Page 29 - C:\Users\STRANGE\Documents\Flip PDF Professional\Expressions '24 - Digital copy\
P. 29
roles. Actors such as Roger The Blockbuster Influence
Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Over the years, various
Brosnan, and Daniel Craig took on Hollywood blockbusters have
the role, each bringing their own influenced the James Bond films
interpretation to the character. in various ways. The examples
The franchise started to below showcase how various
incorporate more diverse and movies, ranging from classic
complex female characters, thrillers to modern blockbusters,
moving away from the have influenced different aspects
stereotypical "Bond girl" of the James Bond franchise, from
archetype. plot elements and themes to
cinematic style and character
“GoldenEye" and the First development.
Female M
In "GoldenEye," released in 1995, "North by Northwest" (1959)
actress Judi Dench portrayed the and "From Russia with Love"
character of M, marking the first (1963): From Russia with Love
time a female actor portrayed the drew inspiration from Alfred
iconic role. This casting decision Hitchcock's North by Northwest
was groundbreaking for its time in terms of its espionage plot,
and foreshadowed the franchise's international intrigue, and the
willingness to challenge gender use of exotic locations. Both films
norms and stereotypes, especially feature a charismatic protagonist
when M denounced Bond as a navigating a web of deception and
"sexist, misogynist dinosaur, a danger. The crop-duster scene in
relic of the Cold War". The North by Northwest inspired the
inclusion of a female M paved the helicopter chase in From Russia
way for more diverse casting with Love.
choices and expanded
opportunities for women in
prominent roles within the Bond
universe. It also created a never
before seen dynamic between
Bond and M.
"Star Wars" (1977) and
"Moonraker" (1979): Moonraker
was influenced by the success of
the sci-fi genre, particularly Star
Wars, which had popularized
16