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Comments
I do. It's brilliant and really really cool!!! The lack of Gun barrel still jars though. In terms of pre-title sequences my favourites are; GF, OHMSS, QoS......in fact it's too hard....they are all great, but the worst are the Brosnan machine gun (blow everything up) generic action sequence ones (they just lack a bit of class and are too 'comic strip' in nature.
The very good ones:
1 TLD
2 TND
3 SP
4 GE
5 TSWLM
6 TWINE
7 OP
8 OHMSS
The good ones:
9 GF
10 TMWTGG
11 LALD
12 LTK
13 DAD
14 SF
15 MR
16 FYEO
The still fairly good ones:
17 TB
18 DAF
19 AVTAK
20 FRWL
The ok one:
21 YOLT
The meh ones:
22 CR
23 QOS
I am aware my placing of TMWTGG, LALD, CR and QOS may be quite controversial.
I said it numerous times before QOS' editing ruins the PTS, it's that simple. I don't care that I know what happens, it simply cannot be seen properly.
As for CR, while the PTS itself could have been great, it is ruined by the useless, unnecessary, completely illogical use of b+w plus the grainy SINCITY like bathroom action. Again a choice of style ruining an otherwise potentially fantastic PTS (like with QOS).
As for TMWTGG and LALD, I like those even if Bond doesn't appear. Both are highly atmospheric, have a great setting/sets and already set the tone for what's to come perfectly.
Don't crucify me over it, it's the way I feel.
1. CR
2. TLD
3. OHMSS
4. GE
5. TSWLM
6. TMWTGG
7. GF
8. FRWL
9. MR
10. SP
11. AVTAK
12. SF
13. DAD
14. TWINE
15. TND
16. QOS
17. FYEO
18. OP
19. LTK
20. TB
21. YOLT
22. DAF
23. LALD
2. CR (stand out, defining the character for Craig in a scene. Stylistically different and nice origin telling spin. Good fight and wonderful gun barrel into titles)
3. GF (sneaky bond, tuxedo bond, cool bond, seductive bond, fighting bond, one-liner bond all in the space of four minutes. It really is a cracking opening and Connery is super cool.)
4. GE (another great intro for a new bond. The dam jump, teaming up with another 00, escaping an impossible situation and the motorbike jump into plane double act is exciting.)
5. QoS (it still really bothers me that they refused to put the gun barrel at the head of this. It is easy enough to imagine it without it impacting on the atmosphere. But what an atmosphere - zooming across the water - wonderful start. Stunning Car chase and opening the boot. Bond means business)
6. TSWLM (this gets high votes for me for two reasons 1.) obviously the ski jump but also 2.)'the Bond '77 theme! 70s Pseudo-funk is awesome! But really - that jump is iconically cool)
7. SP (I love this opening. The return of the gun barrel - see QoS - you can do an atmospheric PTS with a gun barrel! The one take, the day of the dead, the walk out the window and along the rooftops, the couch landing, the excellent fight in the helicopter and the ring revelation. It is a fantastic opening.)
8. OP (good fun all around. The plane sequence through the hangar is awesome.)
9. SF (The train fight is excellent and the falling in the water. Also has the bonus of tension ending a way we aren't use to - bond losing.)
10. MR (the audacity of this parachute sequence plus the stealing of a spaceship from a plane. The way the music kicks in as jaws appears floating behind bond. Not higher because of silly bird flapping sequence. But bonus for integration of this ending into the title sequence.)
11. LTK (narratively important. Impressive stunt with the plane being hijacked and great intro for Sanchez - give her his heart!)
12. FRWL (stalking sequence. Weird - like LALD would be as well. A strange atmosphere to this one and red grant's menace and means of killing shown. Love the music in this sequence too.)
13. OHMSS (decent opening. Good fight. Not a fan of this never happened to the other fella though.)
14. FYEO (slapstick Blofeld aside - good Tracey grave opening and impressive helicopter stunt)
15. MWTGG (nick nick! Tabasco! Good intro for scaramanga and his bond obsession.)
16. LALD (creepy atmosphere and inventive deaths)
17. TWINE (what's good in here is enough to nearly put this top ten - but it falls places for being way too long)
18. TND (the Brosnan's tend to meld together. This DAD and even elements of GE all feel very similar)
19. YOLT (outer space is not too bad. The 'surprise' bond death is ok)
20. TB (I like the jet pack - but the fight is laughably sped up.)
21. DAD (another of Brosnan's PTS that meld together - largely forgettable. But I like the actual title sequence funnily enough)
22. AVTAK (generic - nothing memorable for me. As a kid I was always disappointed he didn't ski off a cliff and a Union Jack parachute emerged. Used to always mix this up with TSWLM. Except that film didn't have the frickin' beach boys playing in it!)
23. DAF (this basically ignores OHMSS - or at least doesn't do it justice. The dubbing is awful, Connery's clothes just as bad, mudpies sequence silly and the action non-existent. It's all a bit naff. But that's DAF I guess. Welcome to hell bond fans...)
Goldfinger
Thunderball
On Her Majesty’s Secret Service
The Spy Who Loved Me
Moonraker
The Living Daylights
Licence to Kill
GoldenEye
Tomorrow Never Dies
The World Is Not Enough
Casino Royale
Quantum of Solace
Skyfall
If I had to single out one as my favorite it would have to be TWINE, which defies the rules of what the PTS can be and delivers two brilliant action sequences and an (at the time) groundbreaking attack on Mi6 HQ.
My least favorite appears to be about as mainstream a choice as you can get: Hamilton's trio of DAF, L&LD, and TMWTGG. All others pale in comparison to how severely these three pale. Next would be FYEO, tonally imbalanced at best, pretty darned embarrassing at worst. Fifth might be YOLT or FRWL. I enjoy both well enough for what they are, but neither really kicks either of their respective films off with a bang. Next might be OP and AVTAK, both of which deliver the goods, just not in spades. And that leaves DAD and SP which rather mirror each other in that they both start strong before dropping off quite a bit. DAD's is quite excellent actually until the hovercraft chase starts and things get a bit silly. Similarly, SP's Day of the Dead setting and opening tracking shot prove promising before the helicopter antics just kind of retread FYEO and then it ends. Both also feature their share of wonky green screen, firmly settling them in middle-ish territory.
The ending doesn t take away anything from the amazing stuntwork. The MR pts is outstanding.
Doesn't take away from the stuntwork but IMO takes away from the PTS overall.
I appreciate the stuntwork just like I appreciate the pyrotechnics in SP but what hit the screen did neither justice.
I'd beg to differ there. The explosion in SP wasn't some spectacular achievement that wowed the audience and then was bookended by a lame shot of Léa riding a unicycle in clown makeup (which I'm sure somewhere in the world is somebody's thing, but that's neither here nor there). The whole sequence of Bond's escape surrounding the explosion was just lame to begin with.
Moonraker's freefalling is arguably the most spectacular stunt in a Bond film ever—maybe in any film ever?—and is merely bookended by a brief, albeit lame, clip of Jaws flapping his arms like Wile E. Coyote. Even detracting praise points for that brief bit of Looney Tunes, the stuntwork of Moonraker's PTS, coupled with Barry's thrilling, fast-tempo rendition of the James Bond theme, keeps it shoulder-to-shoulder with the rest of the greats. In my book, of course.
I tend to prefer PTS openings that are self contained, where relation to the plot is subtle-TLD for example.
For the Connery films GF is easily my favorite PTS- partly because ABC used to cut it completely when aired back in the '80's. Also it's a lot of fun, it's iconic and bad ass.
I love the PTS for OHMSS as well- great intro for the Laz.
Sad to see some disdain for OP's PTS here. I think it's superb and Moore is as cool as it gets here. Especially when he gives that soldier shit but flipping his pocket flap. Great stuff! TSWLM's opening is second in the Moore's for me.
TLD has always been a favorite and GE's opening is the one that most reminds me of it. Both have a similar feel.
As for the Craigs? Several notches marked down for the blatant disrespect to Maurice Binder by removing his logo. Unforgivable, especially with SF- which was a solid PTS, IMO. Did Mendes forget he was working for Eon and not Kevin McClory's Taliafilm?
Luckily he was reminded by SP, which I also feel gave us a solid PTS.
Oh and my least favorite- possibly YOLT, although the space sequence with Barry's score is still haunting. QoS has a cool chase, but as a PTS it's a bit trite. Nothing happens....except the chase and a weird freeze frame on Craig.
[/quote]
Maybe the score?
STUPID
DAF: Just plain stupid.
YOLT: Very boring opening and doesn't make any sense.
TMWTGG: Kind of entertaining but just makes me uncomfortable.
FYEO: Stupid, but much more entertaining.
MEH
MR: Eh.
LALD: Not as entertaining as FYEO but I favourite it because of the originality and balls to pull of a PTS without Bond.
AVTAK: Meh. Not that bad on recently viewings but meh.
LTK: Cooler opening but just a little silly with the overdramatic running and Felix's wedding going on.
BETTER THAN MEH, LESS THAN GOOD
Thunderball: It's a classic opening but objectively the weird fighting edits and campy get away ruin what could have been a greater PTS.
GOOD
OP: Liked the campiness.
SF: Good action, very well filmed. Very cool.
Goldfinger: Very cool, minimalist.
TWINE: Very, very cool. Great action but the Thames chase just went on a bit too long.
GREAT:
SP
TND & DAD: While I loved Spectre's opening, I prefered these two.
FRWL: Very close to "masterpiece" status but is just a bit too simple.
TLD: A very cool PTS, Dalton introduced perfectly. Great action scene follows.
MASTERPIECE
5. QOS: Love this opening. Very well shot with razor sharp edits, action, and it's paced perfectly. So cool.
4. TSWLM: Amazing PTS, however feels a bit dated.
3. OHMSS: A great introduction to a new Bond. Love the car shot with Lazenby with Barry's score, and the beach fight which is surprisingly very well choreographed. I chose this over the TSWLM pts because it feels a bit more timeless to me.
2. GE: Need I explain more?
1. CR: Perfection.
Least : AVTAK
That one second black screen is just silly.
I thought the darkness of it mirrors the darkness (literally as well) of Quarrels death as well spectre operating in the shadows like a ghost
Brilliant introduction to the new 007, nicely connected to the main plot, great location and stuntwork. It's also exciting and has a nice pay off.
Other PTS's I love in no particular order..
OP Perfect Moore PTS. Great special effects.
GF The one that started the PTS 'mini movie' classic and perfect in every way
MR Amazing sequence let down by a stupid ending
TB Great fight scene, the less said about the jet-pack though the better
OHMSS Good tough fight sequence. Also features one of my favourite Astons!
GE Another good intro to a new 007. Has a few wtf moments but good overall
TND Excellent build up, suspenseful and one of Arnolds best music cues.
TWINE Double whammy of the office escape and the Thames chase. Love it.
DAD Apart from the surfing bit a solid and action packed sequence
CR What an intro to a new 007! Craig was my kind of James Bond from that moment on!
QoS Fast and brutal with razor sharp editing. Love it!
SF Solid and well shot. Has grown on me.
SP Love it. The long take, the roof walk, exploding building and helicopter fight are all so well done.
TSWLM Surely nothing needs to be said!
FYEO All a bit silly but great stunt-work.
I don't dislike any of the others that much, although TMWTGG PTS is just lame and AVTAK is almost ruined by having a Beach boys song as a (pretty naff) joke.
(raised Moore eyebrow)
least favorite - CR and QoS
Least Fav: LALD
Least; Live and Let Die
2. TLD
3. GE
4. TB
5. QOS
6. GF
7. FRWL
8. TMWTGG
9. CR
10. TWINE
Least favourite is LALD.
Worst: DAF, LALD, DAD
Entirely gripping, realistic 'anti-terrorism film'. Per Halberg's sound effects -the screams from the Turkish market visitors, the sounds of the cars- makes you actually 'feel' how it is to witness a real PKK or ISIS terrorist attack. It culminates in the best train rooftop sequences ever. Best of the Craig films.
02. TLD:
Like the SF PTS, also this is a gripping and fairly realistic chase sequence. Another great 'short action film' that precludes the main titles. John Barry's music and Pal Waktaar's electronic arrangements add a new kind of suspense. Tim Dalton's opening shot as 007 is wonderfully shot.
03. MR:
Really the first ever skydive sequence in cinematic history. And as of 2016 the sequence still works. For the very simple reason that you know this was filmed for real. The 'greenscreen' shots of Roger Moore aren't too abundant, and you really have the feeling Sir Moore is doing this sequence. Tom Cruise ("Rogue Nation") and Daniel Craig ("Quantum Of Solace") could have learned from this sequence.
04. OHMSS:
Actually I still think this holds as the best introduction of a new Bond, including Connery. The shots of Lazenby's mouth and cigarette makes you really wonder who the heck this guy is. What follows is a near-identical adaptation of the actual sequence from the novel. Then the fight kicks in, and here we actually see how realistic and 'blunt' this fist fights looks as opposed to Connery. This style of editing is really used later on in the Jason Bourne films.
05. TWINE:
Priceless sequence situated in the wonderful city of London. From this TOP 5 it actually really has some funny aspects. I recall for instance the reaction of the policemen locking a wheel clamp on that Ford Escort. Priceless! It's perhaps also David Arnold's best attempt to use the full James Bond theme, especially when Bond races right through that puff cake.
06. TSWLM:
A classic! Perhaps not too original since OHMSS is the quintessential homage to wintersports. But by jolly it must have been quite an experience to see this film during its premiere in 1977. Like SF this film has a wonderful throwback to healthy Britishness. It makes you actually feel proud. Applause for Rick Sylvester and Willy Bogner.
07. QOS:
In hindsight, QOS still has the best car chase since the 'ice' chase from OHMSS. It's realistic, gripping and tense. My dad thinks it's the best PTS of the Craig era. And I can understand why. But, I do think this car chase could have been longer. At least 7 mins or so. The focus was a bit too much on thee editing, and some wide shots and aerial shots of the chase.
08. DAF:
Who doesn't want to shove a hospital bed with Blofeld in steamy hot lava? Well, I do :-)! The knive throwing is wonderfully edited. Connery shows here he knows what it takes to perform a good stunt sequence. "It's like a dance" he once said. Absolutely true.
09. TB:
Great and rather bizarre fist fight between Bond and a drag queen. That bizarre element got Sam Mendes right in the Craig films btw! Having said that it's a great start to perhaps Connery's best portrayal as agent 007.
10. SP:
Honorary mention to this nice PTS that -at the start- is filmed with what appears to be a large one shot. The firsst minutes of the sequence are my favourite. Bond leaving the hotelroom like Connery and falling on a sofa like Moore really starts off the fun and comical side of the Craig films. That's why he needs to return.
TB is one of the worst for me. Another cheap Bond is dead gag (a weird Connery trope there), Bond deducing the identity of the drag queen because he opened the car door himself is silly, the fight is basically a lot of crashing and banging and the jetpack is so naff. It's cool that it was a real gadget but it looks like a dick with that ridiculous helmet on and it just seems so contrived. The transition to the title sequence is sort of abrupt too (the bad guys got a bit wet and- oh, that's it).
Diamonds also has a terrible one. Just seems so cheap and poorly done. Bad dubbing, crap acting from the guards who get the scalpels thrown at them, Bond hitting Blofeld on the head doesn't seem convincing at all but he's sudddenly covered in blood. It's laughably badly done imo. The only good thing about it is Barry's music and "there's something I need you to get off your chest". Otherwise it's a thoroughly shit start to a thoroughly shit film.
I don't like Live and Let Die's either. Just a bit dull and forgettable and the voodoo stuff (the white Englishman being sacrificed by the savage natives) rubs me the wrong way a bit. Always find myself realising "oh, that's it" as the titles kick in.
Octopussy's isn't bad but feels very tacked on. Usually there's at least something to connect the PTS to the rest of the film. Whether it be M calling Bond in before cutting to him finishing up his last mission, a story thread that leads into the film directly or even a small link (the encoder in TND for example). But here it really is pointless. The clown escaping scene after the titles is is brilliant too, that really should have been the PTS.
The worst for me though is probably FYEO. Some cool stuntwork but seriously, what an insult to the character of Blofeld (as if DAF wasn't bad enough). People say the ending of SP was unsatisfying but this really puts it into perspective imo. And again, completely unrelated to the rest of the film. So not only is it crap, it's also completely pointless.