At the start of the 1973 James Bond film “Live and Let Die,” there is a funeral march through New Orleans. Mourners weep and…
At the start of the 1973 James Bond film “Live and Let Die,” there is a funeral march through New Orleans. Mourners weep and a band blares sad gospel music as a coffin is carried down a French Quarter street. But — in typical 007 fashion — it turns out to be a trick.
One of the marchers discreetly stabs a besuited bystander, an enemy of his boss, Dr. Kananga. The dead body is placed in the (actually empty) coffin and the teary procession transforms into a spirited Mardi Gras parade. Music! Dancing! Murder!
That scene perfectly describes my feelings about Daniel Craig finally bidding adieu to the James Bond franchise as production on the 25th movie begins this week: It’s the happiest funeral ever. After all, over the past 13 years this guy has ruined Bond.
Since Craig first donned the spy’s tuxedo in 2006’s “Casino Royale,” the franchise has turned increasingly homogeneous, dreary and frankly skippable. The granddaddy of super-spy films is now one of the most mediocre action series out there — and Craig is largely to blame for it.
Are there writers and directors and co-stars and stunt coordinators who effect the final product, too? Duh.
