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Comments
As mixed a bag as ever. Some of the common criticisms of it are unfounded (the title song, location cards, and even the hi-tech MI6 aren't so bad), but its main flaw is its unrelenting cynicism. Bond movies can be serious or even dark, as FRWL, FYEO, the Dalton movies, and CR attest, but they should never be cynical. The realpolitik of the governments is horribly out of tune with the earlier Bonds' portrayal of the Cold War as a friendly rivalry, and there are even a few pointless betrayals along the way (the man who sells Bond and Camille the plane stands out here).
To this end, there are a number of characters who are at least somewhat interesting and well-acted, such as Dominic Greene and Gregory Beam, yet who remain out of place in a Bond movie. The death of Mathis is in theory not a problem, but Bond's leaving him in a dumpster is pointlessly dark, as it does nothing to conceal him. Taking his money at least serves a purpose to help Bond and Camille, but there is no logic to abandoning his body in a dumpster instead of on the street.
The movie has a few other flaws, most notably the shakycam and poorly laid out action, but those have been covered to death. Its chief strengths are Daniel Craig and Judi Dench's brilliant performances, as well as all things Vesper. The low-key villains and plot do not fall under the criticisms already ennumerated for cynicism, as they have a long precedent in the movies. All in all, the movie sits at about 15 out of 23. A respectable entry, and certainly an interesting one, but by no means triumphant.
Assuming you mean it's brilliant, just so.
Criticism of AWTD is unfounded? Ha! I stopped reading right there.
I don't think it's bad either.
You like Mankiewicz's Bond work? Ha! I stopped reading right there.
I share your sentiments exactly, Brady- upon my last LALD viewing, I was left with quite a "meh" taste in my mouth. It failed to dazzle me in really anything.
Still, many were highly entertaining. :D
But I, my insane self, look for Bond in a Bond film, which means the Moore films already lose points before I even press play. They took a compelling, dark and complicated spy and made him a one man stand up routine that isn't even that good. Some of the films are entertaining and masterfully shot and choreographed in regards to the action, but LALD offers neither big Bondian moments nor entertainment. I'll reiterate: meh.
Yeah I liked Tee Hee too:
"There are 2 ways to disable a crocodile"
"I don't suppose you'd care to share that information with me" (while trapped on an island surrounded by them).
"well one is to take a pencil and jam it into the pressure point behind his eye"
"And the other"?
"The other's twice as simple, you simply put your hand in his mouth...and pull his teeth out"
That island bit is one of the best scenes in the film.
I'm not sure the cynicism is the problem. Sometimes Fleming could be pretty cynical himself. The issue is that the realpolitik at times feels a bit tedious.
Then pull in to a garage and have them check your sense of humor. It seems to be a couple of quarts low.
RE: AWTD, it is the DAD of Bond title tracks, which means it is not only the worst of them all, but is worst by a very wide margin indeed. This is what happens when Bond goes ghetto.
Granted, it's nowhere near the best Bond theme song, but I'm sorry, when that song comes on, I can't help but jam along.
Same here. It's a killer rock and roll beat. Nothing fancy, but I can enjoy it just as much as I can YKMN.
I do have a sense of humor, just for good quality comedy and not whatever Mankiewicz brought to Bond. I hope he isn't listening, as he may haunt me now.
As for Bond films, I've been taking a nice break. To get my Bond fix I've been reading some Fleming.
I would go as far to say that DAF has some of the funniest dialogue in the series, and is the funniest Bond entry. Connery's deadpan delivery of lines such as "your problems are behind you now.Bitch" are hilarious.
Absolutely. To me that is as obvious as can possibly be.
Actually I'd like to see Craig in an DAF-style film...
But I'm being a pessimist, here.
A TSWLM-esque would be fine as well. Anything epically Bondian.
Although we are all aware that NSNA is an "unofficial" Bond movie, I do believe it at least deserves to be watched and appreciated for the fact that it is still a Bond story, nonetheless; I'm not even sure if "unofficial" is a correct term, since it was given the legal go-ahead and everything. However, I will just say that I prefer Thunderball by a long shot; even so, NSNA does have its attributes, and I'll discuss those here: first of all, Sean Connery's performance is absolutely awesome. With his return to the role for NSNA, he easily blows away his last two performances from YOLT and DAF. Some of that should be credited to the script writers for giving him such witty dialogue, but still, it's his responsibility to execute it effectively, and he does. Also, having gotten back into proper shape following the YOLT and DAF flab, the active side of his performance is finally back on track; unfortunately, NSNA's few and far between action sequences don't give us much of a chance to see that. Secondly, NSNA makes great use of some very scenic locations, from the Bahamas to France to North Africa; even the sets are rather impressive. It's a very nice movie to look at! Visuals go a long way, and NSNA does deliver in that department. Thirdly, and although I prefer the more silently menacing Emilio Largo of TB, I am never disappointed with Maximillian Largo of NSNA- he almost seems like a forerunner for Max Zorin in AVTAK, what with the whole psychopath thing going on. He and Fatima Blush make a very intriguing villainous pair, seen in their scenes at the casino. Still though, Emilio Largo and Fiona Volpe of TB are better; however, Max and Fatima are quite entertaining in NSNA. Now, as far as the downsides are concerned, they're fairly obvious- the soundtrack is horrific, Max von Sydow makes for an incredibly non-threatening Blofeld, there's no gunbarrel opening, no use of the James Bond theme, the finale is horribly weak, and Kim Basinger isn't always convincing as Domino. All things considered, NSNA is truly mediocre at best. It has its fine moments, like any "official" Bond outing, but doesn't leave you saying "wow".
I was listening to some audio commentary from Roger Moore earlier today on one of his films and he was talking about NSNA. He said one of the problems with the film is that they made M and Q way too hokey and over the top. I agree mostly with what he said, but Q does at least show a bit of personality in his scene even if it is a bit forced.
The ending drags on and on and amounts to basically a pile of rubbish. I guess one of the goofiest parts for me is the XT7B part on the submarine. Just the arrogance that Connery shows by saying he saw a Russian translation of your service manual and then the apology "Sorry bout that." Its just a goofy scene.
Just like every bond film, I always find things I love and things that I don't like so much, but I still enjoy watching it.
Make it that we've got the right guy to write Bond scripts.