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2016 Bondathon #3 Viewing Order:
1.) 'Casino Royale' (1954)
2.) 'Dr. No.' (1962)
3.) 'From Russia With Love' (1963)
Bond Ranking (#2):
1.) DN
2.) FRWL
I will except GF, but otherwise Hamilton proves himself as the master of the underwhelming climax.
View is a film I have mixed feelings for. On one hand I can't not like Roger Moore. Despite his age, despite he's too old to play Bond and the use of doubles is painfully obvious. Despite all of this, he still brings everything to the role. He still gives it his all. And then of course there's Chris Walken. But I must say I did notice a lot of poor editing and goofs this time around. Multiple actors being used for the same character. Gogol waiting outside the Hot Tub spa being one. The goons at Stacey's another. Add to that the doubles for Bond and this takes away from the overall experience.
Diamonds on the other hand, which was my lowest ranked Bond has earned a redemption. Whether it was my mood, or maybe I'm just seeing the film differently. But I really quite enjoyed DAF. It's like no other Bond film. The quips and jokes are fast and furious. And possibly too much. But you accept them. The benign bizarre is raised to max, the characters are fantastic. Wint and Kidd, Willard Whyte...Klaus Hergesheimer. It's two hours of fun. And isn't that what we watch these movies for.
Die Another Day was also another film that I enjoyed. Still plenty of flaws, terrible script at times. But Pierce is probably at his best in this movie. I wish we could've done better than Halle Berry. Though it's not the actresses fault entirely. Far too much CGI, but then the early 2000's were a time when films were ramping this relatively new movie making technique up. Way too many over the top and outlandish set pieces, but overall it is entertaining if you ignore the silliness. A surprise for sure.
Rankings thus far.
1. The Spy Who Loved Me
2. You Only Live Twice
3. Diamonds Are Forever
4. Die Another Day
5. Tomorrow Never Dies
6. A View To A Kill
Don't worry, still 18 more films to go. Loving seeing some of these films in a new light. I'm thinking my ranking could change overall judging by the first six I've watched.
2016 Bondathon #3 Viewing Order:
1.) 'Casino Royale' (1954)
2.) 'Dr. No.' (1962)
3.) 'From Russia With Love' (1963)
4.) 'Goldfinger' (1964)
Bond Ranking (#2):
1.) DN
2.) GF
3.) FRWL
The Man With the Golden Gun ditches the original novel almost completely (the book was set in Jamaica, for a start, whereas the film is located in the Far East). However, it is still a fairly entertaining entry is the long-running series, and features three strong reasons for tuning in: 1)a classic Bond villain in the shape of Francisco Scaramanga 2)a classic villain's henchman in the shape of psycho dwarf NickNack, and 3)a great score. Theres also the most outrageous car stunt ever seen in a motion picture, rendered all the more impressive by the fact that it is not a computer enhanced sequence but was filmed for real (including that infamous loop-the-loop in the red sports car).
Bond is played by Roger Moore for the second time. Moore is relaxed and easy-going in his usual manner, but shows a bit of Fleming’s 007 in parts of the script.
Stunning Bond girls feature. However, Mary Goodnight is an incompetant bafoon that wouldn’t ever work for MI6. Some careful editing could improve this film tenfold (karate teens etc).
The Spy Who Loved Me. After the commercial disspointment of THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN GUN, producer Albert Broccoli, now solely in charge of the 007 franchise, had to re-evaluate the series for the third time in less than ten years. Certainly, Roger Moore plays lighter 007 than a Sean Connery-type Bond film, but couldn't some of the series' best elements be restored, and the comedy reduced a bit, to make Moore's Bond a bit more believable? Some careful editing could improve this film tenfold (Jaws should be a sinister henchman not clumsy fool etc).
Many Bond fans hail this film as Moores best….their wrong. Whilst it has some great elements and ideas, it is too comic in tone. Gilbert in an interview said he “wanted Bond to become more like the books, more english and more humerous”. He clearly hadn’t ever read the Fleming novels.
Moonraker. Roger Moore's fourth 007 epic is indeed a poor affair to say the least. After the success of previous Bond movie 'The Spy Who Loved Me (1977)' the Bond franchisers lose the plot completely with this entry in the long-running series. I'm a die hard Bond fan, I love the films and find it difficult to find fault in them. However, whilst the film has certain redeeming features (great one liners), in general this film is a parody. Some careful editing could improve this film tenfold.
For Your Eyes Only: After 1979's sci-fi cartoon called Moonraker, Albert Broccoli and the rest of the James Bond producers decided to change the pace for Roger Moore's fifth adventure. This included firing incumbent director Lewis Gilbert and writing a more believable plot, to begin with. The second item on the agenda was to write a script which curbed Roger Moore's obsessive tendencies to pile on the jokes. Add a few good villains and allies, and voila! a classic James Bond adventure. Undeniably one of Roger Moore's best outings as 007. Thank God!!!
Octopussy: Octopussy is a go-to Bond movie. It's one of the the easiest Bond movies to watch and one of the most entertaining action movies. Roger Moore is back as Bond to deliver one of his best performances. This is also the first Bond film to have two main villains - Steven Berkoff's wonderfully over-the-top performance as General Orlov and a classic villain Kamal Khan played by Louis Jordan. BUT many rightly criticise this film with comments centred around the overt humour that borders once more on parody. It’s an average Bond movie because of this. Some careful editing could improve this film tenfold.
I'm one of those big fans of TSWLM, and found Jaws quite threatening in the film (stone dropping aside) in contrast to his goofy turn in MR. I personally think it's definitely Moore's best film, if not his most Bondian performance.
I like Goodnight as well. Her loyalty in the face of Bond's contempt is refreshing and alluring.
I pretty much agree with your other comments.
Great, but there are quite a few other Connery entries that I enjoy much, much more. That's the thing with his films, they all manage to rank rather highly, and no matter how they're organized, the ranking doesn't take away from how good the movies themselves are.
2016 Bondathon #3 Viewing Order:
1.) 'Casino Royale' (1954)
2.) 'Dr. No.' (1962)
3.) 'From Russia With Love' (1963)
4.) 'Goldfinger' (1964)
5.) 'Thunderball' (1965)
Bond Ranking (#2):
1.) DN
2.) GF
3.) FRWL
4.) TB
A View To A Kill seems to get more than its fair share of criticism. Often it is labelled the weakest of the Bond entries, but I most say it was a pleasant surprise with a tone similar to FYEO. The set pieces are memorable, including a parachute pursuit from the Eiffel Tower, a fire engine chase around the hilly streets of San Francisco, and an airship crash on the Golden Gate bridge. Moore looks a bit old for the part, however, he still has an easy-going charisma and 007 charm. Walken makes for a good, supremely confident villain, and is well backed by the fearsome Grace Jones. The violence is increased and the tone more serious as is Moore at times. The theme song from Duran Duran is rousing and the instrumental music by John Barry is stirring and dramatic. Moores 3rd/ 4th best Bond film (I haven't yet decided).
2016 Bondathon #3 Viewing Order:
1.) 'Casino Royale' (1954)
2.) 'Dr. No.' (1962)
3.) 'From Russia With Love' (1963)
4.) 'Goldfinger' (1964)
5.) 'Thunderball' (1965)
6.) 'You Only Live Twice (1967)
Bond Ranking (#2):
1.) DN
2.) GF
3.) YOLT
4.) FRWL
5.) TB
The Living Daylights: Perhaps one of the most overlooked films in the James Bond series, this one (thank God) brought things back down to Earth for the series. Timothy Dalton is perhaps the most underrated actor to play James Bond, due to his rather brief stint as the character. He is terrific in both his films, and gives 007 a brooding that Bond has not had in any of his previous films. He was Fleming's Bond.
Bar Necros, the Villains are poor. But, as James Bond Timothy Dalton is excellent, a fantastic choice to play the part. His decision to play the part more akin to the novels of Fleming than the humour of Roger Moore is an inspired choice. He is a mixture of the Fleming character and Sean Connery's Bond. While there is a serious nature here (the darker elements would be at the forefront, but more in the better Licence To Kill), there is still room for humour as seen in the car chase ("I've had a few optional extras installed" when talking about the gadgets). Coming off the Moore films, it may have been too soon for a return to the serious roots, but it works well in the long run.
A great Bond film. But one thing Dalton lacks is that 'star quality' that the other actors have. Yes, he is the 'closest to Fleming's Bond', but he lacks that special something that great movie stars possess.
I've championed YOLT for years, defying the nay sayers, affording it the love it so richly deserves. Glad to see you giving it some love Creasy.
EDIT: Managed to overlook a few extras already, so I'm just going to save the rest of the non-EON extras/films for the next go around.
OHMSS: another one that I've flip-flopped on time and time again, but this time - much like the last dozen or so viewings - it sits as a favorite once again. Lazenby delivers with the only film he gets, and a mixture of lots of good characters, great action scenes, beautiful cinematography and lighting, and my favorite version of Blofeld make this a classic time and time again. Never thought it'd manage to trump the likes of FRWL, I just have a lot of fun every instance I watch it. Pretty comfortable with how the ranking looks so far.
Bond Ranking (#2):
1.) DN
2.) GF
3.) OHMSS
4.) FRWL
5.) YOLT
6.) TB
So do you love GF now? I remember you started that thread about 'why GF was never the greatest Bond film' at least I think that was you. Have you changed your mind since?
My apologises, that was @Pierce2Daniel that said that. You both have Brosnan as your profile pic. :P
It has its moments and is still entertaining enough (theme song, Bond vs. Franks, Vegas chase scene, a few other random moments and lines), but overall, it's my least favorite of Connery's.
Bond Ranking (#2):
1.) DN
2.) GF
3.) OHMSS
4.) FRWL
5.) YOLT
6.) TB
7.) DAF
Always been one of my favorites, it's an absolute classic in my eyes and is my second favorite of Moore's. Amazing title song and title sequences, Moore is great in his first entry as Bond, I love the rest of the cast, and we get some great action sequences. Can't ask for more than that.
Bond Ranking (#2):
1.) DN
2.) LALD
3.) GF
4.) OHMSS
5.) FRWL
6.) YOLT
7.) TB
8.) DAF
Absolutely, it's too damn good!
Quantum Of Solace, The Man With The Golden Gun and Licence To Kill.
Quantum I've struggled with for a while now. It does have some great moments. And Daniel Craig is fine, no problems there. It's just as a follow up to Casino Royale it's a massive let down. I actually find it quite boring at times. It has plenty of action, and the shortest running time as well. But the villainous scheme of stealing the Bolivian water supply is frankly, dull.
Surprisingly Man With The Golden Gun was a breath of fresh air this time around. I rather enjoyed it. Though still needs a lot of editing to remove all the annoying bits. So 20% of the movie then. Sir Rog and the late great Christopher Lee are splendid. Scaramanga must surely rank as one of Bond's all time great villains. And then there's his island. Still hate the dated 70's energy crisis angle, but all the same I did enjoy the film as a whole more than usual.
Similar experience with Licence To Kill. This is a film that's kind of yo-yo'd around for a while. But this time I was right into it. Yes it looks like an episode of Miami Vice at times, what with the DA screaming to know what's going on and all. But this is a very good Bond film. Before we had to look at Bond's psyche in every film, this was the first film to shake things up a bit. Timothy Dalton was superb in this film, such a pity he didn't make a couple more after. And as with Chris Lee, Robert Davi is a wonderful villain in the evil Sanchez. Very enjoyable film, and one of John Glens best.
Current rankings thus far...
1. The Spy Who Loved Me
2. Licence To Kill
3. You Only Live Twice
4. Diamonds Are Forever
5. The Man With The Golden Gun
6. Die Another Day
7. Tomorrow Never Dies
8. A View To A Kill
9. Quantum Of Solace
While it doesn't trump those that come before it, this has been my least favorite Bond for many years, until the viewing before this, where it really clicked that there were quite a few good scenes and there isn't as much to dislike as I previously believed. So, this latest viewing was better than it usually goes, but at this point in the Bondathon, it's still one of my least favorites (and may flip flop with DAF.)
Bond Ranking (#2):
1.) DN
2.) LALD
3.) GF
4.) OHMSS
5.) FRWL
6.) YOLT
7.) TB
8.) TMWTGG
9.) DAF
I get very indecisive at times when it comes to selecting my favorite of Moore's, and this is most certainly one of them. It's great all along, particularly the locations, the breath-taking ski jump during the PTS, the big battle between the crews aboard the Liparus, and the death of Stromberg.
Bond Ranking (#2):
1.) DN
2.) LALD
3.) GF
4.) OHMSS
5.) TSWLM
6.) FRWL
7.) YOLT
8.) TB
9.) TMWTGG
10.) DAF