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
You're right, I forgot to include no Grace Jones ;)
But on a serious note; no, I don't agree. The cast seems pretty mediocre to me except for Walken and and Macnee. As so many have suggested before, a new Bond and different Bond girls and henchmen could have helped the film considerably. In addition to several realterations of the plot and script of course... and different locations... better action scenes... better direction... It's hard to suggest anything very concrete without constructing a completely different film altogether... :p
That's not to say I don't respect your opinion. :)>-
For example, I can watch Air Force One and totally believe Harrison Ford kicking all that Russian ass. Or 2008's Rambo where Stallone's age didn't even cross my mind as he slaughtered hundreds.
Moore in AVTAK on the other hand? All I see is an old actor. A good one, make no mistake, but seeing him (or his stunt double) punching bad guys becomes entertaining for the wrong reasons- it's laughable.
Back to what I was saying about the reputation though- Moore was never really all that big on the action scene. His best brawl was in that dressing room in TMWTGG, and Moore's best fight wasn't as good as Connery's worst! He runs funny too.
You could have another tougher actor the same age in the role and it would be more believable. Connery for example, could have been in AVTAK and I would have believed it when he wailed on the guys at Zorin's warehouse, and at Stacy's place.
So the issue isn't Moore's age. It's just Moore.
I know it sounds like I'm being harsh on the guy but I really do like him. It's just that he did one too many, that's all. Octopussy would have been a great place to stop.
I do, hence the wink. ;)
I believe he was referring to me. Nonetheless, there was nothing in my comment to prompt that statement?
Got it. Actually, if Dalton had taken over the role for AVTAK it would have taken on a somewhat more serious tone. If that was the case I would have cast the model Iman, David Bowie's wife, as Zorin's elegant, deadly assassin.
THAT, would have been very cool.
I don't have a problem with Grace Jones. She's not a great actress (understatement), but henchmen/women don't always have to be. She brings an enjoyable element of crazy danger to the role. Not sure Iman would have had the same sense of menace, but she certainly would have looked good.
Bond sleeps with May Day as a way to cover up for the fact he'd been out spying around the chateau and isn't in his own room when Zorin and May Day come looking for him. I like Rog's raised eyebrow as Jones launches is in for the snog - all too realistic!
As awful as that chase is I don't think it's QUITE as embarrassing as Moore's fights with the goons in the warehouse or in Stacey's house:
0.30 onwards:
Rog has gone on record as saying View is his least favourite of the films he did. I'm not sure I agree completely but I can see where he's coming from.
The thing that urks me about View is that it never once feels like the film-makers are trying something different. It feels like a film on autopilot a lot of the time. I remember when I last saw it the word that came to mind was bland. The main things going for it are the music and Christopher Walken. It just lacks energy and feels sleepy.
But looking at AVTAK, I would definitely replace Grace Jones (with whom, I am unsure; but perhaps Angela Bassett) and Tanya Roberts.
I would have simply switched Tanya with Fiona; Fiona and Roger had nice chemistry and that one change would have made for a better film.
A few things I'd change:
- get rid of the Beach Boys, or at least switch out California Girls for Surfin', because Bond does surf across water, and this scene has nothing to do with California and/or girls
- actually make the Paris car chase believable
- give Tibbet a bit more screen time
- trim Roger's hair around the ears
- make the warehouse fight a bit more brutal and fix the editing
- get rid of the comedy cops
- shorten the fire truck scene or make it an intense chase
- outfit Zorin's blimp with an invisibility cloak so Stacey has a reason not to notice it creeping up behind her
Not so much a change as an addition: I know most here frown upon Grace Jones, but I think she's a unique character, and I like a lot of her music, so perhaps feature one of her songs somewhere in the film or end credits.
-Get a different director!!!!!!
-Keep Moore but put him to better use. The "Wine With Stacey" music is one of my favourite John Barry pieces. It has a very nostalgic feel and to be honest I don't think it would have worked as well with someone younger (i.e. Dalton) playing Bond. Personally I wouldn't want to get rid of that piece.
-Don't include comedy-laced car/fire engine chases
-Don't have Bond get with Stacey at the end
But my girlfriend walked in the door and asked what I was watching and I said 'Avtak', like it was a real freaking word! It took me a second before I even realized what I said!
Lucky! I bet it was quite something! I hope one day that I'll be able to witness AVTAK on the big screen...
Let's say Zorin and May Day genuinely love each other and Dr. Carl Mortner is long deceased and Project Main Strike is devoted to his memory, because he would be so proud of his boy Max.
May Day is the one who helps Zorin in the massacre and when it's over they high-five and cuddle laughing and saying what an awesome team they are.
Scarpine is permitted to live for whatever reason and has the blimp ready for their escape.
Let's just say somehow Bond and Stacey get the bomb safely out before it explodes and things progress as in the original with Stacey's kdnapping, Bond hitching a ride and the action at the Golden Gate Bridge.
Then things take a different turn as Zorin is knocked out in the fight with Stacey, May Day orders Scarpine to get Bond and then she seizes the axe when Stacey hits Scarpine out cold.
So May Day has the dangerous fight with Bond and when Zorin comes to, he is horrified to see his henchwoman dangling over the edge desperately trying to get a handhold. He cries out. "MAY DAY! MAY DAY!" and she gives a mad laugh as she goes down to her death with a scream.
Naturally Zorin wails in grief, which quickly turns to rage resulting in him emptying his gun at Bond who takes shelter with Stacey. Then Zorin is blown up along with Scarpine trying to throw a dynamite stick as Bond sends the blimp lurching with the axe May Day had been trying to kill him with.
Does anybody else think this would have been an awesome scenario?
The only thing I'd add is to recast Stacey Sutton's role.
Do you have anybody you'd recommend?
From the mid-80s, who would have worked? Maybe Kim Greist or Theresa Russell.