I recently watched the new James Bond film entitled Spectre. I must say that it was amazing, and well worth your money. I will also say that it is exactly like every other Bond film. No spoilers, but here is what happened in Spectre and in every other Bond movie: 007 gets the bad guy. The movie jumps right into the action in a bizarre location. This escapade seemingly has little to do with the actual plot, but in time, the audience learns that Bond has uncovered a secret plot, organization, etc. Cue really long into credits and original song. There is a mission. There is some insanely crazy henchman (or hench-woman) who’s sole mission is to destroy Bond. Also, they are virtually indestructible and Bond will often have to “kill” them twice. At some point, Bond sleeps with an attractive Woman. At another point, Bond sleeps with a different attractive woman. Bond finds the Bad guy/ evil mastermind, and is usually captured. He escapes in the nick of time. He usually kills the bad guy. Always, he returns to attractive woman until the next movie. This is the basic narrative of every Bond film since 1962.
What makes these films extraordinary as part of the third highest-grossing film franchise? Is it the complexity of the story? The creativity and development of the characters? Perhaps it is a direct result of Bond’s witty one liners!
Nope. None of these things make the Bond movies great. In fact, I would be willing to bet that if a new movie tried to use the same tropes it would flop at the box office. I think the audience would be unamused the protagonist’s overused comments and responses. The unrealistic events would be frustrating to most viewers (Why is the evil henchman never hurt by anything?). The audience would be even more confused at the quick attachment of the protagonist to a woman he is willing to risk his life for after having just had a one night stand with a different woman only 40 minutes of screen time prior.
So why do we tolerate these predictable plots, tropes, and characters in the Bond films? Why will I continue to see every Bond film? The reason is simply that it is James Bond. These plots, tropes, and characters are expected because they are definitively James Bond. They aren’t cheesy, out of place, overused, or unrealistic, but are ontologically 007. The Bond series popularized this kind of story, and I am thankful that the directors of the recent Bond films (Casino Royale—Spectre) have decided to keep the same story. In doing so, they are aligning themselves with a sort of “Bond Tradition”.
This is analogous to Christian Tradition. We have our own tropes, our own storylines, and even our own one-liners. Anywhere else, and they would be out of place, but it is within the context of the Church that they find there home. Take the Eucharist for example—out of context it is a weird ritual where people eat little crackers and drink wine (grape juice) from little cups. However, it is in the context of the Church where the Eucharist flourishes as it was meant. No longer strange, but beautiful, as the Church communions in a real sense with their risen Lord. These traditions are what define us, because they are what have been handed down to us. Just like the story of James Bond, the Church has its own narrative that defines itself.
Recently, I have been rethinking a lot of what I believe. I have been trying to get back to Scripture and see what it really says. I also have been rethinking huge theological doctrines, and in my own life, there is certainly a temptation to be novel and to be critical of the old. It is easy for me to critique my tradition and explain that it fails in this area or that. However, I must not be too quick to pass judgement on things believed for so long. I can certainly critique my tradition, just like I can critique Spectre, yet I can still appreciate both because it belongs to a particular tradition. I can simultaneously critique and humbly enjoy my tradition because I understand it to be so much larger than myself. So I urge you to go see Spectre because, like every other bond film, Its pretty awesome. I also urge you to be charitable to our traditions, even thought they might seem a little ridiculous.
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