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I more or less agree with you. Die Another Day was my first Bond film in theaters, so for that it will always have a special place in my heart, not to mention I really loved it when it first came out.
Most say that the first half of the film is really good but by the time Bond gets to Greenland it goes down hill. I kind of agree but there are still some good parts.
It's nice to see someone else likes the pre-title sequence too! I was beginning to think I was the only one. I would have to say that it's probably my second favorite pre-title sequence, after Casino Royale. I also like the song by Madonna and most don't.
The film would've been a lot better had they got rid of most of the CGI (especially with Bond surfing in Greenland) and had Jinx been revealed as the villain (or just completely out of the movie) and Miranda Frost was Bond's ally.
It's by far Brosnan's worst Bond film but I don't even have it ranked as the worst Bond film. In fact I think I have it ranked somewhere around 17 or 18 on my list. As a Bond film it's too OTT and disappointing but as a film in general, it's still pretty fun to watch.
It's been awhile since I've watch a Bond movie or even had a Bondathon. I think I may start today by watching the Brosnan era movies. BTW, Brosnan is my second favorite Bond, after Connery. Brosnan was Bond when I was growing up and he will always be Bond to me.
For all that's wrong with DAD, I would certainly never call it "boring". Sure it's OTT to the extreme, but my god does the film go at 300 miles per hour for 2 hours.
I also really like the Locations. The Ice Palace is a great Ken Adam inspired location. I wish we could have seen more of it.
Couldn't agree more. I happen to think it's one of the best written Bond films. Very nice twists and the plot is quite Fleming-esque it how it treats its villains. I won't go so far as to say Denise Richards is much good, but I like everything else so much that she doesn't end up bothering me much at all.
1. FRWL
2. DN
3. GF
4. YOLT
5. TB
This shockingly means that YOLT will no longer occupy the wooden spoon spot that it has sat at for...forever. I wonder where TB will end up, it will be disappointing if it ends up near the bottom, because I like it, or so I thought.
My Bondathon (all of them chronologically) is still going on (next CR).
YOLT surprised me as well this time. For a long time I ranked it second to last and only DAF was lower. It slowly makes his way up that list. This year it even escaped the bottom 5 and stands now at No 18, TB is No 17 and is another story, once clearly in my Top 10 it slowly but steadily disappointed me every time I re-watched it...
Looking forward to your updated list. My Bondathon will finish the time of Spectre's release.
TB's main strength to me is the dialogue, so many great lines, my favs in the entire series. Unfortunately this alone doesn't hold the film up.
You Only Live Twice, much like Thunderball, is good fun; although I like Thunderball just that little bit better, I think they will both end up pretty close together in my final ranking. YOLT boasts many great scenes accompanied by a beautiful score, magnificent sets and lush cinematography. I'm probably one of the few who enjoys the scenes in outer space, particularly the PTS (granted, this owed largely to Barry's fantastic "Capsule in Space" cue). The climax within the volcano lair is a spectacle- I can't help but just love the grand scale of it. The fight with the goon in Osato's office may just be my favourite fight scene in the series- so energetic and excellently edited.
However, like Thunderball, there are also many unnecessary scenes where I find myself switching off. The scene where Helga Brandt attempts to kill Bond by crashing the aeroplane comes completely out of the blue, not to mention that it is executed poorly. Speaking of Brandt, although I do enjoy her scenes, I can't help but feel she is just a poor man's Fiona Volpe.
It shouldn't come as a surprise that I still detest the whole "Bond turns Japanese" affair (which consist of some tan and a wig). As much as the films tries to justify it (they won't recognise him from afar, so he can easily infiltrate the island...), it's completely pointless because it all gets ditched nonetheless when he manages to get on the Volcano island. I also don't care for ninja training school scenes (again, pointless as he doesn't actually utilise any of the skills he's acquired), nor do I care for wedding scene. The Little Nelly dog fight loses my interest a little, too.
My opinion on Donald Pleasance as Blofeld has drastically changed, too. I didn't find him threatening at all this time around, especially with his laughable "Kill Bond now!" and "Good bye Mr Bond!" lines. Although we don't see very much of him, I think Blofeld's scenes could have been more impactful if handled more competently, especially considering the build up we had with the faceless Blofeld in FRWL and Thunderball.
And finally, regarding the often contentious issue on Connery's performance: I wouldn't say that he looks "bored" in this film so to say, but he is certainly not the uber cool agent we see from DN to GF, and perhaps Thunderball. This is the film where I think the gadgets start to take precedence (heck, that safe-cracking device that he pulls out of nowhere in Osato's office is the definition of contrived) and so Bond doesn't get to do an awful lot in terms of using his own skill and instinct. YOLT is definitely Connery's least impressive performance so far (although I don't think this will change, because I enjoy his rather dead-pan performance in DAF).
And with that, time to see where You Only Live Twice ends up in my ranking...
Mayday's Bondathon Summer 2015: The run-up to SPECTRE
-FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE (1963)
-GOLDFINGER (1964)
-THUNDERBALL (1965)
-YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE (1967)
-DR. NO (1962)
Nice summary of YOLT, my thoughts exactly. I thought I wouldn't enjoy the fights with wrestler/Hans/Kobe but I did, although I don't rate any among the best or memorable.
And the flaws didn't spoil my enjoyment, surprisingly. YOLT will likely still rate in the bottom third which unfortunately means TB will end up there too.
I don't think Connery looks bored, he cruises through the film like in TB. In DN and FRWL, Young told him how to move. From GF on, he takes a backseat to the action
Not sure why some people think Connery looked bored in YOLT.
He didn't look as fresh as in Dr.No, he aged but that's normal I'd say.
DAF is another matter of course.
Not a Brosnan hater or anything. I just haven't for some reason or another, had the urge to watch them.
As it stands now:
1. FRWL/OHMSS
3. DN
4. GF/YOLT
6. TB :(
My attitude towards the marathon is to enjoy the film as is. If I nitpicked every detail, I would not like most of them. All 6 have been great so far.
I was worried with this viewing that familiarity might breed contempt, but thankfully I was wrong...
Once again, OHMSS has reaffirmed why it is my favourite Bond film- every frame of this film is glorious, and I enjoy every second of it. It is one of the, if the not the, best looking films in the series. Every scene is shot gorgeously, especially the scenes in the casino and every shot of the Alps. I thought George Lazenby does a marvellous job as Bond, showing brute strength in his fight scenes and tenderness during his scenes with Tracy. I also found that he is pretty good when it comes to humour, too; "he had lots of guts!" and his look of bemusement when the scientist throws some dubious looking liquid at him. This may be controversial, but out of all the actors to have played Bond, Lazenby is the one who I think is "closest" to Fleming's Bond- he's the one I picture when I read the novels, anyhow. Perhaps it's that degree of "humanness" and vulnerability that he brings to the role.
In other areas, OHMSS is perfect, too. Diana Rigg as Tracy is my favourite Bond girl (I also think she is the best actress to have portrayed a Bond girl), Savalas makes for a fantastic Blofeld (such an improvement on Pleasance) and is my second favourite Bond villain, only behind Zorin, the score is one Barry's best (nothing needs to be said in this department that hasn't already), the action and stunt work is impressive along with some of the best fight scenes in the series, the locations and sets are beautiful (Piz Gloria is my favourite villain's lair along with the YOLT's volcano lair and TSWLM's Liparus tanker) and the dialogue is clever and witty (I love the discourse between Bond and M at his mansion and in his office). The M and Moneypenny scenes might also just be my favourite in the series (surprisingly, Laz and Maxwell are brilliant together- when Bond throws his hat to her at the wedding, I admit I get a little watery eyed, it's such a genuine and lovely moment). The final scene is also my favourite scene in the series. I can't picture any other Bond in this scene other than Lazenby.
All in all, I really can't fault this film. Ok, perhaps I noticed some continuity errors that took me out of the film for a few seconds (when Bond is hanging on to the cable car wire, one minute it's snowing heavily, the next it's clear as day) and I think the role of Campbell could have been explained a little better, but other than these minor quibbles, the film retains its top spot in my ranking:
Mayday's Bondathon Summer 2015: The run-up to SPECTRE
-ON HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE (1969)
-FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE (1963)
-GOLDFINGER (1964)
-THUNDERBALL (1965)
-YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE (1967)
-DR. NO (1962)
Unfortunately, this one wasn't as "fun" as I thought it was last time, and definitely didn't sit too well with me. I suppose I'll be one of the few that can't help but notice that Connery definitely feels bored and tired of it all in this. The whole 'Bond turning Japanese' angle is ridiculous to me, as is the fake marriage ceremony (perhaps I just don't understand it.) I used to love the finale battle, but this time around, it all felt a little generic and lacking, especially the finale to the movie. Seems to be wrapped up very quickly, alongside that horrible looking volcano explosion. The main highlights for me include the Ning Po scene (especially that very cool rooftop shot of Bond running along while still fighting enemies), but with any other fight scenes, I'm taken out of it quickly by how many stunt actors they went with. Connery isn't that old this time around, yet seemed to use a double for just about everything. A lot of the dialogue doesn't work for me, including the delivery (especially Pleasance's work, including the "exploder button.") So overall - at least this time around - it'll have to sit below GF.
2015 Bondathon Ranking:
1.) DN
2.) FRWL
3.) TB
4.) GF
5.) YOLT
Question: Does the order when you rank the movies change a lot everytime you re-watch them? Or does it only happen with certain movies?
The ones that go up and down in my ranking are TB and DN, although DN not so much as TB which was once in my Top 10 even and currently is ranked No 17 in my list.
EDIT:
On Her Majesty's Secret Service
Well, this one hasn't sat well with me the past few times, either, but during this Bondathon, I loved it. Classic, I was a much bigger fan of Lazenby's this time around, it had lots of great sequences, all tied up with some good supporting characters and an emotional finale. I'm happy to be back in love with this one again! Though I am struggling to decide where to put it on my ranking, so it may fluctuate between being ahead of TB and being after it. I'll see how I feel down the road.
2015 Bondathon Ranking:
1.) DN
2.) FRWL
3.) TB
4.) OHMSS
5.) GF
6.) YOLT
You're right. The stuntwork and characters are more interesting in Ohmss, and what you pointed out about the effects and dialogue is true. So
1. OHMS
2. FRWL
3. DN
4. GF
5. YOLT
6. TB
Diamonds Are Forever, without a doubt, is just plain good fun; instantly quotable and perhaps one of the funniest Bond films, it's bizarre and even cheesy at times. But I have to say that this was my least satisfying viewing of this film to date- there wasn't many scenes that really stood out of for me, and the pacing in the middle of the film is a bit sluggish.
Although it is clearly obvious that Connery is phoning in for the cash, I can't help but like his rather dead pan delivery of his lines and his overall nonchalance throughout the film: it just somehow works in this film. I might even prefer him in DAF than I do in YOLT.
I love Jill St John as Tiffany, who Connery has great chemistry with, although her character admittedly starts to fall apart towards the end of the film. Charles Gray as Blofeld is a guilty pleasure- I just find many of his lines to be hilarious: "Tiffany, we're showing a bit more cheek than usual", "The satellite is at present over...Kansas. Well, if we destroy Kansas the world may not hear about it for years". I also have no problem with him in drag (again, it just works in this film)- he is a master of disguise, anyhow.
Ken Adams once again is on form with his sets, especially the Willard Whyte's penthouse, and Barry provides another great score, although it isn't one of my favourites of his.
However, elsewhere, the film isn't particularly exciting and there aren't many stand out scenes. Sure, there is the fight with Franks in the lift, the struggle with Bambi and Thumper, the car chase through Vegas and the confrontation with Wint & Kidd at the end (I forgot to mention that I love W&K as henchman, they really channel that benign bizarre element as well as being quite creepy), but apart from those, there isn't much going on. The PTS is poor (the worst in fact) and it drags somewhat in the middle and the moon buggy chase is uninspired. The effects when the satellite is destroying military bases around the world are atrocious and cringeworthy (gosh, especially that Chinese guy who gets set alight), and the climax on the oil rig is dull (although Connery sabotaging Blofeld's escape plan in the bathosub is rather amusing).
And that concludes the Connery-Laz era. On with my favourite era, the Roger Moore films...
Mayday's Bondathon Summer 2015: The run-up to SPECTRE
-ON HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE (1969)
-FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE (1963)
-GOLDFINGER (1964)
-THUNDERBALL (1965)
-DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER (1971)
-YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE (1967)
-DR. NO (1962)
How fun! Connery returns, and perhaps his one-film hiatus made him a little more energetic than he was in DAF, as he seems to be much more excited this time around. It has some pretty fun action sequences, I love Charles Gray as Blofeld, and it also has some creepy henchmen in Mr. Wint & Mr. Kidd. My biggest complaints would be the Bond girls being nothing special, and the special effects are horribly awful. Still, a fine and fun film overall, but surprisingly, I think I'll rate it below GF.
Live and Let Die
I've reached Moore's first outing, and it does nothing but impress me: Moore is fantastic as Bond, and after a gloomy PTS, we get one of my favorite Bond title songs in the series. From there on out, it's full of twists and iconic scenes and some excellent action sequences, as well, especially the Louisana boat chase. Beautiful locales and a great score also help to make this one of my absolute favorite Bond films.
2015 Bondathon Ranking:
1.) DN
2.) LALD
3.) FRWL
4.) TB
5.) OHMSS
6.) GF
7.) DAF
8.) YOLT
The Connery films were getting bigger and more bloated as they went on, but this was turned on its head with the release of Live and Let Die- there aren't many gadgets (there's Bond's magnetic watch, but that's about it), the plot is much simpler and without the "grandeur" of the previous five films and the overall film just feels "toned down"- and for that, I love it. I find that the film has a lot in common with DR. NO, in that they are both have small scale plots set on a Caribbean island as well as being the first film of Moore and Connery, respectively. I don't know whether this was a conscious decision by the producers to remind the audience that Moore is playing the same character as Connery, but it just struck me this viewing that they share many similarities.
As with Diamonds Are Forever, I know this film so well by now- I can actually mentally play it in my head, so that may be a factor as to why I didn't enjoy as much as I usually do- don't get me wrong, it's still very good and I love Moore's performance, but I think familiarity is starting to take its toll. Something I also noticed is that the film doesn't look as beautiful as those previous films (even DAF), instead looking a bit cheap in places. I think that the film gets off to a slow start, too, but there are still some good moments, such as when Bond tries to distract M from stumbling across Miss Caruso. Rosie Carver was as irritating as ever. A really quite poor performance from Gloria Hendry.
Otherwise, the film is very enjoyable. Moore kicks off his tenure with a great and refreshing performance as James Bond, looking young and charismatic, especially coming after Connery in DAF. As well as the charm, Moore can be ruthless too, such as when he points his gun at Rosie as she comes to a dilemma and him shooting the islanders on San Monique with his magnum as he rescues Solitaire.
Jane Seymour as Solitaire is beautiful, and is perhaps one of my favourite Bond girls; she is rather delicate and innocent, and so the "damsel in distress" element of her character is fitting and works well. I like her random moment of fieriness when she wacks Bond with her handbag at the airport so they can escape.
Dr Kananga makes for a good Bond villain, a little understated at times, but really gets to shine during the interrogation scene when he asks Bond whether he "touched" Solitaire. Here, he is shown to be ruthless. When he hits solitaire, it's shocking but it really shows that he is no nonsense. However, his death scene is very disappointing- it's cartoonish and silly, it would have been much better if it was similar to Mr Big's death in the novel.
Kananga's henchman are great, too. Tee Hee is a little OTT, but his prosthetic arm (or claws, should I say) is iconic. His fight with Bond on the train is pretty good. But the real stand out character, perhaps out of the whole film too, is Baron Samedi. In fact, I love the voodoo and supernatural theme of the film, it makes LALD unique and memorable.
The score is also fantastic, it's certainly on par with Barry's efforts- it's brings a new sound, it's more "up beat" and it utilises the theme song (my favourite along with AVTAK) very well.
The stunt work is some of the best so far (the crocodile farm escape, the world record breaking boat jump- the entire boat chase, in fact), and the humour is very well woven into the film (Mrs Bell is a highlight, and JW Pepper is hilarious- I mean, he utters one of the best lines in the film, "By the powers invested in me by this parish, I hereby do commandeer this vehicle and all those persons within. And that means you, smart ass!").
A great Bond film, if it bit unremarkable at times:
Mayday's Bondathon Summer 2015: The run-up to SPECTRE
-ON HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE (1969)
-FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE (1963)
-GOLDFINGER (1964)
-LIVE AND LET DIE (1973)
-THUNDERBALL (1965)
-DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER (1971)
-YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE (1967)
-DR. NO (1962)
Great observations- I just remembered, too: Quarrel and Quarrel Jr.