Controversial opinions about Bond films

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  • edited December 2017 Posts: 11,189
    The Paris car chase in AVTAK is excellent as well.

    I can't agree here. It's a very half-arsed by-the-numbers chase sequence with some embarrassing moments. All the stuntmen look like they have been told to run or stand on cue too.
  • ThunderfingerThunderfinger Das Boot Hill
    Posts: 45,489
    BAIN123 wrote: »
    The Paris car chase in AVTAK is excellent as well.

    I can't agree here. It's a very half-arsed by-the-numbers chase sequence with some embarrassing moments. All the stuntmen look like they have been told to run or stand on cue too.

    Personally I was very impressed with the car driving over the roof of a bus. Why don t you try it tomorrow?
  • Posts: 11,189
    It was a good stunt but it was only for a few seconds really. I found it a very...meh...chase. It all felt like we'd seen it before. Lacks the excitement of say FYEO or TSWLM.
  • royale65royale65 Caustic misanthrope reporting for duty.
    Posts: 4,423
    BAIN123 wrote: »
    The Paris car chase in AVTAK is excellent as well.


    I can't agree here. It's a very half-arsed by-the-numbers chase sequence with some embarrassing moments. All the stuntmen look like they have been told to run or stand on cue too.

    Personally I was very impressed with the car driving over the roof of a bus. Why don t you try it tomorrow?

    Quite an underrated stunt. Overshadowed, perhaps by the obvious stunt driver and the excruciating cab driver.

    Taking of the stunt. I will try it. If you got a car I can borrow, of course...


  • ThunderfingerThunderfinger Das Boot Hill
    Posts: 45,489
    BAIN123 wrote: »
    It was a good stunt but it was only for a few seconds really. I found it a very...meh...chase. It all felt like we'd seen it before. Lacks the excitement of say FYEO or TSWLM.

    Oh, it s definitely not in that league. Moore had decent to great car chases in five of his films.
  • mattjoesmattjoes Julie T. and the M.G.'s
    Posts: 7,021
    It's a good chase scene but brought down by the blatant use of stuntmen and the fact the car is split in half, which is, well, not believable.
  • GBFGBF
    Posts: 3,197
    @jobo

    agree on that. It is quite good given the limited budget.
  • edited December 2017 Posts: 11,189
    mattjoes wrote: »
    It's a good chase scene but brought down by the blatant use of stuntmen and the fact the car is split in half, which is, well, not believable.
    mattjoes wrote: »
    It's a good chase scene but brought down by the blatant use of stuntmen and the fact the car is split in half, which is, well, not believable.

    And we get a stupid "awww ma car" French comedy routine. Tired farce.

    (Watch how he overacts when Moore pushes him back into the stand).
  • Posts: 7,507
    GBF wrote: »
    @jobo

    agree on that. It is quite good given the limited budget.

    The thing is that it doesn't pretend to be something it can't be. It's short and easy.
  • edited December 2017 Posts: 17,753
    Looks like there's lot of love for the FYEO car chase after all! Did not expect that, as the TSWLM one (and others) seem to be mentioned more often. Maybe it's the lack of an Aston Martin or a Lotus?
  • edited December 2017 Posts: 7,507
    Looks like there's lot of love for the FYEO car chase after all! Did not expect that, as the TSWLM one (and others) seem to be mentioned more often. Maybe it's the lack of an Aston Martin or a Lotus?

    It's like the film in general. It is not really remembered outside the Bond fan community, and some fans miss the more grandioso elements associated with a Bond blockbuster. But those who appreciate a simple, down to earth and flemingesque spy thriller with good action and nice locations, like it.

    It is definitely my favorite film from the Moore era.
  • Posts: 17,753
    jobo wrote: »
    Looks like there's lot of love for the FYEO car chase after all! Did not expect that, as the TSWLM one (and others) seem to be mentioned more often. Maybe it's the lack of an Aston Martin or a Lotus?

    It's like the film in general. It is not really remembered outside the Bond fan community, and some fans miss the more grandioso elements associated with a Bond blockbuster. But those who appreciate a simple, down to earth and flemingesque spy thriller with good action and nice locations, like it.

    It is definitely my favorite film from the Moore era.

    It most certainly is for me as well. Speaking of FYEO, I also think that Melina is one of the better Bond girls of the Moore era. Not that controversial maybe.
  • Posts: 11,189
    I like Melina as a character but I do find Boquet quite wooden to be honest. Maybe it's because she wasn't used to speaking English as a native language.
  • Posts: 19,339
    BAIN123 wrote: »
    The Paris car chase in AVTAK is excellent as well.

    I can't agree here. It's a very half-arsed by-the-numbers chase sequence with some embarrassing moments. All the stuntmen look like they have been told to run or stand on cue too.

    It was a fantastic stunt ,to bounce off the tram like that,and beautifully filmed as well.
  • MajorDSmytheMajorDSmythe "I tolerate this century, but I don't enjoy it."Moderator
    Posts: 13,978
    barryt007 wrote: »
    BAIN123 wrote: »
    The Paris car chase in AVTAK is excellent as well.

    I can't agree here. It's a very half-arsed by-the-numbers chase sequence with some embarrassing moments. All the stuntmen look like they have been told to run or stand on cue too.

    It was a fantastic stunt ,to bounce off the tram like that,and beautifully filmed as well.

    Other than the taxi driver (i'm not even French, and I feel insulted), and the rear end being sliced off, it's a decent stunt. As is so often the problem with the Moore era, the need to chase a cheap gag, ends up ruining good stunts.
  • Posts: 19,339
    barryt007 wrote: »
    BAIN123 wrote: »
    The Paris car chase in AVTAK is excellent as well.

    I can't agree here. It's a very half-arsed by-the-numbers chase sequence with some embarrassing moments. All the stuntmen look like they have been told to run or stand on cue too.

    It was a fantastic stunt ,to bounce off the tram like that,and beautifully filmed as well.

    Other than the taxi driver (i'm not even French, and I feel insulted), and the rear end being sliced off, it's a decent stunt. As is so often the problem with the Moore era, the need to chase a cheap gag, ends up ruining good stunts.

    Exactly...and we all know the best stunt and the cheap gag in it .

    The TMWTGG first time car loop the loop and that bloody whistle (John Barry's biggest and nearly only cock up,and he admitted it,as you know,Major).
  • Posts: 7,507
    barryt007 wrote: »
    barryt007 wrote: »
    BAIN123 wrote: »
    The Paris car chase in AVTAK is excellent as well.

    I can't agree here. It's a very half-arsed by-the-numbers chase sequence with some embarrassing moments. All the stuntmen look like they have been told to run or stand on cue too.

    It was a fantastic stunt ,to bounce off the tram like that,and beautifully filmed as well.

    Other than the taxi driver (i'm not even French, and I feel insulted), and the rear end being sliced off, it's a decent stunt. As is so often the problem with the Moore era, the need to chase a cheap gag, ends up ruining good stunts.

    Exactly...and we all know the best stunt and the cheap gag in it .

    The TMWTGG first time car loop the loop and that bloody whistle (John Barry's biggest and nearly only cock up,and he admitted it,as you know,Major).

    I don't blame Barry. Hamilton and the producers had det the tone by then. It was only natural to follow up with a similar attitude. The slide whistle is perfectly in tone with the general atmosphere of the film...
  • Posts: 19,339
    jobo wrote: »
    barryt007 wrote: »
    barryt007 wrote: »
    BAIN123 wrote: »
    The Paris car chase in AVTAK is excellent as well.

    I can't agree here. It's a very half-arsed by-the-numbers chase sequence with some embarrassing moments. All the stuntmen look like they have been told to run or stand on cue too.

    It was a fantastic stunt ,to bounce off the tram like that,and beautifully filmed as well.

    Other than the taxi driver (i'm not even French, and I feel insulted), and the rear end being sliced off, it's a decent stunt. As is so often the problem with the Moore era, the need to chase a cheap gag, ends up ruining good stunts.

    Exactly...and we all know the best stunt and the cheap gag in it .

    The TMWTGG first time car loop the loop and that bloody whistle (John Barry's biggest and nearly only cock up,and he admitted it,as you know,Major).

    I don't blame Barry. Hamilton and the producers had det the tone by then. It was only natural to follow up with a similar attitude. The slide whistle is perfectly in tone with the general atmosphere of the film...

    I'm not blaming Barry,he said so himself.
  • ForYourEyesOnlyForYourEyesOnly In the untained cradle of the heavens
    edited December 2017 Posts: 1,984
    With the Lotus there's the indication that there's something special about it as soon as Q says "there are one or two rather special accessories". But I like the slow progression of the Lotus unveiling its arsenal (first that slick black dye and then the submarine and its various gadgetry).

    I agree the TSWLM car chase is more iconic than the FYEO one, but I think I still slightly prefer the FYEO one (minus the part with them rolling down the hill). The humour is better integrated and feels more natural. I also enjoy seeing car stuntwork more than gadgetry in all honesty.
  • Posts: 19,339
    With the Lotus there's the indication that there's something special about it as soon as Q says "there are one or two rather special accessories". But I like the slow progression of the Lotus unveiling its arsenal (first that slick black dye and then the submarine and its various gadgetry).

    I agree the TSWLM car chase is more iconic than the FYEO one, but I think I still slightly prefer the FYEO one (minus the part with them rolling down the hill). The humour is better integrated and feels more natural. I also enjoy seeing car stuntwork more than gadgetry in all honesty.

    Totally natural as ,I could be wrong ,but Sir Roger's 'love a drive in the country don't you ?' was not scripted ,hence Carole's genuine surprised laugh.
  • ForYourEyesOnlyForYourEyesOnly In the untained cradle of the heavens
    Posts: 1,984
    barryt007 wrote: »
    Totally natural as ,I could be wrong ,but Sir Roger's 'love a drive in the country don't you ?' was not scripted ,hence Carole's genuine surprised laugh.

    My thoughts exactly. Not to mention that head nod he does isn't based off a reaction to something else, unlike in TSWLM. So it's more unexpected and far funnier.

  • BMW_with_missilesBMW_with_missiles All the usual refinements.
    edited December 2017 Posts: 3,000
    barryt007 wrote: »
    I think re Anya and the blueprints,it was just the intial shock of the car smashing into the sea was the reason she exclaimed.
    Also,she might have stolen the blueprints but she didn't know MI6 had actually made the car.

    It's also reasonable to believe that she didn't know that she was in that particular car for which she had stolen the blueprint until that moment.
  • jobo wrote: »
    Looks like there's lot of love for the FYEO car chase after all! Did not expect that, as the TSWLM one (and others) seem to be mentioned more often. Maybe it's the lack of an Aston Martin or a Lotus?

    It's like the film in general. It is not really remembered outside the Bond fan community, and some fans miss the more grandioso elements associated with a Bond blockbuster. But those who appreciate a simple, down to earth and flemingesque spy thriller with good action and nice locations, like it.

    It is definitely my favorite film from the Moore era.

    My problem with FYEO is that they took away the OTT stuff but didn't really have a story worth justifying it. It's stripped back but the plot feels so low rent and the villain is the most forgettable of the series. And it has some darker scenes but it isn't gritty really imo, all the Moore movies have darker moments and FYEO isn't really an exception. I think it doesn't stick out from the rest of his movies the way some fans think, it's still a Roger Moore film, just not a very memorable one.
  • CommanderRossCommanderRoss The bottom of a pitch lake in Eastern Trinidad, place called La Brea
    Posts: 8,253
    jobo wrote: »
    Looks like there's lot of love for the FYEO car chase after all! Did not expect that, as the TSWLM one (and others) seem to be mentioned more often. Maybe it's the lack of an Aston Martin or a Lotus?

    It's like the film in general. It is not really remembered outside the Bond fan community, and some fans miss the more grandioso elements associated with a Bond blockbuster. But those who appreciate a simple, down to earth and flemingesque spy thriller with good action and nice locations, like it.

    It is definitely my favorite film from the Moore era.

    My problem with FYEO is that they took away the OTT stuff but didn't really have a story worth justifying it. It's stripped back but the plot feels so low rent and the villain is the most forgettable of the series. And it has some darker scenes but it isn't gritty really imo, all the Moore movies have darker moments and FYEO isn't really an exception. I think it doesn't stick out from the rest of his movies the way some fans think, it's still a Roger Moore film, just not a very memorable one.

    Why would they need to justify taking away the OTT stuff? I think FYO is one of Roger's best, and a very decent entry in the series. It has a beleaveable story, it actually has some spywork in it (nice for a change) and the main characters play well off of eachother. I especially like the way Roger plays in this film. Genuinly concearned about Melina and still trying to get her out of his way.
  • jobo wrote: »
    Looks like there's lot of love for the FYEO car chase after all! Did not expect that, as the TSWLM one (and others) seem to be mentioned more often. Maybe it's the lack of an Aston Martin or a Lotus?

    It's like the film in general. It is not really remembered outside the Bond fan community, and some fans miss the more grandioso elements associated with a Bond blockbuster. But those who appreciate a simple, down to earth and flemingesque spy thriller with good action and nice locations, like it.

    It is definitely my favorite film from the Moore era.

    My problem with FYEO is that they took away the OTT stuff but didn't really have a story worth justifying it. It's stripped back but the plot feels so low rent and the villain is the most forgettable of the series. And it has some darker scenes but it isn't gritty really imo, all the Moore movies have darker moments and FYEO isn't really an exception. I think it doesn't stick out from the rest of his movies the way some fans think, it's still a Roger Moore film, just not a very memorable one.

    Why would they need to justify taking away the OTT stuff? I think FYO is one of Roger's best, and a very decent entry in the series. It has a beleaveable story, it actually has some spywork in it (nice for a change) and the main characters play well off of eachother. I especially like the way Roger plays in this film. Genuinly concearned about Melina and still trying to get her out of his way.

    It's hard to put what I mean into words. Basically FYEO is a very stripped back film, but stripped back to what? The plot feels really low stakes, the villain is really forgettable, and the tone is all over the place which sort of undermines the whole gritty realism angle (it really doesn't feel any "grittier" than any other Moore film imo, not that that's a bad thing). If it was more colourful and OTT it'd at least be memorable, there'd be some window dressing there to make me forget about its flaws. Like AVTAK, it's weird and out there and has a bunch of colourful characters and because of that I have fun watching a geriatric Bond's stuntman make his way through a Goldfinger retread. I wish FYEO just had a bit more to latch onto outside of the action scenes. There's the Melina story I guess but I've never really seen the chemistry there that others do.
  • RoadphillRoadphill United Kingdom
    Posts: 984
    TSWLM not only has the best car chase in the series, it is the best film if them all! Not that controversial.

    So for my controversial comment, I think that the lack of a discernible main villain in From Russia With Love hurts it a lot, and drops it out of the top 5, for me.
  • Posts: 11,189
    Roadphill wrote: »
    TSWLM not only has the best car chase in the series, it is the best film if them all! Not that controversial.

    So for my controversial comment, I think that the lack of a discernible main villain in From Russia With Love hurts it a lot, and drops it out of the top 5, for me.

    Spy is an excellent film but Bach undermines it for me. Her line deliveries often make me cringe involuntarily.
  • Most of all, spy is - together with Goldfinger - the Bond movie that made the franchise immortal.
  • bondjamesbondjames You were expecting someone else?
    Posts: 23,883
    TSWLM was easily my #1 Bond film growing up. Since then it's dropped as low as 6 in my rankings but over the past few years has started to move up again. I think I had it at 3 or 4 in my last Bondathon. A position which I think it will retain for some time. I'm a big fan of Bach as Anya too.
  • CommanderRossCommanderRoss The bottom of a pitch lake in Eastern Trinidad, place called La Brea
    Posts: 8,253
    jobo wrote: »
    Looks like there's lot of love for the FYEO car chase after all! Did not expect that, as the TSWLM one (and others) seem to be mentioned more often. Maybe it's the lack of an Aston Martin or a Lotus?

    It's like the film in general. It is not really remembered outside the Bond fan community, and some fans miss the more grandioso elements associated with a Bond blockbuster. But those who appreciate a simple, down to earth and flemingesque spy thriller with good action and nice locations, like it.

    It is definitely my favorite film from the Moore era.

    My problem with FYEO is that they took away the OTT stuff but didn't really have a story worth justifying it. It's stripped back but the plot feels so low rent and the villain is the most forgettable of the series. And it has some darker scenes but it isn't gritty really imo, all the Moore movies have darker moments and FYEO isn't really an exception. I think it doesn't stick out from the rest of his movies the way some fans think, it's still a Roger Moore film, just not a very memorable one.

    Why would they need to justify taking away the OTT stuff? I think FYO is one of Roger's best, and a very decent entry in the series. It has a beleaveable story, it actually has some spywork in it (nice for a change) and the main characters play well off of eachother. I especially like the way Roger plays in this film. Genuinly concearned about Melina and still trying to get her out of his way.

    It's hard to put what I mean into words. Basically FYEO is a very stripped back film, but stripped back to what? The plot feels really low stakes, the villain is really forgettable, and the tone is all over the place which sort of undermines the whole gritty realism angle (it really doesn't feel any "grittier" than any other Moore film imo, not that that's a bad thing). If it was more colourful and OTT it'd at least be memorable, there'd be some window dressing there to make me forget about its flaws. Like AVTAK, it's weird and out there and has a bunch of colourful characters and because of that I have fun watching a geriatric Bond's stuntman make his way through a Goldfinger retread. I wish FYEO just had a bit more to latch onto outside of the action scenes. There's the Melina story I guess but I've never really seen the chemistry there that others do.

    Well I do understand what you mean with the tone. A film where they zoom in on the revengeful eyes of a Greek lady who's lost her parents and 'like electra' will make the purpretator pay also has a car of villains land on top of olive trees, etc. etc.

    It's a pity they did that I agee, it would've been a better film if they stuck to the grittier story.

    I disagree on the plot feeling low key though. Losing the transmitter for the nuclear codes is hardly a small thing.

    And as a fan of AVTAK I can only agree on that part ;-)
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