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Dench is one of the finest actresses working today (and a continued casting coup), so it is logical that Eon keeps her happy and engaged, sending M on location, etc. Say what you will about the previous Ms--none of them had as widespread critical acclaim as Dame Dench.
For me, the weaknesses in the film (aside from Richards) are largely second unit ones. Aside from the PTS, which is spectacular, the ski chase and the caviar factory scene are uninspired. And even though I understand why Renard was necessary (if nothing else, to hide Elektra's involvement from Bond--but then why name her Elektra?!?), I think it would have been a stronger film if Marceau (a fine actress) had been allowed to take center stage on her own.
My feelings on the two films have reversed since I first watched them. Originally I liked TWINE far more than TND, Now I like TND more. When I think of TWINE my first thought is "Well, at least they tried..."
TWINE seems to have more extremes of good and bad than any other Bond film that I can think of save DAD. Here's a quick breakdown and, of course, this is just my opinion:
The Bad
Most lame action sequences, especially the parahawk attack and Brosnan sliding away from an explosion more slowly than he could have run.
Brosnan trying way too hard to act well and failing.
Renard is not at all imposing or believable as a threat.
Renard's inability to feel pain under-used.
Lame jokes that fall flat "I came prepared for a cold reception".
Lack of beautiful scenery - either the location isn't pretty (like the overhead shot of Bond driving through the oilfields) or they just aren't shot well).
A really "down" tone to the film.
A serious relationship for Bond that seems rushed and unearned.
Richards as a scientist (she's great to look at and could have worked in a different role).
Completely forgettable score other than a couple of cues of the title song.
The Good
Bond killing Elektra was Brosnan's finest moment and one of the best lines in the series
Elektra was a great character and very well-played by Marceau
M's personal stakes in the situation were well-used.
Zuhovsky was a welcome return (if a lot of his lines were redundant)
The pre-title sequence that went on and on was actually an interesting change.
The title song was a far better return to the sweeping, more romantic sound of the past - far better than GE or TND.
Brosnan's over-acting was laughably bad at points but he did seem much more comfortable in the role in the scenes were he was just "being" as oppoed to "acting".
There were some good ideas in the film and I think that better actors and a better director really could have sold it. Had it been shot more glamorously, tightened up, dropped a couple of bad jokes, had some recasting and a better action scene director (the ideas were fine, it was just the execution that was off) it could have been fantastic.
The scene where Renard meets Davidov and Arkov at the Devil's Breath is reminiscent of the scene in FRWL where you think the main villain's going to kill one henchman, but kills the other. Renard has Arkov killed instead of Davidov, and Blofeld has Kronsteen killed instead of Klebb. I never made that connection before. I think it happens in YOLT, as well.
Oh, and at the end of these films, why is M always surprised to see Bond getting it on with the girl?!
Here's some lines that stood out:
Remember, shadows stay in front or behind- never on top!
I'm looking for a submarine. It's big and black, and the driver is a very good friend of mine!
Saying of which: Die Another Day referencing TWINE (novel): Q mentions in DAD that Bond's watch is his 20th, and a similar scene occurs in the TWINE novel where Q gives bond his 19th watch.
Point Two: Why is M surprised? Y'know, I don't really know, because she didn't seem surprised at all when Bond "misused" the girl she sent to evaluate Bond in GoldenEye.
I like that Electra turns out to be a villian, that's a nice twist and Sophie is a great actress. I love the return of Robbie Coltrane's character. He's a great ally/antagonist for Brosnan's Bond. And of course this is Desmond's last turn as Q and that is a great scene where he says, "Always have an escape plan."
I can't think of much else to appreciate. It's mediocre. Sorry.
The acting was good at least from Sophie Marceau.
Brosnan really carries this film, and does a great job bringing a more personal edge to this film.. you really get the feeling that he believes Elektra's story, gets duped, and wants to put the b!@#$ down - i always think of the scene, where Bond first confront Renard in the bunker, where Renard is chastising and taunting Bond while being held at gunpoint, and you can see the anger boiling over in Bond - "How does it feel, to know that I broke her in for you??" - then BAM! pistol whipped!, this is one the dramatic highlights of the film for me - along with when Bond confronts Elektra, accusing her and insisting that she "drop the act.. it's over." - and also when Bond finally puts her down, after she tries to warn Renard that Bond is on the way.... terrific performances are also turned in by Sophie Marceau, Robert Carlyle, and Robbie Coltrane...
it's hard to not watch this film, and be affected by the abusing use that the later films do with M... but at the time, it was novel to feature M as such a prominent cog to the story's plot - and that is why in this film it still works, and she doesn't seem to overstay her welcome - where it fails in later films is that they have to squeeze her in whenever possible, like she she has to hold Bond's hand through every plot detail... i dont feel as annoyed by her in this film though - unlike her 'mother hen' like role in the films to come..
I think where this film falters, in is some of the minor details, and in the decision to cast Denise Richards as Nuclear Scientist - it's not me being sexist in anyway, I am sure many lovely women work in that field.. but ladies, Denise Richards was just your on screen representation - I would not be amused... obviously casted for her flash in the pan fame of WILD THINGS at the time - I guess they needed something to draw in a few teenage hornballs. lol... The character of Mr Bullion was pretty useless - although he did have an amusing death at the hands of Valetine..
overall, i enjoy TWINE - it's an interesting exercise with the Bond formula (for it's time) and I think it does a good job of entertaining, and having an intriguing complex story of 'who is really playing who?', while still maintaining that good ol' Bond flair..
All of this is IMO of course. ;;)
For me, personally, Arnold's TND, TWINE and DAD are all flawed. However, when I consider the plus points and minuses of these three, stricto senso TWINE is the most underwhelming of Arnold's scores for me. I like the PTS music and the theme song. I like the romantic theme - Elektra's theme - and the unused Only Myself To Blame. However, the rest is mostly disappointing for me. From the 'one last screw' scene on, Arnold seems to have lost complete control over his orchestra. With or without my headphones, I can't help being extremely distracted by some of those unbelievably piercing, deafening, noisy screams of the instruments.
OK, what;s good about TWINE?
Well the PTS is by far the best one of the dark days known as the Brosnan era, the Q boat is cool, the villain is quite pleasing to the eye as well.
What else? Hum, the title song isn't that bad, it's certainly in the lower tier, but with Garbage I expected much worse. Not particularly good is the last Q scene, very sad to see him go. The return of Valentin, a decent character. And maybe Robert Carlyle, a tremendous actor wasted in such a forgettable part, but he's still the star in every scene he's in. Name-wise, Sophie Marceau was cast, and well, it may be her wort performance to date, but I can't fault only her acting for this, the writing may be one of the worst in Bond history.
I really can't say anything positive or mildly decent about the movie other than this.
Come on Luds, TWINE is a cracking Bond film for PB. There was lots to like about this outing, I find TND complete tosh.
I like the fluff that was Christmas and I liked the twisted Electra, they mirrored each other - nice subtext. Carlyle was the worst bit of the movie, the accent did it for me, awful and the other thing is they let M out aaaaaah. I didn't like the skiing jacket - and he's so bad he's actually good goldie was a fun villian.
The writing, i do think they made it up as they went along. But it gave PB's finest line; when he shot Electra dead (sorry Luds should have put a spoiler alert for you there).
And I didn't mind the sub ending either.
"We have nothing good to say...so we`re gonna say it anyway..."
Yes, okay then....
=D>
I love sarcasm but you could add a bit of style with it for eg:
I acknowledge your (clever) (devastating) (hilarious) insult.
I applaud your attempt to improve upon my original idea (from an opposing ideological view) (with a slightly different twist).
I recognize the unfathomable injustice of my insignificant voice drowning out the singular wisdom of yours.
my fav:
I sense my writing displeases you. I suggest not reading it.
So long TWINE Appreciation thread - I'm off to find the anti thread.
@forgotmyusername Nope, I've pretty much listed everything I don't dislike about TWINE, as per topic, appreciation... Maybe I forgot Elektra's fur hat. That was pretty funny. I really don't mind Carlyle at all, he's wasted in the flick, but he's a solid actor still and wipes the floor with everyone else on screen each time he's there. I really think he should have been the main villain, but at least I'll give P&W that they tried something with Elektra & Jones, the old switcheroo. The only issue is that the actresses and writing couldn't carry it through. Elektra did have the funny "Soon she'll be everywhere" line, which does make me chuckle.
although I have to say I'm pleased to see Luds and co have shown more restraint than in the past, attempting to be ironic and amusing, rather than just spouting the same old boorish vitriol
well done
=D>
I know I berated the Richards character before but this time I seemed to get on with her a lot better, a difference of opinion almost, as soon as we see her when Bond arrives at the desert facility I was 'searching frantically for the Off button' but stayed with it until the end and maybe I was a bit hard on her, although I can't stand the end bit with Brosnan and her sitting on a window drinking champagne with fireworks going off, it's just too syrupy or forced, 'Ive always wanted to have Christmas in Turkey' etc, and then there's the end bit with the heat detector and M16 staff looking on, and a final cringeworthy Brosnan line or two
The pre titles bit didn't seem too long this time around, and I thought Llewelyn could of got more time on screen than just a few seconds, in what turned out to be his final appearance. Sophie Marceau did a really good job here. =D>