Tuesday 27 January 2009

Quick hit: Matt Damon hating on Bond

Thanks to reader Azlemed for submitting this one, from today's entertainment section in Stuff:
The Bourne Identity actor - who plays CIA agent Jason Bourne in three hit films - said: "He's repulsive. Bond is an imperialist, misogynist, sociopath who goes around bedding women and swilling martinis and killing people.

"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."

Wow, why don't you tell us what you really think!


10 comments:

Azlemed said...

Stuff is running an opinion poll on this too... simple yes/no voting.

Tui said...

... wow, I suddenly find Matt Damon approximately seven thousand times more attractive.

Julie said...

I haven't found the recent two Bond movies too bad on the misogyny front, but I guess I'm starting from a low base. They still seem to do the stupid names, but largely just in the credits now for the trainspotters.

Anna said...

Me too, Tui!

My workmate (female) complained that the Bond movie before last had too much emotional depth and angst in it - Bond is not supposed to 'form emotional attachments to women'.

I'm not a huge Bond fan, but I always have a secret desire to see the cassanova male lead find himself a nice sensible lady and settle down. The only thing I liked about the fourth Indiana Jones movie was that it ended with a declaration of monogamy.

There's obviously a traditionalist in me somewhere ... :-)

Julie said...

The only thing I liked about the fourth Indiana Jones movie was that it ended with a declaration of monogamy.

I quite liked the bit with all the waterfalls, but the rest of it was truly awful, and if you want formulaic then that's a great example right there, that series. I had such high hopes too.

What do you think of this trend to have quite feisty women characters as foils to male leads these days?

DPF:TLDR said...

Whereas Jason Bourne merely kills people and beds women. Not a martini in sight. Ahhh, progress.

So Anna, is monogamy more progressive than promiscuity now?

backin15 said...

Damon's a smart chap, that's always been clear to me at least. And though I don't doubt his sincerity one bit, it's probably worth considering that the Bourne series is a clear rival to Bond. I'm a fan of the Bourne series and have seen at least one interview where Damon talks at length about the differences between Bond and his character.

Anonymous said...

I was never a big "Bond" fan until the latest two movies with whats his face the blond dude sorry can't remember his name. Good to see some more depth to the “Bond” character, wouldn't say he was misogynistic though. I preferred the Jason Bourne books to the movies, Matt Damon's character in the Bourne movies don't have much depth, hes probably jealous he missed out on playing “Bond”.

Mikaere Curtis said...

Matt Damon is in a time warp if he thinks his comments are relevant to the two most recent Bond films.

Casino Royal and Quantum of Solace are markedly different to the preceding plethora of Bond films. While there is still plenty of action, there is a lot more emphasis on Bond's character, especially his relationship with women.

M (Judi Dench) is the most powerful woman in the movies, with Bond clearly playing a subservient (not to say obeisant) role.

And he shows a capability to work with other female characters, rather than ignore and/or direct them.

I like the new Bond, but I'd really like to see a female equivalent a la Long Kiss Goodnight. Women action heroes rock !

Julie said...

One thing I liked about the latest Bond was the way the sex with Fields was portrayed - clear communication about wanting sex without using unsexy words or creating clunky moments, which shows that it can definitely be done.

The new Bond seems to me to be a better role model than the old model.