Bond first timer reviews

chowderday

Hello to all. I recently splurged and bought the Bond 50 blu-ray set. The only Bond films I have watched before are the Craig films, Goldeneye, and a few Connery, but all of which (excluding Skyfall) were either watched not very closely or when I was much younger. I have been reading this site for a while, and I thought you guys might not mind it if I shared my thoughts about each film. I am not watching them in order, but instead picking which one best fits my mood. I have already started on two, and here are my thoughts.

On Her Majesty's Secret Service
What a solid movie! First of all, I was impressed by Lazenby, he had a charm and humilty to him and his action scenes were pretty well done. My biggest beef with him was that he seemed unbalanced, and tried to be more Connery like (or at least what it seems Connery is like) instead of letting his charm win over. Story wise I also thought it was very good, because mind games were a big part of it, and I thought the woman's mountain retreat place added just enough out of reality moments. The highlight of the movie for me was Tracy. I honestly can not imagine a Bond girl who could beat her. She could actually stand up to Bond, but had and emotional edge and insecurity that made her likable. I think the biggest flaw in the movie is that there is too much stalling especially after Bond gets out of the Mountains. The ending was really done perfectly and will seemed to progress Bond's character. All in all I really liked this movie and I wish Lazenby would have gotten more chances to play the role.

The Spy Who Loved Me
When I think of Bond this is what I think of. This movie pretty much has all you can ask for in a Bond movie such with a good amount of romance, action, Russians, submarines, cool cars. This was my first Moore movie, and I really don't know what to think of him. I said a few times to the friend I was watching it with that I didn't like him, but as I am writing this I really can't think of what it was I didn't like. Hopefully after watching a few more with him I will really be able to delve into his take on the character. Anya was another good Bond girl who seemed strong and smart, but I thought she lacked the human nature of Tracy. Probably the biggest flaw in this was the villain who just seemed very bland and uninteresting. This film captured the stereotype of Bond very well with a great adventure and a simple story. If I had to compare it with OHMSS, OHMSS would definitely win because it was more emotional and gripping.

Next on my list is The Living Daylights. More reviews are to come. Any recommendations or questions would be appreciated. Thanks for reading.

Smiert-Spionam

Hi Chowderday! Welcome to the forums.

Always nice to hear from folk who are watching the films for the first time. I'm glad you've decided to watch TSWLM as this is a film that has all the traditional Bond elements embedded into it (big action sequences, good looking girls, flashy gadgets and cars, OTT villains etc). Alot of people on here have said this is the Bond film they'd show anybody new to the Bond franchise and I agree.

I suppose you couldn't have started off with more contrasting moviess as OHMSS is alot more dark, emotional and story driven. However I rate these two movies highly and I'm glad you've enjoyed them. Looking forward to reading your views on TLD as I'm a huge fan of Dalton and I think his films are very strong entries in the series.

Firemass

very well put Smiert.

always shaken

HI Cowderday welcome to the gang ,enjoy your new set
and we will enjoy your personal veiws ,just dont slag of moonraker
or silhouette man will be after you LOL

chowderday

I might have time to watch two today, any ideas for what to watch after TLD?

Firemass

chowderday wrote:

I might have time to watch two today, any ideas for what to watch after TLD?

my only advice would be try not to read too much about the films before watching them for the first time.

James Suzuki

always shaken wrote:

HI Cowderday welcome to the gang ,enjoy your new set
and we will enjoy your personal veiws ,just dont slag of moonraker
or silhouette man will be after you LOL

Or For Your Eyes Only as well, then I would be after you... )

James Suzuki

James Suzuki wrote:

always shaken wrote:

HI Cowderday welcome to the gang ,enjoy your new set
and we will enjoy your personal veiws ,just dont slag of moonraker
or silhouette man will be after you LOL

Or For Your Eyes Only as well, then I would be after you... )

We encourage different opinions here....don't worry... Love your reviews BTW

chrisisall

chowderday wrote:

I might have time to watch two today, any ideas for what to watch after TLD?

Why, LTK, naturally! )
Love your reviews so far, BTW.

chowderday

The Living Daylights
Wow, this was really great! Let's start off by talking about how great Dalton is. I had read before about how boring and serious he was, but I thought the opposite. He brought a great sense of humor, but he kept the character human. He also was professional in his agent work. The story was intriguing and adventurous while not being too ridiculous. Kara was good, but somewhat bland. The villains were also a strong point, especially Brad Whitaker with his psycho, war obsessed portrayal by Joe Don Baker. The one thing that irked me about this was the music which was great at some points, but at other times had a stupid 80's sound. Besides that, there is really nothing wrong with this film, ad is my favorite out of the three I have reviewed.

chrisisall

chowderday wrote:

The one thing that irked me about this was the music which was great at some points, but at other times had a stupid 80's sound.

That was actually a new Eurosynth sound that got beat to death later, however it was new & exciting when this movie was made!!! And I love it still.

Besides that, there is really nothing wrong with this film, ad is my favorite out of the three I have reviewed.

You are a man of excellent taste, my good sir! :007)

always shaken

HI chowderday,me again, why not start at the begining with DR NO ?
great film, great locations,

chowderday

I guess I just don't want to be tied down to watching in in order.

chrisisall

chowderday wrote:

I guess I just don't want to be tied down to watching in in order.

Nor should you be. -{

Blackleiter

Welcome chowderday. Judging from your first few reviews, I'd say your off to a smashing start. May suggest Goldfinger next?

chowderday

Goldfinger seems like a good way to kick off Connery, sounds like a plan.

Blackleiter

Goldfinger is my personal favorite. -{

chowderday wrote:

Goldfinger seems like a good way to kick off Connery, sounds like a plan.

raptors_887

I also just finished watching the Bond movies for the first time. If I were to do it again I would probably mix it up in random order just like your doing. I was getting a little tired of Roger Moore after 7 straight movies LOL.

Brosnan_fan

Chowderday, permit me to make the following recommendations to you:

For Your Eyes Only - Flemingesque espionage thriller, the main purpose these films were made in the first place. Good solid entertainment.

Thunderball or You Only Live Twice - epic, bubble-gum adventure.

Octopussy or Tomorrow Never Dies - escapist family outing; good fun to watch with others.

If you are wondering which Bond films to watch next, these would be what I recommend.

Smiert-Spionam

My two cents worth...

FRWL - If you're looking for a classic spy thriller then this is your movie. Personally this is my favorite Connery outing.
FYEO - A more serious Moore outing and more Flemingesque. Definately worth a viewing
LALD - My favorite Moore film. Dark undertones in a film where there are a few comedic moments.
LTK - The darkest of all the Bond films. Dalton once again is excellent and the villains are top notch.
CR - The film that made Bond relevent again. Craig is excellent in his first outing.

Keep the reviews coming! -{

chowderday

Thanks so much for the recommendations! I'm thinking I'll go Goldfinger into Tommarow Never Dies into For Your Eyes Only.

chowderday

I decided to veer away from my original plan because I was in the mood for something lighthearted and I really wanted to see what Brosnan was like, so...

Die Another Day
Well, ummmmmmmmm, it was fun? To be honest I was not very impressed with this, so I think its a good idea get the negative out of the way first, and end on a good note. Firstly, this was the plot was plain stupid. I am fine with James Bond being out of touch with reality, but using a second sun as a weapon to rule the world, the gene therapy thing, really? Also, the minor things like the invisible car, and the awfully written one liners got to me. Hallie Berry was pretty bad and I can't think of one time she showed actual emotion. Gustav Graves seems like a decent concept for a villain but Toby Stephen's acting, and him actually being Tan-Sun ruined it. This could get some people angry, but Pierce Brosnan's Bond just seemed like a prick to me. He wasn't very professional, charming, ruthless, or dark, and seemed like a prick to me. Perhaps the saddest thing of all was the whole Bond being taken captive, and going out to get who he was traded for could have made a great movie if done right. Now onto the positives. DAD will pretty much entertain anyone, and would be fun to watch with a bunch of buddies. It would also be decent to watch while your doing work or household chores, because you don't have to be very invested in it. I'm not going to lie this is a bad movie, but the type of bad you would have fun watching.

I plan on watching Goldfinger next, but that could change. Thanks for reading.

Blackleiter

Uh oh! I think you should have stuck with your original plan!

chowderday wrote:

I decided to veer away from my original plan because I was in the mood for something lighthearted and I really wanted to see what Brosnan was like, so...

Die Another Day
Well, ummmmmmmmm, it was fun? To be honest I was not very impressed with this, so I think its a good idea get the negative out of the way first, and end on a good note. Firstly, this was the plot was plain stupid. I am fine with James Bond being out of touch with reality, but using a second sun as a weapon to rule the world, the gene therapy thing, really? Also, the minor things like the invisible car, and the awfully written one liners got to me. Hallie Berry was pretty bad and I can't think of one time she showed actual emotion. Gustav Graves seems like a decent concept for a villain but Toby Stephen's acting, and him actually being Tan-Sun ruined it. This could get some people angry, but Pierce Brosnan's Bond just seemed like a prick to me. He wasn't very professional, charming, ruthless, or dark, and seemed like a prick to me. Perhaps the saddest thing of all was the whole Bond being taken captive, and going out to get who he was traded for could have made a great movie if done right. Now onto the positives. DAD will pretty much entertain anyone, and would be fun to watch with a bunch of buddies. It would also be decent to watch while your doing work or household chores, because you don't have to be very invested in it. I'm not going to lie this is a bad movie, but the type of bad you would have fun watching.

I plan on watching Goldfinger next, but that could change. Thanks for reading.

James Suzuki

It's on the TV now, in the Background....
I don't like it at all but at the moment DAF is my least fav, watch For your eyes only next, that's my personal Fav.

Smiert-Spionam

chowderday wrote:

I decided to veer away from my original plan because I was in the mood for something lighthearted and I really wanted to see what Brosnan was like, so...

Die Another Day
Well, ummmmmmmmm, it was fun? To be honest I was not very impressed with this, so I think its a good idea get the negative out of the way first, and end on a good note. Firstly, this was the plot was plain stupid. I am fine with James Bond being out of touch with reality, but using a second sun as a weapon to rule the world, the gene therapy thing, really? Also, the minor things like the invisible car, and the awfully written one liners got to me. Hallie Berry was pretty bad and I can't think of one time she showed actual emotion. Gustav Graves seems like a decent concept for a villain but Toby Stephen's acting, and him actually being Tan-Sun ruined it. This could get some people angry, but Pierce Brosnan's Bond just seemed like a prick to me. He wasn't very professional, charming, ruthless, or dark, and seemed like a prick to me. Perhaps the saddest thing of all was the whole Bond being taken captive, and going out to get who he was traded for could have made a great movie if done right. Now onto the positives. DAD will pretty much entertain anyone, and would be fun to watch with a bunch of buddies. It would also be decent to watch while your doing work or household chores, because you don't have to be very invested in it. I'm not going to lie this is a bad movie, but the type of bad you would have fun watching.

I plan on watching Goldfinger next, but that could change. Thanks for reading.

Oh dear. There's lots of better choices you could have made if you wanted to go for light hearted - LALD, YOLT, OP, TND, FYEO (kind of), TMWTGG. Hell even MR is better than this film! However I enjoyed watching DAD more second time around because I went into it with my expectations at an all time low.

chowderday

Sorry I haven't been reviewing, but there should be quite a few coming. In the process of watching Licence to Kill right now.

chrisisall

Smiert-Spionam wrote:

I enjoyed watching DAD more second time around because I went into it with my expectations at an all time low.

That way it's actually fun!

James Suzuki

I suggest watching For Your Eyes Only, my personal favourite Bond film...very enjoyable!

Dutchfinger

chowderday wrote:

Sorry I haven't been reviewing, but there should be quite a few coming. In the process of watching Licence to Kill right now.

Great! My personal favorite! I'm curious to hear what a first timer thinks of it...

Peppermill

Very nice reviews and a joy to read! Have you considered to watch the movies in order? I am doing this for the first time in many years (starting CR tonight) and it is very cool to see the movies develop over time. I hope you continue writing your reviews. I think watching Dr. No early on gives you a good starting point so maybe you could watch that next. LTK is something else when compared to a 'formula' Bond movie like TSWLM but a movie I've always enjoyed a lot.

ZorinIndustries

Very fun reviews! Keep em coming!