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Comments
Definitely. I was surprised how much I liked it last time. Might even crack my top 10.
I was happily surprised at some of the films it overtook in my ranking. Overall, this is probably the biggest shakeup I've had with mine in many years - FYEO is set to rank rather high, a couple of favorites didn't really blow me away like they have before, etc. It's good fun.
My last Bondathon also provided the biggest shakeup ever, but the no. 1 and 2 stay the same.
When SP was released on blu ray I watched all 4 of Craig's Bond movies back to back. I hit the brakes with SF which I find a bit a drag, and took a break in berweeen before viewing SP, but CR/QOS is great to watch as a double bill!
I think that's how I felt with DN this time around - I love it so much but I'm so familiar with it by this point that I sort of can't help but tune out at times or just not be as amazed by it as I have been countless times in the past. I love Bondathons but taking a lengthy break from the films is always a great idea for rewatchability.
This happened to me the last time I saw GF. I still love it, but I’ve been less enthusiastic with it than usual lately. TB has firmly taken its place as my favorite Connery film for the time being, and right now I also have DN and FRWL rated higher.
There are several Bond movies where you have to be in the mood to watch and TB is definitely one of them!
I agree that a lengthy break can help - enabling you to come back to films relatively fresh but with that nostalgic enthusiasm.
Sean isn’t my favourite Bond (although I have a soft spot for YOLT) so I tend not to watch those very often. As a result when I recently rewatched DN (a film I’ve not seen for a long time) I found I enjoyed it considerably more than I was expecting, especially DN. I was surprised just how much of the ‘Bond formula’ was present and correct right in that very first film, whereas I tend to think of GF as when everything clicks into place. Dr No’s lair really is a superb set, and the film was much pacier than I remembered it being. it definitely jumped up in my rankings after that.
THE SPY WHO LOVED ME.
Be a surprise to many as it's generally considered a classic....but I just don't get it. This viewing hasn't changed my mind though I did enjoy it slightly more than usual.
It's.....just......that ...everything ...seems...to ...move...so...... ...slowly!
Even the fight scenes seem to be in slow motion. And though he was a hit with audiences, hence his return in MR, I just don't like the Jaws character.
Stromberg does nothing for me either, coming across like Granpa Walton, he is so unthreatening as a villain.
Barbara Bach is certainly gorgeous but my God she is so wooden, it's a wonder Rog didn't get woodworm after kissing her!!
It looks pleasant enough,with good cinematography, with terrific work from Ken Adams, but it just doesn't excite me at all, apart from the pts, and that's only the skiing part! Worst of all is Marvin Hamlisch score, the jokey use of music really grates, worst of which is when Bond /Anya are driving the delapatated van across the desert. Awful. For me all ofc Rogers other Bonds are more watchable than this!
Breaking it down into categories:
THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH
James Bond: 5
While I think GE is still Pierce’s strongest outing, I do think TWINE has his best performance in it. Ages ago, a user on here put it like this: “Bond thinks he has found Tracy, but he has found Blofeld instead.” Can’t describe it any better and I think Pierce sells it excellently, without ever losing his charm as well. Love those scenes at the banker’s office or the one where M says he is cleared by the good doctor.
Bond girl: 4
Not anywhere near a convincing nuclear scientist, but do I really care?
Villainess: 5
Sophie Marceau is one of the very best villains. I can believe anyone, even Bond, could fall for her instantly. The way she uses her innocent appearance and her gorgeous looks to manipulate absolutely everyone is something we haven’t had before or since.
Henchmen/women: 4
I’m not the biggest fan of Renard, but I am a big fan of Maria Grazia Cucinotta. Also quite liked Davidov and Mr. Bullion. Gabor is a bore though.
Allies: 5
Zukovsky is not only likeable and hilarious, he proves to be quite useful as well, giving him a great send-off.
MI6: 5
The modern era’s best MI6 gang: Judi Dench’s first ‘emotional’ involvement, the best Bill Tanner, the awesome Robinson, Samantha’s Moneypenny at her most flirty and the good doctor Molly Warmflash.
Plot: 5
During the film I thought on more than one occasion: this film is a lot better written than it gets credit for. One example: on a lesser day they would just give the villains a sub without explanation. But here they get it via Zukovsky and doing so conveniently insert one of the greatest allies along the way.
Gunbarrel & title sequence: 5
One of the very best title sequences colourfully inserting the oil theme of the movie without losing those typical gun-swinging or scantily clad ladies.
Sets & locations: 4
London, Scotland, former USSR states and Istanbul. Sounds very Bondian to me to be honest.
Cinematography: 4
Gets all the atmosphere across the screen rather well though it obviously isn’t OHMSS.
Pre-title sequence: 5
Both the banker’s office scenes as well as the Thames chase are amazing in my book.
Climax: 3
It’s fine though nothing special.
Vehicles & gadgets: 5
This BMW is a beautiful machine and that comes from someone who has never been a BMW fan. Love the Omega as well and I’m strangely fond of the X-ray specs and the credit card that turns into a key.
Action & stunts: 4
Contrary to popular belief, this film isn’t full of action like its predecessor and when it does feature chases, fisticuffs or shooting, it gets the job done.
Dialogue & humour: 4
I honestly do not cringe at any of the puns in this film. If anything, I smiled a lot. Maybe this is where the nostalgia factor does its work.
Music score: 4
Come in 007, Your Time is Up. Access Denied. Ice Bandits. Casino. Body Double. This might be my favourite David Arnold score, though near the end the action cues do get a bit too noisy.
Original song: 5
Considering Don Black was involved, it shouldn’t come as a surprise this is one of my favourites.
Costumes & attire: 5
Elektra is stylish throughout and Pierce absolutely shines in an abundance of fabulous Italian men’s wear.
Snobbery: 3
I love that caviar is a plot point, but Bond doesn’t do much here except having one bottle of Bollinger.
Ian Fleming: 4
The things that are not very Flemingesque in TWINE are well-documented. But Bond falling for the film’s villainess IS right up there with the most Fleming-inspired touches we have had since 1990. Also, Orbis non sufficit. Best non-Fleming title ever.
Total: 88%
Up to the next millennium then with the much-maligned DAD. I wonder how it will turn out.
DIE ANOTHER DAY
James Bond: 4
A few horrible quips aside, Pierce keeps himself standing among the madness that is DAD. The way he looks when he thinks he is about to be executed is one of his best acted moments in the series.
Bond girl: 3
When she can be charming, sexy or do some action scenes I think Halle Berry does quite well, the terrifyingly bad puns though take away some points.
Villain: 4
When he is Moon, he’s rather great. When he is Graves, it’s all right.
Henchmen/women: 4
Miranda Frost is the last of the henchwomen so far and she does brilliantly. Zao and Vlad are ok, Kil has the stupidest name ever but he’s not horrible or anything.
Allies: 4
I absolutely adore Raoul, this guy cracks me up every single time. He might even be one of my favourites. Chang has some funny moments with Bond too. Michael Madsen is horrible though, unfortunately.
MI6: 3
Definitely Samantha Bond’s worst moment in her rather fine career as Moneypenny. M and Q are ok without excelling too much. Robinson is as cool as ever, but has little screentime.
Plot: 1
Truthfully terrible.
Gunbarrel & title sequence: 3
The gunbarrel music and the colour scheme are actually very good, the bullet is rubbish. The title sequence is not the greatest, nor the worst.
Sets & locations: 4
The ice palace is the most Adamesque set in the modern era, surely. The Antonov interior isn’t great though.
Cinematography: 5
David Tattersall does a great job here. I can almost feel the mud on my face during the hovercraft chase and the Iceland scenes feel suitably cold. The Cuba scenes are also excellently done, considering the weather in Spain was rather bad and it still feels like Cuba.
Pre-title sequence: 3
Ok, though not my favourite by a long stretch.
Climax: 3
The robot suit is beyond ridiculous, but the sword fight is well-choreographed.
Vehicles & gadgets: 4
The Vanquish is so stunningly beautiful I honestly don’t mind it being used as an invisible car sometimes. If we can have an Esprit sub, I have no problems with an invisible Vanquish. Zao’s Jag is beautiful too.This category doesn’t get a 5 because I don’t care for hovercrafts, glass-shattering rings or virtual reality glasses.
Action & stunts: 4
A magnificent fencing scene and an excellent car chase are proof of the film’s fine action scenes. Such a pity the CGI tsunami squanders this film’s reputation on this account.
Dialogue & humour: 3
The curse of this film is that it does some things so horribly bad that one forgets there are good moments too. Emilio Echevarría, Ho Yi and Rosamund Pike prove that DAD isn’t only about 'Yo momma’s’.
Music score: 4
A typical David Arnold score that excels at the start of the film, is even better at the electronic beeps and uses the James Bond Theme more than enough, while also including a rather chaotic and overlong piece of action music during the climax.
Original songs: 4
I like electronic music, so no wonder I like the Madonna song and also no wonder I like the Dirty Vegas Mix even better.
Costumes & attire: 4
Goodness me, I love Brioni suits.
Snobbery: 4
That Hong Kong hotel entrance and the request for a ‘61 Bollinger alone are enough to deliver here.
Ian Fleming: 2
DAD starts out promisingly with Bond’s capture, but loses itself in sci-fi nonsense not much later.
Total: 70%
I am admittedly nostalgic about the later two Brosnan entries. DAD is considerably weaker than TWINE, but it definitely beats TND in my book.
That’s it for the old timeline. Thanks for the entertainment Pierce!
Reboot is coming up.
Definitely an excellent addition to the franchise, though I’d say a bit overrated considering so many people consider it the ‘Best Bond Ever’.
Let’s not dwell on for too long and get straight down to business.
CASINO ROYALE
James Bond: 4
More muscleman than his predecessors, and not quite as refined. Still though, you can’t argue Daniel Craig is an excellent actor. Whatever he has to do, he does it well.
Bond girls: 5
Caterina Murino is endlessly sexy, but it’s Eva Green who steals the show. Not only in this category but in the film as a whole. Smart, likeable, attractive and complicated. One of the very best Bond girls.
Villains: 4
Mr White is ok though still somewhat unexceptional compared to his later outings. Mads Mikkelsen on the other hand is absolutely brilliant. The way he looks at Ade when he shows his cards during that last hand says it all. Love that kind of stuff.
Henchmen/women: 2
Nothing special here. A bit dull on this front.
Allies: 5
Mathis and Felix are fantastic, though I’d like to single out another great but unspoken character: the Swiss banker Mendel. That guy just cracks me up each time he’s on screen.
MI6: 4
Judi Dench is great as always. Tobias Menzies is fine. I’d say I prefer him over Tanner’s dullness in the last two films.
Plot: 4
All right, the Fleming novel was great and they’ve done a great job updating that to a more relevant plot for the post 9/11 days of 2006. That being said, there are three things I’m not too sure about:
1. Bond Begins: an unnecessary break with what came before, just because it was the in-thing to do in those days. If anything it makes me respect DN’s approach towards the character more.
2. Vesper’s death is ripped of every emotional impact it would have had, if they had kept it as low-key as in the book, because it is in the middle of an action scene. Look at how much better OHMSS handles its downbeat ending.
3. Poker instead of baccarat. Again, I remember it being all the craze back then. Baccarat is Bond’s game though and I think GE was the last time we saw that. A shame.
Gunbarrel & title sequence: 4
As a one-off, the gunbarrel gets the job done, though I will always prefer a traditional opening. The title sequence is a very unique addition to the series and suits the film perfectly.
Sets & locations: 4
Some fabulous locations, though Miami never feels like Miami. Neither does Montenegro feel like Montenegro. That’s for the simple reason they’ve used the very beautiful, but also very famous Karlovy Vary as a stand-in. I immediately recognised it as not being Montenegro. Also some of the signs are left in Czech. Sloppy.
Cinematography: 4
Nothing to complain here really. Good without being fabulous.
Pre-title sequence: 4
I quite like the fact they went for black and white.
Climax: 4
As stated above, Vesper’s death should not have been in the middle of an action scene. That being said, the action itself is pretty good. I like it that James uses his silencer so much.
Vehicles & gadgets: 4
Could have been a 5, if not for the disgraceful Ford publicity.
Action & stunts: 5
Highlights here are the parkour chase, the stairwell fight and the sinking palazzo.
Dialogue & humour: 4
Overall the dialogue is great, with the train scene and the torture scene standing out. There are some really stupid moments in here too however. We can complain about Zao’s disappointed mother but I find that little finger equally stupid. Also, Mathis explaining every single thing going on during the poker scenes really got on my nerves.
Music score: 3
I find this the weakest of the Arnold Bond scores. More so than in the previous ones, orchestrations can be somewhat chaotic. This is especially apparent in ‘Miami International’, one of my least favourite cues in any Bond film.
Original song: 3
Never been a rock fan. It’s acceptable without being too special.
Costumes & attire: 4
Indeed there are dinner jackets and dinner jackets and Brioni is definitely the latter. I will miss Brioni. A whole lot less though, is Bond wearing some sort of Hawaiian-style shirt or a t-shirt.
Snobbery: 4
I love how Bond just recognises the exact year of the DB5. Also he clearly knows what to order during the entire film.
Ian Fleming: 4
Can’t complain about the middle section, but the sad ending has been changed for the worse here. I can’t feel what I felt in the book when Bond discovers Vesper’s passing. Therefore, I will take away 1 point.
Total: 79%
Well, some of this might not be in agreement with other members but it is how I feel about this film. Still, I must say I quite like this one despite some of my gripes with it. Definitely top half, or near the better half anyway.
On to QOS.
As the lovely Magda would say: “You’re too kind.” ;)
And I absolutely adore it. This film is layered to its core, it is a Bond film disguised as a European art film, or the other way around. I happen to love European films and I feel this one is the Bond film closest to that.
Breaking it down into categories can explain some things, but not all. Because that would need this film to follow the rules and QOS does not follow the rules. I might have to write a full review of it.
QUANTUM OF SOLACE
James Bond: 5
I know I sometimes say Daniel Craig can be a bit brutish and unrefined compared to his predecessors. For this film, this is not true. In fact, Craig is a phenomenal Bond here. The hotel swap, the foreign language knowledge, the humour and the charm, it’s all there. This Bond is a man of the world again. Also, drinking his thoughts away in the airplane makes him more human than anything in the previous film. A Very Flemingesque touch too. QOS is Craig’s Bond at its best.
Bond girls: 5
Olga Kurylenko and Gemma Arterton go straight into my Pantheon of great Bond girls. Camille has a back story that intertwines with Bond’s and it strengthens their friendship. This relationship and background might not feel like a typical Bond/Bond girl one, but it does feel like one that could feature in a Fleming short story. Strawberry Fields doesn’t have all that but she’s effortlessly charming in every way nevertheless.
Villains: 5
Looking at this one more than just Dominic Greene, who by the way is frightening because this man could actually exist in the real world. But the film is about Quantum as a whole and the way it manipulates the world and the governments in it, the way it gets their hands on everything. Neither left nor right, but opportunists behind curtains controlling the world. That’s as scary as it can get, right?
Henchmen: 3
Elvis. A lot has been said and he is utterly useless and forgettable. I agree with that. The general and chief of police are pretty standard too. This category does have one saving grace: David Harbour’s Gregory Beam. This slimy bugger is not only hilarious, he’s worryingly real too.
Allies: 5
Mathis gets his well-deserved moment to shine, even though he gets killed rather quickly. Nevertheless, the man is so likeable I haven’t felt so bad about an ally’s demise since Saunders. Needless also to add that Jeffrey Wright is a great Felix.
MI6: 4
Judi Dench shines as usual. Bill Tanner isn’t yet the bore he would become in the Mendes films. And is Mitchell the first undercover baddie at MI6?
Plot: 5
A large chunk of this has already been touched upon in the villains category. In short, I love how this film feels so real yet doesn’t lose Bond’s story along the way. Evil organisation stages a coup in Bolivia and wants to take away the water supplies from the people, effectively illustrated by the water literally running out in a small village at one point. That might not be a conventional action film’s plot but it feels much more relevant than what we usually get. This is a Bond film that has something meaningful to say. If anything, that’s an excellent change of pace.
Gunbarrel & title sequence: 4
Not the greatest of gunbarrels but a great title sequence though. I find it very suitable for a film about the lack of water to make it all feel rather dry with Bond and the traditional women in the background surrounded by sandy imagery.
Sets & locations: 5
Italy, the Caribbean, luxury hotels in Bolivia, a floating opera in Austria and good old snowy Russia at the end. Can’t think of much better combinations to be fair. I love the location title cards as well. Absolutely love them. Dennis Gassner makes a great debut to the franchise too with some inspired sets. Honestly quite like the touchscreen fest at MI6.
Cinematography: 5
The fact that these locations look so good and are as atmospherical as they are is of course also down to the excellent work of Roberto Schaefer.
Pre-title sequence: 5
One of my favourite chases of the franchise really. A frantic action scene amidst a beautiful landscape. Also, Aston Martin v. Alfa Romeo. Those are my #2 and #3 favourite car brands.
Climax: 4
Another frantic action piece in the middle of an enormous fire with Camille’s story coming full circle. Absolutely love the way they end up together in that room with Bond protecting her from the fire and she utters: “Not this way”. There is so much more to this film than just simple action stuff.
Vehicles & gadgets: 4
The Aston and the Alfa’s are enough to make this category top-notch and the film hasn’t even started at that point. I like that Bond drives some SUV’s later on, even though they aren’t the prettiest. Volvo is already a better choice than Ford as an Everyman car pick and the product placement isn’t as jarring. Nice Jag too, Dominic, or is that a Daimler? Finally, the phones look better than ever here, with that typical QOS touchscreen design. There is something very satisfying about the way it moves. (Great it’s also used as the blu-ray menu.)
Action & stunts: 5
Not one single moment did I find the action difficult to follow. If anything it’s frantic and that works for me. The rooftop chase coinciding with the Palio is a masterstroke, so is the floating opera scene. I also love how the action scenes sometimes lose their sound at important moments. It feels so well-thought out, so unconventional. This film is an experience in art.
Dialogue & humour: 5
Some examples of how great the dialogue is:
1. “I have pills for everything. Some make you taller. Some make you forget.”
2. “ You know I was just wondering what South America would look like if nobody gave a damn about coke or communism.”
3. “È un vino qualsiasi.”
4. “Tosca isn’t for everyone.”
5. “Your mother?”
“No but she likes to think so.”
I could go on for a while, but this is already getting longer than I planned for.
Music score: 5
After my least favourite of his scores comes my very favourite. David Arnold’s score for QOS is in the top 5 of the series for me. The action cues are never chaotic and all locations are granted their own sound. Considering there is a lot of globetrotting going on, that’s an accomplishment. The best track though has to be “Night at the Opera”, you can feel the sense of mystery surrounding this organisation just by listening to this track.
Original song: 3
Not the best of them but I can live with it. If anything there are a lot of layers to this song. Really love the piano at the beginning and the end too.
Costumes & attire: 5
I am a big Brioni fan but Tom Ford delivers some absolutely stunning men’s wear too here.
Snobbery: 5
The hotel swap alone is enough to make me very happy here.
Ian Fleming: 5
A very conflicted Bond who gets in the middle of a plot which he doesn’t quite manages to get a grab of. Drinks his troubles away too. Camille’s backstory is pure Fleming as well.
Total: 91%
I love this film so much I think it might crack my top 5, battling with LTK. This one looks and sounds better though. We’ll see about that, first better watch the Mendes films.
My favourite car brand would be Lancia, which only appears once in Bond: Tracy drives one in the OHMSS novel.
As you said, the Fleming novel.
And for completeness.
Even more trivial. Unauthorized Bond novel privately published.
He is a digitive, a digital detective.
- Mendes is obviously sentimental about the classics, funny that he tries so hard to be different.
- OHMSS, LTK, CR and QOS were also radically different to most other Bond films yet they still felt like Bond films. That mix combined with good timing made those films feel fresh. This film is the third in a row trying to break with tradition. But with the last straightforward Bond film being released ten years before this one, that hardly feels fresh anymore.
I am a big fan of QOS and the ending to that film left a great impression: we’ve rebooted Bond and he’s made a long journey in which he has learned a lot along the way, now 007 is back!
Then SF comes and it appears we’ve missed the whole Bond-is-back-part and we’re once again down to a “different sort of Bond film” but this time lacking the subtlety of its predecessor and instead telling its audience: “Look how audacious we are, doing something entirely different.”
Not that SF is particularly bad, but it’s far from my favourite nevertheless.
SKYFALL
James Bond: 3
Thank goodness Daniel Craig is an excellent actor because if that were not the case I’d even have to go lower. What happened to the gentleman spy I became a fan of? This Heineken drinking, short-haired, overly muscular killing machine is more a soldier than he is James Bond. Nothing wrong with soldiers, but I’d watch several other superior films for that kind of thing.
“Is there anything left of the old 007”, Silva asks.
“Not much.”, replies this viewer.
Bond girl: 2
The previous film gave us a whole different relation between Bond and Bond girl. I don’t mind that. What I do mind is there being no Bond girl at all. There is one you say? Ah yes, that poorly acted part that disappears after a shower shag with Bond? Mendes tries to be different just for the sake of being different, Part I.
Villain: 4
If anything, Javier Bardem sells really well that this guy is utterly insane. Which is a compliment if you’re portraying a Bond villain.
Henchmen: 3
Patrice is fine I suppose, is there anyone else they’ve gone through the effort of actually giving a name?
Allies: 4
This film says on more than one occasion that the old ways are sometimes the best. Albert Finney demonstrates why that can be true at times. Ralph Fiennes is considerably better here than as M in the next film too.
MI6: 4
Not quite the Scooby-Doo gang of the next film and with Naomie Harris and Ben Whishaw we get two fine additions as well. On the other hand, this is the point where Rory Kinnear starts to become dull. He even ducks when they try to shoot his boss.
Plot: 3
SF wants to come across as high art but with a plot so sloppily written that can feel a bit self-indulgent really.
Gunbarrel & title sequence: 3
CR and QOS had reasons for doing the gunbarrel differently. SF has none whatsoever, except Mendes trying to be different for the sake of it, Part II. If you don’t think the gunbarrel fits you’re opening shot, you change your opening shot or find another film to direct. The title sequence is fine but Kleinman’s work on GE, TWINE and CR is far superior.
Sets & locations: 4
Istanbul, Shanghai, Macau, London and the always very beautiful Scottish countryside. Good stuff.
Cinematography: 5
Roger Deakins proves to be a master of lightning and colour. For me, the best part of this film.
Pre-title sequence: 3
VW Beetles! Oh and there is also a chase through Istanbul. The stunt work is ok, though we have had a lot better in the past. I did love how they cut to that listening device when Moneypenny says: “Agent down.” Best part of it in my book.
Climax: 3
Again, I don’t think this is bad or anything. It’s just ok. Nothing particularly bad, nothing particularly good.
Vehicles & gadgets: 4
The DB5 was no necessary addition to the next film, but in this one there is a good reason for it being there. Nice Modigliani painting too there. Also love the LTK reference of the palm-print gun. Don’t love the quip about GE though. Is that Mr Mendes trying to say he is making a much more meaningful film than GE? Hard to imagine he’s not, to be honest.
Action & stunts: 3
If action wasn’t DN’s strong suit, that’s acceptable. But here you have an enormous budget and you still can’t really thrill me on this account.
Dialogue & humour: 4
At least we get some really fine dialogue and a few witty lines.
“Old dog, new tricks.”
If only.
Music score: 4
Thomas Newman’s score is sometimes a bit too much Nolanesque, but there are a few very good cues in here as well: “New Digs”, “Shanghai Drive” and “Adrenaline” stand out for me.
Original song: 4
A good song, though not my favourite. Never being a big Adele fan might explain a thing or two.
Costumes & attire: 3
Considering Tom Ford dressed Craig impeccably stylish for QOS, it surprises me SF does so averagely in comparison. His clothing seems a bit too tight as well. I did love the outfit in the final scene though: the raincoat, the leather gloves, wish we could have had more stylishness like that.
Snobbery: 2
I don’t mind Bond ordering a local cerveza, I do mind Bond drinking an inferior multinational excuse for dishwater being a pilsner. Mr Bond, may I invite you to Belgium to get your beer taste up to snuff?
Ian Fleming: 3
Not making questionable oneliners is no guarantee of being Flemingesque.
Total: 68%
QOS is Bond going arty as it should be, SF is more crowd-pleasing but in my book it’s inferior to its predecessor in almost every way.
Focusing on the good: good actors, good dialogue and excellent cinematography.
My expectations for SP aren’t very high, but everyone deserves a second chance. Who knows I might be pleasantly surprised. I do hope so.
Edit: might have been a tad to severe for Bérénice Marlohe. Still think we miss a main Bond girl here, but she does make an intruiging secondary one. I’ll turn that 2 into a 3, which makes a total of 69% for SF.
This one I loved after my first watch, but it has been in decline ever since.
The opposite happened with QOS, I thought it was ok upon release, but I’ve grown to absolutely adore it by now.
Afraid I didn't warm to SF from day one, came away from the cinema very glum, thinking "Am I missing something?, why is everyone raving avmbout this Bond film"
With QOS I had issues with the editing but they disappeared with my second viewing, but I still enjoyed that first showing and like you I adore that film now
I've just finished OHMSS... Can't take that ending with Tracy getting shot, always gets me...