Is the James Bond series in a state of perpetual reboot?

For my recent dissertation, I argued that the James Bond series is in a state of perpetual reboot. By this I mean that with every new Bond actor, the series is being rebooted. As i mentioned in a previous post, a reboot has no ties to previous films and offers the viewer a different interpretation of the same character.

Looking at the James Bond films, the first film in the series that had a different Bond was On Her Majestys Secret Service with George Lazenby. That film offered a Bond that was unlike Sean Connery and it had no obvious link to previous films. For a reboot to be labelled a "reboot" there has to be sequels, otherwise that proposed reboot has failed. Therfore, OHMSS is a failed reboot as Lazenby made one film. But if he made at least one more, it would have been a reboot.

After Lazenby, Roger Moore was cast. Again, his Bond was different from the previous two and it had to blatant ties to previous films. For me personally Live and Let Die is the first example of a reboot in the Bond series.

When Moore retired, Timothy Dalton took over the role. He made two films that were vastly different from previous films. His portrayal was also different. Dalton's first film, The Living Daylights can be considered a reboot of the Bond franchise.


One common observation of the series is that a Bond actors last film is almost always a failure in some sense. Diamonds are Forever was a critical failure, so was A View to a Kill. Licence to Kill is considered by fans as being to far from the Bond formula and Die Another Day was also a was faced with a critical mauling. Could there be a lonk between an actors last film and the need to reboot the franchise?

One flaw to this theory, is that from Dr. No to A View to a Kill, there was the same actors playing the same supporting characters. I.e. M, Q and Miss Moneypenny.

As a Bond fan however, I think that the series is rebooted when a new actor takes over the role as it gives the filmmakers a chance to show a different Bond in a different continuity.

Worst films of 2012

Now comes the part I hate. The films that  I have had the unfortunate experience to sit through.

1.      The Devil Inside – Crap. Utter crap

2.      Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance – way below my even  lowest expectations

3.      This Means War – Didn’t work as an action film. Didn’t work as a comedy. Didn’t work at all

4.      Paranormal Activity 4 – Not one single scare. The formula is getting tired now

5.      Silent House – Boring

6.      Bourne Legacy – Nothing Happens. Edward Norton is wasted

7.      The Watch – Aside from one joke, there are no laughs

8.      Battleship – It’s based on a board game, Come on!

9.      The Raven – Had gore, but lacked intelligent thrills

10.  Man on a Ledge – Hoping this would be good. I was wrong

My best films of 2012

These are, what I feel, the best films of the year.  

1. The Dark Knight Rises – A brilliant end to one of the best film trilogies ever
2. The Raid – The best action movie of the year
3. Skyfall – Now my second favourite Bond film
4. Life of Pi – A beautifully shot film
5. Looper – One of the most original films of the last few years
6. The Muppets – I had a smile on my face throughout this film
7. Chronicle – This film came out of nowhere and it blew me away
8. Dredd – The best surprise of the year
9. 21 Jump Street – Very, very funny
10. Paranorman – A touching animated film