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Today- It is still one of my favourites, however maybe due to the fact that I've seen it probably more than any other Bond film, it has lost a little excitement for me.
Then-2 I wish I could tie, but just can't
Now-
Tie- 1
You always do.
Everyone should aim to please Thunderfinger.
Then-2
Now-
Tie- 2
Then-3
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It's a then because it was my first ever Bond film on the big screen, so it was a special experience that I've never been able to replicate.
Then-4
Now-
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Now I see it as, amongst other things, the start of EON stepping away from Bond, and making other films.
Then
I always thought Craig would be an interesting Bond. I'd seen the trailers and the jumping from crane to crane took my breath away. So I was already really optimistic. The PTS didn't let me down, and the titles blew me away. This sure was Bond far closer to what Fleming had written then anything I'd seen in the cinema's before. I did go and see it four times while travelling around the world, on 4 different continents.
Now
Hence this film will always be very special to me. Is it the best? No, I still think FRWL and Thunderball are better, but a top-3 film it sure is. The crane jumping still gets me, and it has some extremely Bondian moments, even though he's still learning.
Then-4
Now-1
Tie-3
Then
CR was one of the greatest theatre experiences I have ever had, along with GE. It restored my faith in the franchise, which had been seriously damaged as a result of the previous two entries in particular.
Brilliant from start to finish, this film didn't put a foot wrong as far as I was concerned. Even David Arnold, who I was never was a fan of, delivered a fantastic score against the odds that echoed and channeled Barry.
This film has received plaudits since it came out, and it deserves every bit of it as far as I'm concerned. Near perfection in Bond movie making.
Daniel Craig delivered a refreshing and signature James Bond performance for the ages here.
Now
I last watched this on my pre-SP Bondathon late last year and it hasn't lost any of its lustre for me. Even after watching all 23 (at the time) films, when I came to CR I could tell it was special compared to most. It remains for me a superior achievement & one of a handful of Bond films that defines what the series is about.
I dislike going for the tie, but I have to in this case. Whenever I need to appreciate how great the legend of James Bond can be, this is one of the films I put in the blu ray player.
Then - 4
Now - 1
Tie - 4
Since then, my tastes have err.... sophisticated somewhat and I appreciate CR a lot more. The biggest flaw which was pointed out to me and now mars my view of it is that Bond wins by sheer dumb luck. In a terribly contrived finale, each player has a progressively more brilliant hand than the other. They should made it so that Bond won through clever cheat or bluff. Also, the shootout is Venice was an unwelcome action scene.
Quantum of Solace
Then –
Unlike Casino Royale, I was not terribly impressed with the promotional work on Quantum of Solace. A tired revenge film? That would put lie to a quantum of solace, surely?
I only took two friends to see Quantum of Solace when it was released in cinemas, compared to six for Casino Royale, and four for Die Another Day. So, I was already cheesed off.
When Quantum of Solace finished, I was underwhelmed. Two long years, for this? It was over as quick as a flash. Especially when one compares it to Casino Royale. The editing was confusing and quick, as well. I needed to see it again, maybe. I remember feeling disappointed when Bond and M are interrogating Mr. White. Good, I thought, a really meaty dialogue scene. But it was interrupted for another action scene. I wanted answers to Casino Royale!
One friend loved it, and the other friend wasn't overly enamoured. Perhaps the marketing has to take some share of the blame. Instead of a balls-to-the wall revenge flick, we had a rather sombre, even thoughtful film, which moved with the pace of a bullet.
A couple of weeks passed, and I was going for a job interview. When I got back to Bath, I had a couple of hours to kill. So, on the spur of the moment, I decided to see Quantum of Solace again. Imagine the staff at Odeon, seeing a chap, all suited and booted, walking like Connery, seeing a Bond film on his own. Anyway, I enjoyed Quantum the second time around. I was expecting the crash cutting editing this time. And underneath that crazy editing was buried a strong film.
Now –
I've seen Quantum over half a dozen times – and it is still getting better. I love the quieter, character moments; the way the Camille is a warning for Bond, to not get caught up in vengeance, for example. Forster delivers a slick film, where the highlight is a subtle character study from Craig.
Then -
Now - 1
Tie -
Worst of all, QOS was the first Bond film that made me stand up after the end credits and say, "wait, it's over already?" A Bond film that played barely over 90 minutes was an insult. Say what you want about MR or DAF or even TMWTGG, but at least they provide a lot more content. I'm not saying poor material stretched to two hours is better than good material squeezed into 90 minutes, but I prefer my Bond film enjoyable and long and in 2008, QOS delivered neither. It was in some sense the antithesis to CR. The foul stench of AWTD made things even worse...
Yet after two of three more viewings, I began to see some of the light again. QOS really does pay off after multiple viewings. Its inherent problems will most likely never go away, but I can appreciate the good things too. Great Bond, underrated score, underestimated villain and some incredibly cool stylistic choices make QOS a pretty good Bond film for me now that I've grown "accustomed" to it.
Then -
Now - 2
Tie -
Now - Since DVD I have stopped watching Bond films on TV. ITV still cut them and they don't seem to respect them as much as they used to with the scheduling. The last real hurrah was in 1999 when they showed them all in order, with TND world premiere the finale. Different era. We're all consumers now, the films are digital content. The romance has gone!
Now-Not as much as back in 08. Everytime I watch it, I always look at it at what could it have been.
Then- 1
Now- 2
Tie-
Now - It has improved on subsequent viewings and certainly is not the worst Bond movie, so it has improved in that regard. It looks fabulous but its missing something still - I think script and direction were below par.
So much, much better now.
Then 1
Now 5
Then - 1
Now - 6
Tie -
Then
I so anticipated this film prior to its release, as the follow up to CR, which literally took my breath away. I remember leaving the theatre after my first watch not entirely satisfied, but not entirely dissatisfied either - it was a strange feeling. I knew there was a rather good film underneath it all, but it had gone by so fast and in such a blur that I hadn't really taken it all in.
All I knew after that first experience was that it looked fantastic (the colours were classic Bond and popped on the screen), the characters were interesting (but in a different way from CR), and Daniel Craig had completely solidified his position as James Bond in my mind (in fact, Daniel Craig was the best thing about this film I thought, by far).
Being a Bourne fan at the time, I could see the obvious influences, and shrugged: well that must be the direction they're going to go with from now on with Bond...not entirely my cup of tea, but at least the car chase and the Slate fight were worthy, I thought.
Now
As with many here, this film continues to grow on me with every watch.
The quick edits are still annoying (only because I truly believe the film would be a clear top 10 for many including myself if we could only see more of some of the amazing action sequences, including the rooftop chase at Siena) but are more tolerable.
I love its brief running time, its sliced to the bone no nonsense plot and its amazing cinematography (in non-action scenes at least).
Daniel Craig is still the best thing about this film, and I actually think this is his last great performance as James Bond - there is a raw energy about his portrayal here, a determination, strength of purpose and vigour, that Sam Mendes has not been able to really capture imho.
So this is definitely a Now.
Then - 1
Now - 7
Tie -
He just seems less energetic or dangerous in the Mendes films. I realize he's playing an older Bond, but still.
More prissy than Moore in AVTAK or Brosnan in TWINE?
As far as visceral reaction, I have no clue what you're talking about here. Craig was absolute aces in SP. A great, subtle performance at ease that is still efficient and deadly.
Now I enjoy it a lot more, not comparing it to the others. It is its own thing, and that is a damn fine Bond film.
Then-1
Now-8
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