Last Bond Movie You Watched

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  • Posts: 1,596
    Yeah, TB's dialogue (which I agree is probably the best of the series) is one of the reasons I love it so much.
  • Mendes4LyfeMendes4Lyfe The long road ahead
    Posts: 8,399
    YOLT. I'd like to quickly say that I do not find Connery to be bored in any scene of this film. I just think that while YOLT has a lot more action than the previous 4 outings, Connery didn't stop being his usual, laid back, relax self. He's still very much THE man, taking time to seduce hot women while WW3 is just days away. Now, as for the film itself, the first half of the film, until the japanese wedding, is absolutely brilliant. Lots of action, stealth scenes, lots of stuff to learn about asian culture, and many sexy asian women. Each time I hear M say 'This is the big one, 007', a big grin appears on my face. The japanese wedding is the only moment where the film completly dies down. It picks up pace again to reach epic heights during the assault of the volcano lair. It's just full scale mayhem, and I never know if I should pay attention to the litteraly dozen of fights, or just admire the sight of these magnificent sets. The film looks about 20 times more expensive than DN, but it still feels the same. It's still the glorious 1960's Bond era. A lot of stuff are pure nonsentical (the car dropped in the river, the american officials leaving the control room like nothing had happened), but the film is so entertaining I just go along with the ride.

    YOLT is by far the greatest of the 'epic' bond films. It doesn't resort to comedy soundtracks or rib-nudging sight gags. Somehow this film manages to stay reasonably straight-faced, despite the campy OTT plot. DAF, TSWLM, MR all fall into the same trap of telling the audience 'hey, we're just having a laugh' and result's in tensionless outings. YOLT is taken seriously, 'this is the big one' being a prime example.
  • chrisisallchrisisall Brosnan Defender Of The Realm
    Posts: 17,801
    YOLT is taken seriously, 'this is the big one' being a prime example.
    Yes. This & TND are the two 'big ones' I can watch with a reasonably straight face.
  • DaltonCraig007DaltonCraig007 They say, "Evil prevails when good men fail to act." What they ought to say is, "Evil prevails."
    Posts: 15,718
    OHMSS. I don't have any words to describe this outing other than ''WOW'. Lazenby is a damn legend. His first acting job, and he's fully in character from the moment he first appears on screen. As soon as the PTS fight starts, I'm staring at the screen in awe saying 'My god, this Bond sure knows how to fight'. Lazenby's fighting technic is both impressive and beautiful to see. He reminds me of Hong-Kong action stars, who's fights are brutal and like a ballet. Fighting for them is an art, and Lazenby excells at that. Also from the first few moments of the PTS, you can notice Peter Hunt's expert directing, and the film's absolutely glorious cinematography. If I were a teen in 1969 and someone told me the budget of this film was 1 billion dollars, I'd have no problem believing it. I'd dare to rank this film in the top of the films I find the most beautiful to look at. Lazenby's definitive moment as Bond is the entire escape from Piz Gloria, from the start of the ski chase up until the end of the M scene. The tension is absolutely gut wrentching, Lazenby acts his heart out. The way he stands up to M right before the attack is magistral. Not even Connery at his prime managed to put Bernard Lee back where he belongs.
  • edited April 2015 Posts: 1,596
    I despise his performance. He's good at fighting but he's way too chummy, way too "glad to be here, fellas!" for me to take even remotely seriously as 007. I know a lot of people enjoy him, but I find the performance abysmal. What frustrates me even more is that the film around him is very good.

    @Mendes4Lyfe @chrisisall I think you guys are forgetting about Thunderball.
  • Mendes4LyfeMendes4Lyfe The long road ahead
    Posts: 8,399
    I despise his performance. He's good at fighting but I hate him for ruining what is otherwise a great Bond movie. I'll never forgive him for that. His performance takes me out of it every single time.

    @Mendes4Lyfe @chrisisall I think you guys are forgetting about Thunderball.

    true, thunderball is very much like YOLT in terms of it's deadpan absurdity.
  • edited April 2015 Posts: 11,189
    The problem with Laz is that, if you actually listen, he has virtually the same tone of voice throughout the WHOLE film.
  • Mendes4LyfeMendes4Lyfe The long road ahead
    Posts: 8,399
    I think Lazenby actually brought something to the role no one else ever could. Humanity.
  • Posts: 11,189
    I think Lazenby actually brought something to the role no one else ever could. Humanity.

    Agreed he brought humanity to the role but it's a stretch to say no one else ever could.

  • bondjamesbondjames You were expecting someone else?
    Posts: 23,883
    BAIN123 wrote: »
    I think Lazenby actually brought something to the role no one else ever could. Humanity.

    Agreed he brought humanity to the role but it's a stretch to say no one else ever could.

    Agreed that he brought humanity and also that it's a stretch to say he's the only one that could. He had the benefit of having exceptional source material to work from which they stayed relatively true to.
  • Posts: 1,596
    I think Lazenby actually brought something to the role no one else ever could. Humanity.

    People always say this about Lazenby, but I think the only reason it is said is because his lack of acting ability is so apparent. If you watch Connery's performances closely there's "humanity" in there. Lots of it. The looks he gives Kerim Bey, Jill, etc. Dalton and Craig both had it in spades. So I completely disagree that Lazenby brought anything that "no one else ever could."

    Connery at the top of his game would have been much better in that film, especially because of his age and history with the series, than Lazenby.

  • DaltonCraig007DaltonCraig007 They say, "Evil prevails when good men fail to act." What they ought to say is, "Evil prevails."
    Posts: 15,718
    While I love Lazenby's take on Bond, I can see where people are saying he's got the same intonation for the whole film. Actually, the moments I appreciate very much is when he's not talking. There's something about his acting, like when he looks around when Tracy leaves the casino bar and goes to her room, or when he looks at the money she leaves in the room.

    Another big that impressed me is the fight scene just before Bond meets Draco. The editing, the hypnotic zooms, the sound of the bodies hitting the metal lockers... Brilliant piece of film making, and I'd rank it close to the Bond vs Grant fight. Peter Hunt ( and John Glen for the editing) are absolute geniuses.
  • Mendes4LyfeMendes4Lyfe The long road ahead
    edited April 2015 Posts: 8,399
    What I mean is that Lazenby has an innocence that no other actor could portray because it would be contrary to their interpretation of the character. I really doubt Connery could have handled the material, at his peak or not. It would be too jarring for audiences who see him as the ultimate cool, superhero bond.
    This is Lazenby strength and why he was the obvious choice for the film. No one could match what he accomplished with material.
  • Posts: 1,596
    Fair enough, although I obviously disagree with the last sentence.
  • Mendes4LyfeMendes4Lyfe The long road ahead
    Posts: 8,399
    Fair enough, although I obviously disagree with the last sentence.

    'Obviously'? It's a matter of opinion...

  • edited April 2015 Posts: 1,596
    Fair enough, although I obviously disagree with the last sentence.

    'Obviously'? It's a matter of opinion...

    I know that. I didn't mean to insult you. I meant obviously (due to my last few posts) I disagree. If you read my last 3+ posts or so, you'll see that obviously I would disagree with you. Not that you are obviously wrong.

    Hopefully that clears things up.

  • Mendes4LyfeMendes4Lyfe The long road ahead
    edited April 2015 Posts: 8,399
    Fair enough, although I obviously disagree with the last sentence.

    'Obviously'? It's a matter of opinion...

    I know that. I didn't mean to insult you. I meant obviously (due to my last few posts) I disagree. If you read my last 3+ posts or so, you'll see that obviously I would disagree with you. Not that you are obviously wrong.

    Hopefully that clears things up.

    Ah, I see :)>-
  • suavejmfsuavejmf Harrogate, North Yorkshire, England
    Posts: 5,131
    I wish Peter Hunt had directed another Bond. He for me is the 2nd best Director after Young. Based on the quality of the film he directed.
  • DaltonCraig007DaltonCraig007 They say, "Evil prevails when good men fail to act." What they ought to say is, "Evil prevails."
    edited April 2015 Posts: 15,718
    DAF. This is, by far, the stupidest and most nonsensical Bond film. Yes, even compared to MR and DAD. But, I just can't hate a film where the uber cool Connery is having the time of his life for 2 hours. While the plot is epicly dumb, the dialogue is amongst the finest in the series, and it's IMO the most quotable outing in the franchise. Charles Gray must be the least threatening villain, not only in a Bond film, but in movie history, but he also seems to enjoy himself and hams it up so much he becomes hugely hilarious, despite his uselessness as a villain. I have no idea if the film intends to be a continuation of the 1960's or the start of a new decade, as it's so much a mixture of both decades it's impossible to class in in either. The special effects are laughable, the car chase is an insult to what the series has achieved before and since, but you can't help to laugh with the film, and these scenes are greatly helped by a masterful soundtrack by John Barry. Also, this film is never boring. The scenes move at a quick pace, and I never see the time pass as I quote the dialogue and laugh every 30 seconds.
  • JWPepperJWPepper You sit on it, but you can't take it with you.
    edited April 2015 Posts: 512
    DAF. This is, by far, the stupidest and most nonsensical Bond film. Yes, even compared to MR and DAD. But, I just can't hate a film where the uber cool Connery is having the time of his life for 2 hours. While the plot is epicly dumb, the dialogue is amongst the finest in the series, and it's IMO the most quotable outing in the franchise. Charles Gray must be the least threatening villain, not only in a Bond film, but in movie history, but he also seems to enjoy himself and hams it up so much he becomes hugely hilarious, despite his uselessness as a villain. I have no idea if the film intends to be a continuation of the 1960's or the start of a new decade, as it's so much a mixture of both decades it's impossible to class in in either. The special effects are laughable, the car chase is an insult to what the series has achieved before and since, but you can't help to laugh with the film, and these scenes are greatly helped by a masterful soundtrack by John Barry. Also, this film is never boring. The scenes move at a quick pace, and I never see the time pass as I quote the dialogue and laugh every 30 seconds.

    "That's a nice little nothing you're almost wearing" :D Indeed very quotable (and laughable) movie.

    Love your reviews @DaltonCraig007 !!
  • suavejmfsuavejmf Harrogate, North Yorkshire, England
    Posts: 5,131
    Great DAF line........"Providing the collars and cuffs match".
  • Mendes4LyfeMendes4Lyfe The long road ahead
    edited April 2015 Posts: 8,399
    DAF. This is, by far, the stupidest and most nonsensical Bond film. Yes, even compared to MR and DAD. But, I just can't hate a film where the uber cool Connery is having the time of his life for 2 hours. While the plot is epicly dumb, the dialogue is amongst the finest in the series, and it's IMO the most quotable outing in the franchise. Charles Gray must be the least threatening villain, not only in a Bond film, but in movie history, but he also seems to enjoy himself and hams it up so much he becomes hugely hilarious, despite his uselessness as a villain. I have no idea if the film intends to be a continuation of the 1960's or the start of a new decade, as it's so much a mixture of both decades it's impossible to class in in either. The special effects are laughable, the car chase is an insult to what the series has achieved before and since, but you can't help to laugh with the film, and these scenes are greatly helped by a masterful soundtrack by John Barry. Also, this film is never boring. The scenes move at a quick pace, and I never see the time pass as I quote the dialogue and laugh every 30 seconds.

    These mini-reviews of yours are wonderful! Can't wait to hear what you have to say about LALD, that's a guilty pleasure of mine :D
  • chrisisallchrisisall Brosnan Defender Of The Realm
    Posts: 17,801
    What I mean is that Lazenby has an innocence that no other actor could portray because it would be contrary to their interpretation of the character.
    'Innocence' does not a perfect Bond make IMO.
    thunderball is very much like YOLT in terms of it's deadpan absurdity.
    I love that phrase.
    @chrisisall I think you guys are forgetting about Thunderball.
    Connery's Bond from TB would rock the casbah in OHMSS.
  • DaltonCraig007DaltonCraig007 They say, "Evil prevails when good men fail to act." What they ought to say is, "Evil prevails."
    Posts: 15,718
    LALD. Many of you here know that Sir Rog is my favorite Bond, and i've been known to over-exaggerate his qualities. I'll remain objective. I prefer Moore's performances in the 2nd part of his tenure (TSWLM-AVTAK). But I'm starting to realise his best performances were in his first 2 movies. In LALD he is quite cold and ruthless, a bit like Connery, but still you can already see the Moore-style in the line deliveries and the seduction scenes. Moore moves like an ox - see when he's arriving in New York and he calmly check his luggage to see the taxi's number plate. He makes it effortlessly cool, no sudden movements. And Moore looks glorious here, about 10 years younger than Connery in DAF! As for the film, it really feels like a reboot. 'Bond: year one' all over again. I was paying close attention to the style of the previous outings, and LALD is a major departure from it. Probably because they had to establish Bond post-Connery. George Martin's soudtrack is wonderful, really cool rendition of the Bond theme and some excellent tracks throughout the film. And it's coming really clear to me that Hamilton/EON tried to do 3 completely unique outings from 1971-1974: a caper in Vegas,a blaxploitation film and a kung fu film. I think that despite all their flaws, these films are truely unique in the Bond canon, and they're the films that when I think about them, I remember the most scenes, not just a stunt or a one-liner.
  • DaltonCraig007DaltonCraig007 They say, "Evil prevails when good men fail to act." What they ought to say is, "Evil prevails."
    edited April 2015 Posts: 15,718
    I post another message because a major disaster has just occured! I've just finished TMWTGG, which as many know is my #1 Bond film, and it's been a very, very disappointing rewatch! It may be because during this Bond-a-thon I've taken a closer look at the pacing of the films. I noticed that this film is the first in the series that has severe pacing issues. The film falls flat on it's head on several occasions, and struggles to get going again. The whole climax as Scaramanga's island was a chore for me this time, it's just anti-climatic (worse than the DAF oil rig segment). Sir Rog looks glorious here, and is a proper badass, but he tries so hard to keep me interested in the parts that are very lackluster, and nothing helps. I think it is Hamilton's directing in this one that is just awful. Even TWINE looks more lush. Something is definitely wrong, I can't explain it, this was my favorite outing for the last 8 years or so. And it looks very certain it may drop from #1 spot to the bottom... I'm trying to think of a movie post 1974 that has pacing problems like this, and I can't think of any. I am very much heartbroken. This bond-a-thon is on hold until I put this disappointment behind me. Tragic, absolutely tragic.
  • Posts: 1,596
    Man, I've had my #1 Bond film change, but I've never felt that way about it after any one viewing. That's rough man.
  • Mendes4LyfeMendes4Lyfe The long road ahead
    Posts: 8,399
    Birdleson wrote: »
    @DaltonCraig007 , I agree with much of what you have said. Moore's take on the character in those first two films was much darker and cold-blooded. I wish that he had stayed so. I too have gone back and forth on TMWTGG. When I first saw it in the theatre at the age of 12 it was my favorite. There have been times since that I have found it dreadful, but lately it has settled into the middle of the pack. LALD has been a perennial Top Ten fixture for me.

    I can certainly agree about LALD, that film has style and class by the bucket full. Considering it is a Moore era film, there are only a few instances where I think they went 'too far' with the silliness. Obviously sheriff pepper is one of the worst 'comedy characters' of the series, and he doesn't just pop in for a quick gag either. Mrs. Bell is another one from the same film that would have been better left out. And ofcourse Kananga's death was ridiculous and OTT. But by and large this is a film that almost belongs to the golden age of the sixties.
  • MayDayDiVicenzoMayDayDiVicenzo Here and there
    Posts: 5,080
    I love Jay Dubya (in LALD, anyway), and Mrs Bell is class.
  • DaltonCraig007DaltonCraig007 They say, "Evil prevails when good men fail to act." What they ought to say is, "Evil prevails."
    Posts: 15,718
    What's funny about Mrs Bell is when Leiter tells Bond she's traumatised (or something amongst these lines), but at no moment during the said event she seemed to be frightened. She keeps a straight face through the whole mayhem, and dare I say she seemed oblivious to most of the chaos that occured.
  • Posts: 11,189
    He's ok in LALD but I can't stand him in MWTGG.
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