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Your 'problem-free' Bond movies.

chrisisallchrisisall Brosnan Defender Of The Realm
in Bond Movies Posts: 17,795
Almost every Bond movie has a moment or scene that I have a real problem with (which in itself is similar to almost every other franchise).
So what are the Bond movies that you have no 'cringe-y' moment, no 'need-a-bathroom-break or fridge raid' or check messages moment? Or a simple glance away for a bit moment?
*This is not to identify 'perfect' or favourite Bond movies. It's just for a fun exchange of preferences which may or may not include favourites*
I have a short list:
TLD, TND, and QOS.
«13

Comments

  • RichardTheBruceRichardTheBruce I'm motivated by my Duty.
    edited June 2021 Posts: 13,789
    Pretty much the Daniel Craig films. It's really a relief to me the approach taken since 2006.

    And of course with that at the same time I easily accept what could be called out as cringe-worthy moments in the Connery, Lazenby, Moore, Dalton, and Brosnan films.

    So I have no reservations for CR, QOS, SF, SP. And likely NTTD will follow that trend.
  • w2bondw2bond is indeed a very rare breed
    Posts: 2,252
    Octopussy. Love every minute.
  • chrisisallchrisisall Brosnan Defender Of The Realm
    Posts: 17,795
    w2bond wrote: »
    Octopussy. Love every minute.

    Yeah, it's great. My prob is the outside the aircraft thing. But I DO love it.
  • RichardTheBruceRichardTheBruce I'm motivated by my Duty.
    Posts: 13,789
    Octopussy is impossible not to love for me. Quite a lot to enjoy start to finish and I've been doing that since 1983.
  • ThunderballThunderball playing Chemin de Fer in a casino, downing Vespers
    Posts: 814
    CR, TB, FRWL, DN, GF, OHMSS, SF, TLD, TLK, QOS, SP.
  • w2bondw2bond is indeed a very rare breed
    edited June 2021 Posts: 2,252
    My number 1 is TLD but it does have some 'problem' scenes. But it edges out #2 on the strength of the good scenes (Pushkin interrogation, sniper)
    chrisisall wrote: »
    w2bond wrote: »
    Octopussy. Love every minute.

    Yeah, it's great. My prob is the outside the aircraft thing. But I DO love it.

    The end fight outside the plane?! But they did it for real! (I know the stunt men are clearly visible in some shots but I'd rather know they did it for real than covering it up with CGI like the latest movies)
    RichardTheBruce wrote: »
    Octopussy is impossible not to love for me. Quite a lot to enjoy start to finish and I've been doing that since 1983.

    I've never not liked it, currently #2 for me and always been in the top 7. Unfortunately the general consensus is still quite low
  • RichardTheBruceRichardTheBruce I'm motivated by my Duty.
    Posts: 13,789
    Yeah @w2bond, that kind of assessment doesn't have to be overcome by common knowledge or what's at times a loud and passionate down-cry.

    Witness OHMSS, LTK, QOS, and I'll also invoke SP. Taking the long view, I'm very comfortable for how things play out.

    Check out box office data and audience assessments like IMDb user ratings and RottenTomatometer scores. The damned actually rate and measure just fine among the noise.

  • w2bondw2bond is indeed a very rare breed
    Posts: 2,252
    As much as I love Octopussy, I don't think it will go through a reappraise like OHMSS, QoS etc. It's too tonally all over the place for most people to accept, even though I feel the clown bit works at the end due to Moore being deadly serious in that moment - I'd even say it's one of the tensest moments of his tenure
  • RichardTheBruceRichardTheBruce I'm motivated by my Duty.
    Posts: 13,789
    Fair enough @w2bond, I think those should be accepted in the context of the times. Likewise the moments of outright silliness don't have to conflict with or negate standout content like the auction and the bomb chase or other action. To be relished.

    Easy business. Or so it could be.

  • w2bondw2bond is indeed a very rare breed
    edited June 2021 Posts: 2,252
    Exactly. I feel the whole film gets overlooked and ranked low by people who scream "Clown!", especially by non-fans. It's looked on a little more favourably here
  • YouveHadYourSixYouveHadYourSix
    Posts: 69
    Might have already been said, but I don't think any of the bond films are completely free of problems, i.e FRWL being scored with music tracks from Dr. No because Barry moved onto Zulu, or Casino Royale's third act falling off a cliff (I don't completely agree with this but I've heard it said), Hilary Bray's character's jarringly pasted over Lazenby's mouth movements in OHMSS & A helicopter disappearing into thin air. That chap in the background of Quantum sweeping the air, someone should of told him Greene wanted the water. I suppose that was one of Forsters elements though.

    I personally love spotting these little moments. I think many things that are artistic (Film's, Music, paintings) are not perfect, it shows nuance that us as humans are not perfect either.

    these are all continuities I suppose, maybe were on about the plots too, people often say some of the plots are the same (I'm looking at you You Only Live Twice, The Spy who loved me & Moonraker), this is a bit like Mission Impossible I think, but hell don't I not get excited about seeing the next entry from both Bond & Mission when they are announced.

    Of course all I've said is entirely subjective. ;) & the beauty of opinions is they can also change with time.
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy My Secret Lair
    Posts: 13,384
    I don't have a problem with any of them........ I must be a fan. :D
  • YouveHadYourSixYouveHadYourSix
    Posts: 69
    Thunderpussy wrote: »
    I don't have a problem with any of them........ I must be a fan. :D

    Love it. What a class answer.
  • Fire_and_Ice_ReturnsFire_and_Ice_Returns I am trying to get away from this mountan!
    Posts: 25,094
    You could argue all the films have minor issues most of which I overlook, If I was to think of the most immaculate Bond film CR is the movie that immediately comes to mind.
  • IGotABrudderIGotABrudder UK
    Posts: 631
    I’ve met people who claim to be Alien fans who actually hate the vast majority of Alien franchise films ever made.

    “Alien 3?”
    “Hate it”
    “Alien Resurrection?”
    “Hate it”
    “Alien vs Predator?”
    “Hate it”
    “Prometheus?”
    “Hate it”
    “Alien covenant?”
    “Hate it”

    You wonder what the point of being a fan is, sometimes

    I feel very lucky with Bond though to have a solid series of films from 1962 onwards, and I will happily watch any of them.
  • YouveHadYourSixYouveHadYourSix
    Posts: 69
    IGotABrudder wrote: »
    I’ve met people who claim to be Alien fans who actually hate the vast majority of Alien franchise films ever made.

    “Alien 3?”
    “Hate it”
    “Alien Resurrection?”
    “Hate it”
    “Alien vs Predator?”
    “Hate it”
    “Prometheus?”
    “Hate it”
    “Alien covenant?”
    “Hate it”

    You wonder what the point of being a fan is, sometimes

    I feel very lucky with Bond though to have a solid series of films from 1962 onwards, and I will happily watch any of them.

    "Alien resurrection" is great fun. "Alien 3" is just very interesting watching the behind the scenes. And also recently watching it found it to be a pretty darn enjoyable movie.
  • DeathToSpies84DeathToSpies84 Newton-le-Willows, England
    Posts: 257
    IGotABrudder wrote: »
    I’ve met people who claim to be Alien fans who actually hate the vast majority of Alien franchise films ever made.

    “Alien 3?”
    “Hate it”
    “Alien Resurrection?”
    “Hate it”
    “Alien vs Predator?”
    “Hate it”
    “Prometheus?”
    “Hate it”
    “Alien covenant?”
    “Hate it”

    You wonder what the point of being a fan is, sometimes

    I feel very lucky with Bond though to have a solid series of films from 1962 onwards, and I will happily watch any of them.

    Personally, I think Alien 3 is massively underrated due to the Assembly Cut being a lot better than the theatrical version. Having said that, I have zero problems with it. Everything after is an insult to the Alien series itself.

    My problem free Bond films? DN, FRWL, GF, TLD, LTK, GE and CR.
  • Quantum_of_TomorrowQuantum_of_Tomorrow
    Posts: 508
    problem free Bond films for me - DN, OP, TLD, TND, SP
  • IGotABrudderIGotABrudder UK
    Posts: 631
    Problem-free ones for me are TB, TSWLM, QOS
  • Quantum_of_TomorrowQuantum_of_Tomorrow
    Posts: 508
    QoS has Strawberry Fields but it nearly made my list
  • 007ClassicBondFan007ClassicBondFan
    Posts: 2,266
    FRWL, OHMSS, and GE for me
  • chrisisallchrisisall Brosnan Defender Of The Realm
    Posts: 17,795
    w2bond wrote: »
    Exactly. I feel the whole film gets overlooked and ranked low by people who scream "Clown!", especially by non-fans. It's looked on a little more favourably here
    The clown scene is a masterpiece of juxtaposition. Absurdity in the face of dead-seriousness. John Glen is my favourite Bond director... he just got better & better as he went along IMO.
  • STLCards3STLCards3
    Posts: 230
    IGotABrudder wrote: »
    I’ve met people who claim to be Alien fans who actually hate the vast majority of Alien franchise films ever made.

    “Alien 3?”
    “Hate it”
    “Alien Resurrection?”
    “Hate it”
    “Alien vs Predator?”
    “Hate it”
    “Prometheus?”
    “Hate it”
    “Alien covenant?”
    “Hate it”

    You wonder what the point of being a fan is, sometimes

    I feel very lucky with Bond though to have a solid series of films from 1962 onwards, and I will happily watch any of them.

    Yup like Star Wars nerds. They act obsessed, but only tolerate two of the 9 movies. Most Bond fans will at least watch and enjoy most of the films...even with the awareness that some of them are not in fact, good.

    Not sure there are an Bond films where there isn't at least one or two scenes that are a bit boring or are cringy. But that is every movie.
  • marcmarc Universal Exports
    Posts: 2,610
    DN, YOLT, FYEO
  • chrisisallchrisisall Brosnan Defender Of The Realm
    Posts: 17,795
    marc wrote: »
    DN, YOLT, FYEO

    Interesting choices. Good movies too.
  • marcmarc Universal Exports
    Posts: 2,610
    Indeed, they have both little silliness (for a spy movie) and a lot of entertaining qualities. I might have included TB, e.g., but its problem is it's not that much fun, for me.
  • ZarozzorZarozzor
    Posts: 207
    The Living Daylights and Licence to Kill.
  • JamesStockJamesStock
    edited June 2021 Posts: 572
    Oooh, this one's tough. For me, QOS is probably closest to cringe-free for me. The only thing I can't stand is the title theme (and boy, does it make me wince).

    Runner up would probably be FRWL followed by (in no order) TB, TSWLM, TLD, and believe it or not, GE. Don't get me wrong, GE (as with the others) has some massive flaws, but none of them seem to make me squirm.

    DN - The scary dragon. Ruins the credibility every time for me. Also, the massive overreaction to the tarantula.
    GF - Predator treatment of women, Goldfinger being sucked out of the plane
    YOLT - Pre-title sequence, becoming Japanese
    OHMSS - Sir Hillary Brey voice over, Blofeld not recognizing Bond, Ruby (and the fact that he takes advantage of her despite being in love)
    DAF - Tiffany Case transforms into a bimbo, for starters...
    LALD - Rosie
    TMWTGG - Nipple, bimbo, the sherriff, and slidewhistle
    MR - Honestly it's not as cringy as I would expect it to be. I can somehow get over the completely unrealistic plot. But man, Q's lab, the pigeon, and Bondola do hurt.
    FYEO - Bibi
    OP - C'mon, cringe is right in the name of this one. Then there's Tarzan.. That said, similar to TMWTGG's fun house, I do actually like the clown scenes.
    AVTAK - Shrills, surfer music, sexy time (any of which), and stupid policemen
    LTK - Fake sharks and a semi doing a wheelie
    TND - The helicopter scene...I just can't.
    TWINE - "Or are you just hoping for a glimmer..." The dialogue all over, especially with Dr. Jones...man, just ouch.
    DAD - lolz
    CR - The falling house...I just cant watch that part for some reason. It should probably be a runner up TBH.
    SF - The CGI komodo dragons and cyanide mouth, not to mention the villain's escape
    SP - Wailing in the theme credits, brothergate, and the most cringeworthy act, the retconning..."It was all me" 🤢

    Lastly for the record, I do enjoy Bond movies. I just did the list as an exercise to help me hone down on what I view as the "least cringiest" films.
  • chrisisallchrisisall Brosnan Defender Of The Realm
    Posts: 17,795
    JamesStock wrote: »
    Oooh, this one's tough. For me, QOS is probably closest to cringe-free for me. The only thing I can't stand is the title theme (and boy, does it make me wince).

    Runner up would probably be FRWL followed by (in no order) TB, TSWLM, TLD, and believe it or not, GE. Don't get me wrong, GE (as with the others) has some massive flaws, but none of them seem to make me squirm.

    DN - The scary dragon. Ruins the credibility every time for me. Also, the massive overreaction to the tarantula.
    GF - Predator treatment of women, Goldfinger being sucked out of the plane
    YOLT - Pre-title sequence, becoming Japanese
    OHMSS - Sir Hillary Brey voice over, Blofeld not recognizing Bond, Ruby (and the fact that he takes advantage of her despite being in love)
    DAF - Tiffany Case transforms into a bimbo, for starters...
    LALD - Rosie
    TMWTGG - Nipple, bimbo, the sherriff, and slidewhistle
    MR - Honestly it's not as cringy as I would expect it to be. I can somehow get over the completely unrealistic plot. But man, Q's lab, the pigeon, and Bondola do hurt.
    FYEO - Bibi
    OP - C'mon, cringe is right in the name of this one. Then there's Tarzan.. That said, similar to TMWTGG's fun house, I do actually like the clown scenes.
    AVTAK - Shrills, surfer music, sexy time (any of which), and stupid policemen
    LTK - Fake sharks and a semi doing a wheelie
    TND - The helicopter scene...I just can't.
    TWINE - "Or are you just hoping for a glimmer..." The dialogue all over, especially with Dr. Jones...man, just ouch.
    DAD - lolz
    CR - The falling house...I just cant watch that part for some reason. It should probably be a runner up TBH.
    SF - The CGI komodo dragons and cyanide mouth, not to mention the villain's escape
    SP - Wailing in the theme credits, brothergate, and the most cringeworthy act, the retconning..."It was all me" 🤢

    Lastly for the record, I do enjoy Bond movies. I just did the list as an exercise to help me hone down on what I view as the "least cringiest" films.

    That's a pretty comprehensive list, sir! Well done. I would differ with TWINE, though, I don't mind the cute dialogue as much as the idea that a person can function without being able to feel much. How would you even be able to walk or hold on to something if you couldn't feel?
  • STLCards3STLCards3
    Posts: 230
    JamesStock wrote: »
    GF - Predator treatment of women, Goldfinger being sucked out of the plane
    .

    How could any discussion of Goldfinger and cringe NOT include that abhorrent acting and dialogue at the "hoods convention". Takes me out of the movie every time.
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