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First ride in the DB5 (CR: Bond surprises Solange as new owner of the Aston Martin DB5 and takes her for a surprsingly short ride)
The Hotel Upgrade is a stand out scene in QoS because it gives me a "Bond vibe". (I like the action in the film but such scenes are also an important part of a Bond film). It's a pity that there aren't more such scenes in this film. The first ride with the DB5 in CR has even more style (in my opinion). As Benny wrote: "simple, but quite cool". Yes! And I like Solange's reaction.
You have to wonder with all of Mr. Big's goons running around with guns and rifles why they just jump aside and don't pursue the plane after that and shoot. They have enough firepower. I always laughed at the guy who says "I can't, I can't find the brakes!" How can you not find the brakes? And Bond is kinda' casual when he brings the wingless plane to a stop. The bad guys couldn't have been that far behind, how did he get away from there, just hop into another of Bleeker's crafts?
Pepper is fine in his scene. Some have questioned why he's in a car dealership while on vacation. Well, you can guess Mrs. Pepper booked the trip and it's not his scene, so I can picture a guy like that looking at cars to amuse himself. What's also amusing is he's in an American Motors dealership. He doesn't really distract from the chase and has some funny lines. He can't be that bad considering a slide whistle is used over the jump. I actually like Pepper wants to help and I think he's sincere about it.
For question 2, I easily go with the DB5. This is classic Bond: he's in an Aston Martin he won gambling and winning a bad guy's woman who he can use for information on the case he's working.
While a hotel upgrade is a Bond move, it doesn't stand out for me, I really don't recall it even. The DB5 was important as well in establishing the style of Bond coming into his own and that includes winning a woman to his side. Fields would've been impressed by Bond if they were staying in a shed. Besides, you didn't see Bond upgrade a hotel while still trying to figure out the mystery of L'Americain. It's a dump - there's mice, so why not just stay in the good hotel and then go over there when necessary? A stretch, I know, but just trying to strengthen my view (to a kill).
This round could end with one or even two ties. 7:7 for the Craig moments.
Does this mean you dislike both, Pepper and Mrs Bell?
I think I’ll go for the hotel upgrade, it’s pure snobbery and Craig plays it really well, plus it was an unexpected moment of light humour.
Count me in for the Hotel Upgrade. The Solange scene is a fine moment in a great film and I can understand the viewpoint of those who picked it. However, I just love the line, "Teachers on Sabbatical and we have just won the lottery!" Craig and Arterton had great chemistry together and it's a shame they didn't share more time with each other onscreen. This is the type of humor that Craig excels at. He cannot do the one liners or Roger Moore type of humor that we painfully witnessed in SP.
J.W. Pepper (in the TMWTGG car chase) wins against Mrs. Bell: 9 : 6
Hotel upgrade (QoS) wins against first ride in DB5 (CR): 9 : 7
Round 28:
There are many great car chases in Bond movies. The following car chases show similarities because no gadgets are used and the main Bondgirl is behind the wheel (the whole time or at least for the first part).
Which car action do you prefer? OHMSS: Bond and Tracy in the Mercury Cougar vs. FYEO: Bond and Melina in the Citroën 2CV
Let’s stay with Tracy a bit longer. This woman knows how to make an appearance. Only a few seconds of her entering a scene are enough to fascinate Bond (and me!). Two appearances never left my brain again…
Which of Tracy’s appearances do you prefer? Tracy appears at the Casino table vs. Tracy appears next to Bond on the skating rink.
The second contest is far harder to choose between for me, but I'll have to go with Tracey appears next to Bond on the skating rink. This is by far one of the highlights of the series. You really believe how helpless Bond is when he reacts to Tracy pulling up in front of him. Lazenby is fantastic in this moment. The shock in his face is really genuine. You can tell this is the moment that Bond falls in love with Tracy, IMO.
As far as the gadget less car action goes, I'll go with OHMSS and Tracy's Mercury Cougar.
That girl can drive!
And as much as I like Tracy's entrance at the casino, as @Octopussy says, the whole scene of Tracy pulling up next to Bond at the ice rink is a series highlight. Bond is in danger and is almost helpless in his situation. And then Tracy appears out of the hoard of skaters. Brilliant stuff.
Tracy appears at the skating rink for me please.
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Tracy appears at the skating rink
Very well put. ITA.
And of course I love it when Tracy skates up to Bond. It’s one of the best moments in the film series.
The car chases are much harder to pick from however. Because I love Roger, love the cheekiness, inventiveness and absurdity of it, and never like to follow the crowd too much, I’ll give FYEO the nod.
The second is so much more difficult. One is more "romantic" where Bond swoops in to save the day (and I love how ballsy Tracy was, coming into the scene to gamble with "no money"), and the other scene is loaded with stakes with Bond almost down for the count with Bunt and her men closing in on him...
I will go with Tracy skating up to Bond (and saving the day for him, which then turns into one of the most tender scenes in the series.).
And Tracy skating. A true angel, unlike Blofeld’s angels.
No doubt, Mercury Cougar. While Aki and Kissy held their own as far as skills, Tracy brings it to the next level because it's then she transforms from just another vulnerable damsel in distress Bond girl to the resourceful, brave woman worthy of being Mrs. James Bond.
She also shows a range of emotions, from terrified when Bond is almost gunned down in the phone booth to having fun and a good sense of humor in the race, but always maintaining her cool. It's a credit to the actors and Peter Hunt to have that balance that translates to the audience. It doesn't end there, only complemented at Piz Gloria by distracting Blofeld as Draco's helicopters approach and defeating Grunther.
Skating rink is one of the standout moments of the series for me. Octopussy and Benny above have already said volumes about this great scene.
The only thing I can add is how could someone have watched these in late 1969 or early 1970 and not been impressed and held this film in higher standing? Did they really just want a bunch of gadgets, space hardware, one-liners and characters like Plenty O'Toole?
I was barely 3 when OHMSS came out, so I don't have any evidence as to how people felt, didn't see it in the cinema until 5 years later, but OHMSS never left my memory. I watched it again 3 weeks ago and those scenes still hold my attention.
Skating rink. The scene where Tracy skates up to a harried Bond is one of *the* moments in a movie packed with great moments. The sense of concern on Tracy’s part, and Bond’s relief at seeing her, literally jumps off the screen.
@BT3366. Agreed. Part of what makes Tracy (and Riggs’ portrayal of her) so memorable is her character development in the course of the movie. When we first meet her in OHMSS, she is trying to kill herself (the Draco/Bond sit-down does a good job at providing the back-story for this). Later, as she and Bond fall in love, we see her gain strength and confidence.
In the hands of a lesser script or actress, this could have come across as “phony” or forced. But here it works, for even during Tracy’s worst moments, Rigg always gives the character an element of underlying wit and intelligence – not unlike her Avengers’ role as Emma Peel (or even Ms. Rigg in real life). In fact, its less a transformation, than seeing someone come out of a self-imposed shell and reach her true potential. And that is always great to see.
Controversial opinion: In many ways Tracy is actually a “stronger” female character than Anya, Holly or Wai Lin. Only Eva Green’s Vesper works on so many levels (for me, anyway).
Skating rink- it just warms your heart, and Bond's reaction says it all!
My second question seems to be too obvious. Sorry for that! I will also vote for the skating rink: I will never forget the camera moving from her ice-skates up to her face with that irresistible smile. @Octopussy described it already perfect.
I expected that the skating rink would win but I didn't realize that this moment is loved that much by many of you.
Not controversial at all, Dwayne. Spot on, in my view. We weren't knocked over the head how Tracy was supposed to be Bond's equal and all that crap. She evolves into that and it makes her that much more compelling. Recall the other 3 get captured and Bond has to come to the rescue and Tracy is the only one who helps in Bond's attempt to get her out.
Tracy appearing in the skating rink wins for me. Her Casino appearance is a great intro, but the skating rink is a defining moment in the film, perfectuly cued with the music.
Second goes to the skating rink. What a beautiful shot that was!!
I'll also go with Tracy entering the casino. Both are great shots but I've always loved any Bond film scenes revolved around casinos.
It's interesting that we can't see Tracy's face at the beginning of these scenes.
I understand that the OHMSS is preferred because of Tracy and the more serious tone. But is the car action really better compared to FYEO?
In my view, yes. It seems everybody loves the chase because it's different but it doesn't do anything for me. Yes, it's Bond using his wits and driving skills to escape, but there's more of a comedy vibe to it. I don't feel like Bond and Melina are in any real danger in that scene.
A perfect example of that is when the baddies' car pulls right up with Bond's and instead of whipping out their guns and shooting they just stare at him, allowing Bond to give that amusing nod. I like the nod, but it also adds to the comedy. They are so intent on running the Citroen off the road they don't even try to shoot. Were they waiting until they ran him off? Was that a Loque directive?
Conti's score doesn't help, either. It's too light. It also hurts the ski chase too. Compare that to when Barry revs up the OHMSS theme after SPECTRE goons try shooting Bond in the phone booth. Barry makes a wise decision to leave the road rally unscored.
Part of the fun of the road rally is it adds some welcome levity. Not cheap gags but quick throwaways and it works because we weren't really expecting it. But we still feel Bond and Tracy are in danger. I always like the hapless guy who tries to block their way and has to dive out of their way. The explosion of the SPECTRE vehicle brings it all back to reality.
I remain a fan of the FYEO chase (it also helps, that I visited the main spots of chase in Korfu. This makes it very special). The score is indeed a weakness. The real danger is definitely missing there.
Another participant already mentioned it, but it bears repeating. Bond looking up to find Tracy at the skating rink has to be one of the best moments in the entire franchise. Nothing against the earlier scene, but there's no contest here.
Gadget-free car chases with the Bondgirl behind the wheel: OHMSS wins easily against FYEO 11 : 4
Tracy enters the scene: Much love for skating rink compared to the casino appearance: 14: 1
Round 29:
AVTAK shows a lot of parallels to GF. Did you for example realize that Bond writes in both cases some notes about the villains scheme on a piece of paper (Grand Slam/Main Strike)?
In both films, the villain explains his plan to some “investors” but one of them decides not to make business with Goldfinger/Zorin. Therefore, he has to leave the meeting…and is eliminated!
A) Which elimination scene do you prefer? Mr. Solo is shot by Oddjob and crushed at the junkyard vs. Taiwanese tycoon gets some fresh air (falls out of the zeppelin)
You can also consider the villain's reaction after the successful elimination.
B) Two “lovely” titles from Fleming. But which one is the better movie title? “FRWL” vs. “TSWLM”
The quality of the film doesn’t matter here, this duel is about the title only.
B) Hmm. The bland post card language. Versus the cheap romance novel title. Both take on absolute greatness first for their Fleming novels source, then for the Bond films.
I choose From Russia With Love, over The Spy Who Loved Me. Both fantastic titles to apply to Bond's world.