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Comments
Now-9
Tie-
This is one of those films that keeps improving everytime I watch it. I was really shocked back in 2008 at how fast the film went by - almost as if I didn't have time to enjoy it before it was over.
Exactly, that's how i felt when i saw the film first time, it went by so fast, that you didn't have time to absorb the film and enjoy it.
In fact it is true though, that i have found QOS easier to watch on the small screen.
If only Marc Forster hadn't filmed QOS at warp speed 9, then we all could of gotten to take in his work on the film better.
Note that many of us are indicating that this is a 'Now' rather than a 'Then' or a 'Tie'.
I recall thinking after my first theatre viewing that this could have been the idea - i.e. to make it difficult to follow the first time so that we had to go back and see it again. At least this film seems to grow on people, which is a good thing imho.
I was also shocked about Brosnan getting the boot after DAD. Even though I was extremely disappointed with TWINE and DAD, I never thought that it was Pierce's fault. However, I did understand the rationale. Perhaps it was time to wipe the slate clean. After such a creative bankruptcy, a fresh start was needed. Enter Daniel Craig. I must admit that I didn't even know who he was at the time. While I was initially skeptical, I certainly kept an open mind. Then, when I heard about the uproar over his casting, I was definitely in his corner. The poor guy was being crucified over his looks. He hadn't even uttered a single word yet.
A little backstory, which is perhaps the only positive (personally speaking) to come out of the DAD debacle. I decided to go back to Bond's roots in search of some kind of meaning to my melancholy. I had only read a handful of the novels before. So, in the summer of 2003, I embarked on a very special journey. I read all of Fleming's Bond material and my mind was sufficiently blown. Obviously, I developed a greater appreciation and a deeper understanding of both Bond and his creator. It also helped me make amends with my disparaging feelings with some of the films.
The memory of seeing CR in Nov. 2006 holds a special place in my heart. I was now 28 and married, and we were able to coordinate a night out with my best friend and his wife, who were visiting from out of town. This is the same friend who I have mentioned before in this thread. We grew up watching Bond movies together. I was also the best man in his wedding. We all loved the film. I was particularly blown away by Craig's performance. He was everything that I didn't know (but secretly desired) that I wanted from a Bond actor. Not only did he nail the part, but he inspired me with his intensity and dedication.
The franchise had been rejuvenated. This was truly an awe inspiring moment in Bond history. Many members here think fondly of CR and for good reason. It reminded us just how good Bond could be. I can't believe that it's been ten years already! When I watch the film now I can still feel that excitement. What an amazingly bright future the series promised us at this moment in time. Long time fans were certainly feeling the buzz and it was exciting to see new fans coming along for the ride as well. This is a modern classic and I have to give it a TIE because I still love it just as much as ever.
I won't post the previous scores because it might be confusing. I'm sure that our wonderful host will add my addition to the current tally. I will post my QoS thoughts soon.
Yes, I remember the oo Heaven of 1999 wheere they were going to show every Bond film ... except they forgot about GoldenEye, and butchered half of them.
Then-2
Now-9
Tie-
Now - As with any Bond that felt underwhelming on first viewing this improves with further viewings, with its problems accepted and pushed to the box room of your mind.
Then - 2
Now - 10
Tie
Then:
With a couple of friends I went to see the new Bond film. One of them who's an avid Bond fan had just come from the airport, as he lives in Singapore and was over to visit his family. He fell asleep soon after the titles and missed everything. I sat there with my fingers in my ears during the title track. Never ever had I had to do that before! The film seemed cool enough, but just before I started to understand what was going on Craig's Bond was walking out of Yusef and the film was done.
Now:
As soon as I had the DVD, I started to understand the beauty of this film. The good thing is that the titles are one 'chapter' giving me the opportunity to skip that godawful 'song'. Without it the film is a lot better. Also, the chases work better on the small screen, due to that shakey cam. I really started to enjoy the film and since it's been in my top 10.
Then - 2
Now - 11
Tie
Then-2
Now-12
Then- like most fans the editing style chosen by Forster (A strange choice of Director I thought at the time!) was very off putting, but I could sense there was an interesting Bond movie hidden among the crash bang wallop delivery.
Now- Absolutely love it now, the editing in fact is on its positive side, I see little moments in the action each time I watch it. If ever any Bond movie improves with each viewing, QoS does! In between the superb action beats, there is the opening interrogation of Mr. White, the meeting on the plane between Greene, and Beam,( a terrific character whom I hoped would pop up again!), the Opera sequence of course, with that marvellous shiver down the spine face off moment in the corridor between Bond and Greene, all the following scenes with Mathis and Bond, especially on the plane,
Camille, one of the more interesting Bond girls, the explosive finale, and that great final scene with Yusef. A very under-rated Bond entry, QoS remains in my top ten.
Then-2
Now-13.
Perhaps it helped that I was in the right mindset. In Nov. of 2008, I was about 7 months removed from my divorce and I felt that I could somewhat identify with Bond's pain. I was thrilled to watch Craig destroy everything in his path. He was like my hero that could eliminate all of the bulls*** that life sometimes throws our way. I really needed that at the time. Anyway, reading some of the criticisms throughout the years I can certainly understand how someone would feel underwhelmed by this one. As for myself, I still enjoy it as much as I did back then.
Then - 2
Now - 13
Tie - 1
We'll be moving on to Skyfall soon
Skyfall
Then –
My first Bond film, post stroke. Four long years. The business with MGM. But finally Skyfall was here. This time I took four friends to see Skyfall. Much better! With one of those friends, I have seen Die Another Day, Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace, and Spectre will make it five Bond's at the cinema, for us.
I was a bit miffed to not see the gun barrel at the beginning. Right until Silva gets captured, I was loving Skyfall - the apathy of Bond; the introduction of Silva; M's “retirement” plans; the great script; Severine, plus the gorgeous cinematography. Just fantastic.
I didn't like the score however – it would take a few listens. I didn't like the cue, that Newman came up with, when the blatant CGI helicopters are above Silva's island. Too Austin Powers for me.
The rest of the movie was/is entertaining, but not gripping. The plot inconsistencies were apparent first run through, yet I felt the rest of the movie more than managed to make up for it. They seemed to have regressed back to the 90's films. It was just unusual to see Craig's Bond with a bit of levity. But that end scene, with that office! I left the cinemas very excited to be a Bond fan.
About a month later, I went to see Skyfall again. I was surprised how quickly Bond's apathy lasted – only 20ish minutes into the film. Unlike Quantum, with Skyfall I managed to see everything first time round. Very superficial. Well, that isn't quite fair. Still, again I loved the first half and Bond's journey through it. Special mention has to go to Sam Mendes. Its a very difficult job, to combine all the elements together for a Bond film, but I thought Mendes done good. A perfect mix of drama and action. Compared to Quantum's amount of action, Skyfall has just the right amounts.
Now –
A supremely entertaining film, but not one without any flaws, however. I had Skyfall provisionally in the top ten Bond films when it was first released. Skyfall has been very consistent in my rankings; it is still in the top ten.
Then - 1 just ever so
Now -
Tie -
Then:
I highly anticipated this film. The 4 yr wait was almost too long for me, and I couldn't wait to see DC in the role again. He had showed so much promise in CR, and even in QoS, despite the film itself being somewhat sparse and action heavy.
The pretitles were very tense and hooked me in right from the start, especially when Bond fell. After the shameful debacle that was AWTD, Adele's title track was a welcome return to form. I noticed the different sound to the score in the opening scenes right away. More mellow, less frenzied, less noisy, more melodic. I liked Newman's work.
The rest of the film certainly didn't disappoint. It was a unique and very atmospheric thriller. Dark, slower paced than QoS, and very stunning to look at, particularly the night scenes.
The acting was just pitch perfect from everyone, and Bardem lived up to the hype alright...Joker wannabee or not, he was charismatic, magnetic & commanded the screen. An adversary worthy of Craig. My only regret is that they didn't get to do any hand to hand combat.
Marlohe was a standout, and her scenes with Bond in Shanghai (the look across skyscrapers as well as the later casino encounter) were high points for me.
I'll admit to feeling a little joy (not the intended reaction surely) when Dench's M bit the bullet, finally.
The new team (Fiennes/Harris/Whishaw) all seemed suitable replacements for the legendary forebearers, although of the lot, Harris seemed the weakest and least able to fill the shoes of her predecessor.
Craig was his usual brooding self, but I felt he was more of a bystander here. This film was more about the other characters (like GE I felt) rather than about Bond. So even though Craig impressed as he normally does, I didn't feel that he carried the film, unlike QoS where he certainly did. His intensity was also 'tempered' here. Less virile.
The 2 plus hours of running time blew by in a jiffy, and when it was all over, I was hugely satisfied, with a big grin on my face. Bond was back, and once again (like in CR) he was going to show the world that he was #1. I remember being ecstatic at the positive response it got from the general public. I watched the amazing box office returns accumulate with excitement, and was glad that EON had the balls to make a unique Bond entry for the 50th anniversary.
Now:
It remains a firm top 10 film for me (although I haven't seen it since SP, and wonder if the retcon, which I didn't buy, will taint my experience of it going forward - I certainly hope not).
I have only seen it a handful of times (like CR) since my theatre experience, because I believe it's the kind of film to savour once in a while and not over watch. Like fine wine (and the early Connery greats, along with TSWLM), keep it for the special moments, I believe.
So this is a Then, but it's damn close.
Then - 2
Now -
Tie -
Before the release of this outing, I had gone through a big Bond fatigue - I watched these films way too many times, especially the Craig ones so I had become very much tired of Craig, and didn't watch a Bond film in full since 2010.
SF completely made me terribly excited for James Bond again, I left the cinema with a big grin on my face and when I got home and popped CR and QOS in the blu ray player and I had a new appreciation for them. The following days I rewatched other past entries, and they all thrilled me to a level I hadn't reached in the (then) last few years.
Now: SF is still a top 10 entry for me, but I've never managed to replicate the excitement of that day in 2012 when I saw it for the first time.
Then - 3
Now -
Tie -
Now - 1
Tie -
Then-3
Now- 1
Tie -1
Then-3
Now- 1
Tie -2
My reason: First time I saw it I was a bit let down by Bardem as Silva. There was just something very cartoonish about him, and I didn t buy him as this all powerful nemesis. On second viewing, when I knew what was coming, I could enjoy the whole film a lot more. Best cinematography of any Bond film.
Then-3
Now- 2
Tie -2
If so,
Then - 3
Now - 3
Tie - 3
It's odd. When I first saw it I liked it about how I do now, then I LOVED it, then it fell down, and now it's settled right about where it started.
In this thread, gentle readers, we are going to share our first experience of seeing a Bond movie, be it in the cinema, VHS or DVD, our reactions to it, and our thoughts now.
We look back on the first time we saw each particular Bond film, and our reaction, now.
Then - 3
Now - 3
Tie - 4
Then - 3
Now - 3
Tie - 5
Then - 3
Now - 4
Tie - 5
Now...I watched it the night before I went to see Spectre. my view hasn't changed...underwhelming! I enjoyed myself far more during Spectre!
Then- 3
Now- 4
Tie- 6