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But that could also be more of a reference to the infamous Wall Street “Yuppie” of the mid to late 80’s.
Yes, I don't think it's a direct link, and Wright was probably on their radar after starring in The Invasion made years previously with... well, Daniel Craig, and of course his other great previous performances. I suppose you can argue that since it'd been done before there was a precedent... but again, not a direct link or anything, and things repeat themselves over time.
I never found Largo in NTTD that much of a full fledged psycho if I'm honest. I'm actually a bit iffy about Braundauer's performance in that film. But again, if that in any way inspired them to write and cast Zorin, that's absolutely fine in my opinion and a vast improvement.
Anyway, NSNA isn't that movie nobody saw. I think its impact is being underestimated. Even James Cameron copied the Tango scene.
I’m not sure how you mean? I don’t think they’re associated with being psychos on the level the two Maxes display.
Yeah, I prefer Zorin too; well it’s Walken isn’t it, he’s always amazing. But I think Braundauer is going pretty full psycho: all that weird giggling he does, doesn’t he smash the dance studio up when he thinks Domino is with Bond? Bond villains hadn’t really been fully crazy before, mostly urbane and threatening Christopher Lee types. Reg Grant is maybe the closest to dangerously insane. With Max & Max you suddenly have these guys who act unpredictably, are rather sadistic, laugh at very strange things, and are prone to violent outbursts; it’s a progression.
It's a very bizarre and uneven performance from Braundauer for me. Not unsettling or dangerous as much as he comes off as a bit of a weirdo. Maybe they're going for full unstable, but I don't quite get it in the performance. He's relatively benign (although he doesn't exactly get much to do in the film - ie. 'here's my video game Mr. Bond! It will give you a mild to painful electric shock if you lose!')
I think Walken just works a lot better because he's a naturally quirky and off kilter actor. You can believe he's insane and unpredictable. And he's far more domineering and charismatic.
They are - yuppie culture was full of narcissists and sociopaths because the financial sector (especially back in the 80’s) attracted those kinds of high risk taking people. That’s where the character of Patrick Bateman from American Psycho comes from after all. Walken’s Max Zorin came right out of that scene even if the character’s backstory didn’t necessarily reflect that.
Regarding NSNA influences on the official films, I do see glimpses of Fatima in Xenia too.
And as far as Casey's Leiter is concerned, I'd say he is the closest to the jovial Felix of the books. He's my favourite of all the Felixes.
Now NSNA has its problems, but as far as I'm concerned the cast & characters isn't one of them.
I think McClory and/or his lawyers were scouring the OP script to make sure there was no infringement (OP was originally a member of SPECTRE), so maybe they inadvertently picked up the same tone for NSNA?
I know Temple of Doom came out after OP, but which script came first?
I love GF, but I don't like how revered it is.
I actually agree with this.
The most remarkable thing is that it's a film where imagination is more important than action. That's why it has so many iconic moments.
Is there a Bond film wheres that's not the case however?
It's a fair point. I was watching TSWLM the other day and thinking how the climax seems to stay surprisingly strong, especially compared to other Bonds, but I guess lot of folk would prefer the PTS etc. I think Gilbert generally did a good job with pacing, and Moonraker is probably one where a lot of kids would say they preferred the second half, because you go to that movie wanting to see James Bond in space, don't you?
GE, I guess. The second half is much better than the first
Probably a few of the Moore films have stronger second and third acts. I think OP certainly does with the whole bomb subplot being quite strong, and the first half being a bit convoluted (the final raid on Octopussy's house is a bit of a coda, but then again the opening is a bit of a prelude and less necessary story wise). AVTAK I think gets better as it goes on. DN too for the Connery ones.
I'd say TLD, LTK, and GE have a good story progression too and have strong second halves.
For me, perhaps controversially, CR is also in that list.
I can see why. The second half begins at the Montenegro train ride for you? In that case, I may even include CR.
Indeed! And I also love the Venice finale.
I like the opinion. I made a post here about how I find the Fall of a House in Venice sequence in particular to be undervalued. I don't know if I can really pick a favorite segment myself since the whole movie is the magnum opus of the franchise for me!
I'd go a bit further out and say it's from the stairwell scene onwards for me (they're just the most important/consequential character beats in the movie I think, and it makes everything else impactful). But yeah, I agree more or less.
Here's another potentially controversial opinion about CR I'll throw out there based on my last viewing:
I think as much as some people critique Craig's age (despite being a man/Bond younger than most, and a man in his prime in general) I don't think CR would have worked as it is with a Bond in his 20s. You need to genuinely believe that he could be affected by Vesper's reaction to the stairwell flight and by the end decide to give it all up, and yet be hardened enough to act the way he does throughout most of the film. Too young and it seems like he's had a crisis of confidence too early and thrown in the towel, and too old and it becomes a bit sad/more a retirement than a start of a new life.