SirHenryLeeChaChing's For Original Fans - Favorite Moments In NTTD (spoilers)

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  • TLD has some very "classic" moments, to be sure: the fight between Bond and Necross, hanging from the cargo net, is one of the best fights in the whole series -- right up there with the battle against Red Grant on the train and the tussle with Oddjob inside the Fort Knox vault! As @GoldenGun notes, Bond's romance with Kara is one the most most natural-seeming romances in the entire series. I think the element that prevents us from seeing this particular film as a classic, is the relative weakness of the villains.

    LTK has a great villain in Sanchez, but a pretty weak plot in my own estimation. As always, your mileage may vary.
  • GoldenGunGoldenGun Per ora e per il momento che verrà
    Posts: 7,113
    I know the consensus is that TLD's villains are pretty weak. I don't agree however, Joe Don Baker is perfectly serviceable as Whitaker but Jeroen Krabbé is definitely a highlight of the film. Koskov is such a slimy, though rather charismatic figure. Finally, there is Necros too. He's maybe another Grant type, I think he's one the best henchmen nevertheless.
  • Could it be the "Bond hooks up with the Taliban" sub-plot that holds this film back from wide-spread approval? It's one of my favorite aspects of the film -- but that's because, back in the day, I remember thinking "Eon may come to regret this before too long!" -- but at the time, Russian was at war with Afghanistan, and the enemy of my enemy is my friend. Still, these days, I have heard some people bemoan this particular plot-point...
  • GoldenGunGoldenGun Per ora e per il momento che verrà
    edited September 2016 Posts: 7,113
    One must be ignorant if one uses that against TLD. In 1987 the West was more than happy to help the Afghan resistance. Besides, only a small part of that resistance became Taliban.
    Furthermore, it actually reminds us how problematic short-term solutions can be in world conflicts.
    Every film should be looked at in its own time frame. I don't see GF being regarded as a lesser movie because Bond forces himself on a woman either.
  • Posts: 4,325
    Could it be the "Bond hooks up with the Taliban" sub-plot that holds this film back from wide-spread approval? It's one of my favorite aspects of the film -- but that's because, back in the day, I remember thinking "Eon may come to regret this before too long!" -- but at the time, Russian was at war with Afghanistan, and the enemy of my enemy is my friend. Still, these days, I have heard some people bemoan this particular plot-point...

    @BeatlesSansEarmuffs Bond didn't hook up with the Taliban, the Taliban didn't exist when The Living Daylights was released. The Taliban came into being after the Afghan-Soviet war not during it. The Mujahideen split up into rival factions, ONE of which was the Taliban - I like to think Kamran didn't come part of the Taliban :)
  • tanaka123 wrote: »
    Could it be the "Bond hooks up with the Taliban" sub-plot that holds this film back from wide-spread approval? It's one of my favorite aspects of the film -- but that's because, back in the day, I remember thinking "Eon may come to regret this before too long!" -- but at the time, Russian was at war with Afghanistan, and the enemy of my enemy is my friend. Still, these days, I have heard some people bemoan this particular plot-point...

    @BeatlesSansEarmuffs Bond didn't hook up with the Taliban, the Taliban didn't exist when The Living Daylights was released. The Taliban came into being after the Afghan-Soviet war not during it. The Mujahideen split up into rival factions, ONE of which was the Taliban - I like to think Kamran didn't come part of the Taliban :)

    Ah yes, quite right -- the Mujahideen. My apologies for the inaccuracy of my memory. I obviously need to rewatch TLD!
  • Posts: 4,325
    tanaka123 wrote: »
    Could it be the "Bond hooks up with the Taliban" sub-plot that holds this film back from wide-spread approval? It's one of my favorite aspects of the film -- but that's because, back in the day, I remember thinking "Eon may come to regret this before too long!" -- but at the time, Russian was at war with Afghanistan, and the enemy of my enemy is my friend. Still, these days, I have heard some people bemoan this particular plot-point...

    @BeatlesSansEarmuffs Bond didn't hook up with the Taliban, the Taliban didn't exist when The Living Daylights was released. The Taliban came into being after the Afghan-Soviet war not during it. The Mujahideen split up into rival factions, ONE of which was the Taliban - I like to think Kamran didn't come part of the Taliban :)

    Ah yes, quite right -- the Mujahideen. My apologies for the inaccuracy of my memory. I obviously need to rewatch TLD!

    Just think, if Dalton was able to carry on in the early 1990s they could have had Bond and Kamran meet up again to take on the rival Taliban!
  • ThunderfingerThunderfinger Das Boot Hill
    Posts: 45,489
    And Bond with a long beard.
  • Posts: 4,044
    And Bond with a long beard.

    Die Another Day?
  • BondJasonBond006BondJasonBond006 on fb and ajb
    Posts: 9,020
    A classic needs a memorable, maybe even iconic, villain or opponent.

    DN
    FRWL
    GF
    YOLT
    OHMSS
    TMWTGG
    TSWLM
    MR
    OP
    GE
    CR
  • While I'm not all that thrilled w/ Brad Whitaker or General Koskov, I think Necross is pretty memorable. And General Pushkin is a GREAT supporting character/maybe (but not really) villain.
  • Posts: 4,325
    Birdleson wrote: »
    It's not that he is aiding the future Taliban (which is a always a bit odd when viewing it these days), for me it is that the movie takes a turn for the worse at that point. I lose interest.

    But he's not aiding the future Taliban.
  • GoldenGunGoldenGun Per ora e per il momento che verrà
    Posts: 7,113
    One could also look at TLD in another light. Maybe it doesn't have the strongest villains, it might just have the strongest collection of allies: Art Malik, Thomas Wheatley and the always impressive John Rhys-Davies.
  • GoldenGun wrote: »
    One could also look at TLD in another light. Maybe it doesn't have the strongest villains, it might just have the strongest collection of allies: Art Malik, Thomas Wheatley and the always impressive John Rhys-Davies.

    Yes, but it's ALSO got one of the weakest Felix Leiters ever. And that's saying something!
  • Birdleson wrote: »
    @BeatlesSansEarmuffs , I say move on.

    We're always open to new topics. Your suggestion, sir? (Yes, yes, my review of the novel TMWTGG is coming...soon...(-er or later...)
  • ThunderfingerThunderfinger Das Boot Hill
    Posts: 45,489
    Next topic:

    Which of you Originals is the closest to James Bond himself? Tell us why. Violence and substance abuse counts.
  • royale65royale65 Caustic misanthrope reporting for duty.
    edited September 2016 Posts: 4,423
    Now, this I'd like to read!
  • "I need hardly remind you that we are still bound by the Official Secrets act."

    Levity aside, I'm not a violent man. Substance abuse and License to Break the Traffic Laws are other issues entirely. And as for my love life: a gentleman prefers not to Kiss & Tell.
  • 4EverBonded4EverBonded the Ballrooms of Mars
    edited October 2016 Posts: 12,480
    OK, folks! Here we are. Having finished a good discussion on what makes a "classic" Bond, we are moving on. But first, I'd like to thank @BeatlesSansEarmuffs for carrying this thread forward so ably, for so long, and for putting together our classic Bonds. You deserve at least a pair of Bond cufflinks, dear Beatles. =D>

    Next up: I'd like to talk about one of these two topics. But if you have another idea, please let me know.
    * ahem! * ... Personal escapades of how we have lived like Bond will need to wait for another time. That would hijack our thread (including me .... oh, the ninja fun we have had over here!) as we re-told our tales of high adventure. And some of us are still bound by the Official Secrets Act, yes. ;)

    CHOOSE ONE and then we will discuss, starting tomorrow (I hope).

    Topic A - Why do you think Bond is still relevant? (or not)

    Topic B - If you could choose to actually LIVE in one (choose only one) Bond film, which would it be and why?

    Off we go, give me your thoughts, and do carry on, friends. Cheers!
  • BondJasonBond006BondJasonBond006 on fb and ajb
    edited October 2016 Posts: 9,020
    Topic Bee
  • 4EverBonded4EverBonded the Ballrooms of Mars
    Posts: 12,480
    Thanks for participating immediately. :) I appreciate it. But please just choose which topic and let me know. We will add our thoughts soon. Thanks!
  • 0BradyM0Bondfanatic70BradyM0Bondfanatic7 Quantum Floral Arrangements: "We Have Petals Everywhere"
    Posts: 28,694
    I think pursuing Topic A would be fruitful. We view these films as entertainment, sure, but I think it's important to express just how important Bond is beyond that in a cultural sense, and examine why he's still around.
  • MrcogginsMrcoggins Following in the footsteps of Quentin Quigley.
    Posts: 3,144
    Topic A from me
  • Interesting choices. I think B would be a lot of fun to discuss and maybe we can do that later; but Topic A is definitely the most on point topic for us right out.

    And also: Good to have you back, @4Ever!
  • 4EverBonded4EverBonded the Ballrooms of Mars
    Posts: 12,480
    We will do both! ;) Just decide for now which one, then we shall do the other one after. But what to start with .... ? B-)
  • 4EverBonded4EverBonded the Ballrooms of Mars
    Posts: 12,480
    Looking like A so far ... :)

    I'll decide end of the day (it is morning for me now). Hoping to hear from others, too .... like @Sandy, @royale65, @CommanderRoss, @thelivingroyale, @Birdleson, @NicNac, @Benny, @DarthDimi, @Thunderfinger, and of course more Originals, too, please ... and thank you! :>
  • Posts: 4,044
    I guess A is more important.

    I currently live in Casino Royale 1967. Things happen every day that are not funny and make no sense.
  • vzok wrote: »
    I guess A is more important.

    I currently live in Casino Royale 1967. Things happen every day that are not funny and make no sense.

    At least you have "The Look of Love"...
  • Posts: 4,044
    vzok wrote: »
    I guess A is more important.

    I currently live in Casino Royale 1967. Things happen every day that are not funny and make no sense.

    At least you have "The Look of Love"...

    Yes, but it's on my face.
  • GoldenGunGoldenGun Per ora e per il momento che verrà
    Posts: 7,113
    Forgive me for asking, but when are you considered an original?
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