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Thanks, Chris! Cheers to you! I'm having a very good day today so far. :-bd
I try to Never Say Never. Sir Sean taught us that much. Similarly, I generally steer away from proclaiming what will be happening ALL the time. Forever is a long, long time...and anything that CAN happen probably will, sooner or later.
Perhaps, rather than referencing particular past actors as visually representing the best look for Bond, I should have referenced Hoagy Carmichael and the one illustration we from Ian Fleming's own hand regarding his take on the physical appearance of 007. Yes, I am something of a Fleming purist, although I feel that Richard Mailbaum's improvements on the plot of Goldfinger did substantially improve that storyline.
Happy Birthday indeed, @4EverBonded! And many happy returns!
I definitely got more out of the 2nd and 3rd viewings. Much more. And my feelings settled in the same general area as my first viewing, but the richness of the movie was more realized for me upon repeated viewings. Especially for this movie, with its historic and challenging ending, I urge every Bond fan to see it at least twice. It makes a difference, and it will help you solidify your own feelings and appreciation of the film.
When is the DVD coming out in America? In the UK it is Dec. 20th, I think. I'm buying it asap, of course. Does anyone know the exact date of release for the DVD for the U.S.? Just wondering.
Full reviews here will not be until after Christmas. I had to reassess that. But I think that gives everyone time to see the film, even on DVD, more than once. Following the standard format as we always do here for reviews; that will be fun!
In the meantime, I am going to switch the topic here to Favorite Moments in NTTD.
So let's talk about that this weekend a bit. Even many members who dislike the ending find many other things they do like about this movie.
Yes, we will do the opposite also (What We Would Change About NTTD) ... but AFTER listing some of the enjoyable parts of the movie that really stood out for us. So please don't turn this current topic into "I liked this, but then the movie ruined it for me because ... blah, blah, yada, yada ...". Try to do a real paragraph or two, or bullet list of what you enjoyed and why. Gripes come after a chat about what we liked in the movie. :)>-
I will post my list of favorite moments in NTTD shortly. Meanwhile, anyone can join in.
Cheers! B-)
My issue is trying to form all my thoughts on this movie (there's too much!) into a cohesive whole. Still chipping away at my in-depth review, and definitely struggling. I just feel like I'm rambling without much order to it. Hopefully I can keep at it and get it to a place I'm happy with. I just have too much to say, as there is so much to talk about!
First, already during the film, I had the feeling I was finally seeing Ian Fleming's James Bond. His reactions (i.e. to the PTS bomb attack on him) fitted perfectly with how I read him. He's tough but human, caring but closing that down when duty demands it. He is fallible, knows it, but never gives up.
I'm glad they managed to put SPECTRE in a different light. Safin's plan and execution work for me, and the fact that he (ab)uses SPECTRE for it makes it even stronger. Bond is no longer fighting one 'arch enemy', but a plethora of evil forces.
The film incorporates some interesting aspects of You Only Live Twice (the book), with it's ending almost a mirror image, in the film the valves have to open to let the fire come from above, in the book it's closed to let the fire from below start the explosions. It even allows for a restart as Fleming did in TMWTGG, allthough I don't think they will.
So if he does indeed die, that means Craig's Bond comes full circle. For me that works, as his tenure for me encapsulates ALL Bond's missions. They all fall between CR and NTTD. It is even symbolised (again, in my mind) by the use of Bond's cars: we see him drive the AM DB5, the V8 and jump in the very latest model, spanning Bonds' full car history. The Bond- films are sagas that can play in any timeframe. This is hinted to by Madeleine when she proposes to tell her daughter 'about a man named Bond, James Bond'. IIRC a similar line is used at the start of the Mad Max films: again, a saga series in which not the details matter, but the mans' behaviour.
This film hits exactly the right amount of humour, delivered in the most perfect of ways. Ana de Arma's Paloma is endearing immediately and yet professional, giving her character so much personality in such a short time. Craigs' delivery of 'I just showed him your watch', 'It blew his mind' is absolutely perfect.
The only thing, if I need to find something negative, to me is Wright's Leiter. I thought he was more solid and serious in both CR and QoS. I missed that. He indeed seems to smile too much. Still, that's a very minor quibble in a film that has the right pace, absolute wonderful locale's, is cinematographically stunning, has some of the finest acting in any Bond-film and has a story comes close to anything Fleming has writen.
p.s thanks to the earlier shout-out @4EverBonded , I'm sorry I couldn't come back earlier. And of course a belated happy birthday!
I had the same thing after my second viewing. I just went on a couple of rant sessions and spewed out every thought I'd had including setting up the atmosphere and it stands at almost 2,000 words currently without additions or revisions. I doubt anybody would want that much about it, so perhaps I'll break it up.
Great review, CommanderRoss. Gave me a lot to think about.
I am at lunch, at work, but I will be getting my list of Favorite Moments in No Time To Die soon.
Folks stopping by here, and all Originals especially, please give a few of your favorite moments from this film. Short and sweet list or more expansive, but we'd love to hear from you on this thread about what you most enjoyed in NTTD. Cheers! :-bd
I could have written the bulk of that myself.
What I like about this film is that it encompasses so much of what I enjoy in Bond movies, and does it very well indeed. The overall satisfaction of having a Bond movie that hit the right notes all the way through, with a unique ending that many will not accept but others find utterly appropriate and very well done. I did not feel at any time this movie was overreaching, resorting to near parody or real camp.
Indeed, NTTD gave me pretty much all that I really have a blast with when I watch James Bond movies. I have plenty of favorite moments in No Time To Die. Here are a few:
That's all for a start. Please give us some of your favorite moments in NTTD. I didn't even mention the fight scene in the forest ... or Q ... so much to enjoy in this movie. What bits did you like the most? Come on, chime in. B-)
I enjoy all my Bond movies and have never tried to keep one timeline for them; impossible. I think of each new Bond actor as bringing us something new, slightly different or a lot different, but giving us James Bond adventures. All kinds. Bring it on!
I have a good Bond friend who now hates the film because of the ending. But he didn't at first. He enjoyed it all up to the final sequence. But that feeling of complete rejection of the ending ate away at his previous enjoyment and that's all he has left now. So basically, he has had to just turn away from NTTD and dismiss it. The ending was that unacceptable to him. I have only one friend that extreme in reaction; others vary, but it seems that there are plenty of people who dislike the ending, even a lot, but still enjoy other parts of the movie.
No Time To Die will remain divisive to an extent for a long time, among the older fans especially. Just my opinion. I don't worry or bother about it being controversial; that does not bother me. The fandom will continue. Plenty for everybody to enjoy. NTTD is a solid Bond movie, beautifully done, and the general public have made it a success (during a pandemic, no less). It's now part of the history in this series, and the next one will be different. We just don't know how different.
I enjoyed parts of Spectre - and it certainly fit the formula that many fans said they wanted, including that ending. (So YES they have the ending they want; that's good, they can keep it.) But it left me empty and feeling it was okay overall. I am used to stronger emotions from Daniel's films. I only saw Spectre once in the cinema.
We had too long a wait for NTTD, but I am very glad we got the director and cinematographer we ended up with. Would I change the script a bit? Yes, sure; but only here and there. I would keep the ending as I feel it fits this Bond's personal story really well, and it was heroic (as it should be for Bond). Would I change any of the actors' performances? I think not. Part of the pleasure of NTTD for me is that I enjoy seeing it again and again, with each time giving me a little more to smile about or be moved. Spectre had potential. NTTD hit it out of the ballpark. It is, in many ways a memorable Bond movie (not only because of the now forever famous ending).
And thanks for mentioning Bond sailing his boat; I loved that scene. I wish we had a bit more of that. So many great moments in NTTD.
Flawed, bitter at times, ups and downs. No superhero powers really. And I'm taking that as one thing you really liked about NTTD. Bond's realism.
I have to say that every bit of Fleming Bond fan within me wants to NOT have some kind of miraculous saving of Daniel Craig's Bond in any form in future movies. I feel quite strongly about this (obviously). The next Bond IS James Bond; just a new set of adventures, with a new Bond. I feel that with every new Bond actor - while still appreciating nods and callbacks to previous films. I just enjoy a new James Bond story every time.
If it is like "all a dream" or "amnesia" or in any kind of squirming to fit and explain that Bond, that James Bond, did NOT die in NTTD - I will be very upset. I truly do not want them to go that route. At all. And it is utterly unnecessary.
I will reread YOLT soon. However, cinematic Bond gives us different takes, different stories on Bond, and I like that and want to keep it that way. We have Daniel Craig's entire tenure set aside as just ONE story, from beginning to end, and I value that a lot.
But the next Bond film needs to be clean, a new adventure, with hopefully NO references to NTTD's Bond.
So ... any thoughtful comments here are welcome. But let's also throw in some favorite moments from NTTD. Cheers! B-)
Meanwhile, if anybody would like to share particulars of what they enjoyed in NTTD, that woudl be great. I'll be changing the topic in a day or two. B-)
What occurred to me is that No Time To Die gives me pretty much the exact balance I find most satisfying in a Bond movie - from the opening PTS through Cuba. After that, it takes a serious turn, which is suitable for that movie (I am not complaining), that particular story. But my point is that until that change in tone and storyline NTTD is, for me, a beautiful, thoughtful, exciting, and fun Bond adventure. It's full of moments that make me smile, be emotional, and also laugh. So YES, that is what I want in Bond 26 ... but a continuance of that kind of balance. I could probably list the entire first 2/3rds of NTTD as "favorite moments" in that film.
I'd like to hear from members here (Originals and everybody else) what do you think of that portion of NTTD? Were the earlier parts of NTTD mostly enjoyable or satisfying for you? We do not need to discuss the ending here. But do you find it balanced in a good way, between serious and amusing moments? Also what other Bond films can you name that you find are well balanced; not too campy, serious, or erratic in tone?
Some of my favorite older bond films are, with my impressions of balance between serious and fun, lighthearted:
From Russia With Love - not much outright fun in it; a more serious film overall. Tips onto the serious side definitely. But I rate it highly so I'm starting with that.
The Spy Who Loved Me - light indeed, with a rare serious moment when Bond's murdered wife Tracy is mentioned. Other than that, it is a joyful, light movie with Roger at his most relaxed, suave Bond. It has crazy stuff (Jaws for one), but it sparkles for me all the way through. Tips onto the lighter side.
For Your Eyes Only - I find fault with a few things, like the score at times, but it does have a bit more balance to it in tone. Roger gave us more than lighthearted suave Bond all the time. The killing of Locque, his moments of seriousness with Melina. I find it to have a nice balance overall.
The Living Daylights - Dalton's debut gives us both deadly serious moments, a range of emotions for his Bond, and good camaraderie and lighter, more humorous moments with Kara. I think a good example of a balanced Bond film, yet still leaning towards the more serious side.
What are your impressions and thoughts about balance in Bond movies, NTTD and other films? B-)
Meanwhile, I have a feeling (from reading numerous comments on other threads) that for many members NTTD really did have a nice balance - until it turned the corner into the final 3rd of the movie, which was then a lot more serious. I find it to be one of the best, most balanced Bond movies right up till that turning point.
If any Originals (or other members) would like to add some of their favorite moments in NTTD, today and tomorrow would be perfect to chime in here. B-)
Honestly, I am relieved with the director we got for NTTD, because with all the requirements put on him re the story, he did an outstanding job. I think NTTD hums along at a splendid pace and the action is just so good. That whole Cuba sequence through the trawler gives us such a rollercoaster of emotions: fun, excitement, satisfaction (so Bondian), thoughtfulness and quickly turning to somber developments. The fine craftmanship of Cary is clear throughout the movie.
And, at face value it is. A once valued member here would call it Fleming's knack for the 'benign bizarre'. It's (thankfully) outside the realm of reality but told in such a way that we buy it and by jove did I buy it! Perhaps that's why this film works so well and has such a Flemingesque feel (amongst other things).
It's another ingredient (next to @delfloria 's mention of the balance between grit and fun) that makes this film so special.
We get a flashback that will impact later events; a glimpse at Bond and Madeline after he leaves the service; she and Bond trying to come to terms with their pasts; a huge shock; a great action sequence; tense moments; and one of the most impactful leads into the credits of all. It makes such an welcome change to many of the past such sequences with the goofy joke or quip.
I can't wait until next week to watch it again.
Another nice scene is the meeting between M and Bond with the OHMSS soundtrack selection Over & Out. There was just something about that scene that felt more than anything with Dench's M. I could go on and on about NTTD.
I agree with each of your thoughts on NTTD.
Yes, @CommanderRoss; put any Bond script out there to read and the far majority would come across as "silly", implausible" and sometimes for sure "over the top". See Roger's films in particular. The cinema Bond is quite different in tone most of the time from Fleming, as we all know (more than the general public).
Well, one thing I love about NTTD is how many Fleming touches are in it ... while at the same time being a beautifully executed, thoughtful, intriguing, dynamic, exciting, fun Bond movie ... then turning very somber and fateful. To make this cohesive and into a balanced, enjoyable, memorable Bond movie would challenge any director. I think Cary delivers brilliantly. He was saddled with cramming a lot into the movie and steering toward that exact ending. He and Linus were a superb team. Thanks for pointing out just how chock full NTTD is, in a good way - giving us so much to tie in, absorb (really helpful to have at least 2 viewings of it), @BT3366 . That is an important point.
The balance in the film is remarkable and that in itself is one of the aspects I most admire and enjoy in NTTD. It does not veer awkwardly off too far into camp or anything uncomfortable.
The opening is unique and excellent. I don't get how anybody would not enjoy the entire PTS (unless they sulk because Bond himself is not in it). For me, it was fascinating, refreshing, and gave us the important backstory we needed to dive into the rest of this movie. It was a welcome change, quite creative. Including the gunbarrel with no blood dissolving into the first scene. I love that.
@mattjoes it is interesting you like that particular scene with Blofeld so much, because it seems more than a few fans on the forum (even those who like NTTD overall) find it a bit "not quite right" or "off", not comfortable with it. I did not have a problem with it, in any of my viewings (3 so far). I thought it was a great twist and ironic that Blofeld was killed in that particular fashion. A rather surprising, puny death for a man who considered himself to be one of the great manipulators in the entire world. Ha! He deserved that kind of death. No glory in it. No watchful audience of his minions. And it certainly set up the importance of the poison spread by being touched. I didn't mind Bond snapping into strangling him as I thought he was pushed just to that point, and a part of him had simply had enough of this creep ... then quickly enough he got stronger control of himself. So if people feel it was not acting like Bond, I politely disagree. I think this also fit Daniel Craig's Bond, with all he had endured and his particular personality traits. It also moved the story forward, which was important.
We will have a few more days, leading into the weekend, of chatting about our favorite moments in No Time To Die. There are plenty of other scenes we can discuss. Have at it. Cheers! B-)