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On the subject of underrated Bonds, I will always say that OP is the most underappreciated. It thoroughly amazes me how some people can just gloss over it without realising its greatness. The action really is thrilling - from the missile to the palace fights to the train chase to the plane finale - it's first class! Gobinda is a bit of a run-of-the-mill henchman but Mishka and Grishka make up for it. Khan is also a wonderfully suave villain. Octopussy and Magda were also good Bond girls! Yes, perhaps there's one joke too many, but ultimately that's OP's style - blending humour with suspense - and lots of suspense during that bomb sequence! An All-Time-High for Bond.
Second in terms of underrated Bonds is YOLT, which I was thoroughly shocked to find was hated by quite a lot of people on this forum.
Yeah on my last Bondathon I was surprised by how much I enjoyed Octopussy. I don't hate YOLT, but think it is a bit average - as has been said Connery looks bored, Blofeld could be better developed.
You are technically right about Blofeld, but the same could be said for Dr. No, for example. Both villains work being revealed in the closing minutes of the film given how much suspense there is leading up to their reveal in their individual movies. I also think both villains were good considering how much menace they had... YOLT Blofeld is far better than drag Blofeld or SP Blofeld, though.
Yeah I don't think Connery is terrible in YOLT. I actually think he gives a better performance in DAF, even though YOLT is the better film. He seems more lively, interested and assured. He just could have been in better shape.
Casino royale 54: Is it bad yes but it's still fun to watch a what if and I still say had Nelson actually read the dam book he would of been an ok 007
From Russia with Love: Sorry this is the true definitive Connery Film better then more then likely any other connery film (I will say more once I have finished Diamonds are forever in my 007 Journey)
For Your Eyes Only: Still don't get why many hate this film its a good Cold War esque spy thriller (sure Dalton would of been better as 007 but then Moore would of ended his tenure on Moonraker... ok ending on A view to a Kill isn't much better granted) Moore is just at home here as is in the goofier bond films which leads me to believe it wasn't Moore that opted for sillier bond films but producers and directors and that The man with the golden gun (along with Moonraker) could of been a LOT better.
The World Is not enough: to me this is the best brosnan era Bond film and the closest we get until Casino royale to bond going back to his routes. At the core is a murder mystery which essentially was what Dr. No Was and I don't care Denise Richards isn't believable she was the hottest bond girl of the Brosnan era.
Qunatum of Solace: Again a strong film that I don't get the hate for.
That’s an interesting point of view. It is not often that you read that DN is someone’s favourite Connery.
Yes, I suppose I think of the GF plot as generic and although FRWL is very good, it doesn't feel quite as original as DN, maybe it suffers from sequel-itis aa bit I don't know, I really like FRWL though.
With regards to cinematography, plot and action, also DAF, TMWTGG, TSWLM, MR, OP, AVTAK, GE, TND
Most underrated by the general public: TLD
Agreed there, I actually prefer both TND and QOS to their Martin Campbell counterparts. TLD is just a classic Bond film.
20 years ago OHMSS would have a place here too, but recently it gets the praise it deserves. Mostly.
By Bond fans, I am going with TWINE. For me Brosnan's best, regretfully only referred to as 'the one with pain face'.
And finally, I'd say QOS is underrated by everyone.
So that's OP, TLD, LTK, TWINE and QOS for me.
I get that people have issues with this film, but to call it atrocious, worse than NSNA or DAF, an irredeemable mess.... let's just say that's several stretches too far for me.
Hey, all of this is just personal taste, folks. No hard feelings. ;-)
I can appreciate that. Because it counts for me too. DAF and TMWTGG, for example, are bearable, amongst other things, because Barry brings the magic. To be frank, I like the SP score at times, but I agree that only Barry had the Midas touch.
Exactly!!! Barry turns any film into GOLD!!!
And I must confess, when Zimmer and Marr were announced as Composers, my excitement for NTTD reached Mount Everest.
My prime examples come from DAF.
1) Immediately after the cringe-worthy gas station scene, with Jill St. John's ludicrous bit of overacting and Bond's "superspy" move of hiding inside a man's van while the man gets distracted, Barry kicks in a lovely little mystery version of his theme song while the camera flies up and zooms out. The scene is one I'm always looking forward to; content, zero; music: A+.
2) When Bond shoots the wrong Blofeld and the real Ernst takes the tape to his safe while giving his little speech, Barry gives us another, this time rather emotional take on the theme song, and in doing so he almost elevates the dull bad guy scene to something I'm almost willing to take, ahum, seriously. Camp: zero; music: A+. Another scene to always look forward to.
Films like DAF and MR are replete with scenes that, without any music, could induce grave disappointment, but with the help of Barry make for a delightful experience. Being a Bond fan has thought me the power of awesome film scores...
... which also explains why certain moments in films like LALD and NSNA are extra bad for me. Barry could've saved them, I'm inclined to believe, but Martin and Legrand settled for mediocrity at times. (Martin, at least, compensates in other scenes.)
Bull's eye! @DarthDimi but I really like Martin's LALD score. Apart from using the title song, he creates an alternate theme that keeps recurring. The theme starts in Bond to New York.
The phrase that springs to mind is how the whole is then greater than the sum of the parts. What a find he was for the series. About LALD, I was skimming through the soundtrack last night and did appreciate what the great George Martin did, incorporating rock elements and adding his musical "sparkle" or genius. About Hans Zimmer, I think we'll be in great hands. I really liked his deft touch with Gladiator. And I just noticed he and Harold Faltermeyer are doing the music for another action pic, Top Gun: Maverick.
My sentiments exactly! :)>-
Dubbing Radiohead's song for the film over the title sequence DOES get me in a better mood to watch the film, for sure.
Sure. It suits Kleinman's very dark title sequence. But it's funny how Radiohead's brilliant song was deemed too dark.