Never Say Never Again- The Verdict

James Suzuki

I am a huge Bond fan, and of course everyone on this forum is, i have seen every single Bond film and I've liked all of them in all their different ways. My top favourite's are OHMSS, FYEO, GE, CR, FRWL, OP. My least favourite bond films are DAF AND DAD. If you have followed by posts you would have gathered that I'm a Moore fan not a Connery fan, I love Connery but I think he wore of at the end and was doing his films half heartly. Now I've seen every single Bond film except, what people call the dreaded, NSNA. It's one of those films I think i might hate becasue i rather disliked TB and I hate DAF.... if you know what I mean but it IS Bond film, so I must watch it before 50 years. So, the DVD is in the DVD player right now and I'm about to watch it for the first time. I'll do a review later, so in a way I'm excited. Let's hope it isn't that bad, it is rated 6.1 on IMDB which is one point up from the lowest Bond film rated on IMDB which is DAD... wish me luck

Higgins

NSNA is rated so low for a good reason.

Not only from the terrible score and the tiny motorbike you can see, that this is Bond on a tight budget.
If you find the Tarzan Yell in OP pathetic, you'll loose your hair when seeing the Atari battle. Connery looks better than in DAF but still very old.
The plot and the screenplay is Thunderball - but only half as glamourous as the original.

The only 3 things, which make the movie view-worthy are:

The PTS and the score after that incredible 007 matrix design
Barbara Carrera
Dominos see-thru Aerobic suit :v

danjaq_0ff

Barbara Carrera nuff said

Thunderpussy

It was the fisrt Bond film I ever got Bored watching.
IMHO it looks like a TV movie of the week. I have it
in my collection only to say I have all the Bonds ( including CR 67 )
Never watch either. )

welshboy78

Its terrible..

Maybe because I rate and love Thunderball so much (one of my faves for sure) which had great exotic location shots, exotic women, Bondish soundtrack, Great Largo etc It really is a great fantasy Bond flick which has everything.

Never Say Never Again had none of these and the 80s element didn't help it!!

Napoleon Plural

A real missed opportunity, though I feel it went down better in the US and seemed to inspire a few Arnie films like Commando in part, and True Lies to some extent. The self-conscious mysognistic dinosaur rot started here.

chrisisall

I owned it on CED for a long time, must have watched it scores of times, but when I recently got a bunch of the Bond movies on DVD, I watched Thunderball again for the first time in a long time, & instantly I could never watch the mess known as NSNA again. It's just too corny, even by 80's standards. A few good moments, yes, and a very good title song (IMO), but that can't make up for the lackluster direction, awful glacial editing & pacing, and overall cheap, clunky feel. Moore's Octopussy released the same year is clearly head and shoulders above it, even taking into account the Tarzan yell. )
My advice is that if you feel you MUST see it, have a couple (or three) martinis on hand.

Blackleiter

My two cents: NSNA was rather disappointing, I suspect especially for Connery fans like me who rejoiced at the notion that he would be tackling the role of 007 again. As others have noted, the score is horrendous (although I see Chrisisall thought the title song was "very good" - wow!), some of the action is lackluster at best (the motorcycle chase is a real dud), and there were some really lame moments like the video game competition (although it must be acknowledged that video games were huge in the 80s and the producers were obviously trying to capitalize on their popularity). Here's what I liked about the film - Connery was just as charming as ever playing Bond and I'm glad the fact that Bond was aging and a little rusty as a Double O was acknowledged; Largo is very well-played by Klaus Maria-Brandauer; I love Barbara Carrera's energetic and sometimes hilarious turn as Fatima Blush; and I enjoy Bernie Casey's solid performance as Felix Leiter (my name is a tribute to that character). So to sum up, NSNA is a somewhat disappointing, but still worthwhile entry in the world of Bond, better than a half dozen or so of the "official" Bond films (IMO).

Loeffelholz

As ever, I'm in the minority here, but I tend to overlook NSNA's flaws because of Sir Sean...and I'll always be of the opinion that NSNA was the best Bond film released in 1983

Thunderbird 2

Hm, I'd have to say this is the Bond "almost ran" for me. Because it is Thunderball all over again, it def feels like Bond in an alternate Universe. Connery is as good as always, Edward Fox makes a wonderfully stuffy M, and Bernie Caqsey's Felix L predicts Jeffery Wright in CR-06.
The bad guys are painfully obvious - Fatima Blush is the Bond equivalent of Cruella Devile, and although good, Klaus Brandauer's Largo gives himself away a little too soon, - there's no doubt he's bonkers when he answer's Domino's "What if I leave you?" Question. Even the legendary Max Von Sydow (The Exorcist, Flash Gordon) is too affable as Blofeld - a mistake YOLT avoided when they recast Jan Werich with Donald Pleasence. Kim Basinger looks lovely as Domino, but brings nothing new to the part. Even her key action moment is a straight retread of what Claudine Auger did in Thunderball.

The budget is flimsy compared to the official Bonds, (not as much as CR-67 though) but the real cropper is the fact unlike the other films that are set in their time, this film has AGED. The costuming, use of computer graphics and music make it feel dated, rather than vintage. Even AVTAK can't be accused of looking old. The cinematography is good, but doesn't look epic, and the key set piece (the underwater temple) looks awfully fake.

If its on the telly? I'll watch it. But its only legacy as an action film is it signposts Sir Sean's future as the leader or mentor of other action characters such as Conner MacLeod or his best post Bond role in my opinion, - playing Indiana Jones's Dad!

Blackleiter

I agree Connery was terrific as Indiana Jones's dad, but for me his best post-Bond role was Jim Malone in The Untouchables.

Thunderbird 2 wrote:

Hm, I'd have to say this is the Bond "almost ran" for me. Because it is Thunderball all over again, it def feels like Bond in an alternate Universe. Connery is as good as always, Edward Fox makes a wonderfully stuffy M, and Bernie Caqsey's Felix L predicts Jeffery Wright in CR-06.
The bad guys are painfully obvious - Fatima Blush is the Bond equivalent of Cruella Devile, and although good, Klaus Brandauer's Largo gives himself away a little too soon, - there's no doubt he's bonkers when he answer's Domino's "What if I leave you?" Question. Even the legendary Max Von Sydow (The Exorcist, Flash Gordon) is too affable as Blofeld - a mistake YOLT avoided when they recast Jan Werich with Donald Pleasence. Kim Basinger looks lovely as Domino, but brings nothing new to the part. Even her key action moment is a straight retread of what Claudine Auger did in Thunderball.

The budget is flimsy compared to the official Bonds, (not as much as CR-67 though) but the real cropper is the fact unlike the other films that are set in their time, this film has AGED. The costuming, use of computer graphics and music make it feel dated, rather than vintage. Even AVTAK can't be accused of looking old. The cinematography is good, but doesn't look epic, and the key set piece (the underwater temple) looks awfully fake.

If its on the telly? I'll watch it. But its only legacy as an action film is it signposts Sir Sean's future as the leader or mentor of other action characters such as Conner MacLeod or his best post Bond role in my opinion, - playing Indiana Jones's Dad!

Ian Fleming usa

welshboy78 wrote:

Its terrible..

Maybe because I rate and love Thunderball so much (one of my faves for sure) which had great exotic location shots, exotic women, Bondish soundtrack, Great Largo etc It really is a great fantasy Bond flick which has everything.

Never Say Never Again had none of these and the 80s element didn't help it!!

TB is my second all time favorite, but my favorite is "Gold Finger" w/Gert Frobe and Honor Blackman. "Do you want me too talk?" "No Mr. Bond. I want you too die!"

Ian Fleming usa

Thunderpussy wrote:

It was the fisrt Bond film I ever got Bored watching.
IMHO it looks like a TV movie of the week. I have it
in my collection only to say I have all the Bonds ( including CR 67 )
Never watch either. )

Talk about making a fast buck! Shame on S.C.

chrisisall

Blackleiter wrote:

As others have noted, the score is horrendous (although I see Chrisisall thought the title song was "very good" - wow!)

Yes the score was terrible, but I like the song a lot. It's better than AVTAK! )

and I enjoy Bernie Casey's solid performance as Felix Leiter

Yeah, he was a great Felix alright. But Bernie is great in anything....

GordoLeiter

Connery After doing DAF : "Thats it, no more" X-(

....20 something years later.....

Connery in NSNA : "Oh what the hell, why not" :007)

Its like he couldnt make his mind up, if he was so bored of the role why the hell would he come back to the role so many years later.

chrisisall

GordoLeiter wrote:

if he was so bored of the role why the hell would he come back to the role so many years later.

It's called a paycheck.

James Suzuki

Okay my review
Never say never again
First off, I love the name of the film. Never say never again rolls through my lips and I think it is the best title of a Bond film. The film starts off in a pre title like scene where Bond attacks a house/ barn for a MI6 training session. The scene though not as inspired as other first scene or as amazing and AWESOME like the TSWLM, MR or TWINE pre-titles. The music, people say on this forum they don't like but i don't mind that either (cringe, yes) but i quite like it. The opening shot of heaps of 007's fly across the scene, again, is passable and better then just starting with the cast come up. I think the main problem with this film, and that is that it doesn't age well. Goldfinger doesn't age well either; so some people say it doesn't mean much. The fight scenes, by our standards are pretty bad so I don't mind if they play it for laughs like they did at the health retreat. ito tell the truth, I actually laughed out loud when Bond threw a liquid at the man's face to find him to be stunned and drop back.... he turns to see that it is his Urine sample. Connery is old in this film, but they did the right thing by making him old in the film, a mistake they made during the later Moore films...
I found the plot quite tiring at times, and i must say that Thunderball is better then this, way better, but I have to say a few things which NSNA top TB in.
1. Maximillian Largo, I found to be better in this adaption. You see more of him, largo in TB was a charming thug with an eye patch... this guy isn't 2D, he shows hatred against Bond for stealing his woman and love for Domino.

2. Domino- i'm not saying that this character is better... but i thought you saw a bit more of her, and her relationship with largo. i did believe that she had turned into more of a Sutton Bond girl, but she seemed to change at the climax of the film.

3. The revenge plot was fleshed out a bit more.... the bit about Domino wanting revenge for her brother's death was played for longer and you saw her brother for a bit more.

i think the high point of the film was the characters. The plot it self failed and fell into boring world, but the Bond girls were really hot, Largo seemed more evil and I liked Fox's portayal of M. And me, myself didn't mind Rowan atkinson there ( I think he is really funny in Blackadder, NTNON,Johnny english etc) or the game scene at the casino. all in all, I would rate this film 6.6 for me, higher then DAD and DAF

chrisisall

xboy614 wrote:

all in all, I would rate this film 6.6 for me, higher then DAD and DAF

Higher than DAF... wow... I guess I can see it....
How about that big wink at the end? That made me wince.

James Suzuki

The wink... Id didn't mind that

Bodie

As seems to be the conscensious of opinion NSNA was a missed opportunity. Its a movie where it is easier to say whats right with it:

Brandeaur and Carrera make great villians. Would have loved to see them in an official entry.
The opening sequence is quite good if not exactly original. Its nice to see Bond is a scenario where he is being trained.
The scene with Domino is the health spa is pure Bond.
I also love the scene with the bouncer at the casino. Its only a small scene but leaving the bouncer holding the cigar case thinking it is packed with high explosive is Bond class sadly missing from the rest of the movie.
For once Felix's character is well written. He actually comes across as a more compotent agent than Bond.

Jimmy Bond

NSNA is severely underrated, simply because its not an EON production. Once you let your pro-Brocolli guard down, you actually realize that this is a good film, despite having against it pretty much an industry that has perfected the Bond formula over the years. Its got Connery at his best performance as 007 since TB, the best femme fatale in the series, and the best Bond villain of the 80's by one of the best actors to ever be associated with James Bond.

That said, I did like OP, especially when Moore was able to balance his newfound seriousness with his trademark wit, and I really lament that it should've been his final Bond, just like NSNA was Connery's.

chrisisall

Jimmy Bond wrote:

NSNA is severely underrated, simply because its not an EON production. Once you let your pro-Brocolli guard down, you actually realize that this is a good film

The first half is pretty good, but once Fautima dies, the film slows to an unbearable crawl IMO. Sorry if I offend, but I like TMWTGG WAY better, and it regularly gets trashed around here too.
To each his/her own. )

Jimmy Bond

While I will not agree that TMWTGG is better (Phu-Yak?), I will admit that after Fatima's death the film its much needed energy. I still like it, but its not quite as lively afterwards.

Ian Fleming usa

Jimmy Bond wrote:

NSNA is severely underrated, simply because its not an EON production. Once you let your pro-Brocolli guard down, you actually realize that this is a good film, despite having against it pretty much an industry that has perfected the Bond formula over the years. Its got Connery at his best performance as 007 since TB, the best femme fatale in the series, and the best Bond villain of the 80's by one of the best actors to ever be associated with James Bond.

That said, I did like OP, especially when Moore was able to balance his newfound seriousness with his trademark wit, and I really lament that it should've been his final Bond, just like NSNA was Connery's.

ah, but is missing is the musical score!

Matt S

What is the reason people think the score is terrible? Is it the lack of Bond theme (which is understandable for a non-Bond film) or that it doesn't feel like Bond? I love the score because I love Michel Legrand and I love music. For me, it works for the film and is one of the better parts to the film, but I'm not judging NSNA like it's actually a Bond film.

Higgins

Taste is a very individual thing.
I don't like the NSNA score because it sounds to me like someone just put a random department store background score in and pressed play. It has nothing to do with the absence of the 007 theme, it just sounds generic and interchangeable.

Same to me with the GE score where it sounds most of the time like my 8yo nephew trying out an electric piano for the first time.

Blackleiter

I agree 100% about the score for NSNA. Without even comparing it to the John Barry Bond scores, it is totally bland and completely forgettable.

Bondtoys wrote:

Taste is a very individual thing.
I don't like the NSNA score because it sounds to me like someone just put a random department store background score in and pressed play. It has nothing to do with the absence of the 007 theme, it just sounds generic and interchangeable.

Same to me with the GE score where it sounds most of the time like my 8yo nephew trying out an electric piano for the first time.

chrisisall

Matt S wrote:

What is the reason people think the score is terrible?

It's not terrible, it's just that that dumb little riff (you know the one I mean) was used entirely too many times. It was very Batman (TV series) like, and undermined the rest of the score in many people's memories.

Jimmy Bond

The NSNA score sucks as far as Bond films go. If the score was used in a different film that could have benefited from it, I'm sure it'd have worked. Its not a bad score per se, but it doesn't work for NSNA.

Same case with Eric Serra and GE, although I would out on a limp and say that its actualyl pretty bad.

Virgil37

This was one of the first Bond film I saw. I started watching them in VHS back in the 80s, so you wanted to see the recent ones first. My first batch included AVTAK, OP, this one and MR.
Of course back then I didn´t know it was "not official" or anything, and because of Roger Moore, I thought James Bond, the character, was 50-something years old. I mean, I saw it totally unbiased . It was also my first Connery movie.
I liked it back then, and I still like it now. IMHO, they improved on TB. The clinic scences are funnier, the pace is much better(the fight is great), they trimmed all the underwater battle scences to the minimum, which TB badly needed, and they updated the first confrontation with the video game instead of the obvious card game, which I think was an inspired choice.
The best is the cast. Edward Fox as M, Max Von Sydow as Bloefeld. The best: Klaus Maria Brandauer, great villain; Barbara Carrera, amazing (her final scene with Connery is fantastic); Kim Bassinger as Domino, just perfect.
Connery looks old, but doesn´t pretend to be 30 anymore, and he looks more fit than in DAF anyway. In any case, I find his performance more believable (in stunts and with Bond girls) than Moore in AVTAK or OP.
Because I first saw it not knowing it was not official, and it was a few years until I saw it again, I could have sworn the movie had the James Bond theme and gunbarrel at the beginning, and to this day I can picture how the gunbarrel on NSNA "looks". Of course it was only in my mind, funny how memory works.

Napoleon Plural

A nice review to read.