Under and Over

DieAnotherDay

Apologies if this thread has been created plenty of times in the past.

What do you personally feel is the most underrated and overrated Bond film out of the official series and why?

My take
Underrated: TWINE - Although I love Die Another Day with a passion (because I grew up with it) I wouldn't actually say that it is underrated as it is one hell of a mess and not a Bond film I'd be proud to show a newbie to the series. I would however show TWINE though because I think it is probably Brosnans most solid film, I know it doesn't get too much hate on this site but it does elsewhere and I can't really figure out why?!. Brosnan gives an excellent performance, Elektra is fantastic as the villainess, it's a non-stop action thrill ride, it has the perfect balance between Bond realism and fantasy and lastly it has a pretty damn solid and emotional story; far darker than any other of Brosnans films. It's always been in my top 10 and is one that I revisit & enjoy regularly.

Overrated: YOLT - although it's not one of my very least favourite of the Bonds I do feel it's criminally overrated. I think most people love this one because it has that kooky 60's nostalgia feel to it but in all honesty I don't think it's anywhere near as good as Connerys first 4. The first word that comes to mind when I think of YOLT is "Sloppy", so many parts of the film seem rushed and lacklustre with no sense of threat or emotion plus it has that whole Japanese wedding section which - if I'm honest - I sometimes just skip completely. Connery's performance is nothing special this time round and most of the characters are pretty bland, The saviour of this film is the climax...and even it's a bit cluttered.

welshboy78

Interesting about TWINE and I prob agree with you. I remember seeing it in the cinema and not thinking much of it, I think a lot of it had to do with Denise Richards at the time (not complaining about her assets lol, but I found it strange her being in it) also I was not keen on Elektra back then and the whole thing bored me back then (duration?). I was pleasantly surprised when I watched it for the first time in ages when I got the blu ray set (though it could be a little shorter, not sure if it is indeed long but it sure feels quite lengthy). Def Brosnans second best (after Goldeneye)

Agree with you also on YOLT, it has some great classic moments but was the point where some ridiculous things creep in (Yeah I know Goldfinger did also but it did not bother me) All of course is now all classic Bond however after enjoying the previous films immensely I find it a bit weak. This is Connerys worst EON Bond film after Diamonds Are Forever.

I would say on Her Majestys is pretty underrated (though now considered pretty much a classic amongst people here, generally most people dislike it due to Lazenby, I love it, top 3)

Sir Hillary Bray

Most underrated for me is FYEO. I know this one has its supporters, but it never gets the general respect I believe it deserves.

Most overrated for me is GE. I sense that many fans rate it highly (although it may have slipped a bit after Craig's films) but it was a weak restart after the 6-year hiatus.

Blackleiter

DieAnotherDay wrote:

Apologies if this thread has been created plenty of times in the past.

What do you personally feel is the most underrated and overrated Bond film out of the official series and why?

My take
Underrated: TWINE - Although I love Die Another Day with a passion (because I grew up with it) I wouldn't actually say that it is underrated as it is one hell of a mess and not a Bond film I'd be proud to show a newbie to the series. I would however show TWINE though because I think it is probably Brosnans most solid film, I know it doesn't get too much hate on this site but it does elsewhere and I can't really figure out why?!. Brosnan gives an excellent performance, Elektra is fantastic as the villainess, it's a non-stop action thrill ride, it has the perfect balance between Bond realism and fantasy and lastly it has a pretty damn solid and emotional story; far darker than any other of Brosnans films. It's always been in my top 10 and is one that I revisit & enjoy regularly.

Overrated: YOLT - although it's not one of my very least favourite of the Bonds I do feel it's criminally overrated. I think most people love this one because it has that kooky 60's nostalgia feel to it but in all honesty I don't think it's anywhere near as good as Connerys first 4. The first word that comes to mind when I think of YOLT is "Sloppy", so many parts of the film seem rushed and lacklustre with no sense of threat or emotion plus it has that whole Japanese wedding section which - if I'm honest - I sometimes just skip completely. Connery's performance is nothing special this time round and most of the characters are pretty bland, The saviour of this film is the climax...and even it's a bit cluttered.

I'm in general agreement with you about TWINE. After GE, I think it's Brosnan's best. On the other hand, YOLT is one of my all time favorites, and I don't think it's due to my love of "that kooky 60's nostalgia feel". I love the location, Connery's relaxed, confident performance, the gadgets, the beautiful soundtrack, the ninjas and the general sense of fun. While it doesn't completely measure up to the standards of the four classic Bond films that preceded it, YOLT is great entertainment and I probably watch it more than any of the others. My vote for the most overrated goes to LALD. For me, Moore is a real letdown after Connery and the overall feel of the movie is rather cheesy. The Sheriff Pepper nonsense really irritates me and I think the boat chase, which could have been a truly exciting action centerpiece of the film, turned out to be rather uninvolving. LALD isn't all bad - I think Yaphett Kotto and Julius Harris are terrific (alhough Kananga's demise was poorly done), Jane Seymour is a gorgeous Bond Girl, and the title song is one of the best. As a special bonus for me, parts of LALD were filmed in and around the Harlem neighborhood in which I was raised. But overall, I think LALD leaves a lot to be desired.

welshboy78

Agree. I find LALD very cheesy and dull, only the gorgeous Seymour attracts me to it!!

DieAnotherDay

Blackleiter wrote:

DieAnotherDay wrote:

Apologies if this thread has been created plenty of times in the past.

What do you personally feel is the most underrated and overrated Bond film out of the official series and why?

My take
Underrated: TWINE - Although I love Die Another Day with a passion (because I grew up with it) I wouldn't actually say that it is underrated as it is one hell of a mess and not a Bond film I'd be proud to show a newbie to the series. I would however show TWINE though because I think it is probably Brosnans most solid film, I know it doesn't get too much hate on this site but it does elsewhere and I can't really figure out why?!. Brosnan gives an excellent performance, Elektra is fantastic as the villainess, it's a non-stop action thrill ride, it has the perfect balance between Bond realism and fantasy and lastly it has a pretty damn solid and emotional story; far darker than any other of Brosnans films. It's always been in my top 10 and is one that I revisit & enjoy regularly.

Overrated: YOLT - although it's not one of my very least favourite of the Bonds I do feel it's criminally overrated. I think most people love this one because it has that kooky 60's nostalgia feel to it but in all honesty I don't think it's anywhere near as good as Connerys first 4. The first word that comes to mind when I think of YOLT is "Sloppy", so many parts of the film seem rushed and lacklustre with no sense of threat or emotion plus it has that whole Japanese wedding section which - if I'm honest - I sometimes just skip completely. Connery's performance is nothing special this time round and most of the characters are pretty bland, The saviour of this film is the climax...and even it's a bit cluttered.

I'm in general agreement with you about TWINE. After GE, I think it's Brosnan's best. On the other hand, YOLT is one of my all time favorites, and I don't think it's due to my love of "that kooky 60's nostalgia feel". I love the location, Connery's relaxed, confident performance, the gadgets, the beautiful soundtrack, the ninjas and the general sense of fun. While it doesn't completely measure up to the standards of the four classic Bond films that preceded it, YOLT is great entertainment and I probably watch it more than any of the others. My vote for the most overrated goes to LALD. For me, Moore is a real letdown after Connery and the overall feel of the movie is rather cheesy. The Sheriff Pepper nonsense really irritates me and I think the boat chase, which could have been a truly exciting action centerpiece of the film, turned out to be rather uninvolving. LALD isn't all bad - I think Yaphett Kotto and Julius Harris are terrific (alhough Kananga's demise was poorly done), Jane Seymour is a gorgeous Bond Girl, and the title song is one of the best. As a special bonus for me, parts of LALD were filmed in and around the Harlem neighborhood in which I was raised. But overall, I think LALD leaves a lot to be desired.

LALD used to be one of my very favourite Bonds when I was younger but I like it less and less now with each viewing...not entirely sure why. Wouldn't really say it's overrated as I still love the crocodile farm & boat chase sequence but the film as a whole does feel pretty empty somehow and does leave much to be desired. As does TMWTGG In my opinion

Blackleiter

DieAnotherDay wrote:

As does TMWTGG In my opinion

Yep!

Mr_Sable_Basilisk

LALD used to be one of my very favourite Bonds when I was younger but I like it less and less now with each viewing...not entirely sure why. Wouldn't really say it's overrated as I still love the crocodile farm & boat chase sequence but the film as a whole does feel pretty empty somehow and does leave much to be desired.

My exact feelings about TSWLM, as a kid and a teenager I simply adored it, was my very first Bond movie I saw in a cinema but now it irritates more and more. I found Sir Rogers one-liner simply annoying by now.

DieAnotherDay

Mr_Sable_Basilisk wrote:

LALD used to be one of my very favourite Bonds when I was younger but I like it less and less now with each viewing...not entirely sure why. Wouldn't really say it's overrated as I still love the crocodile farm & boat chase sequence but the film as a whole does feel pretty empty somehow and does leave much to be desired.

My exact feelings about TSWLM, as a kid and a teenager I simply adored it, was my very first Bond movie I saw in a cinema but now it irritates more and more. I found Sir Rogers one-liner simply annoying by now.

TSWLM used to be my favourite Rog Bond but it's also slipped further down the rankings. FYEO has taken its place now

Jarvio

Underrated - AVTAK by far. Stated my reasons many times, but to some up it's a really enjoyable and entertaining entry with brilliant action sequences, locations, and the best villain.

Overrated - TB. It's overall one of the most liked (probably), but for me it is just far too slow.

Blackleiter

Jarvio wrote:

Overrated - TB. It's overall one of the most liked (probably), but for me it is just far too slow.

Just imagine how slow it would have been if Old Rog was in it! )

Thunderpussy

For underated I'm torn between, For your eyes Only ( as already stated it seems to get overlooked )
and AVTAK, as I think it's a lot better than it gets credit for.
As for overrated I can't think of one as the Much praised Movies, are the Ones I like. )

GoldenEye85

The most under rated for me is A View to A Kill. Just a superb exit for Roger Moore as James Bond, I would give an honorable mention to Moonraker.


Most over-rated are The Spy Who Loved Me and You Only Live Twice. Spy, I just find it rather boring coming sandwiched between two that I find very entertaining. Twice, the Japanese theme was cool, but to take over the entire film like that just didn't do it for me.

DEFIANT 74205

Underrated: The Living Daylights. Yes, it has its cheesy moments, but overall it was a well executed film and a refreshing change from the Moore era back to the literary Bond.

Overrated: The Spy Who Loved Me. I honestly don't know why this film is in so many people's top ten. I don't even think this is Moore's best film: that honour goes to For Your Eyes Only. I found this to be very slow and very dull. Bond and Amasova were meant to be their government's best agents, but neither looked like they could kill a mosquito even if they wanted to.

Napoleon Plural

Not sure if underrated is right, but many films are wrongly rated imo. I mean, DAF is terrific fun, it's an Ocean's 11 type caper, great jokes, fantastic sense of enjoyment and lots of different set pieces - I mean a turnover of locations and sets. Great score, too. You're not meant to totally believe it, it's about suspending disbelief. It's not meant to echo OHMSS. Ditto GF, it's a family film for Christmas, it's fun with a bit of menace.

Blackleiter

Napoleon Plural wrote:

Not sure if underrated is right, but many films are wrongly rated imo. I mean, DAF is terrific fun, it's an Ocean's 11 type caper, great jokes, fantastic sense of enjoyment and lots of different set pieces - I mean a turnover of locations and sets. Great score, too. You're not meant to totally believe it, it's about suspending disbelief. It's not meant to echo OHMSS. Ditto GF, it's a family film for Christmas, it's fun with a bit of menace.

I like your take on DAF! -{

Gassy Man

Underrated: Diamonds are Forever. Except for a PTS that starts out creaky and some questionable SFX, it's a good if campy Bond outing. It certainly forecasts where the Moore films would take us.
Overrated: Goldeneye Part of this movie are very good, but overall, I found it less rather than more.

DieAnotherDay

Gassy Man wrote:

Underrated: Diamonds are Forever. Except for a PTS that starts out creaky and some questionable SFX, it's a good if campy Bond outing. It certainly forecasts where the Moore films would take us.
Overrated: Goldeneye Part of this movie are very good, but overall, I found it less rather than more.

DAF is my least favourite Bond at the moment and GoldenEye is my favourite )

Sir Miles

Gassy Man wrote:

Overrated: Goldeneye Part of this movie are very good, but overall, I found it less rather than more.

I agree with you here...in parts its very good, but I do find it too slow at times...I've never been convinced by the reasons given by people as to why its their favorite...

DieAnotherDay

Sir Miles wrote:

Gassy Man wrote:

Overrated: Goldeneye Part of this movie are very good, but overall, I found it less rather than more.

I agree with you here...in parts its very good, but I do find it too slow at times...I've never been convinced by the reasons given by people as to why its their favorite...

My reasons.
1. I grew up with it and Brosnan as bond (Nostalgia)
2. I love the PTS even though it's flawed.
3. The title sequence looks stunning with a tune to match
4. Best array of villains from any Bond film
5. I think it has great pacing for the most part
6. Natalya is a great Bond girl
7. I feel the action set pieces are top notch and don't just cluster up the film like TND or QoS

chrisisall

Most consistently underrated: TMWTGG (followed VERY closely by QOS).

Most overrated: TSWLM (once you read Wood's novelization you can see what it could have been) .

Dalkowski110

Gassy Man wrote:

I've never been convinced by the reasons given by people as to why its their favorite...

Let me paraphrase Darth Vader...

"Never underestimate the power of my borderline obsession with Russian and Soviet automotive products, including a modified T-54B."

DEFIANT 74205

chrisisall wrote:

TSWLM (once you read Wood's novelization you can see what it could have been) .

Actually, I think I would still prefer the original Fleming source material. Yes, I'm aware that the rights to The Spy Who Loved Me wasn't sold to EON, but it would have been nice.

It's a different kind of Bond story from the rest, but I did truly enjoy the book.

"Hey, limey. What's your name?"
"Bond. James Bond."
"That's a pretty chump name. From England, huh?"
"That's right. Where's the registry? I'll spell it out for you."