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Or just zoom in on Bond in the gunbarrel, and there is the opening of SF with Bond coming towards the camera, gun raised. That might have been cool, and original.
Kind of like Roger Moore in the trailers. That would've been awesome.
First viewing in a few months. It went great as always. There's much to like of course, and very little not to like. Lazenby really is very good in this film. His swagger and confidence is quite impressive, as is his vulnerability in key moments. Of course he has the benefit of a superb cast, most notably Diana Rigg who elevates the film in every scene she's in. Gabrielle Ferzetti is also highly watchable as Draco, and provides a lot of the film's levity. I've never been all that impressed with Savalas as Blofeld (there's something a bit too American about him - perhaps because I know him most from Kojak), but I'll concede that he's the best of the non faceless film Blofelds.
What I really like about this film are the action sequences. They are cut in a manner which bring pace and energy. John Glen (2nd unit director here) used to do this well in his films also, but I feel the difference in OHMSS is that the action is filmed in a manner which delivers perspective and context. One is fully aware of the surroundings and is able to absorb the environment here, and I suppose cinematographer Michael Reed is responsible for that. Some of the shots in this film (most notably in Switzerland but also earlier) are truly awe inspiring. Barry's sublime score (his best imho) is at once romantic, suspenseful and melodic. Lazenby's tall, lean yet muscular physique is quite impressive (this is how I imagine Bond to be in terms of form and athleticism) and he wears those Dimi Major suits (which are beautifully cut to emphasize his shape) with grace. We've sadly come a long way from that level of quality these days imho, and I certainly hope that we get back to this level of natural style and suave post recast.
What don't I like? Well not much really. The film drags a little mid stream at Piz Gloria as Bond beds a few 'angels' and ingratiates himself with Blofeld, but once his disguise is blown the film picks up nicely and maintains an elevated pace all the way to its heartbreaking final moments. Also, I noticed today that good though Laz is physically, he lacks that cheeky wink & charming cool that Connery and Moore were so good at naturally conveying. I think that is an important part of the Bond film character, and must be retained and perhaps even emphasized in future iterations, at least for this viewer. Great film overall and having enjoyed it again today I can't understand why they decided to bring the character of Blofeld back in 2015. Just let him be please, and let this story be too. It's been done well enough already. No need for pseudo remakes or reimaginations.
Saving my viewing for Xmas eve or day. Agree with you totally re action scenes. They hold up really well to todays movies. The fights, the ski chase, the stock car sequence and that fabulous bobsled finale! Genuine thrilling set pieces!
These guys were way ahead of the curve back then with the action. It's one of many elements that put the EON team on another level in comparison to contemporary fare. Revisiting these old films one is always amazed by the quality and attention to details in so many areas. Thrilling stuff which rightly created a film legend. As with anything great though, it's difficult to maintain that edge and over time some of that is inevitably (and regrettably) lost.
I agree on the SF PTS. That was a really well formulated non linear sequence with lots of different vehicles and concurrent action cutting back and forth. I wasn't impressed at all with the SP PTS apart from the tracking shot, which I assume was Mendes. The rest of it was pedestrian and overly CGI infested imho, particularly the copter sequence.
Same here,i think its totally over-rated,except the part of CraigBond stalking along the rooftops,which also has a good score.
This made me think that there would be a good score throughout SP when I first saw it at the cinema.
Boy did I get that wrong.
Craig's tailoring in QoS is exceptional.
I'm hoping they take inspiration from Kingsman for the suits from now on. More old school but still cool in a timeless way. The skinny fit prom suits will age badly, just like Moore's bell bottoms, Brosnan's banker suits and Dalton's baggy clothes have. CR is only ten years old and we're already talking about how dated some of the outfits seem with how baggy they are. They need to learn to stop following trends and go for a more timeless look imo.
I have really liked the casual wear choices of the Craig films though, the polos in CR/QoS, the winterwear in SP, that sort of thing. Always looks good.
Regarding Kingsman, Eggsy's suits are too tight. I can't stand tight pants, so I hope Bond strafes away from it.
Yes, I think once they announced Craig as Bond for #25, I pretty much knew after that Bond 25 will not live up to even modest expectations. However you feel about SP, chances are we will get more of the same with Bond 25, even if they do abandon continuity.
Purvis and Wade have gone on record saying that the personal crap angle has been played out. (Though buggered if I can find the quote)
Just because he realises that SP wasn't a high doesn't mean he knows what it is.
That's a great point. When I saw the SPECTRE trailer I was worried about Craig's deliveries. Then I thought it may just be that they chose a different version for the trailer than the film. In some cases that proved to be true. Nevertheless, SP is comfortably Craig's worst performance. And I'm personally in favour of a cavalier Bond.
Conceptually so am I. Just not so much with Craig. He can do it if the writing is top notch, but otherwise it doesn't work for me because that's not something which is natural to him. I can see through it. Like he's acting it rather than embodying it.