Controversial opinions about Bond films

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  • Posts: 1,708
    -Just cuz you don't care for Bassey...that doesn't make her a terrible singer , she's just not your cup o' tea.

    -I prefer Laz over Brosnan , Laz felt more brutal and cruel.

    -I don't mind a little humor....but I don't really want Bond to be some kind of half assed comedy. A pinch is enough , don't dump all the salt into the Bond pot.
  • Posts: 1,708
    Connery = McQueen.....both weren't exactly saints but good actors. Separate the image from the person and so forth.
  • HASEROTHASEROT has returned like the tedious inevitability of an unloved season---
    Posts: 4,399
    my opinions might not be controversial.... but, i guess some might find controversy in them, so here goes...

    #1... Dr. No is a bit overrated, and a tad boring..... while yes, I do enjoy the movie and also realize that without Dr No, there probably wouldn't be 22 other Bond films, I can't help but get lulled to sleep during this film from time to time.... first doesn't always mean best, as FRWL, GF, and TB are all superior to DN in almost every category (except maybe Honey in that bikini ;) .)

    #2... I'll continue this overrated train, and welcome aboard George Lazenby... to the general public, this wouldn't matter.. but I know there are a lot of Laz supporters on this board - but I am sorry, he just doesn't make the grade for me... he's almost a poor man's Brosnan (or should that be the other way around.. hmm... anyways).. while he does possess great physical skill which makes him great when it comes time to fight - his acting left an awful lot to be desired.... i know i know, he wasn't a trained actor - but i've seen actors with less talent show more depth through expression than Laz's wooden performance at times.... all around terrific film - it's just i can't get excited over Laz as Bond..

    #3... switching gears.... LALD i believe is underrated by a lot of fans here... is it campy? sure - but it's no more campy than DAF, and is certainly not as gawdy as TSWLM, MR or DAD... it's plot is simple, and no less interesting than the underlying plot of LTK - plus i believe the trio of performances by Moore, Seymour, and Kotto are enough to carry this film..
  • edited March 2012 Posts: 501
    HASEROT wrote:
    my opinions might not be controversial.... but, i guess some might find controversy in them, so here goes...

    #1... Dr. No is a bit overrated, and a tad boring..... while yes, I do enjoy the movie and also realize that without Dr No, there probably wouldn't be 22 other Bond films, I can't help but get lulled to sleep during this film from time to time.... first doesn't always mean best, as FRWL, GF, and TB are all superior to DN in almost every category (except maybe Honey in that bikini ;) .)

    #2... I'll continue this overrated train, and welcome aboard George Lazenby... to the general public, this wouldn't matter.. but I know there are a lot of Laz supporters on this board - but I am sorry, he just doesn't make the grade for me... he's almost a poor man's Brosnan (or should that be the other way around.. hmm... anyways).. while he does possess great physical skill which makes him great when it comes time to fight - his acting left an awful lot to be desired.... i know i know, he wasn't a trained actor - but i've seen actors with less talent show more depth through expression than Laz's wooden performance at times.... all around terrific film - it's just i can't get excited over Laz as Bond..

    #3... switching gears.... LALD i believe is underrated by a lot of fans here... is it campy? sure - but it's no more campy than DAF, and is certainly not as gawdy as TSWLM, MR or DAD... it's plot is simple, and no less interesting than the underlying plot of LTK - plus i believe the trio of performances by Moore, Seymour, and Kotto are enough to carry this film..

    I'd agree in part of the first statement, Dr. No is a bit overrated, but it's still better than Goldfinger, for example.
    I'd say that Lazenby is not overrated, but underrated. Yes, here there might be loads of people apreciating his acting, but he's a better Bond, not actor, than Brosnan and Dalton *runs away*
    And I agree about the underrating of LALD, however is worse than TMWTGG or TSWLM. It's a great presentation for Moore...
  • HASEROTHASEROT has returned like the tedious inevitability of an unloved season---
    Posts: 4,399
    @0iker0

    I find LALD a far more enjoyable experience for me than TMWTGG.. the story/plot isn't as convoluted... i also rate TMWTGG as a film full of wasted opportunities as well - so it's no secret i don't think fondly upon it... even Martin's score in LALD surpasses Barry's in TMWTGG - which compared to his other efforts, felt like he really phoned it in.
  • edited March 2012 Posts: 501
    HASEROT wrote:
    @0iker0

    I find LALD a far more enjoyable experience for me than TMWTGG.. the story/plot isn't as convoluted... i also rate TMWTGG as a film full of wasted opportunities as well - so it's no secret i don't think fondly upon it... even Martin's score in LALD surpasses Barry's in TMWTGG - which compared to his other efforts, felt like he really phoned it in.

    it's true that it's not Barry's best score, however, it has the greatest villain, Scaramanga. It has what is known as "the Bond island", which is beautiful. It has chases, it's fun to watch, and the story is not that dated, taking into acount that nowadays loads of companies are looking for the ultimate green energy.... It has, as I said in another post, the best Bond, Moore, with Connery, they're the two sides of a coin. Plus, it's my favourite Bond movie...
  • HASEROTHASEROT has returned like the tedious inevitability of an unloved season---
    edited March 2012 Posts: 4,399
    0iker0 wrote:
    HASEROT wrote:
    @0iker0

    I find LALD a far more enjoyable experience for me than TMWTGG.. the story/plot isn't as convoluted... i also rate TMWTGG as a film full of wasted opportunities as well - so it's no secret i don't think fondly upon it... even Martin's score in LALD surpasses Barry's in TMWTGG - which compared to his other efforts, felt like he really phoned it in.

    it's true that it's not Barry's best score, however, it has the greatest villain, Scaramanga. It has what is known as "the Bond island", which is beautiful. It has chases, it's fun to watch, and the story is not that dated, taking into acount that nowadays loads of companies are looking for the ultimate green energy.... It has, as I said in another post, the best Bond, Moore, with Connery, they're the two sides of a coin. Plus, it's my favourite Bond movie...

    other than Scaramanga's Island, i felt the locations to be rather dull - about as drab as some in FYEO...

    the whole plot involving the solex i felt was shoehorned in to give this film a sense of purpose - but IMO, the story just should've been about Bond being stalked by Scaramanga, who was hired to take him out - in a way like Grant was stalking Bond in FRWL - you'd have Bond looking around every corner, not knowing who to trust, as anyone could be out to set him up to be killed, since he doesn't know what Scaramanga looked like.... it could've been a real thriller, and didn't need the rather useless mcguffin..

    thats just my humble opinion though lol..
  • Posts: 278
    JBFan626 wrote:
    Before I joined this forum, I had a lot of friends who grew up in the 70's and 80's who genuinely considered Moore their favorite Bond and a lot who thought Brosnan was pretty good. Again, what you grew up with has a lot to do with your preference.

    This is very true my friend, I grew up in the 70's/80's and RM was my Bond until I discovered SC & GL...!!
    I have a love for them all to be honest, they all have they best bits and one or two outstanding films in the series each?!
    GL in OHMSS is one of my favorite films, but I think its more for the style of the movie than anything else!?
    The direction was great, the cinematography, costumes, and the masterpiece of a score!! George was good and bad, but hey there all guilty of that!!?
    Given another chance he'd of grown into it, but that's another thread!!
    But I cant help cringe a little when I see PB doing his stuff in TWINE & DAD more so, he really does over play(Ham it up) to much!? For me a soft Bond, give me SC-GL-RM?-TD-DC any day over PB!!!!!! \:D/
  • Posts: 278
    TMWTGG is Barry's worse Bond score, but I cant help but love the title song when played at the end, slower and without the pop bits & bobs!!!
    John Barry was not really into the film and had the least amount of time he'd ever had to right the score, the pop/funky sound wasn't his thing!! George Martin did just that in LALD and did it very well, producing one of the best Non-Barry scores in the series!!? :)>-
    I met George Martin at the John Barry Memorial Concert last year, he is a giant 6'3" man with the most lovely nature, really warm and happy to chat!!
    I then went on to bump into TD, who is also a Giant, but less warm!?... But I forgive him for not allowing me and my son a picture.....Just!!! X(
  • Agent007391Agent007391 Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, B, A, Start
    Posts: 7,854
    echo wrote:
    echo wrote:
    Does anybody care about Dominic Greene?!? I like how Craig indirectly killed him. That was revenge for Fields.

    Revenge for killing a character that had less than 4 minutes of screentime... =)) It's Bond that should have been killed for banging a girl that was looked underage.

    How else can you read it but revenge? He killed Greene the same way Greene killed Fields.

    Actually, a two bullets in the head killed Greene, and a Quantum hit man did that.
  • DaltonCraig007DaltonCraig007 They say, "Evil prevails when good men fail to act." What they ought to say is, "Evil prevails."
    edited March 2012 Posts: 15,715
    Robert Brown was a most awful M and never should of been given the time of day

    Que ?? Brown is the best M by far !!
    HASEROT wrote:

    #1... Dr. No is a bit overrated, and a tad boring..... while yes, I do enjoy the movie and also realize that without Dr No, there probably wouldn't be 22 other Bond films, I can't help but get lulled to sleep during this film from time to time.... first doesn't always mean best, as FRWL, GF, and TB are all superior to DN in almost every category (except maybe Honey in that bikini ;)

    Totally agree. I watched DN the other day, and I couldn't finish it. Don't take me wrong, Connery is utterly magnificient in the role, but the films is just so damn slow ! If only Barry had scored the film, it might improve.
  • Posts: 11,189
    I like DN but always considered it as a "prototype" for future Bond films. It's probably more restrained than future films (and indeed Fleming's novel) but set the standard for future films.
  • DaltonCraig007DaltonCraig007 They say, "Evil prevails when good men fail to act." What they ought to say is, "Evil prevails."
    edited March 2012 Posts: 15,715
    BAIN123 wrote:
    I like DN but always considered it as a "prototype" for future Bond films. It's probably more restrained than future films (and indeed Fleming's novel) but set the standard for future films.

    DN always seemed like it was filmed on no budget. IMO it's just too wobbly at times, the terrible music, the terrible editing... yes it set the blueprint for the rest of the franchise, and that's great... but jeez it's such a chore to watch it all the way through... I have never seen a movie with a slow pace like that !! It's painfully slow. After what seems like 10 hours, you look at your watch and you think 'err only 40 minutes gone ? still more than 1 hour to go ?? *dies*'

  • Posts: 1,052
    Dr No, does have a fairly slow pace but DN and FRWL are my favrouite Connery films and I find that the later Connery films drag a lot more than his first two.
  • DaltonCraig007DaltonCraig007 They say, "Evil prevails when good men fail to act." What they ought to say is, "Evil prevails."
    Posts: 15,715
    Dr No, does have a fairly slow pace but DN and FRWL are my favrouite Connery films and I find that the later Connery films drag a lot more than his first two.

    But DAF is just so damn well written, tons of classic scenes and lots of quotable lines... I can't see how DAF drags on when there's always something to make you laugh every 30 seconds, and time flies by !! Ok maybe YOLT drags a bit in some scenes, but Barry's score and the cinematography are so breathtaking you are in awe in front of your telly !!
  • Posts: 1,052
    I've never been a hug fan of YOLT, I agree that DAF is good fun and it's very easy to watch with Connery giving a mellowed out performance which is not a bad thing in this particular film.

    I've never really like big battle scenes in Bond films, like TB, YOLT as i find the films tend drag when Bond is not on screen enough, I prefer when he works mostly alone.
  • edited March 2012 Posts: 157
    A View To A Kill is almost a remake of Goldfinger (film), with elements of Licence Renewed, For Special Services and Role of Honour (novels).

    An Icebreaker adaptation would be awesome!
  • Agent007391Agent007391 Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, B, A, Start
    Posts: 7,854
    If only Barry had scored the film, it might improve.

    I thought he did. The way they make it seem on the "Inside Dr. No" documentary on the DVD, Monty Norman was taking too long, so they brought in John Barry.
  • DaltonCraig007DaltonCraig007 They say, "Evil prevails when good men fail to act." What they ought to say is, "Evil prevails."
    Posts: 15,715
    If only Barry had scored the film, it might improve.

    I thought he did. The way they make it seem on the "Inside Dr. No" documentary on the DVD, Monty Norman was taking too long, so they brought in John Barry.

    ?? Barry only rearranged the Bond theme for DN, the rest of the score is from Norman.

  • echoecho 007 in New York
    Posts: 6,288
    0iker0 wrote:
    I'd say that Lazenby is not overrated, but underrated. Yes, here there might be loads of people apreciating his acting, but he's a better Bond, not actor, than Brosnan and Dalton *runs away*

    Well put. I agree with this.

  • echoecho 007 in New York
    Posts: 6,288
    echo wrote:
    echo wrote:
    Does anybody care about Dominic Greene?!? I like how Craig indirectly killed him. That was revenge for Fields.

    Revenge for killing a character that had less than 4 minutes of screentime... =)) It's Bond that should have been killed for banging a girl that was looked underage.

    How else can you read it but revenge? He killed Greene the same way Greene killed Fields.

    Actually, a two bullets in the head killed Greene, and a Quantum hit man did that.

    That doesn't change Bond's motive of revenge.
  • Posts: 1,497
    Tracy wrote:
    -Just cuz you don't care for Bassey...that doesn't make her a terrible singer , she's just not your cup o' tea.

    I for one love Bassey. I think her three songs are the best songs of the series. But as a teenager watching the Bond films for the first time back in the late 90's I admit I thought her songs were a bit cheesy and dated. I felt the same way about Nancy Sinatra and YOLT. But I opened my mind a bit since, and let the beauty of those songs sink in and they damn nearly changed my life! (Ok, maybe I'm exaggerating) But DAF and MR send chills down my spine when I hear them
    If only Barry had scored the film, it might improve.

    Amazing what a little bit of music will do. There are long stretches of silence in Dr. NO and I feel like the film would have propelled full speed ahead with a proper Barry score.
    Dr No, does have a fairly slow pace but DN and FRWL are my favrouite Connery films and I find that the later Connery films drag a lot more than his first two.

    You want to talk about Bond films dragging, well here's some controversy for you...the card game in Casino Royale is long, boring and overly drawn out (:|
  • Agent007391Agent007391 Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, B, A, Start
    Posts: 7,854
    echo wrote:
    echo wrote:
    echo wrote:
    Does anybody care about Dominic Greene?!? I like how Craig indirectly killed him. That was revenge for Fields.

    Revenge for killing a character that had less than 4 minutes of screentime... =)) It's Bond that should have been killed for banging a girl that was looked underage.

    How else can you read it but revenge? He killed Greene the same way Greene killed Fields.

    Actually, a two bullets in the head killed Greene, and a Quantum hit man did that.

    That doesn't change Bond's motive of revenge.

    I'm merely pointing out that Bond didn't kill Greene.
  • edited March 2012 Posts: 1,082
    Here is another one: CR is the most overrated Bond movie.
    Up until 2006 that title belonged to FRWL, GF and OHMSS (among Bond fans).
  • 002002
    Posts: 581
    heres a contriversial topic:

    The Early 60's Connery (Dr. No and FRWL) lack pace and boredom
  • Posts: 1,082
    002 wrote:
    heres a contriversial topic:

    The Early 60's Connery (Dr. No and FRWL) lack pace and boredom

    Agree about the pace atleast (but I don´t think neither is boring to watch, DN is just slow and FRWL drags alot).

  • PrinceKamalKhanPrinceKamalKhan Monsoon Palace, Udaipur
    edited March 2012 Posts: 3,262
    Here's a few of mine:

    I detest the microchip in the arm bit in CR.
    Tiger Tanaka is the coolest male ally in the series and is even cooler than Bond in YOLT.
    Helga Brandt a/k/a SPECTRE #11(YOLT) is a very underrated Bond villainess who had the misfortune of being the immediate successor to a very tough act to follow(Fiona Volpe in TB).
    Caroline Munro and Barbara Bach should've switched roles in TSWLM.
    I prefer Robert Brown's M to Dame Judi Dench's M.
    I prefer Caroline Bliss' Miss Moneypenny to Samantha Bond's Miss Moneypenny.
    I think John Cleese made a worthy successor to Desmond Llewellyn.
    I prefer David Arnold's Bond film scores to Eric Serra's GE score.
    I prefer TMWTGG to LALD, MR to TSWLM, and OP to FYEO.
    I think Mary Goodnight is hilarious and greatly enjoy Britt Ekland's performance as her.
    I like Paris McKenna Carver and think she should've been the main girl in TND.
    I think the first 2/3 of DAD makes for the best Brosnan film.
    I find FYEO decent but overrated and not nearly as much fun of a Moore entry to watch as MR, OP or TMWTGG. I also think TLD, CR and LTK are more satisfying as serious "back to Fleming" Bond films than FYEO is.
    I actually enjoy the fire truck chase in AVTAK.
    I find Pam(LTK) and Wai Lin(TND) vastly overrated.
    Holly(MR) is the best female agent in the series.
    Brosnan is my least favorite of the 6 Bond actors.
    In LTK, Bond picked the wrong girl to end the film with.
  • 002002
    Posts: 581
    1) Well it was the only bit of Gadgetry in Casino Royale- it was okay
    2) he was good in YOLT wish he appeared in future films
    3) Agree
    4) Nah Barbra despite not being a good actress is beautiful and feels right for the part
    5) well i like Judi's M but i think Robert did well with Moore's Bond than Daltons
    6) ummm well both are good but in shadow compared to the original Moneypenny
    7) Yes i agree and im pissed off that they choose a teenager over him in Skyfall
    8) David Arnold does a good score for TND and DAD but Eric does good with GE
    9) No, Maybe and Well yes but both OP and FYEO were brillaint
    10) meh not really but she does look good in a bikini
    11) ummm i thought she was
    12) Yes i agree but Goldeneye is still Brosnans Best
    13) TLD, CR and LTK are good, FYEO is good but its 80's heavy
    14) yeah there alot of things i like in AVTAK the fight at the end is great
    15) yeah i didnt like there charaters much especially Pam i felt she was too arrogant
    16) honestly Holly goodhead was my childhood crush when i watched MR
    17) heavily disagree with you there
    18) well i suppose Pam and Bond have more of a connection
  • Posts: 11,189
    Here's one:

    David Arnold's made some decent Bond scores.
  • Agent007391Agent007391 Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, B, A, Start
    Posts: 7,854
    I enjoy David Arnold's scores.
    Bond doesn't need to be all action/no plot.
    Smart Bond girls CAN work.
    I count GE2010 and Blood Stone in continuity with Craig's films.
    Sean Bean would have made a better Bond than Brosnan, and would have been a better villain for Dalton.
    Goldfinger just plain sucked.
    We need to see a tree get chopped down at least once where it threatens Bond's life.
    Quantum RULES! (The organization, I mean.)
    Mr. White IS the next Blofeld.
    Telly Savalas was the best Blofeld (followed shortly by Donald Pleasance, with Charles Gray trailing so far behind it's insulting).
    DAD should not have happened.
    Barely anybody noticed Bond taking the grape in DAD as a reference to TB.
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