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Comments
That makes me think I've really missed seeing the villains by themselves, without having Bond around. We haven't had those types of scenes since Quantum of Solace.
I'm not saying AVTAK is a classic, just that they have at least put reasons on screen to advance the plot. Bond plots often move along by making things easy. The are a lot of other problems with Stacey that I think harm the movie more for me.
The problem of AVTAK is that the production was not perfect. Especially some of the casting choices were not that good. Today a Tanja Roberts would never be casted. I also think that the producers never cared for how well the film will be received in the future and whether some kind of humour might stand the test of time.
And even though I really like AVTAK, I think they could have made a much better film out of the basic material. If I could go back in time, I would advice them to change mainly the following:
Cast a younger actor to play Bond. Alternatively: Acknowledge Bond's age a bit better (So don't let him bed every women in this film or make the women at least 10 or 15 years older).
Skip all the silly jokes like the California Girls song in the PTS. Also balance the tone better like they did in TLD.
Make the action more intense and the stunt doubles less obvious. Improve the fight sequences.
Make some of the characters more credible. This especially applies to Stacey who is actually a wonderfully written character but is just ruined by an unconvincing actress and too much scream time.
Then there are minor issues like Stacey caught by the blimp, the stupid inclusion of the film's title by Mayday and Zorin, Bond hangng on that rope which seems to have no knots for too long, no Felix in America, Bond in bed with Mayday, mi6 regulars being too old...
I dislike Goodnight immensely but that doesn't make me write off TMWTGG and not watch her scenes because they're too "campy". No. I take it into account, obviously, but I don't go around trashing the film only because of it. AVTAK is the poster boy for this kind of hate. Many of you guys start your critique with bashing Tanya Roberts as if to say that she dragged the film down completely. Usually people bash the actress more than the character which is a pity.
I would say those responsible for the casting are more culpable. And the writing to a degree. Britt Ekland, for instance, is a lot better in The Wicker Man and Get Carter.
Above I only mentioned the things that I would have done differently. Hence I find a lot to love in this film... because I think apart from the points I mentioned I really like the film...
Patrick Macnee is a fine actor, and the role of Tibbet is a likable one. A little more screen time would be nice. Especially as Moore and Macnee share good chemistry. It would also aid in Moore's age.
Mayday was a good henchwoman/villain with real presence and a threat to Bond. No need to turn her into an ally at the last minute. Keep her a villain till her demise.
Scrap the car chase in Paris and the fire truck chase in San Francisco altogether and include new action set pieces.
Omit the character of Chuck Lee altogether and cast David Hedison as Felix Leiter once more, nicely bookending the Moore Bond films, not only with Leiter, but also with Hedison.
Re-write slightly the character of Stacey. She could've been a much better lead, and I even think Tanya Roberts could've achieved this. Less screaming "Jaaaaames." More depth to the character. As written she's too much a damsel in distress, though I do like that she's just an average everyday person who gets mixed up in Zorins plot and is teamed up with Bond to help save the day.
AVTAK is a film that I want to like more, but there are a few changes that would easily make it much better.
An older Bond would be treated with a bit more sophistication these days, he would be dressed in classic tailoring etc not wearing the leather jacket or the Zorin jacket thing and the hair and make up would be handled a lot better.
I honestly think that Mayday's turn in the end is reasonable. She was betrayed by Zorin so her revenge is believable and worked very well for me. I like when there is at least some kind of character development and in this case it works so much better than in Moonraker. On the contrary, I don't really like those henchmen who don't have any own personality but rather work as the villains' instruments.
The problem that I have with Tanya Roberts is that she is way too young for Roger and does not look or behave like a competent state geologist: She is also not really convincing in delivering some of the more scientific lines. When I am watching her explaining the consequences of the double earth quake in the mine, I always think that she has absolutely no idea what she is talking about. As you said the character should remain the "average everyday person" but the actor must be credible in the role.
@GBF I wasn't speaking directly of you in particular. It was more of an observation of the majority of fans.
But I do get your point.
Her roles in both those films are more appropriate and convincing. Both are essentially minor parts where she is there to look good. I make no secret in saying that I find Britt Ekland incredibly annoying and unfunny in MWTGG.
Actually, I don't trash them based on just the women. I trash them because they are two of the least interesting Bond films all around. The action is the least interesting more so than the women.
Not at all. TWINE is unwatchable garbage. AVTAK is full of great scenes, villains, and music.
They are not remotely comparable
Absolutely true, even though AVTAK is one of the weaker entries.
I recently have watched A VIEW TO A KILL with 5 20/21 year old impressive young soldiers that have never seen Bond films before as they thought they are for "old people" :anguished:
We had watched DAF-TSWLM-MR-YOLT before and AVTAK was their fifth Bond.
The guys were in stitches a lot of time, like they were with DAF. The comedy element in AVTAK is just great and MayDay and Zorin are wonderfully overacted and camp.
It's easy to re-watch and the last 60 or so minutes, once the film takes place at the city hall, at the mines and then the bridge, are really great!
I always have a sense of nostalgia waving Lois Maxwell goodbye. She obviously was too old now to be carried over to the DALTON era but still, maybe they should have kept her for two more films.
Overall I still can't rank AVTAK near the upper half. It simply doesn't compare to stuff like FYEO, TLD, OP and LTK if we talk eighties.
I thought Moonraker was the weakest of the 80s. Perhaps it's my disdain for the Star Wars franchise.
Thanks
1. Great title song by DD
2. Walken makes an awesome villain (one of the best in the franchise)
3. Grace Jones is a terrific sidekick (gotta love the mismatched lenses in her sunglasses--total 80s chic)
4. The first act, at Zorin's estate, dealing with the horse sale, is actually quite interesting.
5. The dirigible is a nice touch.
6. Patrick McNee is wonderful.
7. The final act is quite Hitchcockian.
But...
1. Beach Boys
2. Tanya Roberts
3. Visible stuntmen
4. Bond getting in bed with Mayday is bad enough: but it also includes a terrible edit, in which two scenes are put together...and not too well.
5. The plotline: the OP mentioned it as original, but it really isn't. It's basically the same evil plan as Lex Luther's in Superman the Movie (1978).