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Comments
No better film to waste it on.
However enough with the negatives, I enjoyed watching both films again and looking forward to seeing them again in the near future. Spectre has gone down two placements since my last ranking but I do love it greatly. It's been a great Bondathon and I look forward to Bond 25 and I really hope Craig returns. 4 great Bond films, I look forwards to a fifth. Cheers everyone.
2016 Ranking.
1. GoldenEye
2. On Her Majesty's Secret Service
3. Casino Royale
4. Spectre
5. The Spy Who Loved Me
6. For Your Eyes Only
7. Dr. No
8. Skyfall
9. Quantum of Solace
10. Tomorrow Never Dies
11. Licence To Kill
12. Moonraker
13. The World Is Not Enough.
14. Live And Let Die
15. Octopussy
16. From Russia With Love
17. Thunderball
18. Goldfinger
19. The Man With The Golden Gun
20. The Living Daylights
21. A View To A Kill
22. Diamonds are Forever
23. You Only Live Twice
24. Die Another Day
Murdock will return.
You know what? Popular opinion be damned (which influenced my previous ranking) - there's something very grandiose about Moonraker, moreso than TSWLM that makes it a fun flick. Not surprisingly, I believe it is Ken Adam's amazing sets and the last majestic Barry score. It's not my favourite score but I'd argue it's literally his most grandiose effort - he has an amazing ability to match the score with the tone of the films.
I view TSWLM and MR in very similar regard for obvious reasons. Spy feels more like a stripped down version, whereas MR goes all out...too far for most, but I find the dialogue and humour mostly enjoyable (I'd argue Drax has the best quips of any villain. Jourdan's line delivery comes close but he doesn't have as many lines). Jaws and Dolly as a couple are cringeworthy, the Bondola is not the series' finest moment but I just roll with it.
I've been expecting you - None
Sony cameos - None
2016 Bondathon (2015 brackets) [score/93]
1. OHMSS (5) [86]
2. CR (3) [58]
3. DN (10) [54]
4. OP (2) [54]
5. MR (11) [52]
6. TSWLM (8) [50]
7. DAF (12) [35.5]
8. TMWTGG (19) [42]
9. LTK (13) [25.5]
10. TB (18) [30.5]
11. QOS (24) [17.5]
Notes:
- OHMSS leads on points by an incredible margain, because it is a very consistent performer in every category
- LTK is not doing as well as I thought. It used to be #3. I still enjoy it, but doesn't work very well as a Bond movie
Next up: Skyfall. A few brilliant scenes but unfortunately the score kills the whole movie. Will be in the bottom 3.
I will never be able to write as well as Brady so I will just sum up my thoughts. Viewing it with different glasses on, it hits the mark on so many elements that I can't have it sitting at the bottom anymore. Deakin's work is phenomenal and it is by far the most visually clever film (Campbell wins the Clever category), with every camera angle meticulously planned and placed but without looking contrived. I'm not sure how well (or if) he incorporates the "old vs new" theme in his cinematography, but the look he gives each scene is awe inspiring.
I must also sing praises to the cast and acting, which is of high calibre all around, something that has improved increasingly since post-Cubby. The dialogue will never match the cleverness and wit of the early Connery's but it was a humorous affair without being cheap or in your face.
Silva's performance will always be marred by the mommy angle, but he does great with what he's got and Mendes does a good job contrasting the two with Silva's white wardrobe with Bond's black (like chess pieces? Silva is white and makes the first move). The theme of the relevancy of espionage is well fleshed out for a big blockbuster film - Silva downfall is ultimately with the most traditional weapon of all and all his high tech wizardry couldn't save him.
The elephant in the room continues to be the score and although I found it less distracting this time it is by far the worst and I will need some strong arguments to be convinced otherwise. Kamen and Serra are strong contenders in that department. Just like Ken Adam, Sean Connery, Terence Young are the benchmarks, Barry sets an incredibly high one for any other composer to aspire to if they even bother.
So with that, Skyfall is off the bottom tier. For the brilliant technical work I can't rank it lower than Golden Gun.
2016 Bondathon (2015 brackets) [score/94]
1. OHMSS (5) [87]
2. CR (3) [59]
3. DN (10) [56.5]
4. OP (2) [56.5]
5. MR (11) [52]
6. TSWLM (8) [50]
7. DAF (12) [36.5]
8. LTK (13) [26.5]
9. SF (22) [43.5]
10. TMWTGG (19) [42.5]
11. TB (18) [31.5]
12. QOS (24) [19]
Notes - As above, I said wrongly it will be in the bottom 3. This Bondathon is throwing around a few surprises, including Dr No overtaking Octopussy
Next up - The World is Not Enough.
Aside from a brilliant chase on the Thames, and a good villain in Elektra King, it is the complete opposite to Skyfall visually. One of the worst looking films.
I hate it when it comes to an end.
I used[/i] to semi-like this when I was younger, before I discovered Pierce Brosnan wasn't the only Bond. Now, it is on a slippery slope to the bottom. Aside from an excellent stunt sequence on the Thames and Zukovsky, the film disappoints on every front, and a lot of it is down to the abysmal script which has been a recurring complaint since the 90's and ruins what could have been great characters and duo of villains - even Elektra isn't as alluring as she used to be.
I still maintain that this is the worst use of locations in any Bond film - we are worlds apart in the portrayal of Istanbul compared with FRWL and Skyfall.
"I've been expecting you" count - zero
Sony - Nil. A couple of non-branded devices, but also Q uses a Fujitsu laptop and Bond goes through Elektra's case files on Fujitsu (touchscreen) monitors.
2016 Bondathon (2015 brackets) [score/95]
1. OHMSS (5) [88]
2. CR (3) [61]
3. DN (10) [59.5]
4. OP (2) [58.5]
5. MR (11) [53.5]
6. TSWLM (8) [52.5]
7. DAF (12) [36.5]
8. LTK (13) [28.5]
9. SF (22) [45.5]
10. TMWTGG (19) [44.5]
11. TB (18) [34]
12. QOS (24) [21]
13. TWINE (23) [7]
Notes
- I am placing TWINE at the bottom not because QOS is necessarily a better Bond film, only that TWINE fails in so many categories
- I seem to have put aside my strong bias against Newman's score and view Skyfall more favourably based on the many things it does very well.
At least DAD is more watchable. It's not remotely a good film, but TWINE puts me to sleep. DAD makes me want to shoot Tamahori and Purvis and Wade but Brosnan puts in a dedicated performance despite the movie falling apart around him
This, I believe, will be my biggest change in opinion about a Bond film. I've removed my blinkers and see this for what it is - glamorous (thanks to Adam and the wardrobe), iconic imagery, trumpets and bells in the tingling score, a relaxed Bond performance and I've realised one of the finest scripts in the series - the repartee between Bond and Goldfinger is....gold. And Bond is such a snob, perhaps the most snobby ever.
Bond
He isn't given much to do in the second half. However, he does use his wits and what's around him, in sending the note in Solo's pockets and using gold bars to open the bomb. His performance is definitely not as good as the previous two entries due to Young's absence but he's so smug and relaxed, and confident that he owns the screen. I still don't have a Bond actor ranking, but no wonder Connery always ends up on top of other's lists.
Babes
Gorgeous group of girls, not as fleshed out as others, or even on screen all that much, but certainly make a lasting impression. Even Tilly.
Villains
Not quite yet near my favourites but they've certainly shot way up the list, perhaps even to the top tiers. Goldfinger's ego and smugness ("So did I") plays off with Bond's perfectly throughout the film. I'd say, without much disagreement, that it's the best repartee in the franchise - there is this constant tension, competition, even mutual admiration between the two. Oddjob, well, nothing needs to be said.
Music
I used to think Barry's Oddjob cue is too in your face, but Barry's entire score complements everything perfectly as usual (apart from the Kentucky bit)
Action
Never been or will be a fan of Hamilton's action but I didn't dislike it this time around. The PTS is a fun mini-adventure and the rest of the scenes are brief and "to the point" enough to keep the pace going (unlike, say, the boat chase in LALD)
Direction/Cinematography
Don't like Hamilton's way. The shots are stock standard and don't enhance the location's appeal. I learnt Miami has a pool, and Kentucky has KFC and a stud farm. Compare that with FRWL's immersion in Istanbul and the beautiful aerial shots of Rio and even space. The cost cutting is bleedingly obvious on blu ray and the poor back projection really shows.
Script/Humour
Brilliant. I must say it's one of the best scripts in the series. It's brief, accessible, and great popcorn viewing for a film (as opposed to FRWL which is more down to earth and requires some thinking, or Thunderball which is great also but lots of needless exposition. Goldfinger's pointless exposition is entertaining).
Every scene is full of Bondian humour. I like the variety we've had in the series - from Gilbert/Glen's childish gags, not so much Brosnan era punny humour, to the dry humour recently. But no other film does Bond humour as well as the early ones, and Goldfinger has it all - Bon Bois, Beatles, Mint Tulips.
Snobbery
Forget Dr No or From Russia with Love or even Thunderball, Goldfinger takes the cake in this department.
As I said at the beginning, a bit change in opinion, up about 8 spots (but there's still 6 films to go)
2016 Bondathon [position change (incomplete ranking)]
1. Goldeneye [+5]
2. From Russia With Love [+2]
3. On Her Majesty's Secret Service [+2]
4. Casino Royale [-1]
5. Dr No [+5]
6. Octopussy [-4]
7. Goldfinger [+9]
8. Tomorrow Never Dies [+1]
9. Moonraker [+2]
10. The Spy Who Loved Me [-2]
11. Diamonds Are Forever [+1]
12. Licence to Kill [+1]
13. The Man With The Golden Gun [+4]
14. A View To A Kill [+1]
15. Skyfall [+8]
16. Thunderball [+3]
17. Quantum of Solace [+5]
18. The World is Not Enough [+3]
Next is Die Another Day. This will rank around TMWTGG and lower, depending on how much I am entertained.
I allowed my dislike for Hamilton's directorial style cloud my judgement previously. I am watching these with an open mind and surprising myself in the process.
The main reason I rank Young's and Campbell's films so high is that they direct the actors well, from the leading to the random standing in the background. Makes the movie feel more real and alive. The gangster's scene in GF is extremely cringeworthy, especially the deaths (you see that in the first missile explosion towards the end of DAF too)
I don't think anyone has said this is anywhere close to a masterpiece - it's only varying degrees of how much one tolerates the CGI and atrocious dialogue.
Bond
Brosnan is obviously older, more confident and as intense as the context of the film allows him to be. His greatness as a Bond shines through in places, but his standing as a Bond is limited by the mediocre direction he was given (apart from Goldeneye). With Connery, Moore, and to a lesser extent the others you get a feel for their personalities, and capabilities as a person and 00. Brosnan unfortunately is not given much character to work with so while I like his performance (despite the crap around him), I don't get a feel for his character. Martin Campbell did it well (but far from nailed it) in Goldeneye.
Babes
Ok Rosamund Pike is hot, but on this viewing, her character much like the rest of the film, is underwhelming.
Less said about Jinx the better. There is not one aspect I like.
Villains
A real comic book feel, accentuated by the CGI. The saving grace is the screentime of both the villain and henchman. The last time we've gotten this.
Music
Some themes show, but a lot of generic dribble. But not offensive dribble, unlike the next film in the Bondathon
Action
It's a big ask but take away the CGI and it is quite enjoyable. The surfing, hovercrafts, sword fight, car chase. Can't fault the pacing of this movie, even if you have pulled some face muscles cringing at every scene
Direction/Cinematography
Nothing needs to be said here.
Script/Humour
Or here.
Snobbery
None. Unless you count "Do you want to continue?" ???
Or Bond going against the norm by walking into the hotel dressed like that?????
2016 Bondathon
1. Goldeneye
2. From Russia With Love
3. On Her Majesty's Secret Service
4. Casino Royale
5. Dr No
6. Octopussy
7. Goldfinger
8. Tomorrow Never Dies
9. Moonraker
10. The Spy Who Loved Me
11. Diamonds Are Forever
12. Licence to Kill
13. The Man With The Golden Gun
14. A View To A Kill
15. Skyfall
16. Die Another Day
17. Thunderball
18. Quantum of Solace
19. The World is Not Enough
Next is Spectre. Many great scenes, but much much less than the sum of its parts.
That means my Bondathon is running since 1990 ha ha, truth!
ha ha, good one. What I mean I never watch them in order of production so I am running a continuous Bondathon since 26 years, just randomly, mostly Moore's films, must be on my 550th film viewing by now.
I tried to tolerate the score...I did. But it fell apart by the helicopter fight. Visually it looks good, but not stunning. The use of filters isn't better than was used at the start of DAD.
Bond
Some say he sleepwalked through this performance. I don't think he did badly, more that the film didn't give him enough to do. He also seems to have only one expression in the movie too.
Babes
Quite attractive but her character fell apart by the third act. Not a better (written) character than the early days unfortunately
Villains
This could have been an epic showdown. Instead we got Austin Powers. What a waste of talent. No tension at all.
Music
The worst in the series. Repetitive, mainstream American TV nonsense. The last half hour is the same notes repeating.
Action
Not terrible but not particularly interesting or memorable either. The helicopter roll is unique but I don't understand why they had to cut to cockpit view mid-stunt.
Script/Humour
It's the plot I don't like. The dialogue a
If you are planning on breaking your own rule in advance, then it isn t even a rule anymore, is it?
Go ahead and indulge, I say!
I can understand why people dislike this film, certain actions and directorial touches are jarring (Glen's films are never the most consistent in tone). But this film ticks so many boxes for me that none of it concerns me.
Bond
Dalton makes a dramatic entrance and strong debut. His interpretation of Bond isn't given much time to develop given the quick pacing and many action sequences (as is standard for newer films), but he shines particularly at the beginning during the Koskov defection.
Babes
Not particularly memorable, Kara is more like an innocent schoolgirl. She's not as bad as @barryt007 thinks and is far from the dumbest Bond girl, and even helps Bond in a few scenes.
I've never bought any supposed romance between the pair as some have seen, but it's good to see them share scenes developing their relationship.
Villains
The weak link of the film, as bland as Greene, but I've grown to like Koskov's performance. Necros is the stand out, though un-iconic, performance. I like the presence of the villains throughout the film and how we slowly find out their motivations and alliances, something severely lacking in the recent films.
Music
A great swansong for Barry, having three decent themes and even a cameo appearance.
Action
Non-stop from beginning to end, this is the strength of the Glen films, and Daylights has it in spades.
Direction/Cinematography
Like all John Glen films, not a particularly beautiful film but the pacing is spot on and movie and plot moves along well
Script/Humour
Script is solid enough, the quips are good enough but Dalton doesn't deliver them convincingly
2016 Bondathon
It's a tough battle for first place, but Daylights just pips Goldeneye this time around. An all round better experience, Barry's score itself is enough to put it higher.
1. The Living Daylights
2. Goldeneye
3. From Russia With Love
4. On Her Majesty's Secret Service
5. Casino Royale
6. Dr No
7. Octopussy (its lowest ranking since around 2008)
8. Goldfinger
9. Tomorrow Never Dies
10. Moonraker
11. The Spy Who Loved Me
12. Diamonds Are Forever
13. Licence to Kill
14. The Man With The Golden Gun
15. A View To A Kill
16. Skyfall
17. Die Another Day
18. Thunderball
19. Quantum of Solace
20. The World is Not Enough
Next up is For Your Eyes Only. A very unremarkable entry which often gets overlooked but one that I always enjoy watching, apart from the PTS
The first one, i only watched DN-SF (since it was in 2014)
This one, i watched DN-SP, + NSNA. (2 films more)
I also saw a lot of bonus material included on the Bond 50 set (including the "inside" documentaries, they were great btw)
Also read in my Norwegian Bond book ("Den store boken om James Bond" in english "The big book about James Bond) about each movie. It was great fun and took me about 80 days since i did with a friend, if not it would have gone faster.
New ranking after Bondathon:
1. Casino Royale
2. On Her Majesty’s Secret Service
3. From Russia with Love
4. Dr No (+3)
5. For Your Eyes Only
6. The Spy Who Loved Me
7. Goldfinger (-3)
8. Goldeneye
9. Thunderball
10. The Living Daylights
11. Licence to Kill
12. Skyfall
13. Live and Let Die
14. The Man with the Golden Gun (+2)
15. Moonraker
16. Octopussy (+1)
17. Spectre (-3)
18. Tomorrow Never Dies
19. You Only Live Twice (+2)
20. The World is Not Enough (-1)
21. Quantum of Solace (-1)
22. Die Another Day
23. Diamonds Are Forever
24. A View to a Kill
Notes:
After many good viewings lately, Dr No gets rewarded. Connerys performance is perhaps the best in the series. Honey Ryder is a stunning bond girl, and Dr No a menacing villian. The dinner scene is one of my favourite scenes in the series.
Sadly i finally had to drop GF a bit, after considering it for quite a while this viewing didn't help.
My 5th viewing of SPECTRE and while i have enjoyed it the other 4 times, this time the faults of the film drew it pretty far down. The whole stepbrother thing and the tie in with the other films that they tried just dosen't work. And the missed opportunity of a ski chase can't be forgiven too easily.
People who don't like Dr No miss this point. It's not about the action, the stunts, the girls. Dr No is all about B-O-N-D
It dosen't hurt with a great villian, girl and ally though :)
And the film is more of a mystery thriller then an action flick. Got to love Bond snooping around.
Yep, a plain thriller with no excess baggage. It's great