Never Say Never Again??
iommi
Posts: 13MI6 Agent
I just finished watching this film, and I hadn't seen it in ages. I know the story behind it (Thunderball etc). Just wondering what other folks thought about this film. Do you consider it a Bond film? What are some positive aspects of the film?
I'd probably not consider it a Bond picture. Its just got so many elements missing- the theme, the gun barrel, the PTS, the familier cast etc.
Sean Connery looks older obviously, and its difficult to relate this Connery to the one in FRWL and Goldfinger.
I loved the idea of Bond coming out of retirement
for one last job, and wished they'd developed that idea. Also ejoyed the casino scene, and the Domination game scene.
The theme tune itself ain't that great, and the cast is pretty dire (though Largo isn't bad).
I wonder what the opinion of this film would have been had it had the bond elements in it such as the them tune.
I think the strangest thing about the film is seeing Connery in a more contemporary looking Bond film, and a more realitic one without the extravagent sets etc.
Never say never again (always thought it was cleverly titled) is a very funny film, this is one thing thats clear from watching it. The "You said you'd catch me later" line, and the "what? From here?" (when refering to the urine sample) are extremely funny, and Rowan Atkinson is brilliant. Shame it wasn't an official on coz I could imagine him being developed as a character.
Th health club scene at the beginning is also very good.
All in all not a total disaster but the negatives out weigh the positives.
Bye the way, anyone know what became of the Warhead film that was on the verge of coming out round about '97 (yet another remake of Thunderball by Kevin Mclory). I wonder if they'll eer do it again
I'd probably not consider it a Bond picture. Its just got so many elements missing- the theme, the gun barrel, the PTS, the familier cast etc.
Sean Connery looks older obviously, and its difficult to relate this Connery to the one in FRWL and Goldfinger.
I loved the idea of Bond coming out of retirement
for one last job, and wished they'd developed that idea. Also ejoyed the casino scene, and the Domination game scene.
The theme tune itself ain't that great, and the cast is pretty dire (though Largo isn't bad).
I wonder what the opinion of this film would have been had it had the bond elements in it such as the them tune.
I think the strangest thing about the film is seeing Connery in a more contemporary looking Bond film, and a more realitic one without the extravagent sets etc.
Never say never again (always thought it was cleverly titled) is a very funny film, this is one thing thats clear from watching it. The "You said you'd catch me later" line, and the "what? From here?" (when refering to the urine sample) are extremely funny, and Rowan Atkinson is brilliant. Shame it wasn't an official on coz I could imagine him being developed as a character.
Th health club scene at the beginning is also very good.
All in all not a total disaster but the negatives out weigh the positives.
Bye the way, anyone know what became of the Warhead film that was on the verge of coming out round about '97 (yet another remake of Thunderball by Kevin Mclory). I wonder if they'll eer do it again
Comments
I dont deem it a proper Bond. I have the basic reasons - no gun barrel, no james Bond theme. But theres something else wrong with the movie. To me it drags alot and for some reason it doesnt have the same classy feel that the EON movies have. It seems almost to be aiming at a lower target audience. The witty one liners seem to lack something (wit perhaps) and the plot is a straight out simple "you know the villian, you know the plot - nothing's gonna suprise you"
A few problems though. Kim Basinger, though very pretty and I certainly appreciate those dancing scenes, was as vapid a character as I've ever seen. And the way the computer told her brother to "have a nice day", well, that was really stupid and sort of ruined what could have been a suspenseful scene. Also, okay, one too many lapses in logic. Bond got sent to a health clinic that the bad guy just happened to be at as well? Hmmm, what are the odds?
I also didn't notice Connery looking as old as everyone else seems to think, but I didn't notice Moore looking old in AVTAK either. Guess I just don't notice such things.
One peeve...Bond does not look good in sneakers...8-)
Batman: "The Hammer Of Justice is UNISEX!"
-Batman: The Brave & The Bold -
MGM or UA or whatever company
owns the bond francise ever allow
this movie to be made. Did they
view it as not a threat to the bond
francise? Or did they not have the offical
rights to bond?
Okay, this is a long answer, bu here we go...
NSNA is a remake of Thunderball. When the original novel Thunderball was produced, a former partner (Kevin McClory) of Fleming recognised the base of the book as being his idea. He sued, and won. Fleming later sold the rights to the rest of the novels to EON (the producers of the series.)
EON had found success in DN and FRWL, and because of this they agreed to collaborate with McCLory to produce Thunderball. Movie broke records, la de da. Within a few years, Moore had taken over the PPK and had made the role his own. Becuase of the rejeuvination of the series, McClory decided to reproduce Thunderball. He had a little trouble getting it off the ground, but he got Connery and made NSNA. EON had no power to stop him. McClory also decided to release his movie to run head to head with Octopussy. Around then, there was a huge debate as to which Bond was better - having them star in two moies at the same time would be the eaisiest way for Connery to upstage Moore.
Of course, plans fell through. NSNA was slowed and held up for release. Also, the movie sucked. Ocotpussy ruled.
It does have some redeeming features though, not the least of which is Kim Basinger. Plus one of my favorite actors Max von Sydow as Blofeld. Ok, he isn't on screen for very long but still its nice to see him there.
The idea of Bond playing a video game is a little rediculous now but that is part of the charm.
I think it is a "real" Bond movie, though maybe not the best one ever.
No. I wouldn't say that Celi is a bad villian, though I agree with you about the relationship.
He portrays Largo very well an I think he is a very good villian.
Connery is fine in the film. His Bond is world-weary but still gameful, and I like the fact that his hair, though still touped, is cut short like a man of action in his 50s might have. Bernie Casey is okay as Leiter, though Edward Fox is a bit too puffy for me as "M." It's curious that this Bond actually acknowledged that he was not the "M" of old. Algernon was good as a "Q" substitute, but Moneypenny was almost as bad as Caroline Bliss (but not as annoying as Samantha Bond). I really wish Mr. Bean had not shown up, though I enjoy the bit where Bond is, um, finishing with his latest conquest and Atkinson is on the phone.
Bond should never be forced to play videogames, especially lame ones.
The best thing about "Never Say Never Again" is that Irvin Kirschner uses some sets, set ups, and lighting that resemble those of the 60s films, something that was unusual for the less imaginative and more "realistic" cinematography and production values of a lot of early to mid 80s movies. With a better soundtrack and tighter action, this film would probably break the Top 10 Bonds for me.
Some other points of note: Von Sydow is good as Blofeld, Blush's demise is suitably wicked and satisfying, the opening sequence is solid, and the film was still better than "Octopussy."
It's considerably larger.
However,the name's still the same since "Flying Saucer" is the English version of the Italian "Disco Volante"(from both the Thunderball novel and motion picture).
I couldn't say Ceili wins with me. He was not classy enough for Largo, plus how was his mistress ever attracted to him? He was old and fat!
And to the "Flying Saucer"/"Disco Volante", I must say I liked Disco Volante better but since Largo seemed French-ish in this movie (though he's Romanian could we have a French version of Flying Saucer? It's too informal sounding as "Flying Saucer".
Brandauer brought some eloquence and true class to the role of Largo. Ceili was more of a gangster when you can tell Brandauer's Largo is much more of a philanthropist and a psychopath, with the way he tries to sell off Domino and forces her to drop the statue, then admitting he's crazy!
And rich
I really liked the potrayal of Emilio Largo but the one in Thunderball wasn't bad either. I actually really love Thunderball so I should be totally sceptical towards NSNA.
I loved Fatima Blush, she was beautiful, tough, and very stylish. In all perhaps the ultimate Bond girl, whether or not she is your favourite.
As for the video scene. No it wasn't very Bond was it, however it did add to the film the fact that Emilio Largo was sure enough of himself to mock and taunt Bond like that. Think about it anyone else would have felt a lot more intimidated by Bond. It gave Largo a more sinister and twisted humour by owning a game like that, too.
No I did not like Kim Basinger as a Bond girl at all, she did not have any character and her acting was atrocious. However, Fatima Blush made up for Kim's poor performance.
One scene which annoyed me was the dance scene. I love dancing as much as the next girl and yes dancing with James Bond does sound peachy but excuse me. When in James Bond's busy life would he have found the time to learn to Tango that he could dance with a pro dancer???? Its a bit too random although great fun to watch.
All in all, it was quite a good film. I liked Rowan Atkinson's stupid spy act immensly. And of course the famous quote in my siggie.
Soz about the long answer
Michel Legrand's score was absolutely horrible mixing so many genres (pop, jazz, vocals, screaming brass) that the whole thing was an atonal cacophony. Parts of it sounded like unused snippets from his score for The Three Musketeers.
Connery looked really old here, his toupee was very visible, and his scottish accent was really out of control. The various scenes of the young ladies leering at him were just plain comical.
Barbara Carrera is one of the world's most beautiful women but she hammed it up way too much as Fatima Blush. Kim Basinger was attractive but utterly flat as Domino. Largo had no presence or menace at all. M and his assistant were your stereotypical clueless fops. I really don't know what Rowan Atkinson was doing. Max Von Sydow sounded like he had marbles in his mouth (and what's with the crystal skull with the zoom lens inside it). Felix Leiter was little more than a glorified doorman. Also, can somebody explain to me why, when Bond and Felix were swimming near the Flying Saucer and the underwater door opened, Bond got sucked in but Leiter got pushed out?
The gadgets were very forgettable. The watch was just a cheapo model with a rubber strap and an animated green laser effect; the motorcycle's big feature was drop down bumpers (!!???) and Largo's underwater sleds were positively unimaginitive. The rocket packs were bulky and unweildy compared to the elegant jet pack from TB.
It was interesting to see an alternate take on Bond and Algernon was a very good Q substitute, but for me NSNA was a pale ghost of the spectacle that was Thunderball and a really pointless remake.
TonyDP
Exhilirating and exquisite ladies, such as Prunella Gee's Patricia Fearing, Valerie Leon and Barbara Carrera block any disparaging words about the quality of the film. And the Pat Roach scene was as good as the Peter Franks elevator match a decade prior.
I did think the final assault to reclaim the nuclear missile at the tears of Allah a bit anti climactic, but on the whole it was an interesting and valid attempt to bring Connery back and I regard it fondly.
I find NSNA an enjoyable Bondian caper with a 20 year post Connery in excellent form, both physically and mentally.
To me, Connery was always interesting as 007, and easy to watch---whether ascending (DN), at his peak (FRWL/GF/TB), when he was bored (YOLT) or just having fun (DAF, NSNA).
NSNA may not be one of his best, but I do consider it a Bond film---it's in my collection, nestled safely between FYEO and OP---and IMHO, it was the best Bond film released in 1983...
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
"No more foreplay"
Fiona: But of course, I forgot your ego, Mr. Bond. James Bond, who only has to make love to a woman and she starts to hear heavenly choirs singing.
That's exactly right---hence Connery's wink into camera at the end of the film---a perfect end to Sir Sean's exploits as 007. :007)
It's not everyone's cup of tea, but there seems to be a Bond for everyone... {[]
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
There will never really be a Bond like Connery.
I would agree wiht this, but add that Sean Connery looking SO old just made the experience worse.