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Last Bond Movie You Watched

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  • BirdlesonBirdleson Moderator
    Posts: 2,161
    I've never understood a segment of dedicated fans' dislike of SF. I definitely have problems with the third act, but I find the overall experience glorious. A perfect tribute to the 50 year franchise. Where as I can usually at least get my head into another fan's reason for liking or disliking a given Bond film, in this case I cannot. Its' charm seems undeniable to me. Like Santa Claus, or a Hershey Bar with Almonds.
  • chrisisallchrisisall Brosnan Defender Of The Realm
    Posts: 17,687
    Birdleson wrote: »
    I've never understood a segment of dedicated fans' dislike of SF. I definitely have problems with the third act, but I find the overall experience glorious. A perfect tribute to the 50 year franchise. Where as I can usually at least get my head into another fan's reason for liking or disliking a given Bond film, in this case I cannot. Its' charm seems undeniable to me. Like Santa Claus, or a Hershey Bar with Almonds.

    Killing a well loved character doesn't always go down well with folks (sorry, spoiler for Skyfall....). ;)
  • BirdlesonBirdleson Moderator
    edited November 2021 Posts: 2,161
    I didn't mind the death of Dench's M conceptually too much, I just think it was fumbled. But it certainly seemed to be a rather sensationalist move, and already an example of the Craig Era being treated like it's special, everything has to push the envelope, which I have been uncomfortable with. And too personal. Who knew that EON was simply dipping its' toe into the pool.
  • mattjoesmattjoes
    edited November 2021 Posts: 6,709
    Birdleson wrote: »
    I've never understood a segment of dedicated fans' dislike of SF. I definitely have problems with the third act, but I find the overall experience glorious. A perfect tribute to the 50 year franchise. Where as I can usually at least get my head into another fan's reason for liking or disliking a given Bond film, in this case I cannot. Its' charm seems undeniable to me. Like Santa Claus, or a Hershey Bar with Almonds.

    This is my least favorite Bond film.

    There is some terrific character detail, especially when we see Bond wasting away in Turkey, and in Silva's psychotic love-hate relationship with M. The scenes in Silva's island and the Tube are highlights of the movie for me, and the presence of Ralph Fiennes, Bérénice Marlohe and Albert Finney is particularly welcome.

    But the film is too straight-faced. It's slow and ponderous, lacking enough of a sense of mischief. There is a coldness to it, even in scenes between characters who like and respect each other and who should convey a stronger sense of warmth. And Craig delivers his worst performance as Bond here, and in fact my least favorite performance by a Bond actor. His acting has the exact same shortcomings as the film.

    For me, Spectre and No Time to Die have only highlighted more clearly these problems with Skyfall.
  • Mathis1Mathis1
    Posts: 6,798
    I have to echo mattjoes! I've tried to like SF, but I find the whole film dreary and dull! I disagree re Craig, think he is excellent, and I like Silva. But the film never grips me, or more importantly, I dont find it one bit exciting! And I dont feel I am watching a Bond movie! There is only one section, Bond turning the tables on his captors on Silvas island, thst actually made me feel like I am watching Bond. I remember coming away from my first viewing, very down in the dumps, and then the ecstatic reviews came in, and felt I must be missing something. Second and third viewings made no difference! And first viewing on bluray was the same. Its just doesnt do enough for me! I know SP gets a rough ride round here, and yes, the final 20 mins or so is poor, but I am still entertained by it, and will take it over SF any day!
  • chrisisallchrisisall Brosnan Defender Of The Realm
    Posts: 17,687
    Mathis1 wrote: »
    I know SP gets a rough ride round here, and yes, the final 20 mins or so is poor, but I am still entertained by it, and will take it over SF any day!
    SP isn't great, but it's so much more fun than SF or NTTDOWIJFTTD! (NoTime To Die-Oh Wait, I just FOUND Time To Die!)
  • MajorDSmytheMajorDSmythe "I tolerate this century, but I don't enjoy it."Moderator
    Posts: 13,894
    The World Is Not Enough

    The proto Craig film. Just as with DAF being the beginning of the Moore era, this is really where the Craig era begins. An attack on MI6, M being taken captive, Bond falling for the Bond Girl (who is later revealed to be the villain of the film), Bond having an injury that (at least on paper) would impede his physicality all ideas that wouldn't be out of place in a Craig era film.

    Silver Anniversary Bondathon
    1. The World Is Not Enough
    2. Skyfall
    3. Casino Royale
    4. SPECTRE
    5. No Time To Die
    6. Die Another Day
    7. Quantum Of Solace
  • chrisisallchrisisall Brosnan Defender Of The Realm
    Posts: 17,687
    MajorDSmythe wrote: »
    The World Is Not Enough

    The proto Craig film. Just as with DAF being the beginning of the Moore era, this is really where the Craig era begins. An attack on MI6, M being taken captive, Bond falling for the Bond Girl (who is later revealed to be the villain of the film), Bond having an injury that (at least on paper) would impede his physicality all ideas that wouldn't be out of place in a Craig era film.
    Fascinating. I believe you've hit on something here....

  • BirdlesonBirdleson Moderator
    Posts: 2,161
    Interesting.
  • marcmarc Universal Exports
    Posts: 2,609
    chrisisall wrote: »
    NTTDOWIJFTTD! (NoTime To Die-Oh Wait, I just FOUND Time To Die!)

    In what timeline does Bond deliver this line? 😁
    (He only dies twice?)
  • chrisisallchrisisall Brosnan Defender Of The Realm
    Posts: 17,687
    marc wrote: »
    chrisisall wrote: »
    NTTDOWIJFTTD! (NoTime To Die-Oh Wait, I just FOUND Time To Die!)

    In what timeline does Bond deliver this line? 😁
    My timeline.
    Man, the more I think about NTTD, the angrier I get. At least Moonraker had good music...
  • marcmarc Universal Exports
    Posts: 2,609
    chrisisall wrote: »
    At least Moonraker had good music...
    ... and cinematography, and action, and villain's plot, ...

    (MR can hardly be topped in these categories imo, but I guess you disagree)
  • BirdlesonBirdleson Moderator
    edited November 2021 Posts: 2,161
    I’ll agree in cinematography and soundtrack, as well as the miniatures. I like the villains plot, but it’s just re-adapted from TSWLM.

    It is still the first Bond film that disappointed me. My expectations were so high after the predecessor, but I walked out of the theater depressed. I thought how much further are we going to go into the wackiness? Will we never see the PPK again? I’m pretty sure that’s why people of my generation, I think just about all of us on here around my age never warmed to MOONRAKER, like later generations could. You guys see it as the oddball, but fun Bond film, tucked among the rest. For us it was a step too far in the direction that we had been heading into for a decade, and there was no clue that it was going to come back the other way. It was so successful financially.
  • marcmarc Universal Exports
    edited November 2021 Posts: 2,609
    MR was my favourite Bond movie once and has dropped a lot in my 'objective' ranking. But it's still among my Top 3 'sentimental favourites', along with AVTAK - which has also dropped quite a lot - and FYEO (or TMWTGG, maybe).
  • DrunkIrishPoetDrunkIrishPoet The Amber Coast
    Posts: 156
    For me, MOONRAKER was the culmination of the series at that time. Ten films earlier, DR. NO was a high-tech techno thriller about a danger to our space program. THUNDERBALL was like some sort of Tom Clancy adventure! And of course in YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE, Bond was *this close* to actually going into space!! So it always seemed to me that Bond in Space was inevitable—and when it finally arrived, it was like the climax of the series to me: about damn time.

    Plus, it’s just a really fun and well-made flick—even better than SPY WHO LOVED ME in my opinion.
  • FoxRoxFoxRox
    Posts: 12,249
    There are enough differences to make them unique, but I sort of think of MR as a weaker TSWLM and SP as a weaker SF.
  • BirdlesonBirdleson Moderator
    Posts: 2,161
    I had no problem with Bond going to space, that is still an excellent idea. It was the goofy humor and total disregard for my favorite book that turned me off.
  • marcmarc Universal Exports
    Posts: 2,609
    DrunkIrishPoet wrote: »
    For me, MOONRAKER was the culmination of the series at that time. Ten films earlier, DR. NO was a high-tech techno thriller about a danger to our space program. THUNDERBALL was like some sort of Tom Clancy adventure! And of course in YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE, Bond was *this close* to actually going into space!! So it always seemed to me that Bond in Space was inevitable—and when it finally arrived, it was like the climax of the series to me: about damn time.
    I also like high-tech in Bond films a lot, especially in the villain's lairs.

    I think MR is, overall, weaker than TSWLM, too, but its strengths in entertainment are even stronger.

    Bond going to space was a nice idea. The laser battle may be a bit silly, but the focus is still on Bond, so it's a good backdrop that underlines the high stakes.
  • MajorDSmytheMajorDSmythe "I tolerate this century, but I don't enjoy it."Moderator
    Posts: 13,894
    Tomorrow Never Dies
    I'm not suggesting that I am a flag waver for the Brosnan era, but years passed, when I was less keen on Brosnan and his films, I still defended TND. The action in the later stages has never bothered me. I willingly admit to being an action junkie, and so if TND is a 90's action film wrapped up in the slick veneer of Bond, then i'm all for that.

    I also think Brosnan looks his best here.

    Silver Anniversary Bondathon
    1. Tomorrow Never Dies
    2. The World Is Not Enough
    3. Skyfall
    4. Casino Royale
    5. SPECTRE
    6. No Time To Die
    7. Die Another Day
    8. Quantum Of Solace

  • BirdlesonBirdleson Moderator
    Posts: 2,161
    I'd bet no other ranking of the Modern Era coincides with yours.
  • chrisisallchrisisall Brosnan Defender Of The Realm
    Posts: 17,687
    MajorDSmythe wrote: »
    Tomorrow Never Dies
    I'm not suggesting that I am a flag waver for the Brosnan era, but years passed, when I was less keen on Brosnan and his films, I still defended TND. The action in the later stages has never bothered me. I willingly admit to being an action junkie, and so if TND is a 90's action film wrapped up in the slick veneer of Bond, then i'm all for that.

    I also think Brosnan looks his best here.

    Silver Anniversary Bondathon
    1. Tomorrow Never Dies
    2. The World Is Not Enough
    3. Skyfall
    4. Casino Royale
    5. SPECTRE
    6. No Time To Die
    7. Die Another Day
    8. Quantum Of Solace

    Nice list, but where are the DALTON films???
  • ThighsOfXeniaThighsOfXenia
    Posts: 1,595
    Birdleson wrote: »
    I'd bet no other ranking of the Modern Era coincides with yours.

    This is probably true, haha.

    For me, recently: From Russia With Love

    A classic. One of the few films that manages to actually feel like Fleming's prose. Evocative locations and a genuine Cold War/spy thriller atmosphere. Connery is at the absolute top of his game. Just sheer magnetism for days. The threat of SPECTRE here feels genuinely menacing.

    Pretty hard to find a flaw. I suppose the pacing isn't perfect, but the way it moves so deliberately is part of the allure. The cast is obviously incredible as well.

    Ongoing rankings:
    1. Casino Royale
    2. From Russia With Love
    3. No Time to Die
    4. On Her Majesty's Secret Service
    5. Skyfall
    6. Tomorrow Never Dies
    7. Quantum of Solace
    8. The Man with the Golden Gun
    9. Spectre
  • MajorDSmytheMajorDSmythe "I tolerate this century, but I don't enjoy it."Moderator
    Posts: 13,894
    chrisisall wrote: »
    MajorDSmythe wrote: »
    Tomorrow Never Dies
    I'm not suggesting that I am a flag waver for the Brosnan era, but years passed, when I was less keen on Brosnan and his films, I still defended TND. The action in the later stages has never bothered me. I willingly admit to being an action junkie, and so if TND is a 90's action film wrapped up in the slick veneer of Bond, then i'm all for that.

    I also think Brosnan looks his best here.

    Silver Anniversary Bondathon
    1. Tomorrow Never Dies
    2. The World Is Not Enough
    3. Skyfall
    4. Casino Royale
    5. SPECTRE
    6. No Time To Die
    7. Die Another Day
    8. Quantum Of Solace

    Nice list, but where are the DALTON films???

    I’m working backwards. Have patience. 😉
  • MajorDSmytheMajorDSmythe "I tolerate this century, but I don't enjoy it."Moderator
    Posts: 13,894
    GoldenEye
    I have never noticed until this viewing, that Gary Powel has not just one, but two cameos. When the Tiger is being hijacked, Bond runs up onto deck, but is intercepted by two squaddies, the one on the left, i'm sure it's Powel. Then in Trevelyan's control room, there are two of Trevelyan's lackies, one each side of Natalya, again the one on the left looks like Powel.

    Silver Anniversary Bondathon
    1. Tomorrow Never Dies
    2. The World Is Not Enough
    3. GoldenEye
    4. Skyfall
    5. Casino Royale
    6. SPECTRE
    7. No Time To Die
    8. Die Another Day
    9. Quantum Of Solace
  • MajorDSmytheMajorDSmythe "I tolerate this century, but I don't enjoy it."Moderator
    Posts: 13,894
    Licence To Kill
    I read something recently, where it was suggested that there might have been something between Bond and Della. I hadn't given it much thought, until it came back to me while watching LTK. It does present another valid reason for why Bond is so absolutely hell bent on taking down Sanchez, regardless of the price he'll have to pay.

    Silver Anniversary Bondathon
    1. Licence To Kill
    2. Tomorrow Never Dies
    3. The World Is Not Enough
    4. GoldenEye
    5. Skyfall
    6. Casino Royale
    8. SPECTRE
    9. No Time To Die
    10. Die Another Day
    11. Quantum Of Solace
  • Mathis1Mathis1
    Posts: 6,798
    MajorDSmythe wrote: »
    Licence To Kill
    I read something recently, where it was suggested that there might have been something between Bond and Della. I hadn't given it much thought, until it came back to me while watching LTK. It does present another valid reason for why Bond is so absolutely hell bent on taking down Sanchez, regardless of the price he'll have to pay.

    Silver Anniversary Bondathon
    1. Licence To Kill
    2. Tomorrow Never Dies
    3. The World Is Not Enough
    4. GoldenEye
    5. Skyfall
    6. Casino Royale
    8. SPECTRE
    9. No Time To Die
    10. Die Another Day
    11. Quantum Of Solace

    Interesting angle, never really looked it beyond it mirroring Tracys death!
  • MajorDSmytheMajorDSmythe "I tolerate this century, but I don't enjoy it."Moderator
    Posts: 13,894
    The Living Ddaylights

    "Superb, Mr Bond, superb." - Georgi Koskov

    I couldn't agree more.

    Silver Anniversary Bondathon
    1. The Living Ddaylights
    2. Licence To Kill
    3. Tomorrow Never Dies
    4. The World Is Not Enough
    5. GoldenEye
    6. Skyfall
    7. Casino Royale
    8. SPECTRE
    9. No Time To Die
    10. Die Another Day
    11. Quantum Of Solace

  • TopGearJB007TopGearJB007
    Posts: 624
    Never Say Never Again/ Thunderball double feature. I like Never Say Never Again. I like Thunderball. I resurrected the NSNA thread a bit ago to give a few thoughts.

    Next up will be a CR/QoS/SF/SP/NTTD 4k Bluray-palooza. The 21st cannot come fast enough!
  • MajorDSmytheMajorDSmythe "I tolerate this century, but I don't enjoy it."Moderator
    Posts: 13,894
    A View To A Kill
    The lack of energy in the film actually put me to sleep. The last I remember before nodding off, was Bond carrying Stacy down the ladder.

    Silver Anniversary Bondathon
    1. The Living Ddaylights
    2. Licence To Kill
    3. Tomorrow Never Dies
    4. The World Is Not Enough
    5. GoldenEye
    6. Skyfall
    7. Casino Royale
    8. SPECTRE
    9. No Time To Die
    10. Die Another Day
    11. A View To A Kill
    12. Quantum Of Solace
  • MajorDSmytheMajorDSmythe "I tolerate this century, but I don't enjoy it."Moderator
    edited December 2021 Posts: 13,894
    For Your Eyes Only and Octopussy
    My appreciation for these two films continues. I enjoy watching them a lot more, compared to a few years ago.

    Silver Anniversary Bondathon
    1. The Living Daylights
    2. Licence To Kill
    3. Tomorrow Never Dies
    4. Octopussy
    5. The World Is Not Enough
    6. For Your Eyes Only
    7. GoldenEye
    8. Skyfall
    9. Casino Royale
    10. SPECTRE
    11. No Time To Die
    12. Die Another Day
    13. A View To A Kill
    14. Quantum Of Solace
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