep down, he was responsible enough to know that his physical limitations could cost young agents their lives.

Do you think James Bond would play Call of Duty now that he is retired?

Regardless of how much he misses working, he has found peace and enjoys good food, good drinks and good company when he can find it.  He even enjoys gambling online…

Any thought on what his screen name might be?  James007?  superspy21?

Or…

James Bond Is Still A Badass

20 years later and still blowing up the secret bases and destroying the plots of evil global organizations.  62 years old means nothing to this legendary spy.  He’s still out there everyday traveling the world, meeting women and stopping bad guys.

He may not be as fast as he used to be but new agents look up to the example he sets.  He compensates for his slowing muscles by fighting smarter and quieter.  He’s become more stealthy.  Perhaps he leads a team now and together, the completely dominate every mission they take on.

If he did stay in the game would he even make it to the age of 62?  Would he ever stop to consider that?

James Bond Is Still 35 Years Old

We may never get to see an elderly James Bond but it would definitely be interesting.  After fighting for so long, would he return his gone and live by the beach or would he fight until his last breath?

I’d like to think that he would eventually tire of near death moments and constantly getting punched in the face and shot at.  Everyone has a moment when they demand a little peace and quiet right?

Of course, James Bond isn’t like everyone else is he?  He’s James Bond.

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XTRA: All Time Best Movie Character You Wouldn’t Want To Be Friends With