This quote has been absolutely everywhere, so I guess it’s time to notice it:
‘Bond will always be anchored in the 1960s and in the values of the 1960s,’ he says. ‘Bond is an imperialist, misogynist sociopath who goes around bedding women and swilling martinis and killing people. He’s repulsive.
‘The movies have a formula, they stick to it, and it makes them a lot of money. They know what they are doing and they’re going to keep doing it.’
I just don’t get it. He makes a freakin’ fortune playing a killing machine in three movies, with a fourth rumored, but Bond is a problem because he kills people? Jason Bourne’s memory is wiped and he has no idea who he is, but Bond is a “sociopath?”
Some people see Bond movies for sex, car chases, and explosions, and don’t want to know any more. Likewise, some people see Bourne movies for intense fist fights, car chases, and explosions, and don’t want any more. A nuanced understanding of both characters is possible.
Look more closely at Bond and you see someone struggling deeply with what he does for a living and what it costs him. Bond lives in the moment because the moment is all he can count on. This isn’t sociopathic; it’s a way of staying sane.
Is Bond a misogynist? Depends on the movie, actually. Often, he’s a hedonist, interested only in brief encounters, but that doesn’t necessitate misogyny. Certainly there is misogyny in some, but not all, Bond movies.
Bond ‘swills martinis.’ This is, what? Evil? “Repulsive”? Why, exactly? Damon thinks he should be drinking oat straw tea, otherwise he’s not worthy as a hero?
Bond is an “imperialist.” Not sure I get that. He works for his government, and I suspect he is a very conservative person. Not sure that’s the same as empire-building.
Bond movies are formulaic. This from a guy whose third franchise movie was virtually identical to the second, except harder to follow. That’s a glass house and a nasty stone, Mr. Damon.
7 users commented in " Matt Damon hates Bond. So what? "
Follow-up comment rss or Leave a TrackbackHe just jealous because Bond has more class then Bourne…………
I agree with frank on this. Damon is a jerk. Just because his movies aren’t as good or successful doesn’t mean he can criticize a better and more successful film series.
I can see how Damon might want to see his projects as more relevant to contemporary values, but I’m not convinced the Bourne films are all that “evolved.” You make a good point that he also plays a killing machine, one which I’d say comes across as fairy cold-hearted. He operates in a cynical world, where as Bond maintains a relatively early 60s faith in government. I prefer the early tv version of Bourne with Richard Chamberlain- they were able to play it with deeper emotional/character development and less focus on stylized action. -Jason (SpyVibe.com)
Hello all
Dont know exactly where to put this but i read in the newspaper a story:
Russian warships have sunken a Chinese cargo-vessel, saying it was in Russian water, Chinese declare the were in international water. Eight Chinese sailors drowned. Chinese want to investigate.
Doesnt that rings a bell? Maybe the have to search for a stealth ship owned by a Media Tycoon
From Holland with Love
Flapflop
I don’t understand why he has to shoot his mouth off about this stuff all the time. I love the Bourne movies, and I disagree about the third one being harder to follow than the second. I think the third is an improvement in that department, perfecting what they experimented with in the second. It’s a great spy film. But it wouldn’t even EXIST without James Bond. Bourne, in fact, owes everything to Bond, and Damon should accept that! Then again, he’s not above biting the hand that feeds him, either. He’s made negative comments about Bourne, as well, saying that he wouldn’t do another and then shutting up when they shove enough money at him. He seems to think that they’re doing something higher and mightier than Bond, so let him think that if it keeps him making the movies. They’re not. They’re just action flicks–and good ones–but as an Actor, he seems determined to believe that he’s making Art every time. Popcorn entertainment isn’t good enough for him. Sigh. Whatever helps him sleep at night. I like his movies, and don’t need to take what he says offscreen too seriously.
I’ve gotta say I agree with your entire assessment, Deborah. There’s no doubt the Bond films have their moments of misogyny, but there isn’t a huge difference between the two characters in terms of approach to their profession.
Damon is only trying to champion his own franchise and is evidently jealous of Bond’s success.
Don’t know about Matt Damon. But somebody pointed out to me that, after a hot shower, James Bond always takes a cold shower. That alone makes him a hero to me!
Ian Fleming must have known something about the health benefits of cold water!
Alexa Fleckenstein M.D., physician, author.
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