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I’m back, so to speak. Probably won’t be posting as frequently though.
I always have a blast with this film, and today was no different. There's so much to enjoy here. The villain roster is superb, George Martin's score is Bond funk personified, Jane Seymour is a vision of loveliness, Yaphet Kotto is suitably creepy and Roger Moore is the embodiment of stylish yet deadly cool in his first outing as 007. Most notably, I just enjoy the 70s style and eccentricity which characterizes these later Hamilton entries.
I mentioned this after a previous viewing, but it's good to see Leroy Hollis again as a sheriff (although this time as a Louisiana trooper rather than a Vegas one). This is one of those situations where we can speculate whether he's supposed to be the same chap.
I also wondered today if the film Mr. Big may have been partially modeled on Frank Lucas.
As I've mentioned previously, this remains my most viewed Bond film on blu ray. I revisit it at least once a year. I'm not sure why that is, because I wasn't much of a fan of it when I was younger, but I think it's got something to do with how lush and beautiful it looks on blu ray. All the locations really pop, but most notably Cortina and Corfu. There's certainly a lot to like here too, including a much more serious and determined Roger Moore as Bond. He is much more reserved in this film, and much less loquacious and jovial than normal. His portrayal suits the style of film EON give us here. Stripped down and simple, it concentrates more on stunts and action rather than large sets. Some of that action is truly first class (including the PTS helicopter sequence, the Citroen chase, the ski chase and jump, keelhauling and final St. Cyrils climb). Some of it in contrast is terribly lacklustre (the ridiculous hockey fight, the Neptune sub clash with the geek & the encounter with the bloke in a JIM suit). Similarly, Bill Conti's uneven score is sometimes excellent and sometimes truly cringeworthy. The humour is also somewhat lacking in comparison to other Bond entries, and what they attempt is a bit cheesy (parrot, Maggie). Nevertheless, I always enjoy this scaled down Bond film which marked a change in approach for EON as it entered the 1980s with John Glen at the helm.
Watched this yesterday afternoon to fill a couple of hours on my lazy Sunday.
To be honest it's always been one of my least favourites and for a while I genuinely considered it the worst film in the series. However, trying to go in with a more open mind I have to admit I enjoyed DAF more this time round...well I enjoyed the first 45 minutes of it at least, then as usual became a a slog.
The seedy, darkly comic script sparkles in the first half and - even if he may not be on the level he was previously - Connery is still on good form despite looking poor. He's particularly great in his scenes with Jill St. John and the two have an obvious "conneshion" with one another.
Unfortunately, as Connery climes into that jeep around the 45-minute mark the film starts to lose momentum and becomes more and more goofy with 2 padding action scenes, Blofeld's diamond lazer plan, laughably poor special effects and Jimmy Dean hamming it up.
It does pick up a little though towards the very end thanks to Charles Gray, who seems to be enjoying himself and even mananges to upstage Connery. But the climax genuinely feels rather tedious and is only redeemed somewhat by the boat-fight with Wint and KIdd.
All in all, not as bad this time as I had felt previously, but still doesn't shine with the top Bond films for me. A 5 or 6 out of 10 is a fair score.
I've been like that with DAF. Enjoyed it enough until it gets to the desert.
as I said, I enjoyed it more than I did normally on my re-watch yesterday. Despite it's shortcomings, its got a lot of character.
Still, there's quite a cheap/tacky feel to all of Hamilton's films bar GF I think. That's something I can't quite ignore - at least compared to the epic films in the decade before.
I enjoy the Hamilton films because despite the somewhat tacky flavour, they are distinctively Bond.
The World Is Not Enough
I decided to embark with this little doozy as it was my first Bond on the silver screen. Not much to say, without sounding like a broken record. So here's a observation -
In effect, M created the villain of TWINE by leaving Elektra at the mercy of Renard.
In SP Bond creates the villain by ousting ol' Frany boy as Hans' favorite child.
Didn't say it was interesting, just that it was there.
I will say this however, I haven't enjoyed TWINE quite this much in years. The whole thing - apart from the prosaic direction - was hella on point. (Yes, I'm down with the kids. Innit)
All besides dear Brosnan, alas. Although good in certain scenes, he was outmatched by the splendid, scene chewing majesty that was Sophie Marceau, from girl with a wing down, to spoilt, entitled, melodramatic little rich princess, she is just priceless.
Still old Pierce has probably the coolest scene ever - the caviar assault; Bond bursts through a trapdoor, knocking one goon over and shooting the goon upstairs. Lovely stuff.
Next up is Skyfall, linked with TWINE thus* -
- Both have the villains going after MI6 and M.
- Both have subverted Bond Girls - one is a villain, one is M.
- Explosions at MI6 HQ.
- Have M heavily involved.
- Istanbul baby!
*This Bondathon, I'm going for things that link the Bond together, there has to be a connection, however tenuous it may be.
I agree most of the Afghanistan scenes are a bit tedious, but I do personally still enjoy the climax once we get to that. If if it weren't for that stretch in Afghanistan in between that and the first two thirds of the film, the film could possibly threaten to be in my Top 10. As things stand now, it is #13 on my list. Probably will stay around there. Lots to like, but I agree a dull final third for the most part.
I have mixed feelings about that epilogue climax. It's kind of odd in placement and execution, but it is sort of amusing too. Anyway, LTK remains my preferred films of Dalton's, but both are good.
I'll agree with you, throughout, this is one of Barry's best-ever Bond soundtracks. OHMSS is my #1, but TLD might be #2 for me.
The plane fight is superb, the rest not so much.
The Bond girls are a good reason to watch it... ;)
I think he looks great in NSNA. Instead of unsuccessfully trying to make him look 35, he wears a graying/thinning hairpiece and plays Bond in his '50's. His clothes are appropriate for his age and Bond, IMO. NSNA is a fond favorite of mine in-spite of it's lack of Eon traditions. Great villains, Bond women, and many themes and ideas later recycled by Eon for Pierce and Craig.
When you view it see if you can spot the little moments that recollect scenes in later films, including DAD, SF & GE. I fully agree. Over the years I've noticed ideas from that film find their way into the EON entries and that has made me appreciate it much more. I must give it a viewing again soon too.
I haven't seen the Blu-ray so I don't know how that looks.
I'll have to look for the Blu-ray. I remember reading that some early copies of the DVD were flawed in that a good chunk of the film was missing. The casino sequence I believe was gone.