What are your most-watched Craig Bonds?

chrisisallchrisisall Brosnan Defender Of The Realm
in No Time To Die Posts: 17,687
This is different than 'best' or 'favourite' in that it's based on fact, not opinion.
And it indicates pure entertainment level.
Mine are Quantum Of Solace & SPECTRE. Both completely imperfect, yes, I get that. But they are the ones I revisit most often. I think of them as the lightning strike & the smooth ride.
Which are yours?
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Comments

  • j_w_pepperj_w_pepper Born on the bayou. I can still hear my old hound dog barkin'.
    edited March 2023 Posts: 8,655
    Mine are the other three, most recently NTTD, then SF, then CR. It may be that the total number for CR is the highest, but it is also a movie I saw in 2006 at the cinema and have had first the DVD, and later BD, ever since. Although I'd pick SF as the best of the bunch if I had to (and those three are really only a hair's breadth apart), NTTD has kept me busy the most since it came out.

    Not that the other two are necessarily bad. My main gripes are (since 2008) the hectic editing of QOS and (since 2015) the stupid Bloberhauser foster-brother jealousy concept in SP. Yes, it is still there in NTTD, but they had to unravel that mess somehow before sending the Craig Bond off. I still prefer both over most other Bond films over the ages. Just not over the three mentioned above, and not because of their rewatchability.

    Mind you that CR, SF and NTTD (sorted alphabetically here) are joined in my top group of JB movies only by FRWL (still my No. 1) and GF (the most iconic Bond film ever). Eat your hearts out, Rog and Tim and Pierce. Oh, yes, there was also George.
  • Posts: 1,477
    j_w_pepper wrote: »
    Mine are the other three, most recently NTTD, then SF, then CR. It may be that the total number for CR is the highest, but it is also a movie I saw in 2006 at the cinemal and have had first the DVD, and later BD, ever since. Although I'd pick SF as the best of the bunch if I had to (and those three are really only a hair's breadth apart), NTTD has kept me busy the most since it came out.

    Not that the other two are necessarily bad. My main gripes are (since 2008) the hectic editing of QOS and (since 2015) the stupid Bloberhauser foster-brother jealousy concept in SP. Yes, it is still there in NTTD, but they had to unravel that mess somehow before sending the Craig Bond off. I still prefer both over most other Bond films over the ages. Just not over the three mentioned above, and not because of their rewatchability.

    Mind you that CR, SF and NTTD (sorted alphabetically here) are joined in my top group of JB movies only by FRWL (still my No. 1) and GF (the most iconic Bond film ever). Eat your hearts out, Rog and Tim and Pierce. Oh, yes, there was also George.


    Why is FRWL your number one and GF the most iconic?

    I agree on GF. I'll never forget being in a darkened cinema and hearing those horns for GF. I know many think GF is overpraised, but it's not. And I do love FRWL.

    I believe I have reached the point that I will no longer rank the films. FRWL, GF, OHMSS, and CR are simply the best and each is my number one when I watch them.

    As to the question. CR. I've lost count how many times I've seen it. For me great films are those you can keep coming back to whether you find something new or not.

  • Posts: 12,242
    The first three are far more rewatchable for me. I’ve probably seen CR the most still, then QOS, then SF. SP more than NTTD still, but honestly a lot of this is because of when they were released. But yeah, any of the first three I’d be a lot more likely to watch at any given time. QOS maybe most given it’s the only one on the shorter side, even though I prefer CR and SF.
  • SIS_HQSIS_HQ At the Vauxhall Headquarters
    edited March 2023 Posts: 3,382
    Skyfall (and maybe, SPECTRE), before, but I don't find them rewatchable now, I'm rewatching those classic Bond films more, for pure entertainment.
  • NickTwentyTwoNickTwentyTwo Vancouver, BC, Canada
    Posts: 7,518
    What other reason would there be?
  • chrisisallchrisisall Brosnan Defender Of The Realm
    Posts: 17,687
    I recognize CR for the really amazing film that it is, but the ending where they SHOWED us Vesper's death was too over the top for me compared to the novel....
    QOS was not from the novel, so I appreciated it more... perfect coda IMO, though not a perfect stand alone film.
    SF was kill-M-simplistic crap- I have a hard time believing it's considered a better film than even QOS. But yeah, it's beautiful to look at....
    SP was DAF level stupid, but just as fun.
    NTTD I have NTTWatch.
  • RemingtonRemington I'll do anything for a woman with a knife.
    Posts: 1,532
    CR and QOS
  • Junglist_1985Junglist_1985 Los Angeles
    edited March 2023 Posts: 1,006
    ^ agreed. CR and QOS.
    That’s Craig-Bond’s sweet spot in my opinion.
  • NickTwentyTwoNickTwentyTwo Vancouver, BC, Canada
    Posts: 7,518
    Lately it's been Spectre.
  • Posts: 6,726
    Most watched is definitely QOS and then CR!
    Least is definitely SF (just never clicked with me!) and NTTD ( Though recent viewing was great, so can see me watching it a lot more than SF!)
    SP in the middle, still enjoy it, but Craigs first two are unbeatable!
  • M_BaljeM_Balje Amsterdam, Netherlands
    edited March 2023 Posts: 4,415
    QOS (5-6)
    CR (4)
    SF (4)
    SP (3)
    NTTD (1)

    Rewatchable is very inportent. Casino Royale was last DVD i bought in 2021. I have Casino Royale two weaks before it leaves cinema, possible one of the members here who watch it in 2007.

    Daniel Craig era is creatieve era but very taff too for Bondfans. The line of rewatching it fast is broken by lack of extra's but also lack of excitement/joy that Brosnan era brings. My top 3 are Brosnan era, QOS comes not higher then 14. SF is last. SP based on my mood sharing with DAD, what i don't like i thanks to SF.
  • Jordo007Jordo007 Merseyside
    Posts: 2,481
    Casino, Skyfall, Spectre, QOS and then NTTD.

    I love Casino, it's my favourite Bond film so its an easy rewatch for me. I'd watch all Craig Bond's (aside from NTTD) before I'd watch a Sir Roger Bond to be honest.
  • peterpeter Toronto
    Posts: 8,249
    @Jordo007 … what’s strange for me is, I’ve had a strong pull to Sir Roger’s Bond films lately.

    Very out of character for me.

    But @mtm made some very interesting observations about Moore that started to give me pause. The biggest one being that he may’ve been the best Bond to undertake OHMSS (something I didn’t imagine before (Connery and Craig are my favourite Bonds)).

    Revisiting the Moore films has been very enjoyable, and I think mtm has won me over in thinking that theoretically, Moore would have been a great choice for OHMSS!

    But all this is an aside.

    In the past two years or so, NTTD is my most watched Craig-Bond film, then SF, CR…. QoS and finally…. Spectre.
  • Posts: 462
    CR
    QOS
    SF
    NTTD
    SP
  • SIS_HQSIS_HQ At the Vauxhall Headquarters
    edited March 2023 Posts: 3,382
    To be honest, I would rather read the book Casino Royale than to watch the film, the book got me a lot more deeper, than watching the film.
    The book engaged me more than watching the film.
    I can read the book many times, but I can watch the film depends on my mood.

    Don't get me wrong, the film is great, but the book is a lot more engaging where it really lets you to get inside and feel the pureness of it, not by aesthetics.

    It's like I felt that I'm at home while reading the book, I felt comfortable, than watching the film, where my emotions and even my mind somehow got all mixed up.

    The film is great, but the book caught my heart more.
    peter wrote: »
    @Jordo007 … what’s strange for me is, I’ve had a strong pull to Sir Roger’s Bond films lately.

    Very out of character for me.

    But @mtm made some very interesting observations about Moore that started to give me pause. The biggest one being that he may’ve been the best Bond to undertake OHMSS (something I didn’t imagine before (Connery and Craig are my favourite Bonds)).

    Revisiting the Moore films has been very enjoyable, and I think mtm has won me over in thinking that theoretically, Moore would have been a great choice for OHMSS!

    But all this is an aside.

    In the past two years or so, NTTD is my most watched Craig-Bond film, then SF, CR…. QoS and finally…. Spectre.

    Roger Moore is fine for me too, but I don't liked anyone for OHMSS, leave that film as it is.

    And if Roger Moore was available in 1969, there would be no OHMSS, the original plan at the time was to hire Moore and do The Man With The Golden set in Cambodia.
  • edited March 2023 Posts: 2,742
    For me it's SF. Think it might even be my most rewatched Bond film. I saw it multiple times in the cinema simply because everyone in my friend group all really wanted to see it - something I've not seen with any Bond film before or since (I feel it's the last 'big event' Bond film in that sense, which ideally every Bond film should be in terms of ability to drum up excitement).

    After that it's CR simply because it has the rewatch factor for others (the number of times I've been round someone's flat or whatever and suggested they watch it is quite high). QOS probably after that. Then it's NTTD followed by SP.
  • SIS_HQSIS_HQ At the Vauxhall Headquarters
    Posts: 3,382
    007HallY wrote: »
    For me it's SF. Think it might even be my most rewatched Bond film. I saw it multiple times in the cinema simply because everyone in my friend group all really wanted to see it - something I've not seen with any Bond film before or since (I feel it's the last 'big event' Bond film in that sense, which ideally every Bond film should be in terms of ability to drum up excitement).

    After that it's CR simply because it has the rewatch factor and most people seem to enjoy it. QOS probably after that. Then it's NTTD followed by SP.

    Yes, out of all Craig's Bond films, Skyfall is also the film in his era I liked the most.
    It got the action, drama, and great filmmaking all right, and in balance.
  • edited March 2023 Posts: 2,742
    SIS_HQ wrote: »
    007HallY wrote: »
    For me it's SF. Think it might even be my most rewatched Bond film. I saw it multiple times in the cinema simply because everyone in my friend group all really wanted to see it - something I've not seen with any Bond film before or since (I feel it's the last 'big event' Bond film in that sense, which ideally every Bond film should be in terms of ability to drum up excitement).

    After that it's CR simply because it has the rewatch factor and most people seem to enjoy it. QOS probably after that. Then it's NTTD followed by SP.

    Yes, out of all Craig's Bond films, Skyfall is also the film in his era I liked the most.
    It got the action, drama, and great filmmaking all right, and in balance.

    I think younger viewers gravitate towards it more than the older ones, especially amongst Bond fans. Honestly, I prefer it to CR and find something new/different in it each time, so it's the type of film I'd prefer to sit down and watch alone (compared to when I'm with others and want to put something on to pass the time as I mentioned).

    It's one of those Bond films I think going forward the series will try to emulate the success of. Heck, even in the later Craig films I get this sense in stuff like Safin's revenge motive which isn't dissimilar to Silva's, or indeed the general fatalistic themes etc.
  • talos7talos7 New Orleans
    Posts: 7,889
    Casino Royale is hands down my Bond film, but oddly enough, I find myself watching Skyfall more frequently.
  • VenutiusVenutius Yorkshire
    edited March 2023 Posts: 2,895
    CR and QOS. But while I spent years watching them as staples, I've been holding them back as rewards in the last couple of years, so the others are starting to catch up!
  • Jordo007Jordo007 Merseyside
    edited March 2023 Posts: 2,481
    peter wrote: »
    @Jordo007 … what’s strange for me is, I’ve had a strong pull to Sir Roger’s Bond films lately.

    Very out of character for me.

    It's weird isn't it? I found me and the Mrs being pulled towards the Pierce era during Christmas. He's not my favourite Bond, but he was my era growing up. It was very nostalgic rewatching them

    @mtm has definitely made me think twice about Moore's era. I'm still not a fan of lighthearted Bond, but I do think Sir Rog would have worked in OHMSS
  • LeonardPineLeonardPine The Bar on the Beach
    Posts: 3,985
    CR and QOS get watched a lot. I've seen NTTD 9 times since it's release and it hasn't got stale. Next is SF which doesn’t do bad.
    I almost never watch SP in it's entirety.
  • SIS_HQSIS_HQ At the Vauxhall Headquarters
    edited March 2023 Posts: 3,382
    Jordo007 wrote: »
    peter wrote: »
    @Jordo007 … what’s strange for me is, I’ve had a strong pull to Sir Roger’s Bond films lately.

    Very out of character for me.

    It's weird isn't it? I found me and the Mrs being pulled towards the Pierce era during Christmas. He's not my favourite Bond, but he was my era growing up. It was very nostalgic rewatching them

    mtm has definitely made me think twice about Moore's era. I'm still not a fan of lighthearted Bond, but I do think Sir Rog would have worked in OHMSS

    Will you please stop this! :-w
  • peterpeter Toronto
    Posts: 8,249
    SIS_HQ wrote: »
    Jordo007 wrote: »
    peter wrote: »
    @Jordo007 … what’s strange for me is, I’ve had a strong pull to Sir Roger’s Bond films lately.

    Very out of character for me.

    It's weird isn't it? I found me and the Mrs being pulled towards the Pierce era during Christmas. He's not my favourite Bond, but he was my era growing up. It was very nostalgic rewatching them

    mtm has definitely made me think twice about Moore's era. I'm still not a fan of lighthearted Bond, but I do think Sir Rog would have worked in OHMSS

    Will you please stop this! :-w

    @SIS_HQ ... It's just an opinion.

    OHMSS is top tier Bond. But the weak link, although he gave it a genuine go, was Lazenby.

    It's a great "what if?..." Conversation.

    What if Lazenby wasn't cast as Bond? Which other Bond actor could have done a good job?

    I always assumed Connery.

    But @mtm and his suggestion that Moore's approach to the character might have worked best, really stopped me in my tracks. It was something I considered while watching Moore's films again-- especially his first two... And not only do I not discredit the suggestion, I have to agree with it, lol!
  • SIS_HQSIS_HQ At the Vauxhall Headquarters
    edited March 2023 Posts: 3,382
    peter wrote: »
    SIS_HQ wrote: »
    Jordo007 wrote: »
    peter wrote: »
    @Jordo007 … what’s strange for me is, I’ve had a strong pull to Sir Roger’s Bond films lately.

    Very out of character for me.

    It's weird isn't it? I found me and the Mrs being pulled towards the Pierce era during Christmas. He's not my favourite Bond, but he was my era growing up. It was very nostalgic rewatching them

    mtm has definitely made me think twice about Moore's era. I'm still not a fan of lighthearted Bond, but I do think Sir Rog would have worked in OHMSS

    Will you please stop this! :-w

    @SIS_HQ ... It's just an opinion.

    OHMSS is top tier Bond. But the weak link, although he gave it a genuine go, was Lazenby.

    It's a great "what if?..." Conversation.

    What if Lazenby wasn't cast as Bond? Which other Bond actor could have done a good job?

    I always assumed Connery.

    But @mtm and his suggestion that Moore's approach to the character might have worked best, really stopped me in my tracks. It was something I considered while watching Moore's films again-- especially his first two... And not only do I not discredit the suggestion, I have to agree with it, lol!

    Of course with Connery, it wouldn't have worked given that his possible (most realistically situation) would be partner was Brigitte Bardot, that wouldn't have worked, and considering the early drafts were of Blofeld being Goldfinger's brother, and the one scene with saving Tracy using an Aston Martin turning Submarine, so a no for me 😅.

    The thing is, the Producers would not likely to give a damn because they would likely to rely on Connery carrying the film, so they wouldn't likely to put an effort into it, possibly we would get another YOLT treatment.

    There's a possibility that Lewis Gilbert would continue directing Bond in 1969.

    With Moore, I'm interested in what would be The Man With The Golden Gun set in 1969 Cambodia would have looked like?

    It's said that they're planning to cast him, but those obligations with The Saint kept him from doing it.

    Now, imagine if Moore was freed from his The Saint contracts, and agreed to play Bond in 1969, that means, we would likely to get TMWTGG as early as in 1969, as the Producers originally planned.

    Who would have played Mary Goodnight? Would it be Diana Rigg? Jacqueline Bisset? Who?

    Who would have played Scaramanga?

    When would OHMSS get possibly filmed?

    If OHMSS would be filmed in the 70's, there's a possibility that it would deviate from the source material, given the director would likely to be different too (whether it's still Moore playing the role or not).
  • Jordo007Jordo007 Merseyside
    edited March 2023 Posts: 2,481
    SIS_HQ wrote: »
    Jordo007 wrote: »
    peter wrote: »
    @Jordo007 … what’s strange for me is, I’ve had a strong pull to Sir Roger’s Bond films lately.

    Very out of character for me.

    It's weird isn't it? I found me and the Mrs being pulled towards the Pierce era during Christmas. He's not my favourite Bond, but he was my era growing up. It was very nostalgic rewatching them

    mtm has definitely made me think twice about Moore's era. I'm still not a fan of lighthearted Bond, but I do think Sir Rog would have worked in OHMSS

    Will you please stop this! :-w

    @SIS_HQ It's just my opinion
    OHMSS is a great film, my favourite Blofeld, gorgeous cinematography, one of my favourite Bond girls and a wonderful score, but truthfully I can't stand Lazenby's performance. It's one of the only things I'd change about the film.
    It'd have been like casting Cavill in CR rather than Craig

    As for lighthearted Bond, I just don't gel with it. I'm not saying anyone is wrong for enjoying it (more power to you) but it's not for me. If I want to watch a funny film, I'll stick a comedy on, rather than sticking on a camp Bond film. That's just my thoughts
  • SIS_HQSIS_HQ At the Vauxhall Headquarters
    edited March 2023 Posts: 3,382
    Jordo007 wrote: »
    SIS_HQ wrote: »
    Jordo007 wrote: »
    peter wrote: »
    @Jordo007 … what’s strange for me is, I’ve had a strong pull to Sir Roger’s Bond films lately.

    Very out of character for me.

    It's weird isn't it? I found me and the Mrs being pulled towards the Pierce era during Christmas. He's not my favourite Bond, but he was my era growing up. It was very nostalgic rewatching them

    mtm has definitely made me think twice about Moore's era. I'm still not a fan of lighthearted Bond, but I do think Sir Rog would have worked in OHMSS

    Will you please stop this! :-w

    @SIS_HQ It's just my opinion
    OHMSS is a great film, my favourite Blofeld, gorgeous cinematography, one of my favourite Bond girls and a wonderful score, but truthfully I can't stand Lazenby's performance. It's one of the only things I'd change about the film.
    It'd have been like casting Cavill in CR rather than Craig

    As for lighthearted Bond, I just don't gel with it. I'm not saying anyone is wrong for enjoying it (more power to you) but it's not for me. If I want to watch a funny film, I'll stick a comedy on, rather than sticking on a camp Bond film. That's just my thoughts

    Yes, I know it's your opinion.

    I'm just talking about the consequences (the possibilities) that would likely to happen if Moore was cast back in 1969.

    Or how the film would have changed with Connery in the role.

    There's a possibility that OHMSS would stay the same as it is, if they had cast a different actor after the Production set up had completed, I mean look at those other men in the lineup with Lazenby, there's Hans De Vries, or John Richardson for example, then possibly.

    The same for Brosnan being in The Living Daylights, which for me sounds interesting given the tone and style of that film, but there would be also some changes.

    If Cavill replaced Craig in CR, nothing would have changed, the plan was already set in Barbara's mind, there's no uncertainty.

    So if Cavill played Bond in Casino Royale, it would still be the same as what we've got, just different actor.
  • peterpeter Toronto
    Posts: 8,249
    But it wouldn’t really change anything. There are no stakes or consequences.

    It’s just a “what if?….” … we are not really changing history, we are just imagining a similar story with Connery in the role… or Moore… or whomever.

    It’s really just a game.
  • SIS_HQSIS_HQ At the Vauxhall Headquarters
    edited March 2023 Posts: 3,382
    Just realized:
    Is it me or Quantum of Solace plot felt like another rehashed of Goldfinger?

    I mean Goldfinger's plot had been recycled many times, in A View To A Kill and in The World Is Not Enough, but I always felt that Quantum of Solace somehow used that plot structure again:

    Monopolizing the water in Bolivia?
  • DarthDimiDarthDimi Behind you!Moderator
    Posts: 23,447
    SIS_HQ wrote: »
    Just realized:
    Is it me or Quantum of Solace plot felt like another rehashed of Goldfinger?

    I mean Goldfinger's plot had been recycled many times, in A View To A Kill and in The World Is Not Enough, but I always felt that Quantum of Solace somehow used that plot structure again:

    Monopolizing the water in Bolivia?

    I see what you mean. I guess you have a point. But the rest of the film is very different, don't you agree?
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