I would agree wiht this, but add that Sean Connery looking SO old just made the experience worse.
[snarky Roger Moore remark deleted ]
Check out my Amazon author page!Mark Loeffelholz
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
I don't think Sean Connery looked TOO old, as much as he looked MUCH older than the Bond we knew from the 60's... Connery IS older than that Bond, and that makes the difference. But putting aside that, and his small white in sideburns, Connery doesn't look too old. He looks his age, but I can believe its him doing whatever he's doign than Roger Moore, whose stuntmen by AVTAK almost became the stars themselves.
What I say is, Connery was more believeable as a performer, because he still had the physique required for the role. And he was convincing at it.
I don't think Sean Connery looked TOO old, as much as he looked MUCH older than the Bond we knew from the 60's... Connery IS older than that Bond, and that makes the difference. But putting aside that, and his small white in sideburns, Connery doesn't look too old. He looks his age, but I can believe its him doing whatever he's doign than Roger Moore, whose stuntmen by AVTAK almost became the stars themselves.
What I say is, Connery was more believeable as a performer, because he still had the physique required for the role. And he was convincing at it.
He was the classi Bond in NSNA, all the way.
You can't compare Connery to Moore in AVTAK, who as much as I love him, was so ridiculously old that he made Lazenby look believable. So, yes, in NSNA Connery was more believable than Moore was in AVTAK. But does that mean he was good? I don't think so. As a matter of fact I consider Connery's performance in NSNA to be one of the five worst Bond performances if all time. There are three reasons:
1)IMO Connery was just too old. He may have done his own stunts, but that says more for his willingness to risk his own life than it does about the merits of the performance. You mentioned that Connery's Bond in NSNA was older than the 60's Bond, well that's the whole problem. They're meant to be the same Bond! I think it's highly problematic when the same character goes from young to old to young to old etc... Yes, Moore's doing AVTAK played a huge role in this but Connery doing NSNA in 1983 didn't help matters at all.
2)I think it was quite simply a bad performance. IMO Connery in NSNA lost what had made his earlier performances so brilliant; his panther-like movement, his playful sophistication and the sense that this guy would do whatever it took to get the job done, even if it meant doing some nasty things.
3)This wasn't purely Connery's fault, but NSNA reminds me of TB, which IMO was not only a much superior film but was one in which Connery produced IMO his second greatest performance. In TB, Bond strangled a guy and clearly enjoyed doing so in what was arguably one of the series's best moments. In NSNA he looked to me to be an old man pretending to be a boy for perhaps the last time.
So, Jimmy, as much as a I love Connery, and because I love Connery so much, I have to pretend that NSNA never existed. That way, I can pretend that his 007 record was perfect.
"He’s a man way out there in the blue, riding on a smile and a shoeshine. And when they start not smiling back—that’s an earthquake. and then you get yourself a couple of spots on your hat, and you’re finished. Nobody dast blame this man. A salesman is got to dream, boy. It comes with the territory." Death of a Salesman
Pretend or not, Connery DID NSNA. NSNA was his Bond film, more so than others. He made the film, and you gotta aceept that.
And frankly, to say NSNA's Bond is one of the five worst performances, is ridiculous. Connery actually played the role for the first time since TB. In YOLT (his worst perfomance, period) he was sleepwalking, and in DAF he didn't care at all. Connery was Bond, an old pro, who knew that while he didn't like what he did, he was still good at it, and didn't like to be pushed around. He was ruthless when needed, and his deadpan humor that was a trademark of Connery's returned. Plus, Connery's Bond always had the detective side in him, and here he showcases it, wonderfully. And I just love how he wants to push Largo over the edge... Like with the original Largo, and Goldfinger.
I really feel NSNA's Bond is one of the best Bond performances, really... What Connery actually doesn't do as well as in the early Bonds is the accent... In all his Bonds except DAF and NSNA, his accent was non-specific, or rather, non-Scottish specific. In both films Connery talks as he talks in every other single movie he ever made. If Connery worked around the accent, it'd really be a plus.
Other than, Connery was golden in NSNA! Surely better than (the otherwise wonderful, as well) Moore in OP.
Pretend or not, Connery DID NSNA. NSNA was his Bond film, more so than others. He made the film, and you gotta aceept that
It was an unofficial film so I simply don't include it with his 6 earlier films. If someone asks me in how many films Connery played Bond, I would answer '7 including NSNA.' The fact that I would say 'including NSNA' is an indication of the fact that I simply don't think it's on the same level as the other 6 films.
And frankly, to say NSNA's Bond is one of the five worst performances, is ridiculous. Connery actually played the role for the first time since TB. In YOLT (his worst perfomance, period) he was sleepwalking, and in DAF he didn't care at all.
That's your opinion and I disagree. I do consider Connery's performance in NSNA to be one of the five worst performances (along with the two Daltons, Lazenby's and Moore's in AVTAK). I consider YOLT to be Connery's worst official performance but I still consider it to be the joint tenth best performance of all time and a hell of a lot better than NSNA. As for DAF, I consider that to be Connery's last truly great performance and the sixth best performance of all time. In fact I would say that the last time Connery actually played Bond was in DAF.
Connery was Bond, an old pro, who knew that while he didn't like what he did, he was still good at it, and didn't like to be pushed around. He was ruthless when needed, and his deadpan humor that was a trademark of Connery's returned. Plus, Connery's Bond always had the detective side in him, and here he showcases it, wonderfully. And I just love how he wants to push Largo over the edge... Like with the original Largo, and Goldfinger.
Interesting perspective but I didn't get that at all from NSNA.
Other than, Connery was golden in NSNA! Surely better than (the otherwise wonderful, as well) Moore in OP.
But everyone has their own opinions on this...
You're right that everyone has their own opinions on this and so I consider Moore's performance in OP to be vastly superior to Connery's performance in NSNA.
"He’s a man way out there in the blue, riding on a smile and a shoeshine. And when they start not smiling back—that’s an earthquake. and then you get yourself a couple of spots on your hat, and you’re finished. Nobody dast blame this man. A salesman is got to dream, boy. It comes with the territory." Death of a Salesman
I think Connery was good in DAF, better than YOLT, but not THAT good. Connery's last great performance as Bond was, IMO, NSNA. The role fit him like a glove! It was like Bond of old again. Literally!
And OP's Moore Bond is great, however, due to obvious script problems, it really doesn't allow for a truly magnificent Bond to rise. Moore's Bond in FYEO is magnificent, on the other hand...
Still, I liked Connery in all his Bonds. I almost disliked him in YOLT, for his total lack of interest for the role, but otherwise Connery was and always will be the best Bond.
NSNA just re-affirmed that.
Oh, and I do count NSNA as part of the series, regardless of it being made by another company and being a TB remake. Its still miles better than all the Moore Bonds (well, not FYEO, but the rest, for sure).
Well we could go back and forth all day. I thought Connery was, as one reviewer put it, 'curiously hesitant' in NSNA and lacked the panther style of before. It just didn't work, because of course Connery's bond is meant to exist in the real word whereas NSNA is too outside reality, you can't really believe in it so Connery's Bond is muted and castrated. Much like in YOLT really.
The Bond wit was more in evidence in DAF, and that is where Connery came alive in that. The jokes in NSNA were a bit cheesy and self-conscious, though no worse than in the Brosnan films, mind.
And OP's Moore Bond is great, however, due to obvious script problems, it really doesn't allow for a truly magnificent Bond to rise. Moore's Bond in FYEO is magnificent, on the other hand...
I don't agree. I think that OP's script was actually quite good (not as good as some of the early Connery ones but still pretty good) and IMO it did allow a truly magnificent Bond to rise.
Its still miles better than all the Moore Bonds (well, not FYEO, but the rest, for sure).
Again I don't agree. IMO the only Moore film that NSNA was superior to was AVTAK. But then again AVTAK is my all-time least favourite Bond film.
"He’s a man way out there in the blue, riding on a smile and a shoeshine. And when they start not smiling back—that’s an earthquake. and then you get yourself a couple of spots on your hat, and you’re finished. Nobody dast blame this man. A salesman is got to dream, boy. It comes with the territory." Death of a Salesman
Well we could go back and forth all day. I thought Connery was, as one reviewer put it, 'curiously hesitant' in NSNA and lacked the panther style of before. It just didn't work, because of course Connery's bond is meant to exist in the real word whereas NSNA is too outside reality, you can't really believe in it so Connery's Bond is muted and castrated. Much like in YOLT really.
That's true. It did seem to me that Connery didn't really know what he was doing. It was a bit similar to YOLT although I think YOLT was a much better performance (and one of the best of all time).
The Bond wit was more in evidence in DAF, and that is where Connery came alive in that. The jokes in NSNA were a bit cheesy and self-conscious, though no worse than in the Brosnan films, mind.
We've discussed this before but I really disagree with you on this. I think the jokes in the Brosnan films were terrific and were much better than in NSNA, in which the jokes were terrible. If someone were to ask me to refer to them to a Bond film containing terrific jokes, I would be too embarrassed to refer them to NSNA, however I would have no problem referring them to any of the Brosnan films (apart from DAD) as I think that the jokes in the Brosnan films were among the best in the series.
"He’s a man way out there in the blue, riding on a smile and a shoeshine. And when they start not smiling back—that’s an earthquake. and then you get yourself a couple of spots on your hat, and you’re finished. Nobody dast blame this man. A salesman is got to dream, boy. It comes with the territory." Death of a Salesman
Its still miles better than all the Moore Bonds (well, not FYEO, but the rest, for sure).
I have to disagree, FYEO, IMO, is in the top 5 best bond films, BUT I enjoyed some of the moore bonds like TSWLM, LALD, TMWTGG, and OP , much more than NSNA. And as Dan said except AVTAK. Now the thing with NSNA was, that it seemed so dry, it was not witty in jokes, the action was dry, just everything was without life.
I don't agree. I feel NSNA was better than all of Moore's films sans FYEO. I feel Connery's performance as Bond was his best since TB. I feel the jokes were very colorful, and much less tongue in cheek than in the entire 70's era.
NSNA just has the unfair prejudice of being a non-EON Bond.
And for me, OP's action was tiresome. I mean, Bond running aboard a train, then below a train, then being in top of a plane? AND ordering a tiger to "sittt" like he was an expert? Really, I don't see the merit in those.
I admit the action in NSNA is not that inspiring. But I still prefer them to OP's "Wow, look, we can DO that, see? Wait til the climax in the plane!!" action, which is what plagued the likes of MR and AVTAK. OTT action when its not really needed.
So, all in all, NSNA is good Bond film. Its not awful, by any means. Connery was NOT as good as he was in his first three, but he equaled himself in TB, yet for different reasons.
For me, Connery was wonderful in NSNA. And I really believe he was.
I don't agree. I feel NSNA was better than all of Moore's films sans FYEO. I feel Connery's performance as Bond was his best since TB. I feel the jokes were very colorful, and much less tongue in cheek than in the entire 70's era.
NSNA just has the unfair prejudice of being a non-EON Bond.
And for me, OP's action was tiresome. I mean, Bond running aboard a train, then below a train, then being in top of a plane? AND ordering a tiger to "sittt" like he was an expert? Really, I don't see the merit in those.
I admit the action in NSNA is not that inspiring. But I still prefer them to OP's "Wow, look, we can DO that, see? Wait til the climax in the plane!!" action, which is what plagued the likes of MR and AVTAK. OTT action when its not really needed.
So, all in all, NSNA is good Bond film. Its not awful, by any means. Connery was NOT as good as he was in his first three, but he equaled himself in TB, yet for different reasons.
For me, Connery was wonderful in NSNA. And I really believe he was.
Think what you want
I could critique everything you have said in this topic, but there is no point doing that, hmm? People have different tastes.
Exactly. For instance you like OP more than OHMSS and YOLT (!) more than TLD, DAD and LTK, both choices of which are, well, too curious and weird.
I am sorry, I like YOLT a loy more than other people because of the Japan-aspect, I love Japan (I am not Japanese though!) and I also loved Blofeld's lair, and a few other things.
So as I said I do not HAVE to like what you like, and you do not HAVE to like what I like.
I really wish one day a DVD distributor could do a good SE of Never Say Never Again. If Warner Brothers Home Video (who I assume still have the rights to distribute it on DVD) won't do one then why can't they sell the rights to someone who could do a SE? It's fascinating reading about what happened behind the scenes when they made this film.
I heard there was tons actually, a dinner scene with Largo, a death for Blofeld, etc.
Mmm, very interesting. I'll have to double-check the IMDb page for NSNA as the last time I looked there was nothing on the alternate versions page. That's the only place I check for deleted scenes in films.
As NSNA runs at 2 hrs 20 mins, it beggars belief that there's cut footage knocking around, I mean how long did they figure the film was going to be.
I'm bringing this thread back, because in a way I can see why JFF doesn't have a problem with it much. Sure, there are things that don't work with it, but so it is with so many Bonds. I watched a bit of LALD the other night: awful plastic snake in pts, Moore at his most unctuous and priggish straight after, calling M 'sir' the whole time, like Ian Carmichael (1950s answer to Hugh Grant), Mr Big obviously wearing an odd mask disguise.
I don't know, maybe it was watching it in a different format. I can take it on the small screen telly on Bank Holiday Monday, but on the big plasma on at the cinema, loads of faults show up. Or maybe it's the reboot CR kicking in at last; that invisible link between all the old past films is snipped. It's like when your kids leave home for college... You can't see them in the same way...
So maybe it's not biggie to overlook that Connery is creaky, the music sucks, Basinger is a nonentity and the action is lacklustre. Now the other films have dated, these niggles are there in most of them...
"This is where we leave you Mr Bond."
Roger Moore 1927-2017
LoeffelholzThe United States, With LovePosts: 8,998Quartermasters
As NSNA runs at 2 hrs 20 mins, it beggars belief that there's cut footage knocking around, I mean how long did they figure the film was going to be.
Ironically the long running time (to me) practically guarantees there was a lot of stuff left on the cutting room floor. Action films tend to pile up footage, I think, and when it's time for the editors to 'sandwich in' the plot development material, story stuff deemed redundant or unnecessary won't make the final cut, even if that final cut is longer than the norm.
I don't know, maybe it was watching it in a different format. I can take it on the small screen telly on Bank Holiday Monday, but on the big plasma on at the cinema, loads of faults show up. Or maybe it's the reboot CR kicking in at last; that invisible link between all the old past films is snipped. It's like when your kids leave home for college... You can't see them in the same way...
So maybe it's not biggie to overlook that Connery is creaky, the music sucks, Basinger is a nonentity and the action is lacklustre. Now the other films have dated, these niggles are there in most of them...
NSNA holds quite a bit of charm for me despite its flaws. Connery doesn't look creaky at all compared to the other fellow at the time; Sir Sean could still take his shirt off without shame and drove a truly classic car, Fatima Blush is a hoot, Largo was nuts, the motorcycle bit was cool, Felix was good...I really liked the 'training scenario' opening as well...
I guess my intolerant Bond ire is preoccupied by the films Eon was making during this time---and Connery's return was, quite literally, a blast from the past
If they put out a special edition of NSNA, I'll own it---and it'll sit right next to my UE Bond DVDs B-)
Check out my Amazon author page!Mark Loeffelholz
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
Well that was the view at the time, Loeffelholz, but you're an American and I think NSNA had that American flavour to it. In some ways it anticpated Arnie films, in particular the opening is a bit like that of Commando, but the latter had a great one liner "Right?" "WROOOOOOOOOOOONG!". NSNA also antipitated True Lies, but I liked the latter film a lot bar its mysogny. Hell, even CR borrows from True Lies (the shoot-out in the loos).
Yes, I'd go for a revamped NSNA, but the Dr Shatterhand version is the nearest we get so far. I wonder if he edits it much other than simply chucking Barry over the top?
"This is where we leave you Mr Bond."
Roger Moore 1927-2017
LoeffelholzThe United States, With LovePosts: 8,998Quartermasters
edited October 2007
True, I am an American...and I enjoyed True Lies...but I think I only saw it once (twice at most), and don't own it, because I always considered it a ripoff of Bond I'll defer to (and concede) your opinion that NSNA has an 'American flavour,' even though I don't see it myself.
Despite that, Connery's swan song seems (to me) much more a Bond film than an Arnie film, and the connections between the two elude me. The fact that I don't recall your referenced 'loo shootout' from True Lies cements it. For me, TL has already receded into the countless films of its time, and doesn't really stand out in any significant way...other than those shots of Jamie Lee Curtis :x
NSNA, on the other hand, with its many issues, will continue to enjoy a much more prominent place in film history---or at least, in my collection.
Check out my Amazon author page!Mark Loeffelholz
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
Harry Palmer Somewhere in the past ...Posts: 325MI6 Agent
NSNA holds quite a bit of charm for me despite its flaws. Connery doesn't look creaky at all compared to the other fellow at the time; Sir Sean could still take his shirt off without shame and drove a truly classic car, Fatima Blush is a hoot, Largo was nuts, the motorcycle bit was cool, Felix was good...I really liked the 'training scenario' opening as well...
I guess my intolerant Bond ire is preoccupied by the films Eon was making during this time---and Connery's return was, quite literally, a blast from the past
If they put out a special edition of NSNA, I'll own it---and it'll sit right next to my UE Bond DVDs B-)
I'm no American but I guess I'm with Loeffelholz on this one. In my opinion NSNA is a perfectly respectable bond entry, and a better film than OP all in all. Not only is Connery in better shape than Sir Roger: the script allows him to be a little on the mature side by turning the age-issue into a joke. Together with a spectacular performance by Brandauer I find this to be the film's strongest point.
Add to this some decent gags, like the fight with the henchman in the SPA and the fake bomb (funny without being camp) and you have a movie that sustains repeated viewings.
I consider NSNA to be more of a b*****d child than a member of the family. It did not have the class and style of the official series.
Connery was too old.
The fights were to slow and unoriginal
The pace flagged and the location shifts seems to just be for the sake of another nice backdrop.
The finale with the American forces fighting the SPECTRE men hardly rates with the Ninja attack on the volcano, or the assault on Piz Gloria.
The end fight between Largo and Bond is anit-climatic. Probably because it was underwater. In TB the producers had the goos sence to move it onto the Disco Volante.
The title song is abysmal, and the score throughout is poor.
Kim Basinger is a very bland Bond girl.
This is the worst dressed Bond of any movie.
However, it had some plus points, mainly in the casting.
Klaus Marie Brandauer gave Christopher Walken a run for his money at playing the psycho.
Barbera Carrera was deliciously over the top as Fatima Blush, and at least the producers had the guts to let Bond kill a woman.
Max Von Sydow was good as Blofeld if maybe a bit too cultured.
I wish these three had been in the official series.
I love the scene with Bond and the bouncer when Bond convinces him that the cigar case is a bomb. To me that was the only real Bondian moment in the movie.
I have NSNA in my DVD colection, but like MR and AVTAK it is there to have the set, rather than because it gets watched.
I'm bumping this after recently airing NSNA. I stand by my early views - apart from Edward Fox's blustery M, I enjoy this picture for what it is. I thought Bassinger was pretty good too btw.
If I could pose a question. When Bond checks into the Masseuse parlor, directly before impersonating one, there's a picture of a very revealing model behind the receptionist's shoulder.
Perhaps my eyes are playing tricks since you'd have heard this trivia before, but damn if that doesn't look like Barbara Bach!
Sweepy the CatHalifax, West Yorkshire, EnglaPosts: 986MI6 Agent
Good
- Bike chase
- Edward Fox
- Exotic locations
- Kim Basinger
- Sean Connery
- The fight in the health-club
- The guy who plays Max Largo
Bad
- Bad CGI
- Connery looks old
- Hijaking nuclear missiles with contact lenses???
- Overlong
- Poor dialogue
- The jazz score
- The scene where theyjump off the cliff on the horse
This Is The One Bond I Hardly Watch, It's so Slow
The Score Is Terrible.I Bought The DVD Just To Have It For My Collection.
Most Fans Seem To Find Something To Like About It, But I Can't. To Me It's Like A TV Movie, and The Music Has No Emotion In IT At All. Infact I didn't Think a Bond Could Be Done so Badly ......
..... Then QOS Turns Up, Although This AT Least Has Some Good Points.
"I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
Comments
[snarky Roger Moore remark deleted
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
What I say is, Connery was more believeable as a performer, because he still had the physique required for the role. And he was convincing at it.
He was the classi Bond in NSNA, all the way.
1)IMO Connery was just too old. He may have done his own stunts, but that says more for his willingness to risk his own life than it does about the merits of the performance. You mentioned that Connery's Bond in NSNA was older than the 60's Bond, well that's the whole problem. They're meant to be the same Bond!
2)I think it was quite simply a bad performance. IMO Connery in NSNA lost what had made his earlier performances so brilliant; his panther-like movement, his playful sophistication and the sense that this guy would do whatever it took to get the job done, even if it meant doing some nasty things.
3)This wasn't purely Connery's fault, but NSNA reminds me of TB, which IMO was not only a much superior film but was one in which Connery produced IMO his second greatest performance. In TB, Bond strangled a guy and clearly enjoyed doing so in what was arguably one of the series's best moments. In NSNA he looked to me to be an old man pretending to be a boy for perhaps the last time.
So, Jimmy, as much as a I love Connery, and because I love Connery so much, I have to pretend that NSNA never existed. That way, I can pretend that his 007 record was perfect.
And frankly, to say NSNA's Bond is one of the five worst performances, is ridiculous. Connery actually played the role for the first time since TB. In YOLT (his worst perfomance, period) he was sleepwalking, and in DAF he didn't care at all. Connery was Bond, an old pro, who knew that while he didn't like what he did, he was still good at it, and didn't like to be pushed around. He was ruthless when needed, and his deadpan humor that was a trademark of Connery's returned. Plus, Connery's Bond always had the detective side in him, and here he showcases it, wonderfully. And I just love how he wants to push Largo over the edge... Like with the original Largo, and Goldfinger.
I really feel NSNA's Bond is one of the best Bond performances, really... What Connery actually doesn't do as well as in the early Bonds is the accent... In all his Bonds except DAF and NSNA, his accent was non-specific, or rather, non-Scottish specific. In both films Connery talks as he talks in every other single movie he ever made. If Connery worked around the accent, it'd really be a plus.
Other than, Connery was golden in NSNA! Surely better than (the otherwise wonderful, as well) Moore in OP.
But everyone has their own opinions on this...
That's your opinion and I disagree. I do consider Connery's performance in NSNA to be one of the five worst performances (along with the two Daltons, Lazenby's and Moore's in AVTAK). I consider YOLT to be Connery's worst official performance but I still consider it to be the joint tenth best performance of all time and a hell of a lot better than NSNA. As for DAF, I consider that to be Connery's last truly great performance and the sixth best performance of all time. In fact I would say that the last time Connery actually played Bond was in DAF.
Interesting perspective but I didn't get that at all from NSNA.
You're right that everyone has their own opinions on this
And OP's Moore Bond is great, however, due to obvious script problems, it really doesn't allow for a truly magnificent Bond to rise. Moore's Bond in FYEO is magnificent, on the other hand...
Still, I liked Connery in all his Bonds. I almost disliked him in YOLT, for his total lack of interest for the role, but otherwise Connery was and always will be the best Bond.
NSNA just re-affirmed that.
Oh, and I do count NSNA as part of the series, regardless of it being made by another company and being a TB remake. Its still miles better than all the Moore Bonds (well, not FYEO, but the rest, for sure).
The Bond wit was more in evidence in DAF, and that is where Connery came alive in that. The jokes in NSNA were a bit cheesy and self-conscious, though no worse than in the Brosnan films, mind.
Roger Moore 1927-2017
Again I don't agree. IMO the only Moore film that NSNA was superior to was AVTAK. But then again AVTAK is my all-time least favourite Bond film.
We've discussed this before but I really disagree with you on this. I think the jokes in the Brosnan films were terrific and were much better than in NSNA, in which the jokes were terrible. If someone were to ask me to refer to them to a Bond film containing terrific jokes, I would be too embarrassed to refer them to NSNA, however I would have no problem referring them to any of the Brosnan films (apart from DAD) as I think that the jokes in the Brosnan films were among the best in the series.
I have to disagree, FYEO, IMO, is in the top 5 best bond films, BUT I enjoyed some of the moore bonds like TSWLM, LALD, TMWTGG, and OP , much more than NSNA. And as Dan said except AVTAK. Now the thing with NSNA was, that it seemed so dry, it was not witty in jokes, the action was dry, just everything was without life.
NSNA just has the unfair prejudice of being a non-EON Bond.
And for me, OP's action was tiresome. I mean, Bond running aboard a train, then below a train, then being in top of a plane? AND ordering a tiger to "sittt" like he was an expert? Really, I don't see the merit in those.
I admit the action in NSNA is not that inspiring. But I still prefer them to OP's "Wow, look, we can DO that, see? Wait til the climax in the plane!!" action, which is what plagued the likes of MR and AVTAK. OTT action when its not really needed.
So, all in all, NSNA is good Bond film. Its not awful, by any means. Connery was NOT as good as he was in his first three, but he equaled himself in TB, yet for different reasons.
For me, Connery was wonderful in NSNA. And I really believe he was.
Think what you want
I could critique everything you have said in this topic, but there is no point doing that, hmm? People have different tastes.
But as one said, theres a Bond for everyone.
I like all Bonds, except of course MR and AVTAK. I even like TMWTGG a little bit!
NSNA, is far better than what it is perceived of.
You may all want to check on the re-edit done by Drummond Grieve using Bondian music and elements. Maybe you'll like it more, then.
I am sure I will.
I am sorry, I like YOLT a loy more than other people because of the Japan-aspect, I love Japan (I am not Japanese though!) and I also loved Blofeld's lair, and a few other things.
So as I said I do not HAVE to like what you like, and you do not HAVE to like what I like.
Also was there any cut footage from NSNA?
I'm bringing this thread back, because in a way I can see why JFF doesn't have a problem with it much. Sure, there are things that don't work with it, but so it is with so many Bonds. I watched a bit of LALD the other night: awful plastic snake in pts, Moore at his most unctuous and priggish straight after, calling M 'sir' the whole time, like Ian Carmichael (1950s answer to Hugh Grant), Mr Big obviously wearing an odd mask disguise.
I don't know, maybe it was watching it in a different format. I can take it on the small screen telly on Bank Holiday Monday, but on the big plasma on at the cinema, loads of faults show up. Or maybe it's the reboot CR kicking in at last; that invisible link between all the old past films is snipped. It's like when your kids leave home for college...
So maybe it's not biggie to overlook that Connery is creaky, the music sucks, Basinger is a nonentity and the action is lacklustre. Now the other films have dated, these niggles are there in most of them...
Roger Moore 1927-2017
Ironically the long running time (to me) practically guarantees there was a lot of stuff left on the cutting room floor. Action films tend to pile up footage, I think, and when it's time for the editors to 'sandwich in' the plot development material, story stuff deemed redundant or unnecessary won't make the final cut, even if that final cut is longer than the norm.
NSNA holds quite a bit of charm for me despite its flaws. Connery doesn't look creaky at all compared to the other fellow at the time; Sir Sean could still take his shirt off without shame and drove a truly classic car, Fatima Blush is a hoot, Largo was nuts, the motorcycle bit was cool, Felix was good...I really liked the 'training scenario' opening as well...
I guess my intolerant Bond ire is preoccupied by the films Eon was making during this time---and Connery's return was, quite literally, a blast from the past
If they put out a special edition of NSNA, I'll own it---and it'll sit right next to my UE Bond DVDs B-)
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
Yes, I'd go for a revamped NSNA, but the Dr Shatterhand version is the nearest we get so far. I wonder if he edits it much other than simply chucking Barry over the top?
Roger Moore 1927-2017
Despite that, Connery's swan song seems (to me) much more a Bond film than an Arnie film, and the connections between the two elude me. The fact that I don't recall your referenced 'loo shootout' from True Lies cements it. For me, TL has already receded into the countless films of its time, and doesn't really stand out in any significant way...other than those shots of Jamie Lee Curtis :x
NSNA, on the other hand, with its many issues, will continue to enjoy a much more prominent place in film history---or at least, in my collection.
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
I'm no American but I guess I'm with Loeffelholz on this one. In my opinion NSNA is a perfectly respectable bond entry, and a better film than OP all in all. Not only is Connery in better shape than Sir Roger: the script allows him to be a little on the mature side by turning the age-issue into a joke. Together with a spectacular performance by Brandauer I find this to be the film's strongest point.
Add to this some decent gags, like the fight with the henchman in the SPA and the fake bomb (funny without being camp) and you have a movie that sustains repeated viewings.
Connery was too old.
The fights were to slow and unoriginal
The pace flagged and the location shifts seems to just be for the sake of another nice backdrop.
The finale with the American forces fighting the SPECTRE men hardly rates with the Ninja attack on the volcano, or the assault on Piz Gloria.
The end fight between Largo and Bond is anit-climatic. Probably because it was underwater. In TB the producers had the goos sence to move it onto the Disco Volante.
The title song is abysmal, and the score throughout is poor.
Kim Basinger is a very bland Bond girl.
This is the worst dressed Bond of any movie.
However, it had some plus points, mainly in the casting.
Klaus Marie Brandauer gave Christopher Walken a run for his money at playing the psycho.
Barbera Carrera was deliciously over the top as Fatima Blush, and at least the producers had the guts to let Bond kill a woman.
Max Von Sydow was good as Blofeld if maybe a bit too cultured.
I wish these three had been in the official series.
I love the scene with Bond and the bouncer when Bond convinces him that the cigar case is a bomb. To me that was the only real Bondian moment in the movie.
I have NSNA in my DVD colection, but like MR and AVTAK it is there to have the set, rather than because it gets watched.
If I could pose a question. When Bond checks into the Masseuse parlor, directly before impersonating one, there's a picture of a very revealing model behind the receptionist's shoulder.
Perhaps my eyes are playing tricks since you'd have heard this trivia before, but damn if that doesn't look like Barbara Bach!
- Bike chase
- Edward Fox
- Exotic locations
- Kim Basinger
- Sean Connery
- The fight in the health-club
- The guy who plays Max Largo
Bad
- Bad CGI
- Connery looks old
- Hijaking nuclear missiles with contact lenses???
- Overlong
- Poor dialogue
- The jazz score
- The scene where theyjump off the cliff on the horse
- The video game battle
- When they ride those stupid looking rockets
The Score Is Terrible.I Bought The DVD Just To Have It For My Collection.
Most Fans Seem To Find Something To Like About It, But I Can't. To Me It's Like A TV Movie, and The Music Has No Emotion In IT At All. Infact I didn't Think a Bond Could Be Done so Badly ......
..... Then QOS Turns Up, Although This AT Least Has Some Good Points.