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That said I have enjoyed some of Mr. Moore's performances, but more in a purely escapist sort of way.
Tut tut! Enjoying Bond as pure escapism? Whatever was Roger thinking of? Next we'll have people saying Bond films are supposed to be enjoyable and entertaining. Don't know what the world is coming to...
I said this before, but it was Moore who suggested Dalton to Cubby back in the 80's. Of course, Dalts was on the radar without Moore realising it.
"what a helpful chap!"
Moore was a leading man while Dalton was primarily a serious stage actor.
Dalton did a great version of Bond, but of course Moore was very popular with the audience for many years.
Just stirring (not shaking...)
Anyway...Dalton for me. TLD was the film that got me into Bond. As a kid I was swept up in the fanfare leading up to the 15th Bond and 25th anniversary. And I started reading the books immediately after and could easily imagine Dalton as Bond. Therefore, while I enjoyed the Moore films I also couldn't shake how different they were from the novels. And he was swiftly placed behind Connery and Dalton as my preferred 007. But as I've gotten older Ive appreciated Moore and I especially appreciate how vital he was to keeping the franchise alive. Without him Bond wouldn't be what he is today and I think you can't really say the same for Dalton or Lazenby. Also, Moore films that I used to dislike intensely such as Moonraker I've actually enjoying reevaluating and defending (although that's probably more to do with my contrary nature!) whereas films I thought were ok, like MWTGG and DAF, I now don't care for at all.
(just kiddin').
Although I enjoy both and I fully appreciate Moore for the effortless charm, I much prefer Dalton on all accounts.
The why: He's just the perfect embodiment of sophistication and genuine danger. Could as easily pick the perfect wine or sistematically eff you up if you rub him the wrong way.
They're both great in their own way, I agree, but I prefer Dalton overall. He WAS Bond.
What am I doing? Never thought I'd find myself arguing against the Daltinator on mi6community...? It's a sign of the times how much the Daltinator is back in fashion. A friend of mine was telling me how much he liked SF the other day, but then conceded that none of the DC movies was as good as TD's.
Dalton's films are good but there is no way they are better than CR and SF
I'm pretty sure Dalton would genuinely agree with me too. Craig has had better directors for one thing.
TLD & LTK blow CR, QOS & SF out of the water in my view. SF is Craigs best Bond, but even then it's an average Bond film.
That's what I don't like about it actually. No need to make it a reboot. For one thing, I reckon Craig was too old to do play a rookie. They ditched Q and Moneypenny only to reintroduce them later, and things have pretty much gone back to normal anyway. What is the point?
In a way, I think SF is what CR should've been. It feels sort of like a reboot but it actually bothers to introduce the secondary characters and adds some gadgets and more humour.
They'd changed direction tons of times before. FYEO, TLD, TWINE, etc. They could've easily gone back down to earth and made CR virtually the same, without the reboot.
Better directors? Mendes has bought some talented people along and Campbell did some brilliant action scenes but neither of them have been able to do what John Glen did and churn out consistently good (except AVTAK) Bond films for almost 10 years. Mendes is already on about having a rest after doing one, Campbell did 2 in the space of 11 years.
Technically they might have better directors but none of them have been able to do what Glen did. Glen is my favourite Bond director.
CR is alright and I really liked SF but I think TLD and LTK are much better. I think Dalton is one of the only Bonds to have never done a bad film (the other is Lazenby). True he had a shorter era but LTK was much better than QOS and his 3rd film sounded cool.
John Glenn is a good director and was the last of his kind (i.e. be part of the Bond family before becoming a director) but IMO Campbell and Mendes have a bit more...umph to them style-wise.
However, I'm glad Roger Moore took up the role. Some would say his tenure was too long, but my 2 Moore favorites Bond films are Octopussy and A View To A Kill.
Timothy Dalton was 29 when LALD came out wasn't he? I think he would have been perfect at that age for a CR adaptation (ala Craig). His youth would have made the whole rookie angle believable. I do agree that for just the regular Bond mission, Bond should be a more mature man... about 35 to 40 years old like Dalton himself once said.