It looks like you're new here. If you want to get involved, click one of these buttons!
^ Back to Top
The MI6 Community is unofficial and in no way associated or linked with EON Productions, MGM, Sony Pictures, Activision or Ian Fleming Publications. Any views expressed on this website are of the individual members and do not necessarily reflect those of the Community owners. Any video or images displayed in topics on MI6 Community are embedded by users from third party sites and as such MI6 Community and its owners take no responsibility for this material.
James Bond News • James Bond Articles • James Bond Magazine
Comments
Re. the final confrontation with Yusef. I do believe that Bond was on the fence about killing Yusef - he saw that vengeance did not fulfil Camille - the quiet and sincere "thank you" from Corrine, tipped Bond over into handing Yusef to MI6.
Talking of Yusef, do you believe that Vesper would fall for this slimy hipster?
Yeah, Vesper would have seen through all his BS and left him crying into his perfectly dishevelled beard.
Firstly, there are those who dislike Skyfall intensly for various reasons. One of the odder reasons is that it was so successful because it caught the imagination of a Nation during the Queen's Jubilee year. Plus the goodwill of a people looking towards a great Summer Olympics in London.
However, the UK is not the whole world and the domestic takings could never drive any film to a $1 billion. Skyfall caught the imagination of the world.
Skyfall is not everyone's cup of tea but certainly a personal favourite of mine. I won't dwell on plot holes, motivations, or the fact that Silva actually completes his mission successfully albeit in a very convoluted manner.
I will however give a shout out for one of the series most impressive casts. Any film advertised to feature Daniel Craig, Judi Dench, Albert Finney, Ben Wishaw, Ralph Fiennes, Javier Bardem, Naomi Harris & Helen McCrory would get a nod of approval from any cinema goer, I'm sure.
But, this is Dench's film and despite Craig and Bardem giving it their all she literally steals the show with a performance of such depth and restrained emotion that one does have to question why she was grossly overlooked during awards season.
Skyfall, like CR before it should maintain its reputation in years to come, and rightly so.
Despite that I was amazed at the vitriol from so many people on Twitter over the weekend following a TV showing. Some of the criticism was justified but I did get the sense of Craig's bubble bursting and a desire for the less complicated Bond films of the 20th century.
Only time will tell.
Only my son's insistence made me give up my Saturday evening to watch Spectre.
When it came out Spectre seemed a pretty good Bond film, but with subsequent viewings it sunk further and further in the rankings. And this is something I hear and read across the whole of Bond fandom. Its almost a universal truth. Spectre simply doesn't have legs!
However, once you reach rock bottom and live with the assumption that the next viewing will be worse than the one before its amazing how you can suddenly find a little value, a glimmer of worth within this generally soulless and empty piece of work.
I do love the PTS once I get over the shock of the yellow tint.
And Craig looks good for most of the film, even if he handles the comic moments clumsily. Having said that Bond's dead pan reaction to Qs simple delight at his own joke ("I believe I said bring it back in one piece, not bring back one piece") is very amusing.
Ralph Fiennes is fantastic as you would expect.
The train scenes are great.
One thing I couldn't attune myself to was the incessant, drum-led, pounding rhythm (let's not go so far as to call it music) that accompanied most of the chase scenes. Newman seemed intent on convincing us that the plane chase and the car chase were more exciting than they really were.
Blofeld!
Well, Eon has never really given the character due respect apart from the early days when they kept him in the shadows. So, we have had the toad like Blofeld of YOLT with the cracked head and accent of no fixed abode, followed by New York gangster Blofeld and finally upper crust Englishman Blofeld. To top it all in FYEO we had a Blofeld caricature which mixed them all together and dumped him down a factory chimney.
So, when people complain about Blofeld in Spectre its worth remembering that its just another insult to literature Bond's greatest nemesis.
Finally the running time is so undeserved. Skyfall was an anniversary Bond film and earned its length. Spectre is nothing of the sort and should have been wrapped up with a big two army battle out in the desert. The punchline could have had C getting his comeuppance with a bullet to the brain. End.
And thats my Bondathon done and dusted. Maybe I will live long enough to do another. But right now, I'd rather slash my wrists....
Maybe people who don't love it just feel annoyed with the level of mainstream praise it gets. I'm this way with CR: I don't really love it, and find it's reputation irritating as a result. It's silly and immature, of course.
Thank you my friend
You know, you raise a good point about Newman's score, which is just about the only thing I don't love about the film. I find it weird how much people complain about Spectre's car chase. It's obviously not meant to be some high-octane edge-of-your-seat centerpiece for the movie: it's an exposition/comedy scene with some light action. And it does it well. Maybe Newman's misreading of the tone is partly to blame. A lighter piece of music might have worked better for people. Not DAF moon buggy light, but something a bit laid back.
Of course, a rescore of the whole film would be ideal.
So true and just about the most positive thing I've read about Waltz's Blofeld!
1. Goldfinger - I've never warmed up to it...the often mentioned gangster scenes and redundant explaining of the plan bothers me enough to sour my experience. It's also more shallow character wise compared to the surrounding films (they are certainly larger than life as are Hamilton's characters generally, but it doesn't feel as organic as Young's characters) and less glamorous than it makes out to be (the theme being gold helps cover up for this).
*However*, this watch was much more positive than previous and think the chemistry and banter between Bond and Goldfinger is the best in the series, the latter being the best villain, and the dialogue, score and title track is peak Bond.
The top 7 is off limits and top 10 is hotly contested, so I feel this will end up at around a very respectable 10th place.
2. The Man with the Golden Gun - Hamilton is not my favourite director and this movie proves why. But if you get out your popcorn and switch off your brain it's a fun enough ride that chugs along well and Barry's cheeky and unfairly derided score keeps me in a jovial mood.
3. The Spy Who Loved Me - Unfortunately aside from some top notch stunts, this is so devoid of engagement in the character department that I can't look forward to a rewatch. I still think it's essential watching for someone new to the series but as someone who knows these films back to front, I don't discover anything new with each re-watch (unlike other films that get reappraisals and such over the years). Maybe it's too neatly tied up to appeal to mass audiences. Or emphasising blockbuster over substance. I feel like a Barry score would lift this up dramatically (Hamlisch's score while decent enough sounds like a bad 70's horror movie at times)
4. Spectre - I didn't go in with high hopes. And I tried. I ignored my gripes about the first half. But it starts to fall apart at the car chase. Really crumble at the torture sequence, and makes me want my brain drilled by the finale. All the tv/movie tropes I hate, and none of the 007 tropes I love. The train fight is phenomenal though.
2. Goldfinger - I've never warmed up to it...the often mentioned gangster scenes and redundant explaining of the plan bothers me enough to sour my experience. It's also more shallow character wise compared to the surrounding films (they are certainly larger than life as are Hamilton's characters generally, but it doesn't feel as organic as Young's characters) and less glamorous than it makes out to be (the theme being gold helps cover up for this).
*However*, this watch was much more positive than previous and think the chemistry and banter between Bond and Goldfinger is the best in the series, the latter being the best villain, and the dialogue, score and title track is peak Bond.
The top 7 is off limits and top 10 is hotly contested, so I feel this will end up at around a very respectable 10th place.
3. A View To A Kill - I can't help but have a fondness for this one, the ages of the cast and Stacey didn't bother me as much, giving it a chance at the middle rungs. Still feels like a tired effort and wouldn't feel out of place as a final film for a series on its last legs. Zorin and Mayday are top notch villains, and I appreciate the little backstory with Mortner
4. The Man with the Golden Gun - Hamilton is not my favourite director and this movie proves why. But if you get out your popcorn and switch off your brain it's a fun enough ride that chugs along well and Barry's cheeky and unfairly derided score keeps me in a jovial mood.
5. The Spy Who Loved Me - Unfortunately aside from some top notch stunts, this is so devoid of engagement in the character department that I can't look forward to a rewatch. I still think it's essential watching for someone new to the series but as someone who knows these films back to front, I don't discover anything new with each re-watch (unlike other films that get reappraisals and such over the years). Maybe it's too neatly tied up to appeal to mass audiences. Or emphasising blockbuster over substance. I feel like a Barry score would lift this up dramatically (Hamlisch's score while decent enough sounds like a bad 70's horror movie at times)
6. Spectre - I didn't go in with high hopes. And I tried. I ignored my gripes about the first half. But it starts to fall apart at the car chase. Really crumble at the torture sequence, and makes me want my brain drilled by the finale. All the tv/movie tropes I hate, and none of the 007 tropes I love. The train fight is phenomenal though.
(mod edit)
A reboot with so much promise and enough threads to spawn a genuine continuing story arc...
For the most part, Casino Royale has a cohesive story and character arc. The characters, even the minor ones, feel human, and not there as background filler. The little story moments, told through the actors and camera, propel the film along (the shot of the security camera at the embassy, setting up the defib for use later on, camera switches to Bond's perspective at times).
It's a shame the next three movies stuffed up something so great. One by putting the movie in a blender, and the next two by forgetting what Bond is and instead substituting it for nostalgia and iconography.
I'm having more positive viewing experiences for the most part and this is the best yet thus far. Casino Royale has never (aside from the initial shock) left the top 5, and it might just pip From Russia With Love and nip at the current leaders (TLD, OP).
1. Casino Royale
2. From Russia With Love
3. On Her Majesty's Secret Service
3. Goldfinger
4. A View To A Kill
5. The Man With The Golden Gun
6. The Spy Who Loved Me
7. Spectre
Next up is Thunderball, a polarising one for me, to no-one's surprise
These days, I view this as a precursor of Skyfall. Both the actor's third film, featuring a revenge plot involving M and Istanbul (in fact I view many elements of Brosnan's films as precursors to the Craig era).
The premise is interesting and they half managed to pull it off. A change in crew (not insignificant changes) might have salvaged this one. Firstly, the location filming is the least attractive in the series (compare Istanbul to FRWL and SF). It is a poor tourism ad for Azerbaijan (yes it's showing the effect of the pipelines but still...). The action, aside from the PTS, for some reason feels sterile and devoid of any tension or excitement (much like in Spectre).
Not sure what kind of director Apted is supposed to be (I understand he was hired for his emotional take on things) but neither the action nor emotional themes play out well. Some of the dialogue will not look out of place on Lifetime ("knew where to hurt me", "glory of my people").
So I fit into the majority opinion here, and have heard arguments from the pro-TWINE crowd but I really do not see what they see.
1. Casino Royale
2. From Russia With Love
3. On Her Majesty's Secret Service
4. Goldfinger
5. A View To A Kill
6. The Man With The Golden Gun
7. The Spy Who Loved Me
8. The World Is Not Enough
9. Spectre
Holds up remarkably well for a 1960's movie - I'm avoiding 'good for its time' because that implies there's something wrong with it and yes, perhaps through modern eyes one could find a few faults, but I find Dr No a fascinating from a historical perspective and because you know, it's the first one...
This is BOND at his raw-est. No fancy gadgets, action, music, sets, to dilute the character. I enjoy this one just to watch Connery um, watch proceedings with his panther eyes, and pounce across the scenery. For that alone, Dr No deserves a place on the podium. Alas, it will miss out - I don't buy the 'other films do it better' argument but there are a few films I find focus on Bond the character and have more filling.
I considered putting this below Goldfinger but Connery's performance here is too good (he's fantastic in Goldfinger but lacks the danger and punch of a blunt instrument).
Thunderball
I'm having mostly positive viewings so far and this one is no exception. I wanted to place this higher but too much of it is telling, not showing (and it's not only the underwater scenes), so it lacks the engagement I want. Cracking dialogue, easily the best in the franchise.
1. Casino Royale
2. From Russia With Love
3. On Her Majesty's Secret Service
4. Dr No
5. Goldfinger
6. A View To A Kill
7. The Man With The Golden Gun
8. Thunderball
9. The Spy Who Loved Me
10. The World Is Not Enough
11. Spectre
Having read the Cinema Retro Dr No special it also feels like the production was a joyous affair, a group of people bonding together with the locals over good food, drinks, and stories, making the best adaptation they can with the expectation of moving on with their lives afterwards. And it shows in the final product, such a great atmosphere
"Sometimes the old ways are the best" - feel free to call me out on my pathetic love of old Bond, but I miss the days when Bond is given a mission, he goes on the mission, amazing stunts and action ensues, and he gets the girl at the end. Here we are at the 50th anniversary and we get a poetic (literal) look to the past and glimpse to the future. A more thematic way of showing Bond's relevance, much like Goldeneye did 17 years before it.
I cannot deny it is a beautifully shot film with some genuinely funny dialogue (I do miss the old days of in your face jokes but those wouldn't be appropriate today and are hard to translate). But the often discussed plot holes, pacing, lack of action, and generic soundtrack doesn't do it for me. So much so that after the PTS and amazing theme song, my engagement levels drops off a cliff. Even Silva's entrance does nothing to jolt me back to life at that point in the film.
So I'm going to join the same club as those who don't like Casino Royale or From Russia with Love and have this down the bottom.
1. Casino Royale
2. From Russia With Love
3. On Her Majesty's Secret Service
4. Dr No
5. Goldfinger
6. A View To A Kill
7. The Man With The Golden Gun
8. Thunderball
9. The Spy Who Loved Me
10. Skyfall
11. The World Is Not Enough
12. Spectre
I have to agree with you! Have given this Bond film so many chances...and it still doesnt gel with me!
One difference, I do think it picks up when Silva appears and Bond overpowers his captors, its the one section where i feel I'm watching a Bond movie, and then it plummets again with all the dull nonsense in London!
And yes it still sticks in my craw. Why couldn’t they dye his hair black at least?? But I digress...
For years I was anti-Craig. But now I am watching his movies for the first time in over 10 years. And I love them!! Even QoS which, even when it first came out, I noticed the horrible editing job. But part of my problem is that it was a direct sequel to CR, and a few years had elapsed between viewings. I was like “wait who’s this guy? Do I know him? Wait wtf just happened ?? Oh shit i don’t get it. And he’s still blond!!” LOL
After watching them back to back I totally recant. I love both films. And I’m right now in the middle of skyfall and it’s great too! Ok so Brosnan is still my favourite. But for the first time I am loving the DC movies!!
Khan. Kamal Khan
At first I balked at the idea. But then… Why not? I was going to go and see No Time To Die, without making a big deal over it. But, this is a Bond epic, one is meant to go all out. So, buckle up kids...
Just a good old fashioned Bondathon. Chronologically, naturally.
Dr. No, 1962
Terrence Young said about the success of Dr. No, it was all “Connery, Connery, Connery”. And despite from stellar contributions from Adam, Barry, Hunt, Wanstall and Young himself et al, it is Sean Connery’s picture. He dominates the film, without being over bearing. He has such a quiet intensity, that one can not look away from him. A worthy blend of Fleming’s brusque and cool original, with the more cinematic swagger and machismo that defines Connery.
Nearly 60 years old, and it still holds up. Though I did struggle to keep my eyes open in the reactor room. Countdowns rarely make for an exciting experience, especially on repeat viewings. Still, what a treat to behold! The first Bond film and one of the best.
Rankings -
1. Dr. No
Nice! Though I could never nod off during the reactor room stuff--i find Dr No's peculiar manner of running too wonderful...!
@royale65 . Good luck with your 25 films in 25 days. 👍🏻
@ProfJoeButcher – yes, it’s so wonderfully daft. Perhaps his metal hands were weighing his arms down?
25 films @NicNac? I’m not planning on watching NSNA, old boy!
From Russia With Love, 1963
I’m not usually one for hyperbole, but in case of FRWL, it’s justified. This is close to being perfect that any movie gets, be that a Bond film or any film. Simply magnificent. Sean Connery is even better here than in Dr No, his slight brusqueness is replaced with an undeniable cool, being collected and deadly.
I adore this film. Istanbul is made for a Bond location. The murder, the intrigue, the romance, the mystery, makes this the ideal setting for a Bond picture. Bond knows that he is in a trap, yet the allure of Istanbul… This sense of being played, creates a feeling of claustrophobia. When Bond defeats Grant, laying bear all of SPECTRE’s fiendish machinations, the film suddenly opens out, freeing Bond, and the audience, in an action packed finale. Many people view this as a flaw. I don’t. After the intensity of the film prior, it’s a welcome change of pace. Yet the screams of Morzeny and the rest of the goons on board the SPECTRE gun boats are harrowing. Perhaps it was a little gratuitous?
Many people point out that Tatiana profession of love to Bond, abroad the Orient Express, is painfully unconvincing. That’s intended. Tania is a simple and naïve girl, plucked from her cosy existence, and into SPECTRE’s dastardly plot. She was under orders. Tania isn’t a good actress, yet that is precisely why SPECTRE chose her – her unassuming and sweet nature made her the perfect honey pot.
Let’s go all out in defending Tania, shall we? Why does she hesitate between shooting Bond or Klebb? So unconvincing! Modern audiences forget that a good Soviet girl, like Tania, was indoctrinated by the Soviet machine. She would do anything for Mother Russia. It takes bravery to overcome this type of brainwashing.
Needless to say I’m a fan of Tatiana, played superbly by the delectable Daniela Bianchi. Two adorable moments, I find, are when Tania mouths “Caroline Somerset” to herself, and the other is when, whilst playing dress up, she gives herself a moustache.
Right, enough rambling and ranting. Terrific movie, all around. The thuggish assassin Grant being bossed around by a domineering short crone… Reminds you of anyone?
Rankings -
1. From Russia With Love
2. Dr. No
This exactly. FRWL isn't one of my favorites, really, but I love Tania, and those are my two favorite moments with her.