James Bond film you'll always have a 'soft spot' for?

sambro007

Which film in the series do you have a, let's say, 'soft spot' for? Which film have you always liked and would defend it as best you can in an arguement?

I have always had a soft spot for Thunderball; it's an incredible movie. Connery is great, it has an epic plot, an interesting and sexy girl and a badass villian. Classic. -{

What are your thoughts?

AlphaOmegaSin

License To Kill

A down to Earth, stripped down, raw and gritty Epic about Bond wanting to avenge the near Death of Felix and his Wife. On top of that, he never did get Redemption for the Death of Tracy. So he sees this as Opportunity to do so.

Thunderpussy

I've always had a soft spot for LALD, can't put my finger on it. Just every now and
then in goes the bluray, I guess it's simply easy to watch.

Brosnan_fan

It would have to be MR for me. It gets panned a lot for the whole "outer space" thing, but its a fun film (with Moore looking relaxed) and I love the production values. -{

BIG TAM

DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER. Okay, it falls apart once the action moves to the oil rig, but it's got John Barry at his most slinky sinister, killer one-liners & Connery having fun with his '60s persona. It just makes me smile & I don't care who else hates it.

AirJordanFan93

TWINE: It was the first one I saw back in 2001. Sure its got a lot of plot holes and Denise Richards as an unconvincing nuclear physicist but Brosnan gives a good performance. While its not a great movie it is the first one I saw so ill always have that soft spot for it and its a lot more I can say for DAD which was the first I saw in the cinema that one I can redeem.

Golrush007

Moonraker was the first one that I saw, so it has a definite soft spot with me.

JayCobb1045

I'll always have a soft spot for TLD because it's the first one I saw in the theater. That being said, I find myself defending DAF to Bond fans more often.

Blackleiter

You Only Live Twice - still the most fun I've ever had at a Bond film!

Jarvio

LALD, AVTAK, YOLT, and DAF

PPK 7.65mm

For me it is You Only Live Twice, since I know quite a few fans have said in the past that the space race plot among other things is not their cup of tea. In my humble opinion as a die hard fan, filming the storyline of the novel (either edited to fit with On Her Majesty's Secret Service coming out before it or afterwards) would have been too difficult of a concept to sell to film audiences. Plus I feel that the action scenes in this film are well done and just as exciting 40 years on as they were in 1967.

Also prior to Bruce Lee's movies in the 1970's this film was one of the first films in Western media to showcase the martial arts in particular Ninjitsu which has since become a popular theme in film, television and other forms of media. As some one who has practiced the martial arts for 20 years, I have always enjoyed the ninja scenes in the film.

Firemass

I would say "Die Another Day" just because I had a blast watching it in theaters and the flaws were not apparent to me at the time. It also prompted me to order the entire 007 collection on VHS.

Then again, I probably have a soft spot for every Bond movie simply because it's a Bond movie.

sambro007

Many choices, really surprised! BIG TAM, JayCobb 1045 and Jarvio, I also have to say I agree on Diamonds are Forever. It's great how the films a lot of people have soft spots for are because they were their first Bonds or are memorable in one way or another also, the reasons why you liked the films made me think, quite interesting.

Firemass that's such a true statement, we should all have a soft spot for all Bond movies )

By the way, to add to my reasons why I like Thunderball, it has an ace theme song.

MooseWithFleas

Moonraker because of how over the top fun it is, always such a spectacle. Love Roger, Love Jaws, Drax, Bernard Lee's last ride as M with his convo about going to Rio being a nice moment with Bond. Blanche Ravalec as Dolly.

The Living Daylights. Came out the year I was born. It is not dated by any means, but has touches that show the era the film was made in that reminds me of childhood. Absolutely love the end credits song by The Pretenders. The ferris wheel scene makes me smile, love the dynamic between Bond and Kara.

Goldeneye. Started off my Bond experience with GoldenEye 64. It got me addicted and made me see TND on its debut night in theaters. Another childhood defining memento.

Firemass

MooseWithFleas wrote:

Goldeneye. Started off my Bond experience with GoldenEye 64. It got me addicted and made me see TND on its debut night in theaters. Another childhood defining memento.

Oh yeah! Goldeneye + Goldeneye 64 = :x

That video game made a lifelong Bond fan out of me for sure!

Too bad TWINE 64 sucks!

Firemass

sambro007 wrote:

I have always had a soft spot for Thunderball; it's an incredible movie. Connery is great, it has an epic plot, an interesting and sexy girl and a badass villian. Classic. -{

Your reasons sound more like why TB is a great Bond film. A "soft-spot" would be more of a tender or sentimental feeling. Wouldn't you agree?

MooseWithFleas

Firemass wrote:

MooseWithFleas wrote:

Goldeneye. Started off my Bond experience with GoldenEye 64. It got me addicted and made me see TND on its debut night in theaters. Another childhood defining memento.

Oh yeah! Goldeneye + Goldeneye 64 = :x

That video game made a lifelong Bond fan out of me for sure!

Too bad TWINE 64 sucks!

I still play the game, many times just to hear the amazing soundtrack!

I'd agree it is also what made me a Bond lifer.

sambro007

Firemass wrote:

sambro007 wrote:

I have always had a soft spot for Thunderball; it's an incredible movie. Connery is great, it has an epic plot, an interesting and sexy girl and a badass villian. Classic. -{

Your reasons sound more like why TB is a great Bond film. A "soft-spot" would be more of a tender or sentimental feeling. Wouldn't you agree?

Ok fair enough I see where you're coming from. Not only is it a great Bond film, but it was one of (can't remember if it was first) the first Bond films I saw, when I was quite young and I just thought the whole film was something I had never experienced before. It was a very memorable film for me. (I should've mentioned this earlier when I started the thread, I just didn't expect the majority of the answers would be like this)

always shaken

Has to be DR NO for me,thats where it all started (I don't count David Nivens CR) ,also we climbed up Dunns river falls
water was freezing, so I always smile when that scene is on

Smiert-Spionam

Live and Let Die. A young Roger Moore that looks believable in the role, great villains, brilliant one liners from both Bond and his enemies, possibly the best looking Bond girl in the entire franchise, THAT crocodile stunt. What's not to love? -{

AirJordanFan93

Smiert-Spionam wrote:

Live and Let Die. A young Roger Moore that looks believable in the role, great villains, brilliant one liners from both Bond and his enemies, possibly the best looking Bond girl in the entire franchise, THAT crocodile stunt. What's not to love? -{

I gotta say I agree with all of this. Ive always loved LALD and I know a lot of people like it this has to be a top 5 Bond film for me. Moore looks great physically even at 45 he looked a lot younger than Connery did in Diamonds at 41. Jane Seymour in my opinion is the best looking of all the Bond girls with a lot to choose from she gets my vote. The boat chase is epic even though a lot of people say it drags on I think its one of the great action scenes of the Bond films. The crocodile stunt is classic also. I guess the only aspect people don't like is the blackxploitation and voodoo aspect which I think fits in very well with the time period the film was made and set in.

Smiert-Spionam

AirJordanFan93 wrote:

Smiert-Spionam wrote:

Live and Let Die. A young Roger Moore that looks believable in the role, great villains, brilliant one liners from both Bond and his enemies, possibly the best looking Bond girl in the entire franchise, THAT crocodile stunt. What's not to love? -{

I gotta say I agree with all of this. Ive always loved LALD and I know a lot of people like it this has to be a top 5 Bond film for me. Moore looks great physically even at 45 he looked a lot younger than Connery did in Diamonds at 41. Jane Seymour in my opinion is the best looking of all the Bond girls with a lot to choose from she gets my vote. The boat chase is epic even though a lot of people say it drags on I think its one of the great action scenes of the Bond films. The crocodile stunt is classic also. I guess the only aspect people don't like is the blackxploitation and voodoo aspect which I think fits in very well with the time period the film was made and set in.

Honestly, the blackxploitation thing never bothered me, in fact it only enhanced the film in my view. It's perfect for the time period like you said and it helps add real humour to the film without being too silly like some of the later Moore films (MR & OP I'm looking at you!!). The whole face off (pun intended) between Kananga/Mr Big and Bond is something I never get bored of watching.

bainesy1us

Always had a soft spot for LALD too. Just love the feel and look of the film. Moore is great, some classic one liners and some memorable moments like the boat chase and the croc stunt.

sambro007

Smiert-Spionam wrote:

AirJordanFan93 wrote:

Smiert-Spionam wrote:

Live and Let Die. A young Roger Moore that looks believable in the role, great villains, brilliant one liners from both Bond and his enemies, possibly the best looking Bond girl in the entire franchise, THAT crocodile stunt. What's not to love? -{

I gotta say I agree with all of this. Ive always loved LALD and I know a lot of people like it this has to be a top 5 Bond film for me. Moore looks great physically even at 45 he looked a lot younger than Connery did in Diamonds at 41. Jane Seymour in my opinion is the best looking of all the Bond girls with a lot to choose from she gets my vote. The boat chase is epic even though a lot of people say it drags on I think its one of the great action scenes of the Bond films. The crocodile stunt is classic also. I guess the only aspect people don't like is the blackxploitation and voodoo aspect which I think fits in very well with the time period the film was made and set in.

Honestly, the blackxploitation thing never bothered me, in fact it only enhanced the film in my view. It's perfect for the time period like you said and it helps add real humour to the film without being too silly like some of the later Moore films (MR & OP I'm looking at you!!). The whole face off (pun intended) between Kananga/Mr Big and Bond is something I never get bored of watching.

Agree with both of you with LALD, all very valid points. Great reply to thread too.

AirJordanFan93

Smiert-Spionam wrote:

AirJordanFan93 wrote:

Smiert-Spionam wrote:

Live and Let Die. A young Roger Moore that looks believable in the role, great villains, brilliant one liners from both Bond and his enemies, possibly the best looking Bond girl in the entire franchise, THAT crocodile stunt. What's not to love? -{

I gotta say I agree with all of this. Ive always loved LALD and I know a lot of people like it this has to be a top 5 Bond film for me. Moore looks great physically even at 45 he looked a lot younger than Connery did in Diamonds at 41. Jane Seymour in my opinion is the best looking of all the Bond girls with a lot to choose from she gets my vote. The boat chase is epic even though a lot of people say it drags on I think its one of the great action scenes of the Bond films. The crocodile stunt is classic also. I guess the only aspect people don't like is the blackxploitation and voodoo aspect which I think fits in very well with the time period the film was made and set in.

Honestly, the blackxploitation thing never bothered me, in fact it only enhanced the film in my view. It's perfect for the time period like you said and it helps add real humour to the film without being too silly like some of the later Moore films (MR & OP I'm looking at you!!). The whole face off (pun intended) between Kananga/Mr Big and Bond is something I never get bored of watching.

The blackxploitiation thing never bothered me either but I think it bugs people and the concept of that and voodoo turn people off of LALD. Ive always loved this one since I saw it on TV when I was 10 and its probably my most watched Bond film ever by this point. The face off scene is great and Moores response of Quite Revealing is pretty great and Kananga over acting as Mr Big trying to see if Bond nailed Solitaire is hilarious.

chrisisall

BIG TAM wrote:

DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER. Okay, it falls apart once the action moves to the oil rig, but it's got John Barry at his most slinky sinister, killer one-liners & Connery having fun with his '60s persona. It just makes me smile & I don't care who else hates it.

I was going to write almost exactly this. It's my first Bond ever, and still the best spy spoof ever made. -{

Muston

Also for me, my ultimate Soft spot film is DAF. AVTAK comes a very close second but I do love Connery's last 'official' outing. There is a lot to like in this film. The fight in the glass lift, Bond almost being burned alive, Bond pushing Blofeld into the mud with his "Welcome to hell Blofeld" line. It is a fun Bond, even though I like my 007 to be serious (Dalton-style) DAF is a film I know will cheer me up when I need it.

Kabraxal

I probably have a couple that aren't necessarily loved by all that I find myself defending a lot... The Man with the Golden Gun, The LIving Daylights, Live and Let Die, Licence to Kill, and Quantum of Solace.

Of those, I think Dalton's have slowly risen enough where there is enough fan support that it doesn't feel like you necessarily have to circle the wagons. Live and Let Die.. I think most I've talked with are like me, good movie but clearly not the best... still fun to watch and not bad in the slightest.

So that leaves me with The Man with the Golden Gun and Quantum of Solace. I might give the edge to TMwtGG simply because it is older and hasn't had a bump like Dalton's did. Not saying it's universally hated of course but it definitely gets placed low on a lot of people's lists and yet it is a top 5 bond film to me. I just like the simplicity of the plot and the chemistry between Moore and Lee that really makes the confrontations between Bond and Scaramanga one of the best in Bond history... doesn't hurt I find the parallel's between the two characters to be really interesting. Sort of like, Scaramanga is what Bond could easily have ended up as if not reigned in just a little. Which is something I think could really play well with the recent portrayal of Bond by Craig showing that Bond was really on the edge between becoming who we all know him as and becoming an actual Bond villain. I find that fascinating now when watching this movie... it's watching Bond confront himself in so many ways and I love that.

Quantum of Solace on the other hand.. well, it plays into that above a little but I also just like the general feeling of the movie. It takes what Casino Royale did, turns it up a notch and delivers a film that mirrors Licence to Kill in many ways. I'll probably better be able to articulate why I have such a soft spot for it in a few years, seeing as I've obviously had a decade or two to really think about TMWTGG. I like the personal, up close grit of Bond in the movie and I found the story and some of the little winks tot he past to be an absolute blast. And for some reason, I just liked the Villain being less stereotypical Bond and quite different from what we're used to.

And now I want to watch both again... not a bad thing though obviously :P

chrisisall

Kabraxal wrote:

And now I want to watch both again... not a bad thing though obviously :P

I love both of those. -{

ZorinIndustries

Iv'e always had a soft spot for LALD of the title track and George Martin score (huge Beatles fan!), GE from the n64 game - defined my childhood, and AVTAK simply because of the locations. I've been to San Fran for vacation and it really makes the film special for me.

Wadsy

Despite this one not being in my top five, it would have to go to

Live And Let Die

Solid entry and great reference to DR No and a nice performance from Roger Moore. Although FYEO, OHMSS and TLD take the top three, there is something about this movie that always sticks. It is a fun film to watch, despite being far from perfect.