Bond films that have grown on you over time or lost their appeal

2

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  • LeonardPineLeonardPine The Bar on the Beach
    Posts: 3,996
    Birdleson wrote: »
    Mathis1 wrote: »
    Birdleson wrote: »
    I am surprised to see so many losing their love of CR. I thought that was sure to be a perennial favorite; like FRWL. I think that it still is for most (I still love it), but that is a significant number of naysayers.

    Am surprised at that too! I wonder is it to do with his whole period being criticised lately?
    I still find CR a top tier Bond, there is so much to enjoy in it, particularly Craig himself, who is wonderful as Bond!

    It is suprising. I watched CR recently and i was super impressed with it all over again. It was the best Bond film for me since TLD. Top 5 for me.

    I find it to be the best since OHMSS.

    If it hadn't been for TLD then i would agree. It's superior to every Bond film since OHMSS except Daylights. :)
  • WalecsWalecs On Her Majesty's Secret Service
    Posts: 3,157
    Grown on me:

    QoS

    Lost their appeal:
    GE
    TB
    TWINE
  • Posts: 1,917
    Back in the '80s and '90s, DN and FRWL were among my least watched films and ones I'd buy last on video. They just didn't translate as well as the more modern takes with more effects and gadgets.

    Since the 2000s, FRWL is in my top 5 and DN in the top 10. I feel okay to put MR up higher than back then too as it was fashionable to not like it way back. Now I don't care, I like it and it's my list.
  • GROWN ON ME

    *Moonraker - When I was younger it was bottom of the barrel (or, at least, bottom three). Now it nearly cracks the top ten.

    *Octopussy - See the above, except bottom five and now it does crack the top ten.

    *Tomorrow Never Dies - Elswit.

    *Die Another Day - Despite its obvious flaws, Tamahori does some excellent things here, and it really moves. Bonus points for Brosnan's best performance.

    *Quantum of Solace - Newest addition to this list, seeing as the catalyst viewing was just this summer. No longer is it bottom three. Lots to like here, despite it feeling very anti-Bond in so many ways.


    LOST APPEAL

    *Licence to Kill - I now feel that it is easily the weaker of the two Dalton films, when ten years ago I strongly felt the opposite.

    *The World Is Not Enough - Ten years ago I would've said this rivaled GE as Brosnan's best. I now consider it the worst in the official series. Probably the furthest a film has fallen for me in the last decade.
  • Posts: 1,548
    Grown on me. Octopussy

    Lost appeal. All of Brosnan's but still have soft spot for Goldeneye.
  • Posts: 406
    Octopussy has grown on me over the years with TMWTGG having lost appeal since my younger self
  • DragonpolDragonpol https://thebondologistblog.blogspot.com
    Posts: 18,270
    TMWTGG has certainly lost its appeal for me. I used to rank it much higher but it's a poor film with a poor story. Sticking to the original source novel would have made a more compelling film, even if it too is considered weak. It's still Fleming.
  • LeonardPineLeonardPine The Bar on the Beach
    Posts: 3,996
    Watching GE the other day, i'm starting to feel there are problems with this film. I can't put my finger on it but it feels like someone else's idea of a Bond film.

    Also not sure about Brosnan in this. Some scenes he's very good but others he just seems lost and un-bondian. Also i didn't realize how long his hair is in the film!

    Mabey it was just my mood while watching it but i'm starting to think i prefer TND as best Brosnan film.
  • Posts: 7,417
    Watching GE the other day, i'm starting to feel there are problems with this film. I can't put my finger on it but it feels like someone else's idea of a Bond film.

    Also not sure about Brosnan in this. Some scenes he's very good but others he just seems lost and un-bondian. Also i didn't realize how long his hair is in the film!

    Mabey it was just my mood while watching it but i'm starting to think i prefer TND as best Brosnan film.

    I've always thought that of Brossa. He always seemed to be a supporting actor, not the lead, and he seems to fade into the background in certain scenes!
    He does LOOK better in TND, but I still have problems with him as Bond. He just never convinced me he was 007, even when he says the line!
    And TND is very poorly written/developed with just a series of very long tedious action sequences!
  • LeonardPineLeonardPine The Bar on the Beach
    Posts: 3,996
    Mathis1 wrote: »
    Watching GE the other day, i'm starting to feel there are problems with this film. I can't put my finger on it but it feels like someone else's idea of a Bond film.

    Also not sure about Brosnan in this. Some scenes he's very good but others he just seems lost and un-bondian. Also i didn't realize how long his hair is in the film!

    Mabey it was just my mood while watching it but i'm starting to think i prefer TND as best Brosnan film.

    I've always thought that of Brossa. He always seemed to be a supporting actor, not the lead, and he seems to fade into the background in certain scenes!
    He does LOOK better in TND, but I still have problems with him as Bond. He just never convinced me he was 007, even when he says the line!
    And TND is very poorly written/developed with just a series of very long tedious action sequences!

    Yeah, i agree on the action scenes being too long in TND but i just love the plot and Jonathan Pryce makes a great villain IMO. Brosnan definitely looks better in this and seems more comfortable in the part. But you're right, sometimes he just doesn't seem be convincing as James Bond.
  • Last_Rat_StandingLast_Rat_Standing Long Neck Ice Cold Beer Never Broke My Heart
    Posts: 4,587
    Dragonpol wrote: »
    TMWTGG has certainly lost its appeal for me. I used to rank it much higher but it's a poor film with a poor story. Sticking to the original source novel would have made a more compelling film, even if it too is considered weak. It's still Fleming.

    I agree. 15 years ago it was my favorite Moore film. Now its towards the bottom
  • goldenswissroyalegoldenswissroyale Switzerland
    Posts: 4,483
    During the last few years, my ranking didn't change much. As a ternager, FRWL and OHMSS were't favourites...the reason was, that they didn't have so many action scenes comparwy to others. More tham 10 years latwr, they ate both in my top five. On the other hand, TWINE was ny first bond movie in cinema and I loved it. This movie lost maybe the most places in my ranking. The twist with Elektra works only once and the actionscenes are a bit uninspired or even boring, except for theund boat chase.
  • ProfJoeButcherProfJoeButcher Bless your heart
    Posts: 1,711
    I think Casino Royale is a very good movie, and it was in my top five when it came out.

    But over the years, I never really find myself watching it. It's not much like the other films, and it's not much like the Fleming Bond (basic story framework here notwithstanding). I guess it feels more like a good action movie on my shelf than like a Bond film proper.

    On the other end, Moonraker has gone from being the worst ever to a solid middle entry. It's just so crazy fun to watch. The silly bits are also, in retrospect, not that much sillier than stuff in YOLT, TSWLM, or even Dr No.
  • Posts: 12,466
    Dragonpol wrote: »
    TMWTGG has certainly lost its appeal for me. I used to rank it much higher but it's a poor film with a poor story. Sticking to the original source novel would have made a more compelling film, even if it too is considered weak. It's still Fleming.

    Agreed. Used to love it when I was young, but the flaws stick out quite badly now that I’m older. It is probably my least favorite Moore Bond outing.
  • SeanCraigSeanCraig Germany
    Posts: 732
    - GROWN -

    OHMSS
    Was not a fan in earlier years - became a highlight for me, too now.

    QoS
    Always liked the story, cast and everything but hated the editing so much it ruined the film for me. Nowadays I can look past that and enjoy this great movie

    LALD
    I think it‘s one of Moore‘s best and less silly than later entries. Definitely prefer it over TMWTGG, MR, OP

    - LOST -

    YOLT
    Enjoyed the exotic locations and parts of the action - nowadays I am bored find it silly. Still great soundtrack though

    DAF
    What a silly movie. Jill St.John was never my favourite Bond Girl and the story is .. well. Connery has more fun in it than in YOLT though.

    GE
    Can‘t say precisely why but it bores me but liked it a lot before.
  • For me, Goldfinger is not as good as it once was. The film slows down considerably after Bond held captive in Kentucky, which is a shame, as the first half of the film is spectacularly entertaining. Even Operation Grand Slam gets dull after you’ve already seen it unfold.

    YOLT is another. The sky battle featuring Little Nellie isn’t as exciting as it used to be, and the special effects are dated. The only incredible thing about the film is the volcano battle. Apart from that, the rest of the action consists of generic car chases and gun battles. Also, Bond’s phony marriage seems to last forever. Simply boring.
  • edited October 2018 Posts: 7,653
    Have seen TLD recently and it looked much better after the Craig era so far, it is no longer at the bottom of my list of Bond movies I like to watch. I still find Jeroen Krabbe a masterclass of overacting but I prefer TD now easily to Craig in his version of 007.

  • On the other end, Moonraker has gone from being the worst ever to a solid middle entry. It's just so crazy fun to watch. The silly bits are also, in retrospect, not that much sillier than stuff in YOLT, TSWLM, or even Dr No.

    I think the reason several members, including myself, have posted positively about Moonraker's appeal is that the "egregious" elements of that film make themselves apparent on first viewing (or, at least, the first few). Depending on the age we were when we saw the film, we may view said elements as good or bad. Obviously, given general critical/fan consensus, people view the film negatively because of those over-the-top, overtly campy elements.

    The reason the film ages well, however, is because there is pristine, beautiful blockbuster filmmaking on display in every scene, and once a viewer moves past the detracting sequences or moments and realizes there's a lot more to the film, our estimation grows.

    I've gone to bat for this film a lot recently, and I suspect I'll continue to do so. It'll never be a top tier Bond film, I don't think, because of a (large) handful of misguided creative decisions, but for every cringe-inducing moment there's a tableau of gorgeous spectacle.
  • Posts: 631
    Excellent idea for a thread.

    Grown

    DAF (obviously). For years I thought it was terrible and then suddenly, quite recently, I realised I had been completely wrong. I watch it more now than the others. If it was not for DAF I would not have created an account for this site.

    Thunderball. For donkeys years this bored me but I'm older now, and presumably slower, and now I find it perfectly paced. And it oozes that sixties Bond feel.

    TMWTGG. Oozes that early seventies Bond feel! Top stuff.

    Lost

    Goldfinger's a bit ... meandering ... a bit ... meh. (But Fort Knox is great.)

    The Living Daylights. I used to love this, absolutely love it, but it's a bit middling now

    Goldeneye. See comments for TLD

  • RoadphillRoadphill United Kingdom
    Posts: 984
    Goldfinger and Live And Let Die are two that have drastically dropped for me. Both used to be near the top of my rankings. GF barely makes the top 10 and LALD not even the top 15.

    AVTAK is one I have found myself enjoying more as the years go on, but not drastically. TB is another I never used to be a huge fan of, but I enjoy it far more now than I used to.
  • LeonardPineLeonardPine The Bar on the Beach
    edited October 2018 Posts: 3,996
    Used to love it but Goldeneye seems to drop a peg or two whenever i watch it.

    Not sure why exactly. I think it seems two much a 'by the numbers' Bond film, (as if it's someone else's idea of a Bond film like NSNA)

    Brosnan's performance i have a few problems with. He looks so slight in this and a few scenes he just doesn't cut it for me.

    And i really cannot stand the Wade character at all.

    I much prefer TND & TWINE.
  • DarthDimiDarthDimi Behind you!Moderator
    Posts: 24,179
    Used to love it but Goldeneye seems to drop a peg or two whenever i watch it.

    Not sure why exactly. I think it seems two much a 'by the numbers' Bond film, (as if it's someone else's idea of a Bond film like NSNA)

    Brosnan's performance i have a few problems with. He looks so slight in this and a few scenes he just doesn't cut it for me.

    And i really cannot stand the Wade character at all.

    I much prefer TND & TWINE.

    You will come back to us, comrade @LeonardPine. No-one ever leaves the GE fan club.
  • LeonardPineLeonardPine The Bar on the Beach
    Posts: 3,996
    DarthDimi wrote: »
    Used to love it but Goldeneye seems to drop a peg or two whenever i watch it.

    Not sure why exactly. I think it seems two much a 'by the numbers' Bond film, (as if it's someone else's idea of a Bond film like NSNA)

    Brosnan's performance i have a few problems with. He looks so slight in this and a few scenes he just doesn't cut it for me.

    And i really cannot stand the Wade character at all.

    I much prefer TND & TWINE.

    You will come back to us, comrade @LeonardPine. No-one ever leaves the GE fan club.

    Sounds a bit sinister.. :))
  • DarthDimiDarthDimi Behind you!Moderator
    Posts: 24,179
    All I'm saying is, I've set those timers for six minutes, @LeonardPine. ;-)
  • LeonardPineLeonardPine The Bar on the Beach
    edited October 2018 Posts: 3,996
    DarthDimi wrote: »
    All I'm saying is, I've set those timers for six minutes, @LeonardPine. ;-)

    Is 3 minutes enough time to "buy me a pint...?" :)
  • DarthDimiDarthDimi Behind you!Moderator
    Posts: 24,179
    DarthDimi wrote: »
    All I'm saying is, I've set those timers for six minutes, @LeonardPine. ;-)

    Is 3 minutes enough time to "buy me a pint...?" :)

    That depends on your definition of safe sex.

    See? You still love GE. Just admit it. ;-)
  • echoecho 007 in New York
    Posts: 6,296
    peter wrote: »
    Birdleson wrote: »
    Mathis1 wrote: »
    Birdleson wrote: »
    I am surprised to see so many losing their love of CR. I thought that was sure to be a perennial favorite; like FRWL. I think that it still is for most (I still love it), but that is a significant number of naysayers.

    Am surprised at that too! I wonder is it to do with his whole period being criticised lately?
    I still find CR a top tier Bond, there is so much to enjoy in it, particularly Craig himself, who is wonderful as Bond!

    It is suprising. I watched CR recently and i was super impressed with it all over again. It was the best Bond film for me since TLD. Top 5 for me.

    I find it to be the best since OHMSS.

    I agree whole-heartedly with this.

    Also agreed! It's Fleming.
  • I’m watching Goldfinger (as part of my Bond marathon) and all I can say is forget what I said about Goldfinger; it’s a fantastic film!
  • ThunderfingerThunderfinger Das Boot Hill
    Posts: 45,489
    So far in my Bondathon, TMWTGG, OP, AVTAK and DAD have really grown on me, while LALD, FYEO and TLD have gone the other way.
  • ProfJoeButcherProfJoeButcher Bless your heart
    edited May 2019 Posts: 1,711
    I already commented once here, but I remember thinking CR and SF, on their respective releases, were perhaps the best Bond films ever. They've since fallen to the 10-15 range.

    QOS and SP, on the other hand, I thought were awful (QOS) or very middling (SP), and I pretty much like them more on each viewing. QOS is top 5 material for me, and SP top 10.

    Also, I loathed DAD on first viewing, and for quite some time after, but I won't be surprised if, next time I watch it, it becomes the first Brosnan film to escape my bottom four. Taken on its own terms, it's a very fun and watchable film.
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