3 phases of Moore
DieAnotherDay
Glasgow, ScotlandPosts: 460MI6 Agent
I've recently re-watched all 7 of Roger Moore Bonds and was pleasantly surprised by each and every one of them. None of them are absolutely fantastic films but I did find myself thoroughly enjoying all of them substantially. A slightly underrated era in my view
When I was watching the films though I couldn't help but notice that the Moore era splits up perfectly into 3 phases - helped by the fact there was 3 different directors at the helm when Moore was in the role.
-LALD and TMTGG go very nicely together and carry on the campy, almost cheap tone of the previous Guy Hamilton film - DAF. These two can be easily watched back to back and both share a number of key features...mainly JW. pepper.
-TSWLM and MR make up the 2nd and Lewis Gilbert's return to Bond. I see these two as almost a duo, as if MR is a sequel to TSWLM. Both these films look and feel big and brash because they have a significantly bigger budget than any film in the series before. They also share JAWS, similar plots and make the leap from campy and comical to utterly ridiculous.
FYEO, OP and AVTAK are the 3rd phase of Moore and make the return back to the realistic, grounded bonds of the past - mostly due to John Glens directing approach. These films take stunts to the next level sometimes overlooking character development in the process but all 3 of these films have a similar feel. They are very fun films which take themselves a bit more seriously than the previous Rog. Films while still installing laughs here and there....in between the excellent action.
What is your favourite Moore phase? Or do you perhaps think these movies slot together in another way?
When I was watching the films though I couldn't help but notice that the Moore era splits up perfectly into 3 phases - helped by the fact there was 3 different directors at the helm when Moore was in the role.
-LALD and TMTGG go very nicely together and carry on the campy, almost cheap tone of the previous Guy Hamilton film - DAF. These two can be easily watched back to back and both share a number of key features...mainly JW. pepper.
-TSWLM and MR make up the 2nd and Lewis Gilbert's return to Bond. I see these two as almost a duo, as if MR is a sequel to TSWLM. Both these films look and feel big and brash because they have a significantly bigger budget than any film in the series before. They also share JAWS, similar plots and make the leap from campy and comical to utterly ridiculous.
FYEO, OP and AVTAK are the 3rd phase of Moore and make the return back to the realistic, grounded bonds of the past - mostly due to John Glens directing approach. These films take stunts to the next level sometimes overlooking character development in the process but all 3 of these films have a similar feel. They are very fun films which take themselves a bit more seriously than the previous Rog. Films while still installing laughs here and there....in between the excellent action.
What is your favourite Moore phase? Or do you perhaps think these movies slot together in another way?
....and the best he ever managed was a sermon on the mount.
Comments
TSWLM was a HUGE blockbuster. Moore WAS Bond. My generation was like "Sean WHO?" at that point. It cemented that Roger Moore was the James Bond of my generation. Moonraker (because of Jaws) seemed like a sequel of sorts and was just as huge as TSWLM.
That third era seemed like the twilight of Moore's run. At that point, he was leaving the series, came back to "do one more" film. By the time of AVTAK, it felt like he overstayed his welcome, but it was a much better "final" film than DAF.
The Roger Moore Bond films may be lambasted, but the guy starred as Bond in more EON films than any other actor. His films provide pure escape and are pretty harmless. He's not my favorite Bond, but I'm surprised how "neglected" he seems to be today.
Yeah, same. I've actually not heard so much hate for him on this site which is quite good but he does seem to be generally despised by most Bond fans who just take him and his films as a joke.
My favourite phase is the first btw. LALD and TMWTGG just scream out nostalgia to since I had them on VHS when I was young and watched them day after day
1. GoldenEye 2. Goldfinger 3. Skyfall 4. OHMSS 5. TWINE
#1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS
I've done a Brosna-thon but never a Moore-athon. I don't know if I could watch 14 hours of non-stop bond, I'd be willing to try though
#1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS
That's it. I've had it with the MWTGG bashing.
You all can keep despising my favourite Moore film without me.
I'm going to another website where it's RESPECTED and LOVED for the strange yet wonderful film that it IS!!!!
GOOD BYE! X-(
*minutes pass*
Okay, I'm back; I couldn't find any.
#1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS
" I don't listen to hip hop!"
1 - Moore, 2 - Dalton, 3 - Craig, 4 - Connery, 5 - Brosnan, 6 - Lazenby
#1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS
Guy Hamilton Phase- A little unsure of himself, trying hard to not be Sean Connery. Rather unlikable fellow in a few scenes...tricking Solitare, pushing the Thai boy off the boat, slapping Maud around.
Lewis Gilbert Phase - Roger Moore IS Bond. Cool, suave, sophisticated. Roger looked his best in these 2 films.
John Glen Phase- Delivers his best, most compelling 007 in the 80's. A seasoned professional, but also showing his age.
Overall, TSWLM, MR, OP, AVTAK are the Roger films that are "absolutely fantastic" The rest of still pretty good.
In Andrew McNess' book Closer Look at A View to a Kill he makes an interesting observation that James St. John Smythe is a throwback to the way Roger played Bond in TSWLM and MR.
1. GE 2. MR 3. OP 4. TMWTGG 5. TSWLM 6. TND 7. TWINE 8.DN 9. GF 10. AVTAK
Scaramange is probably in my top 5 villains. Great locations,good soundtrack and Moore was fine, except for his karate skills. Pepper was terrible, but he was init for 5 minutes tops?I can deal with that. Good movie.
I was born in 1978, which means between my 11th and 17th birthday, no Bonds were released. I grew up with the Moore movies on VHS, most notable TSWLM and FYEO. They were my favourite Moore films than, they are my favourite Moore films now.
His movies seem dated and very much for that era: the 70's and 80's. They are all a guilty pleasure, because the true Bond fan would always prefer a Connery movie (except for DAF) above a Moore. But there are moments for Connery (more often I must admit) and there are moments to throw away all logic and enjoy a Moore. And enjoyment, that is what Moore's Bond are all about. Good old pure entertainment. Impossible to hate.
1. Connery 2. Craig 3. Brosnan 4. Dalton 5. Lazenby 6. Moore
I agree with Moore Than, FYEO, SPY & Octopussy are Moore's Best performances -{
and I'd group DAF, LALD & TMWTGG as a phase all their own.
Impossible for some, perhaps!
Come on BL, do you really hate the Moore movies? I see them as silly entertainment, a far stretch from the Connery's, but still a great deal of fun most of the times.
1. Connery 2. Craig 3. Brosnan 4. Dalton 5. Lazenby 6. Moore
This type of attitude makes me want to root for the other fellow.
and yes, BlackLeiter never misses an opportunity to bash good ol' Sir Roger.
It's funny that the Connery vs. Moore debate even still exists. Roger must be somewhat flattered by this considering that Sean will always be #1 Bond even 100 years from now.
1. GE 2. MR 3. OP 4. TMWTGG 5. TSWLM 6. TND 7. TWINE 8.DN 9. GF 10. AVTAK
Forme it had all the Bond elements and it is a childhood favourite. But I think Moore had some great moments also. The kills of Sandor and Strumberg were cold hearted kills and great moments for him.
plus locations, Anya!!, even the soundtrack I like.
1. Connery 2. Craig 3. Brosnan 4. Dalton 5. Lazenby 6. Moore
Totally agree wit you NSD.
Definitely my favourite phase of the Moore era. As was previously said, I was a nipper in the mid 70s and RM was Bond for that generation. I remember watching FRWL on itv and exclaiming "that's not James Bond!" Hahahahahaha.
I also like the early phase of Moore's films far less that the latter stage and I am surprised by the seeming love for AVTAK which I just think is dreadful. Lol.
As a service to my fellow fans, I will watch AVTAK this week and report back my findings as I haven't watched it all the way through for years!
That just about says it all!
Do you like AVTAK?
" I don't listen to hip hop!"
It's my least favourite Bond movie.