It looks like you're new here. If you want to get involved, click one of these buttons!
^ Back to Top
The MI6 Community is unofficial and in no way associated or linked with EON Productions, MGM, Sony Pictures, Activision or Ian Fleming Publications. Any views expressed on this website are of the individual members and do not necessarily reflect those of the Community owners. Any video or images displayed in topics on MI6 Community are embedded by users from third party sites and as such MI6 Community and its owners take no responsibility for this material.
James Bond News • James Bond Articles • James Bond Magazine
Comments
Very, very enjoyable Bond movie. I love that this is kind of a sequel and da capo of The Spy Who Loved Me.
Hugo Drax is great and so many memorable dialogue from him.
John Barry gives a hell of a score (again) and you never can go wrong with Shirley Bassey it seems.
Personally I like the Bond in space scenario a lot. The effects are very well done, nothing at all to complain there. The set of Ken Adam is out of this world, literally :P
There are some rather short silly moments in the film, that are a bit questionable. Overall it doesn't hurt the film for me though.
Goodhead is a strong Bond girl and I like her a lot. Great chemistry with Moore, but then he just has great chemistry with any woman.
Wouldn't know where to rank Goodhead, certainly not up there with Tiffany, Goodnight, Melina or Octopussy, but clearly better than Tracey or Solitaire.
Jaws is wonderful. He's menacing, dangerous and clumsy. And in the end he decides to change sides, how good of him :)
Moonraker adds an outlandish, exciting, fun romp to the variety that the Bond series gives us.
18 films down, 7 to go...
1. OHMSS
2. DN
3. CR
4. GF
5. YOLT
6. TSWLM
7. DAF
8. TMWTGG
9. TWINE
10. TB
11. FRWL
12. MR
13. DAD
14. FYEO
15. OP
16. QOS
17. AVTAK
18. LTK
I guess you don't like YOLT?
As for Connery in DAF, I cannot help but agree and I'm saying this with being very fond of Lazenby. OHMSS is my No 1 film after all.
Casino Royale 1967
Well that one was "Shocking! Positively shocking."
"I'm almost speechless with admiration".
Ursula is a better Vesper than Eva. And I'm a huge Eva Green fan.
Not to mention Ursula in general being absolutely stunning in CR67.
Her screen chemistry with Sellers brought tears of joy to my eyes.
Peter Sellers is a suave Bond, cool and bespectacled.
The film is almost too overloaded with breathtaking, fantastic sets.
The score and music in general is a big part of why I love CR67 so much.
Discovering my favorite singer Dusty Springfield not only provides the main theme but it's The Look Of Love which is a favorite song of mine anyway, was quite a shock. I never knew.
I have learned that CR67 had a bigger budget than YOLT and you can see that. The location shooting is perfect as well.
You really get everything in CR67 that is Bond, including not one, or two but three James Bonds!!
David Niven is a natural choice for an older, retired Bond.
Peter Sellers is a perfect choice for a new generation Bond, training hard for the mission and doing oh so well.
Woody Allen is hilarious. His is the most annoying, weird but most fascinating Bond.
The story is hilarious and works. I never was quite sure where the film goes but it doesn't even matter.
CR67 is like a mosaic or collage of wonderful, colorful, fascinating, fantastical, weird and funny stuff.
Not sure I can say much more when I have seen the film only once. There is so much to dissect and discover.
CR67 has more substance than some of the newer Bond films.
"Do I look like I give a damn." Personally I couldn't care less if this is EoN or not.
This is James Bond, no doubt about it. A spoof maybe but it's far more than just a simple comedy. It's multilayered and ambitious and it succeeds with most.
That's not saying there aren't a few things I found out of place. The magic act for instance.
But that's such minor complaints when I loved this film so much.
I have decided to include this in my ranking. To make it clear, I can only rank CR67 with the other films by the "entertainment and fun" level.
It's not really possible to compare a film like CR67 to FRWL. But then maybe the same is true for MR and FRWL as well.
So here we go:
1. OHMSS
2. DN
3. CR
4. GF
5. YOLT
6. TSWLM
7. DAF
8. TMWTGG
9. TWINE
10. TB
11. FRWL
12. MR
13. DAD
14. CR67
15. FYEO
16. OP
17. QOS
18. AVTAK
19. LTK
NEVER SAY NEVER AGAIN
Well I love it. This is as Bond as any EoN film and has a classic feel to it.
Sean Connery, he simply can't do wrong. His comedic timing and talent in NSNA is truly amazing.
Brandauer knocks Celi out in one punch.
Fatima Blush is the best femme fatale in the series for me. I need to see Xenia a second time though to make a final judgement.
Claudine Auger can't be beat though, Basinger is but a mere shadow of the Domino in TB.
The sets are quite something in NSNA, love them and the underwater scenes are gripping, fast and quiet frankly better than anything offered in TB.
The score is refreshingly different. The locations are fabulous! Nice and the Bahamas, it's all so beautiful.
The film is exactly what is important in the end. Highly entertainment, fun and memorable. I love almost all of the dialogue.
"But dead, 007. Dead!"...seriously, Edward Fox's M is just hilarious, so serious but funny!
The supporting cast is very good anyway, be it Blofeld, Q or M or especially Felix Leiter.
This version of him rivals the best in the series.
The lengthy sequence at Largo's party/ball is my favorite part. Bookended with the guard holding the bomb.
In short the film is a hoot! And very well produced. I dare to say it looks better than OP.
What keeps NSNA from being further up in my ranking is that it's typical 80s cheesy after all.
Overall, NSNA feels less as a remake of TB than a spoof of it. But that is exactly its strength. While being very funny in general, the film still offers an insane and dangerous villain and her side-kick that is psychotic and deliciously hot as hell.
I'm so very pleased and happy what this series of films has to offer.
My ranking:
1. OHMSS
2. DN
3. CR
4. GF
5. YOLT
6. TSWLM
7. DAF
8. TMWTGG
9. TWINE
10. TB
11. FRWL
12. MR
13. DAD
14. CR67
15. FYEO
16. NSNA
17. OP
18. QOS
19. AVTAK
20. LTK
The first 40 minutes of this film are astonishingly bad if you know what greatness that will follow. The Pts is littered with changing of color filters from dirty brown to cold blue whenever we switch from London to Turkey and back.
No gun-barrel and a score that feels depressingly joyless. Where is Arnold when you need him.
The one reason why it still can be watched is the enormous amount of screen time Judi Dench gets in these first 40 minutes. She more or less carries the film in this early phase on her own with her usual brilliant acting.
Judi Dench then further is the main reason why Skyfall in the end turns out to be one great film that even has a classic feel to it in many parts. Her amount of screen time is staggering.
But there is so much good stuff. And what they did get right is that good it's bordering epic proportions of greatness.
Never mind the most illogical plot ever, what counts here are the emotions and Bardem, Craig, Dench, Marlohe and Finney deliver a stellar cast effort that is without equal.
Sam Mendes seems to be a good director on a good day. Shang-hai, Macau, the island, the shoot-out, Scotland are the stuff he got more than right. The rest is pretty meh though, lifeless and drab.
What probably makes this one of the best Bond films is the lengthy Skyfall sequence, the build-up to it on the island and before with the confrontation between M and Silva.
Silva has some extremely memorable moments, sadly it's overdone somewhat in places and so he can never belong to the greatest villains like Goldfinger, Dr. No, Scaramanga or the various Blofelds.
After seeing Skyfall a second time I feel a bit let down again because there seems to be enough potential to have made this the best Bond ever by a large margin.
But I don't let that kind of thinking tamper with my enjoyment. Skyfall in the last 30something minutes is a proper Film Noir with maybe one of the best DoP achievements I've seen so far.
CR-SF, the perfect double feature that brings you as close to the great Connery era as possible. It's only 2 films though and that is a crying shame. Daniel Craig had so much potential. I hope, sincerely hope Bond 25 will be his DAF.
A new neo-noir Bond with black humor and kinky characters would be quite something! With a clever plot naturally.
SKYFALL while sadly having some glaring flaws is still one hell of a movie. Even with the weakest first half hour in the series, it's a classic.
It is very difficult to put in a ranking. SF is the least fun of all the films in my Top 10. Still it has other qualities and they are so good.
Therefore:
1. OHMSS
2. DN
3. CR
4. GF
5. YOLT
6. TSWLM
7. SKYFALL
in a way I feel SF belongs between GF and YOLT even, but YOLT and TSWLM simply entertain me more overall and especially are more fun.
8. DAF
9. TMWTGG
10. TWINE
11. TB
12. FRWL
13. MR
14. DAD
15. CR67
16. FYEO
17. NSNA
18. OP
19. QOS
20. AVTAK
21. LTK
I like YOLT, but it's an inferior film to the first 4. OHMSS was a welcome return to quality and to Fleming. Again, Lazenby was a credible Bond, albeit lacking in the inate charm/ screen presence of Connery and Moore.
I'm shocked.
I feel quite the opposite.
Peter Sellers is a limp wristed and pathetic Bond, uncool, unfunny, uncharming, ugly and bespectacled.
The story is poor, not amusing and doesn't work. I never was quite sure where the film goes.........
Andres has no on screen chemistry with Sellers whatsoever.
The only plus point is that David Niven is a natural choice for an older, retired Bond.
Speaking of uncredited crew, you ever heard the expression "Too many cooks spoil the broth?" This film is the embodiment of that.
Only 3 writers receive credit. The other SIX didn't want to be associated with the film. This film had NINE writers during its development, including Hollywood legend Billy Wilder (Sunset Boulevard and a million other movies in the 50s and 60s). Some people really think this is funny considering the time period. This isn't an excuse.
Some films are just too much fun!
This pre-title-sequence is unique and probably my favorite in the series.
It's the only time we actually get to the villain's main lair in a Pts!
Furthermore this sequence builds up the end-game between Bond and Scaramanga.
Once we arrive in that late point in the film, we already know how the fun-house works.
This adds greatly to the excitement.
It's exotic and filled with fantasy. The fun-house and Scaramanga's living space is highly fascinating and very well constructed.
The titles are typically Binder and as usual brilliant. Lulu's rather happy-go-lucky pop song is a welcome change to what came before. Love the lyrics too.
The M office sequence is great, love these two lines from Bernard Lee especially:
Bond: Who would pay a million dollars to have me killed?
M: Jealous husbands, outraged chefs, humiliated tailors. The list is endless.
and
Bond: If I found him first, sir, that might change the situation.
M: Dramatically, wouldn't you say?
I love how Bernard Lee delivers his lines!
Saida, Q & Lazar - three short but memorable scenes. She's charming and the fight is quite something, funny and Bond throws a punch and gets some too.
Saida: No! I've lost my charm!
Bond: Not from where "I'm" standing.
Q is funny and focused as ever and quite an expert on bullets it seems.
Lazar I like a lot, what little screen time can make for a memorable experience is quite astonishing.
Lazar: My relationship with a client, Mr Bond, is strictly confidential. Like a doctor. A priest with a penitent.
The way Marne Maitland delivers his line for Lazar is a joy to watch.
Hello Goodnight!
Oh isn't she just adorable. So lovely, so sweet and charming. Love her MG car too.
Bond: Goodnight, would I do that to you after two years?
Goodnight: Yes, you bloody well would!
I admit I can't get enough of her. Brit Ekland really is gorgeous.
Anders, the assassination and M & Q waiting on the Queen Elizabeth:
-interesting how cruel Bond treats Anders here, but then it's his life and I would do the same, no problems here.
-the street/alley sequence is really great, reminds me of a film noir.
-MI6 has offices everywhere, I mean seriously now!
Again Bernard Lee delivers some wonderful lines here. And so does Desmond: "Really, 007!"
Scaramanga is always one step ahead of Bond. Hai Fat is quite full of himself.
"Take Mr. Bond to school!"
Definitely a favorite sequence of mine, Moore is just fabulous.
Bond in another major speed-boat sequence.
And the incomparable J.W Pepper, the Democrat: "Get your cotton-picking schnoz out of my pants."
Hai Fat's demise. He was just too full of himself, but really. Love how Scaramanga builds his gun. Lee really delivers a high quality performance in this film.
Goodnight has the keys, and the solex too! ha ha ha....and gets captured and she's flying to Scaramanga's island....
...but first it's J.W. Pepper again...you gotta love this guy!
"Let me talk to 'em. Hello. This is Sheriff J.W. Pepper, Louisiana State Police... and tell her I'm on a mission. I've been deputised. Right?"
"You're not thinking of...?" - and just when you think you've seen it all EoN proves you wrong and delivers yet another death defying stunt!!
Bond flying to the island is wonderful cinematography.
I love how seemingly civilized and well-cultured Scaramanga is, he is full of s**t though as Bond so nicely puts in another great villain/Bond dining sequence.
...the duel... opens an exciting and unique end-game between Bond and the villain.
Goodnight meanwhile in her bikini. A sight for sore eyes. Can't ever get enough of that.
The film ends more or less how it started. Someone gets tricked and shot in the fun-house. It's a clever piece of writing and I love Lee's facial expression when he realized he has been defeated. Probably hurting him more than knowing he'll die.
NickNack starts to grow on me, ha ha!
He is just perfect for Scaramanga and his French accent adds to the fun.
How he ends up is..... "Oh, James, you didn't!"
My ranking should be affected by this great viewing experience: And it is. I stand corrected.
I realize now, that I want to be thrilled, entertained and especially want to smile and laugh a little too, some laughing out loud moments should be there too.
SF as great as it is, will end up No 10 in my ranking in the end, exactly where I had put it after my first Bondathon. I was right.
1. OHMSS
2. DN
3. CR
4. GF
5. YOLT
6. TSWLM
7. DAF
8. TMWTGG
9. SF
10. TWINE
11. TB
12. FRWL
13. MR
14. DAD
15. CR67
16. FYEO
17. NSNA
18. OP
19. QOS
20. AVTAK
21. LTK
As do I. The Hamilton films did that very well.
https://www.mi6community.com/discussion/1117/quantum-of-solace-appreciation-thread-we-found-a-better-place-to-meet#latest
scroll down to latest post, I'm not sure I'm allowed to post the same thing in two theads...
but of course it's the guide to the reasoning of my latest ranking.
1. OHMSS
2. DN
3. CR
4. GF
5. YOLT
6. TSWLM
7. DAF
8. TMWTGG
9. SF
10. TWINE
11. TB
12. FRWL
13. MR
14. DAD
15. QOS
16. CR67
17. FYEO
18. NSNA
19. OP
20. AVTAK
21. LTK
Nope FRWL is better than QoS.
What's left:
LALD-TLD-GE-TND-SP, I'll spread those over the next five days.
A Bondathon. Yes! Not in chronological order. Hell yes! At a leisurely pace. Check.
So I decided to do a Bondathon for 2018 in this order...It's going to blow your mind.
DN-OHMSS-LALD-TLD-GE-CR-FRWL-TMWTGG-LTK-TND-QOS-GF-TSWLM-TWINE-SF-TB-MR-DAD-SP-YOLT-FYEO-DAF-OP-NSNA-AVTAK.
Wow! I know right, fully out of control. I'm interested to see how each actors performance's change over the course of their tenure.
Looking forwards to hearing your thoughts on that.
Weird thing is Benny, I was considering the very same format yesterday! (except NSNA won't make the cut I'm afraid). I won't start until the autumn though.
Good luck Benster!
The cast is excellent with Connery, a then relatively unknown Kim Basinger, Barbara Carrera, Klaus Maria Brandauer, Max Von Sydow, Edward Fox...
Although all that the film remains inferior to the original "Thunderball". It lacks many fundamental ingredients for being a real Bond movie: there's not the traditional gun barrel sequence, there's not the "James Bond theme", M and Q are not played by the traditional actors... Briefly, NSNA lacks the classic cinematic 007 atmosphere.
Connery though is magnificent, effortlessly stepping back into his most famous role. Hearing him deliver the one-liners is a joy. Barbara Carrera is terrific as 'Fatima', a snake-loving lady whose love for murder is such she dances after ( so she thinks ) killing Bond. Kim Basinger smolders as 'Domino'. As 'Maximillian Largo', Klaus Maria Brandauer gives a chilling, believable performance. Alec McCowen manages to create an alternative 'Q', more successfully than Cleese or Whishaw. A major disappointment though is Max Von Sydow as 'Blofeld'. The posters gave the impression he would be a major character, but in fact he appears only in a few scenes. With a stronger script, he could have been one of the all-time great Bond villains.
'Never' promised to revert to the crunchy style of the early Eon Bonds, but did not deliver. The gadgets were there, but used almost apologetically, such as Bond's rocket-firing motorcycle. The traditional baccarat duel is replaced by a very '80's computer game called 'Domination'. There was also an unwise attempt to compete with Eon's Bonds in terms of juvenile humour ie. Bond saving himself by throwing his own urine sample into an assassin's face. But the nadir comes with Rowan Atkinson's bumbling Foreign Office official 'Nigel Small-Fawcett'.
Another flaw is the lack of a decent score. Instead of John Barry, we have to make do with Michel Legrand, whose score is absolutely hopeless. He seems to never to have seen a Bond film in his life.
But, NSNA is a solid Bond film, heightened by Connery's return.
A nice description of the film, only thing I slightly disagree is that the film lacks the classic 007 feel.
Neither CR, QoS or SF have a classic gun-barrel, CR and QoS don't have a Q or Moneypenny at all and the James Bond theme is hardly ever there in SF or SP (as far as I remember).
Maybe back in 1984 that bugged people, but in retrospect NSNA feels as much as a Bond film as any of the above mentioned new films.
I'd go so far to say NSNA feels more like Bond overall.
Speaking of which, why wasn't David Arnold no longer available. Imagine a score from him in SF or even SP....
Thomas Newman is Sam Mendes go to composer and they worked many times together. It must simply have been Mendes request to bring him in.