The World Is Not Enough, and Die Another Day. Essays

The World Is Not Enough, and Die Another Day. Essays The World Is Not Enough, and Die Another Day. Essay The World Is Not Enough, and Die Another Day. Essay Essay Topic: Arguable In this research project I will explore whether the James Bond movie reflects the society and time which it is constructed through its narrative structure, analysing The World Is Not Enough and Die Another Day. I believe most James Bond films do reflect the worldwide society. The narrative structure of each Bond film is quite similar, but each obviously has different story lines. The similarities include the action, the stunts, the sexy women and a traditional high-speed chase. In the words of the new director Lee Tamahori Awesome sets, breathtaking stunts and a well-practised monster machine are what makes a Bond film.(1) The chase is one of the areas that I shall look at to see how action and speed help dictate the narrative pace. The chase being the ice chase from Die Another Day directed by Lee Tamahori. As well as the opening sequence and the scene in Kazakhstan of the World Is Not Enough, directed by Michael Apted. Both produced by MGM which in itself is a big institution which is well known for big budget films, just having MGM as the producing company set high expectations of the audience. These are all vital scenes, which help to dictate the narrative pace and also backup the ideology that Bond, Played by Pierce Brosnan, falls under the action/ Thriller category in terms of genre. The genre category of Bond however is not so straight forward to categorise. An action film is described as having stunts and chases, high energy, possibly with rescues, battles, fights, escapes, non stop motion, spectacular rhythm, pacing and adventurous heroes.(2) Which both The World Is Not Enough and Die Another Die have. But there are so many individual conventions that Bond films alone have, it is arguable that Bond has become a sub-genre of the action thriller genre. The most profitable film series of all time is James Bond(3). Conventions such as the Bond girls, action etc. It is also important to look at the main characters in any movie, here it is James Bond, and see how that character helps carry the narrative. We know so much about Bond already from the previous 18 films, so ther e is no need for character introduction so the storyline can commence from the beginning of the film. We know that he will get into trouble and the question in each film is how will he get out of it? The whole Bond characters could easily fit into Propps theory of character construction. He believes there are eight character roles. The villain, in reference to The World Is not Enough an example of this is Renard and Gustav Graves in Die Another Day. The villain in Propps theory is someone who opposes or 1. Lee Tamahori, Sight and Sound magazine November edition. 2. www.filmsite.org 3.Guinness world records Adam Irvine .2 actively blocks the heros quest that is shown in quantity in both Bond films. The hero who seeks something which in all Bond films is filled by the man himself, Bond. The Donor who provides an object with magical properties, in this case of Bond these are gadgets that Q offers Bond in all the Bond films. The helper who aids the hero that is Dr Jones in The World Is Not Enough and Jinx in Die Another Day. The princess which acts as the reward for the hero and the object of the villains plot in The World Is Not Enough, Electra King fills this role and Miranda Frost in Die Another Day. The princesses father whom acts to reward the hero for his effort (father figure e.g. M). The dispatcher who sends the hero on his/her quest via a message which in both cases is M. The false hero who disrupts the heros success by making false claims. Pierce Brosnan is James Bond this is because Pierce himself is British and has the aura of being a spy. As he has been Bond for several films he has been connected and established as James Bond, his clean cut looks give the sense that all spies look like this and are all well looked after. Every man wants to be him and every woman wants to be with him. Bond always wears suits this may be because of the stereotypical British man from the views of Americans and worldwide it gives a distinct connection to being British. Bond is described as an anomic hero, as Geoffrey Hurd named the category. Anomic hero meaning he works alone, foregoing typical pleasures in order to focus on his work, and instead receiving metaphorical rewards. Which are the woman he has sex with, which does represent women in a negative light, appearing weak and under a male dominant world, but they often have their own contribution later on in the film. For example in The World Is Not Enough Electra King played by So phie Marceau, appears to be weak and in need of protection by Bond however we later discover that she is the main villain and Renard is working for her. And in Die Another Day Jinx played by Halle Berry, appears initially to be independent, which indeed she is, but still needs Bond to rescue her later in the film. My point being the position of Bond woman is also important to the theme and the narrative. They have important roles but are not heroes of any description, just an aider to Bond. Within The World is Not Enough iconography is used by showing the Dome this shows that Bond is moving into the 21st century with the rest of the world it also gives the audience the thought that they have been places that Bond has Been to. In James Bond London is the only place in the UK that is used although it is only a small part of the UK it is well known and helps audience world wide establish that its being set in the UK. Toderov has discussed an equilibrium Theory- which discusses the concept of narrative being initially balanced then disrupted by conflict and then finally resolved at the end. This technique is used to capture and sustain an audience this is quite clearly illustrated in The World Is Not Enough. As I shall explain when I de-construct the opening sequence. In looking at narrative structure today compared to how it was when the first film was made in 1962 Philip C Congleton Adam Irvine .3 has much to say on the filmeras and sub- genres, all of which are relevant to narrative. The first Bond, which was made in the 1960s which Congleton called the transition era..(1) When colour and television were developing and most importantly film was mature (2) the action move was new and was very exciting to an audience, still with large budgets, with cold war threatening, there was much emphasis on making enemys Russian or Communist in decent. But today in the modern era there is a more technological focus and special effects play a huge part. There is still however things that never change included in the Bond film. Current political affairs appear to be the focal point The World Is Not Enough having important scenes and many references to the Middle East. The Bond films also deal mildly with social values and cultures, With a lot of involvement of Chinese and Japanese cultures. Particularly in Tomorrow never Dies and Die Another Day starts with Bond after an action sequence caught and being tortured during a 14-month period, before he is exchanged for the main villains henchman, Zoa. This is not the sort of narrative we expect from a Bond movie. But it is enlightening, showing poor conditions and treatment associated with various armys during recent years. But despite this setback with the opening sequence, he still manages to beat the bad guys, save the world and get the girl, which in this case is Halle Berry. She play s Jinx and after they meet in an exotic location and exchange a few sexual innuendoes, they sleep together. It isnt until he catches he catches up with her later the next morning that he realises she is a secret agent for an American government agency. This is an important factor to the narrative structure of the film because so many times before in the bond films, a woman that bond encounters seems to have an individual project connecting to the villain that makes a sort of side narrative that keeps us the audience intrigued. But Jinx isnt the only girl that Bond sleeps with, He also has sex with Miranda Frost, an MI6 agent just like Bond, that we first suspect, begin to trust and then discover that our first thoughts were correct and that she is in fact working along side the bad guy, Gustav Graves, these characters are all important to the narrative but the one main scene that I shall examine is the ice chase. I think this is the most important because it gives a sense of pace an d represents a typical Bond movie. But first though The World Is Not Enough analysis. The opening sequence begins with Bond walking down a Spanish street, looking smart and composed. This is where Toderovs theory is able to be implemented, with equilibrium being in place for about 60 seconds whilst we see Bond walking down the street then see the panning shot of the majestic Swiss bank, just to give the audience a sense of location. The next shot we see is a close up of Bonds gun having been placed on the table. This almost tells us there will be 1. Philip C Congletion, www.jamesbond.com 2. Philip C Congletion, www.jamesbond.com Adam Irvine .4 trouble and the fact that Bond carries a gun, is a connotation that he also carries disequilibrium with him. Bond then has a rather tense conversation with the arrogant Swiss banker before he uses his rigged glasses to set of a small explosion that disorientates the two henchman watching Bond, allowing him to kill one and knock out the other. The quick editing and mise-en-scene techniques such as close ups on Bond sets the pace of the movie once again. All of the action in the bank office happens in a few short seconds and dictates the narrative pace. Bond then escapes, as we know he will, rather fantastically, by jumping out of the window, attached to nothing except a blind cord. Also carrying the merchandise he was apparently sent to retrieve, none other than money. So far already many conventions of Bond have occurred and Bond is doing just what we the audience wants him to do, announcing danger. The next main scene is the one set in Kazakhstan, where Bond infiltrates a Russian sc ientists layer named Dr Arkov. As Bond is being driven down the dusty track, the explosion on the side of the road almost warns the audience that this will be a dangerous situation for Bond. He then assumes the role of a Russian scientist and cleverly fools the people around. But doesnt convincingly fool the beautiful woman that Bond encounters, Dr Christmas Jones. During their brief and cagey conversation the Doctor appears to be dominant, with her angry opinions about having to fix the problems Dr Arkov caused. Dr Arkov being the man that Bond is impersonating. Dr Jones then tries to catch Bond out by talking Russian but Bond calmly and smoothly replies in Russian also. This mild flirting between the two gives us an idea that something more serious will happen between them. The general sight of Dr Jones in her minimal clothing is one thing to keep the male audience interested at this point, and also reinforces the tradition that the Bond films have had since the beginning. The scene after a delayed shot on Dr Jones face cuts to a high angle, birds eye view of Bond descending well below ground level in a dark elevator. The tense non-diagetic sound sets the mood that this is a dangerous place, and the subdued lighting signalled once again that dark times maybe ahead for Bond. When he reaches the bottom of the lift he is confronted by a dark tunnel, with oil drums with DANGER signs virtually tell the audience that Bond will again encounter danger. Also a flashing bright neon light, which could represent the long tunnel of death on the way to heaven, but being an anomic hero that he is, he struts confidently and unfazed down the tunnel only to encounter his nemesis Renard. It is at this point that we see how Bond is represented. He is represented as the really good guy, being lit and full face in the picture and the bad guys face in darkness and shadow. He is also shown to be humane, by not shooting Renard straight away. Between them, Bonds other side to his character is shown when when Renard torments Bond. Bond then becomes agitated and starts moving and re-positioning his gun. A few minutes on when the position of dominance has shifted to Renard. Bond first instinct is to protect Dr Jones. He then exhibits the sort of charm that female audiences are looking for. After re-loading his gun he stands and gets his legendary gadget watch out and just before he fires the grappling hook he says to Dr Jones stay calm assuming she is a typical weak woman, however as we subsequently see Adam Irvine .5 she isnt. She plays a pivotal role in their escape being able to unlock the damaged electrical doors, just in time to save Bond as he Is swinging down the tunnel followed by a ball of fire from an exploding bomb. He then escapes with another spectacular stunt following Bonds unsuccessful pursuit of Renard. These mise-en-scene techniques such as the camera angles like point of view shots of the enemys plus all of the action, fast editing, gun fire, and gorgeous women keep the narrative flowing and are exactly what we the audience want to see. The scene is excellently constructed to continue the good flowing narrative structure. Particularly the fast editing. The chase is what I believe to be one of them most exciting parts to a Bond movie and in Die Another Day they dont let the audience down. It dictates narrative pace and reinforces values that we all like to believe that it would be great to have a fast car, and the fact that Bond always has, makes the audience more envious of wanting to be Bond. The ice chase begins when Bond who has secretly crept into his invisible stealth car unnoticed, but the gets discovered and shot at by Zao in his Jaguar. The product placement of these two cars signalling that they are the best and can do anything. The pursuit begins and after a few minutes they find themselves chasing each other on the frozen lake. There are a lot of close up shots on Bonds face whilst he is in the car, with a determined but concentrated look upon his face. Zao is piling the attack on Bond, firing as many weapons as he can at one time but Bonds car gadgets seem more than a match for the oncoming shelling. There is at this time lots of cuts and quick editing, with the longest shot being at the most 5 seconds. The best part of this scene is when one of the missiles fired at Bond hits quite close and turns Bond onto his roof and he is left sliding along the ice on his roof. So the legendary 007 makes his escape from this situation look quite simple he opens the sun roof and releases the passenger ejector seat and subsequently turns the car back onto its wheels, just as another missile flies under the car while it is in the process of turning. Of course these techniques of camera angles give the best view. The lighting is carefully constructed to look like one place when the scene was actually filmed in two locations. The main stunts were filmed in England because there was a danger that the ice could break if they toppled a moving car on it. The camera techniques used create great tension and grad the audiences attention. This whole high-speed chase was actually filmed with the cars moving at about 15 miles per hour and the camera recording speed slowed down. So when they resumed the film speed to normal it appeared that they travelling at around 60 miles an hour. The end of that particular scene then finishes with Bond bumping the back of Zaos car with his own and knocking Zao of coarse. He does regain control and they disappear into the distance towards the ice palace. This was perhaps the best chase in the history of Bond when it comes to mise-en-scene projection and cunning techniques. At this point I was gripped to the film and pulled into the narrative further. Adam Irvine .6 The best filming techniques that I have ever seen on screen! (Peter Francis.) It is clear that one of the main things that dictate narrative structure is narrative pace, particularly in Bond films. They are as we have discussed almost their own genre so the conventions of Bond films are unique to Bond films as they are only to be seen together in a Bond film. In analysis I can conclude that James Bond films do reflect both the society and time in which they are set. This can be dominantly found in their representation of women, reflecting the change of womens roles in society over the years that Bond has been around. When it first started women were looked at to just stay home and cook for their man, but now are seen as equal in society. Although The World is not Enough and Die Another day are set in various countries they offer a central representation of the middle east. This is because of the change in the travel industry. Now people can travel easier so James Bond producers no longer use luxurious places so people wish to visit them as they already can. Particularly using the Middle East however gives the whole audience a political look at that area, distinctly where there is conflict. This offers an audience an inside look and a view on real life conflict areas. The narrative is very important to every genre, particularly to an actio n thriller.