Most underrated Bond film in the 80s ???

Thunderpussy

No Problem Jarvio. {[] I actually rather like AVTAK. -{ , I was only Pointing out
the little oddity that it's always spoken of as very similar to GF, yet one is Held up
as a Masterpiece while the other takes a beating.

AdamOmega

Virgil37 wrote:

Thunderpussy wrote:

It is an oddity that Goldfinger is considered one of the Best Bond films.
While AVTAK ( which is basically a copy ) is considered ( by many)
as one of the worst. ) I'm not agreeing, just pointing it out. l

I don't see the similarities myself between GF and AVTAK, really, apart from the scene where Zorin explains his plot, then kills one of the investors.

The plot mechanics of both movies are strikingly similar; AVTAK is basically Goldfinger but with microchips in place of gold bricks. Of course AVTAK does quite a bit to differentiate itself from Goldfinger, but the commonalities are definitely there if you look for them.

Virgil37

AdamOmega wrote:

Virgil37 wrote:

Thunderpussy wrote:

It is an oddity that Goldfinger is considered one of the Best Bond films.
While AVTAK ( which is basically a copy ) is considered ( by many)
as one of the worst. ) I'm not agreeing, just pointing it out. l

I don't see the similarities myself between GF and AVTAK, really, apart from the scene where Zorin explains his plot, then kills one of the investors.

The plot mechanics of both movies are strikingly similar; AVTAK is basically Goldfinger but with microchips in place of gold bricks. Of course AVTAK does quite a bit to differentiate itself from Goldfinger, but the commonalities are definitely there if you look for them.

Like Grace Jones is Pussy Galore and helps Bond eventually? I see many more similarities between YOLT and TSWLM, where basically all the third act and the setup are the same.

A bit off topic but can anyone elaborate why DAD is also mentioned as a MR rip off/copy/remake? There I'm totally in the dark.

Thunderpussy

I think it's Because Gustav Graves appears to be a benevolent guy, out to help Mankind
( Like Sir Hugo Drax, Building a rocket to defend Britain or Fund the space programe
out of his own pocket )
Only to be proven to be a bit of a Git, Out for power etc. I'm sure there are more
But I think that's the main one.

AdamOmega

Virgil37 wrote:

A bit off topic but can anyone elaborate why DAD is also mentioned as a MR rip off/copy/remake? There I'm totally in the dark.

I'd only compare Moonraker to Die Another Day in terms of their overall tone, borderline science-fiction premises and emphasis on gadgetry, although Thunderpussy is certainly onto something with his observation:

Thunderpussy wrote:

I think it's Because Gustav Graves appears to be a benevolent guy, out to help Mankind
( Like Sir Hugo Drax, Building a rocket to defend Britain or Fund the space programe
out of his own pocket )
Only to be proven to be a bit of a Git, Out for power etc. ajb007/biggrin I'm sure there are more
But I think that's the main one.

For me, I'd say Die Another Day has much more in common with Diamonds Are Forever in terms its grand scheme (outer space laser beam satellite), its foray into "DNA replacement therapy", which mirrors the cosmetic cloning procedure implemented by Blofeld in Diamonds... oh, and both films aren't very good, either! )

chrisisall

Yes, I've always thought DAD was an update of DAF.

AdamOmega

chrisisall wrote:

Yes, I've always thought DAD was an update of DAF.

"Diamonds are foreveryone..."

Barbel

The writers of DAD, Purvis & Wade, were clear about their inspiration for.that film being the novel of MR. The Graves character has many similarities to Hugo Drax (suddenly rich, buying popularity, newly knighted, ostensibly benevolent), clashes with Bond at Blades club, and so on. Miranda Frost was originally to be named Gala Brand as in the novel (right-hand woman planted on Drax/Graves by the Brits) but was renamed when her plot function changed (triple agent rather than double).

Thunderpussy

Yep !, everything he said ! -{

AlphaOmegaSin

I concur with Barbel -{

Virgil37

Barbel wrote:

The writers of DAD, Purvis & Wade, were clear about their inspiration for.that film being the novel of MR. The Graves character has many similarities to Hugo Drax (suddenly rich, buying popularity, newly knighted, ostensibly benevolent), clashes with Bond at Blades club, and so on. Miranda Frost was originally to be named Gala Brand as in the novel (right-hand woman planted on Drax/Graves by the Brits) but was renamed when her plot function changed (triple agent rather than double).

Yep, I read about writers being inspired by MR. And Gala Brand is a great name and still unused, right?

Virgil37

AdamOmega wrote:

Virgil37 wrote:

A bit off topic but can anyone elaborate why DAD is also mentioned as a MR rip off/copy/remake? There I'm totally in the dark.

I'd only compare Moonraker to Die Another Day in terms of their overall tone, borderline science-fiction premises and emphasis on gadgetry, although Thunderpussy is certainly onto something with his observation:

Thunderpussy wrote:

I think it's Because Gustav Graves appears to be a benevolent guy, out to help Mankind
( Like Sir Hugo Drax, Building a rocket to defend Britain or Fund the space programe
out of his own pocket )
Only to be proven to be a bit of a Git, Out for power etc. ajb007/biggrin I'm sure there are more
But I think that's the main one.

For me, I'd say Die Another Day has much more in common with Diamonds Are Forever in terms its grand scheme (outer space laser beam satellite), its foray into "DNA replacement therapy", which mirrors the cosmetic cloning procedure implemented by Blofeld in Diamonds... oh, and both films aren't very good, either! )

Yeah, the plot and cosmetic surgery subplot are from DAF.

Barbel

Virgil37 wrote:

Gala Brand is a great name and still unused, right?

Yes, that's right (and thanks, TP and Alpha)

Blackleiter

Thunderpussy wrote:

It is an oddity that Goldfinger is considered one of the Best Bond films.
While AVTAK ( which is basically a copy ) is considered ( by many)
as one of the worst.

Yes, I've often wondered why that is (*cough* Connery *cough*) )

AdamOmega

Barbel wrote:

The writers of DAD, Purvis & Wade, were clear about their inspiration for.that film being the novel of MR. The Graves character has many similarities to Hugo Drax (suddenly rich, buying popularity, newly knighted, ostensibly benevolent), clashes with Bond at Blades club, and so on. Miranda Frost was originally to be named Gala Brand as in the novel (right-hand woman planted on Drax/Graves by the Brits) but was renamed when her plot function changed (triple agent rather than double).

Wow! I totally see the similarities now! Can't believe I never noticed any of this before.

dr. evan-gelist

A view to a kill possibly, but would have been worse if producers went with original choice to act as villain, Sting or David Bowie. (Both fine singers)

James Suzuki

For Your Eyes Only, hands down.
Its my first and Favourite Bond film, I just have fallen in love with all the characters, and I never get sick of the action scenes. The locales are astounding and I adore the film's soundtrack by Rocky composer Bill Conti.
Many people may already know that
Firemass has made me respect AVTAK, and it has grown on me greatly, but still FYEO, in my humble opinion

chrisisall

James Suzuki wrote:

For Your Eyes Only, hands down.
Its my first and Favourite Bond film, I just have fallen in love with all the characters, and I never get sick of the action scenes.

I have come to love the PTS as a closure to Tracy's death, have you?

James Suzuki

chrisisall wrote:

James Suzuki wrote:

For Your Eyes Only, hands down.
Its my first and Favourite Bond film, I just have fallen in love with all the characters, and I never get sick of the action scenes.

I have come to love the PTS as a closure to Tracy's death, have you?

Yes, nice connection to earlier stories

AlphaOmegaSin

FYEO and AVTAK are Moores most underrated Bond Outings -{

I think most here now about my Love for AVTAK (Blackleiter knows this ) )

James Suzuki

AlphaOmegaSin wrote:

FYEO and AVTAK are Moores most underrated Bond Outings -{

I think most here now about my Love for AVTAK (Blackleiter knows this ) )

I adore the soundtrack for AVTAK and just the whole feel of the film to me. Its a great finisher, I feel, for Roger Moore, who is probably my favourite Bond (so hard to choose though).

Lazenbyfan

I don't think Octopussy gets the respect it deserves.

Roger isn't quite too old yet and the plot is nice and tight with a lot going on. One of the best opening sequences ever. Excellent cast as well.

77007

Octopussy. -{

Barbel

FYEO- a breath of fresh air after MR, and a delight to see Fleming material onscreen. Let down by the score (title song apart).

OP- in the running for Moore's best Bond film. Some silly moments ("Sit!" and Tarzan) but very tense where it should be.

AVTAK- enjoyable if brain is disengaged. Too obvious stuntmen.

TLD- wins my vote as best 80s Bond film. Dalton shines. Plot gets overly complicated, though. Barry gives his all.

LTK- looks cheap and ordinary too often. Dalton is fine. Score sucks. Great ideas, great stunts.

chrisisall

77007 wrote:

Octopussy. -{

I concur. The Tarzan yell is so prominent in many minds that the general awesomness gets widely overlooked IMO.

chrisisall

Barbel wrote:

TLD- wins my vote as best 80s Bond film. Dalton shines. Plot gets overly complicated, though. Barry gives his all.

We reach, my friend!! {[]

Barbel

But of course! {[]

Silhouette Man

I'd say AVTAK is the most underrated James Bond film of the 1980s. Few seem to like it but I always have. -{

Higgins

Barbel wrote:

Dalton shines.
Dalton is fine.

And I've just been started to throw away all my prejudices re. Scotsmen and now you disappoint me so badly :v

Barbel

...but predictably :007)