Controversial opinions about Bond films

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  • Creasy47Creasy47 In Cuba with Natalya.Moderator
    Posts: 40,968
    BondStu wrote: »
    BondStu wrote: »
    I don't know how controversial or not these opinions will be but I'll give you a few Bond films that I'm NOT a fan of.

    Thunderball (boring)

    Every time I hear this specific criticism of TB it makes me want to jump off a bridge. In other words, I hope you're right that this is a controversial opinion ;)

    You obviously seem to think ago... but you admit yourself it's not the first time you've heard it. Fry that one in your mind wok! :))

    It can be a bit slow and sluggish in a few parts for me - some moments to drag - and regardless of how cool and classic it is, it's one of my least favorites of Connery's. I don't know what it is, I've just never loved it the way I love most of his others. The aspects that shine and wow, though, REALLY shine and wow for me (the score, especially).
  • BondStuBondStu Moonraker 6
    Posts: 373
    Creasy47 wrote: »
    BondStu wrote: »
    BondStu wrote: »
    I don't know how controversial or not these opinions will be but I'll give you a few Bond films that I'm NOT a fan of.

    Thunderball (boring)

    Every time I hear this specific criticism of TB it makes me want to jump off a bridge. In other words, I hope you're right that this is a controversial opinion ;)

    You obviously seem to think ago... but you admit yourself it's not the first time you've heard it. Fry that one in your mind wok! :))

    It can be a bit slow and sluggish in a few parts for me - some moments to drag - and regardless of how cool and classic it is, it's one of my least favorites of Connery's. I don't know what it is, I've just never loved it the way I love most of his others. The aspects that shine and wow, though, REALLY shine and wow for me (the score, especially).

    I guess I prefer it to Diamonds Are Forever.
  • MinionMinion Don't Hassle the Bond
    Posts: 1,165
    Thunderball is my least favorite Bond film. I’d gleefully watch AVTAK or DAD over it.
  • RC7RC7
    Posts: 10,512
    It’s very languid.
  • Creasy47Creasy47 In Cuba with Natalya.Moderator
    Posts: 40,968
    RC7 wrote: »
    It’s very languid.

    Exactly. Great way to describe it. Depending on your view of it, you almost have to be in just the right mood for it.

    @Minion, it's not my least favorite, and I do feel bad ranking it as low as I have it; it's not an objectively poor film by any standard, it's just not one of my favorites, personally.
  • Last_Rat_StandingLast_Rat_Standing Long Neck Ice Cold Beer Never Broke My Heart
    Posts: 4,583
    It always makes me want to go swimming afterwards.
  • edited September 2019 Posts: 17,753
    To counter the opinions of TB's pacing; I find the pacing perfect.
  • Posts: 12,466
    To counter the opinions of TB's pacing; I find the pacing perfect.

    I used to have problems with its pacing, but my last 3 or 4 watches of it have flowed perfectly. I’m not sure if it was me seeing it differently or just getting used to its style, but TB is an essentially perfect Bond film for me at this point - including the pacing.
  • FoxRox wrote: »

    I used to have problems with its pacing, but my last 3 or 4 watches of it have flowed perfectly. I’m not sure if it was me seeing it differently or just getting used to its style, but TB is an essentially perfect Bond film for me at this point - including the pacing.

    You’re getting old, like me. TB used to be too slow ... but recently I’ve found it to be perfectly paced.

  • BondStu wrote: »
    Diamonds Are Forever (mean spirited to the point of being unpleasant)
    Live And Let Die (see above)
    The Man With The Golden Gun (just garbage)

    but those are three of my favourites!

  • Posts: 17,753
    FoxRox wrote: »
    To counter the opinions of TB's pacing; I find the pacing perfect.

    I used to have problems with its pacing, but my last 3 or 4 watches of it have flowed perfectly. I’m not sure if it was me seeing it differently or just getting used to its style, but TB is an essentially perfect Bond film for me at this point - including the pacing.

    Never had that issue myself, even as a kid when I definitely felt more drawn towards the more action-packed films. I just like the mystery element to the film, with Bond doing some proper detective like work (photographing the Disco Volante under water, snooping around at the Shrublands, etc.). That had me at the edge of my seat as a kid, and I still feel the same way about the film today.
  • Posts: 2,917
    I don't think TB is terribly slow or boring, but it is a slightly bloated film with a few too many characters and unnecessary scenes. As Benson noted, the film is an unnecessarily complicated adaptation of the novel.
  • Posts: 7,507
    I don't think the pacing is an issue. The plot however takes time to gain steam. However just watching those glamorous locations, Connery and the girls is a good experience in itself and partly makes up for the lack of tension.
  • GertGettlerGertGettler Laptop Barcelona
    Posts: 431
    Controversial opinion: Even Bond producers can make very bad decisions, and we fans (and forummembers) should address that at times :-P.
  • Controversial opinion: Even Bond producers can make very bad decisions, and we fans (and forummembers) should address that at times :-P.
    I agree with you on this. Definitely some take it too far sometimes but I'm not gonna hold back if I don't like something.
  • Posts: 1,917
    TB takes the time to indulge the senses with its various scenes and that goes a long way for me in a way others deem boring. So many of the films that came after are lacking in that way.
  • RichardTheBruceRichardTheBruce I'm motivated by my Duty.
    edited September 2019 Posts: 13,779
    Controversial opinion: Even Bond producers can make very bad decisions, and we fans (and forummembers) should address that at times :-P.
    Controversial how. Inevitable really.

    On the other hand it's the nature of film reviewers forever to damn Bond films. Natural sport. Casino Royale and Skyfall excepted.

    But how does that stack up over time. Bond fans (or movie critics) versus Bond film producers. Especially with the long view. Witness On Her Majesty's Secret Service. Licence to Kill. Quantum of Solace.

    Complainers of Bond films. Okay.
  • RemingtonRemington I'll do anything for a woman with a knife.
    Posts: 1,534
    Is Thunderball a little bloated? Yeah. Is it still my favorite of the 60s films? Hell yeah. I love almost everything about it.
  • GoldenGunGoldenGun Per ora e per il momento che verrà
    Posts: 7,112
    Controversial opinion: Even Bond producers can make very bad decisions, and we fans (and forummembers) should address that at times :-P.
    Controversial how. Inevitable really.

    On the other hand it's the nature of film reviewers forever to damn Bond films. Natural sport. Casino Royale and Skyfall excepted.

    But how does that stack up over time. Bond fans (or movie critics) versus Bond film producers. Especially with the long view. Witness On Her Majesty's Secret Service. Licence to Kill. Quantum of Solace.

    Complainers of Bond films. Okay.

    I always find it fascinating how so many American film critics tend to be critical towards Bond films, but laud those unoriginal overproduced Marvel vehicles. Maybe it’s a nostalgia thing.
  • BondStuBondStu Moonraker 6
    Posts: 373
    BondStu wrote: »
    Diamonds Are Forever (mean spirited to the point of being unpleasant)
    Live And Let Die (see above)
    The Man With The Golden Gun (just garbage)

    but those are three of my favourites!

    DUDE!!! Did you see the title of this thread before you read it? :))
  • RC7RC7
    Posts: 10,512
    Controversial opinion: Even Bond producers can make very bad decisions, and we fans (and forummembers) should address that at times :-P.
    Controversial how. Inevitable really.

    Exactly.
  • Posts: 54
    I love this thread. Nice to see people proud to give popular punching bags like AVTAK and TWINE some appreciation.

    Here’s one that took a few years of simmering for me:
    Tomorrow Never Dies is the best Pierce Brosnan Bond movie.

    Goldeneye for years had been this untouchable thing, but TND takes the lead for me in terms of story, villain, score, action, locations, photography, and most of all, pacing. It’s a breezier watch than Goldeneye, and these days for me, that’s an important quality.
  • LeonardPineLeonardPine The Bar on the Beach
    Posts: 3,996
    Geno wrote: »
    I love this thread. Nice to see people proud to give popular punching bags like AVTAK and TWINE some appreciation.

    Here’s one that took a few years of simmering for me:
    Tomorrow Never Dies is the best Pierce Brosnan Bond movie.

    Goldeneye for years had been this untouchable thing, but TND takes the lead for me in terms of story, villain, score, action, locations, photography, and most of all, pacing. It’s a breezier watch than Goldeneye, and these days for me, that’s an important quality.

    Agreed. TND is my favourite Brosnan. A cracking Bond film.
  • BondStuBondStu Moonraker 6
    Posts: 373
    I'm quite fond of TND
  • MajorDSmytheMajorDSmythe "I tolerate this century, but I don't enjoy it."Moderator
    Posts: 13,978
    I wouldn't go as far as to call TB boring, if nothing else, it has some of the best looking ladies in the series (Domino, Fiona, Paula and Pat), but it does often feel like wading through mud. The Q scene really grinds my gears. I know it was still early on in the series, but they really dropped the ball with the way Bond acts in that scene.
  • BondStuBondStu Moonraker 6
    Posts: 373
    If I said I prefer Never Say Never Again to Thunderball - would that be considered a controversial opinion?
  • Posts: 7,507
    BondStu wrote: »
    If I said I prefer Never Say Never Again to Thunderball - would that be considered a controversial opinion?

    Yes.

    But it boils down to a question of semantics. On these boards very little is particularly controversial. With almost any opinion, some, if not many, will agree with you.
  • BondStuBondStu Moonraker 6
    Posts: 373
    Well - here's another quite controversial opinion... I LIKE SPECTRE!!! *runs away*
  • MinionMinion Don't Hassle the Bond
    Posts: 1,165
    Geno wrote: »
    I love this thread. Nice to see people proud to give popular punching bags like AVTAK and TWINE some appreciation.

    Here’s one that took a few years of simmering for me:
    Tomorrow Never Dies is the best Pierce Brosnan Bond movie.

    Goldeneye for years had been this untouchable thing, but TND takes the lead for me in terms of story, villain, score, action, locations, photography, and most of all, pacing. It’s a breezier watch than Goldeneye, and these days for me, that’s an important quality.
    I’m one of those weirdos that likes TWINE the best, but TND is a close second for me.
  • ThunderfingerThunderfinger Das Boot Hill
    Posts: 45,489
    BondStu wrote: »
    Well - here's another quite controversial opinion... I LIKE SPECTRE!!! *runs away*

    Many people here do. I have it in my top ten. I think it is pretty much split down the middle, it s just that those who hate it keep harping on about it.
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