Die Another Day - Apart from Diamonds Are Forever, it's a true stinker of a Bond movie that more or less deserves its crummy reputation. I like Pierce Brosnan, and the PTS is superb, but the film has zero credibility. Lee Tamahori completely underestimates the successes of the Bond franchise and delivers a cliché-ridden mess of truly abominable CGI and cringeworthy dialogue.
It's appropriate to include DAF in this discussion, since it, along with AVTAK and DAD were swansong EON Bonds. As I've always said many times in the past, I love all Bond movies, but if I had to single out the worst ones for each actor, it would be these. I believe that at the onset of production, any Bond movie had the opportunity and potential to become excellent, whether it's input from the director, writer, production designer, and not the least, the leading man. For AVTAK, I think the biggest flaw that prevented its greatness was the hiring of Moore because his age really showed. However, with Connery and Brosnan, they still were on the right side of youth but they neglected their potential for a better physicality and more sincere performances.
In the end, I think they all looked what was to become their final Bond films for what they were, the then latest entry in an over-ripe, cash cow film series (true even with DAF). To single out Connery, DAF wasn't his Untouchables. This is why debut Bond movies for the most part are very interesting to watch, because the Bond actor tended to deliver his most sincere performance in the role, sadly IMO, which was doomed to never be matched in their later installments.
"...the purposeful slant of his striding figure looked dangerous, as if he was making quickly for something bad that was happening further down the street." -SMERSH on 007 dossier photo, Ch. 6 FRWL.....
For AVTAK, I think the biggest flaw that prevented its greatness was the hiring of Moore because his age really showed. However, with Connery and Brosnan, they still were on the right side of youth but they neglected their potential for a better physicality and more sincere performances.
Well stated. Although I tend not to be too hard on the ageing Bond actors (given proper handling, I think an older James Bond should be perfectly acceptable), the age gap between Roger Moore and his MI6 cohorts -- compared to the spry youth of Zorin and May Day -- is glaringly obvious in A View to a Kill. This becomes even more apparent once we're introduced to Stacey Sutton as the love interest. It's like the series wants to update for the "modern" 1980's, yet it still clings on to the lightweight aesthetic & cast of films like Moonraker and IMO, it makes for an awkward combination. Contrast this with For Your Eyes Only, which seems to acknowledge that Bond is no spring chicken. Or Octopussy, where the age gap between Moore and Maud Adams is much less apparent.
+1
"The secret agent. The man who was only a silhouette..." -- Ian Fleming, Moonraker
1) The Spy Who Loved Me 2) On Her Majesty's Secret Service 3) GoldenEye 4) Casino Royale 5) Goldfinger
What?? It made more dough than either CR or QOS! )
Perhaps a franchise killer in the sense that the producers believed they had no option other than re-boot the character, take the films in a new direction, and cast a new 007 actor unlike any before him.
Yeah, thats what I meant. I also was referring to the fact that it lost quite a few fans of the series who felt like it had done its dash. They needed CR and Daniel Craig to convince them it still had life in it.
“The scent and smoke and sweat of a casino are nauseating at three in the morning. "
-Casino Royale, Ian Fleming
This becomes even more apparent once we're introduced to Stacey Sutton as the love interest.
For sure, a more mature leading love interest would have been less apparent and more appropriate, though I am not as critical of Tanya Roberts as many are.
Moore Not Less 4371 posts (2002 - 2007) Moore Than (2012 - 2016)
The weakest aspect of AVTAK is that Moore is too old. Imagine Dalton instead of Moore, and the movie would be great (the duel Dalton-Walken would have been intense).
Not so with DAD. The movie has deeper problems. Brosnan is just fine.
BIG TAMWrexham, North Wales, UK.Posts: 773MI6 Agent
Well, I'll take a deep breath before typing this: I prefer DIE ANOTHER DAY to A VIEW TO A KILL!
I can't really say why as neither represent quality Bond film-making at its best. I just find Brosnan's effort the more fun film.
) Me Too {[]
It's one of those weird choices, I just went with if I had the two in front
Of me which would I stick in the player ? ) ...... Hence DAD !
"I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
BIG TAMWrexham, North Wales, UK.Posts: 773MI6 Agent
) Me Too {[]
It's one of those weird choices, I just went with if I had the two in front
Of me which would I stick in the player ? ) ...... Hence DAD !
Good man! I support DAD in the same way I support both DAF & MR. All three are too generic to be great individually but leave me smiling. Everyone involved seems to be having a great time & that transfers to this viewer, at least.
Agreed, DAD is an overblown mish-mash with abundant implausibilites & no proper story to speak of. But it provides two hours of great entertainment. If I want more depth out of Bond's world I'll put on FRWL, OHMSS or CR. DAD isn't about depth. It's a rollercoaster ride of fun.
Die Another Day. The first half of the film isn't bad at all, and there are moments when it is almost inspired, even if the film as a whole is underwhelming and frivolous. A View to a Kill is fairly insipid all the way through, a mean-spirited, crap version of Goldfinger but without the style and jokes.
Can somebody tell why some people compare AVTAK is like GF bc I don't see it at all
Goldfinger was going to irradiate all the US gold reserves, Zorin was going to flood Silicon Valley. Economic chaos to concentrate wealth. Kind of like how real life worked out for us all, just a different plan.... 8-)
Can somebody tell why some people compare AVTAK is like GF bc I don't see it at all
Goldfinger was going to irradiate all the US gold reserves, Zorin was going to flood Silicon Valley. Economic chaos to concentrate wealth. Kind of like how real life worked out for us all, just a different plan.... 8-)
I thought the common element was Bond turning the female villain after helping her release some endorphins
"...the purposeful slant of his striding figure looked dangerous, as if he was making quickly for something bad that was happening further down the street." -SMERSH on 007 dossier photo, Ch. 6 FRWL.....
All Bond films have good intentions, but DAD is practically begging to be considered the worst Bond film ever. The invisible car, the CGI surfing, the constant Jinx one-liners, the virtual reality sequences, the goofy final battle, etc
On the other hand, A View to a Kill is a solid 80's Bond film from the John Glen factory. There's no reason why this film gets so much flak for being "the worst ever"
I like both films quite a bit, but have a strong preference for AVTAK. Actually, I consider it among the best in the series.
My current 10 favorite:
1. GE 2. MR 3. OP 4. TMWTGG 5. TSWLM 6. TND 7. TWINE 8.DN 9. GF 10. AVTAK
All Bond films have good intentions, but DAD is practically begging to be considered the worst Bond film ever. The invisible car, the CGI surfing, the constant Jinx one-liners, the virtual reality sequences, the goofy final battle, etc
On the other hand, A View to a Kill is a solid 80's Bond film from the John Glen factory. There's no reason why this film gets so much flak for being "the worst ever"
I like both films quite a bit, but have a strong preference for AVTAK. Actually, I consider it among the best in the series.
There's no reason why this film gets so much flak for being "the worst ever"
I have my reasons. You might not agree with them, but I definitely have my reasons. :007)
"Felix Leiter, a brother from Langley."
superadoRegent's Park West (CaliforniaPosts: 2,656MI6 Agent
To correct something I said in an earlier post about swansong Bond movies and to be fair to Brosnan, he didn't really know 100% that DAD was going to be his last Bond, perhaps explaining his bordom similar to Connery in YOLT. I was just thinking, had either Brosnan or Dalton entered the scene earlier than they did, we would have seen an ideal aged, dynamic Bond in AVTAK, not one who looked the same age as M (and together with Moneypenny, they looked awfully sad in the Ascot sequence). On a similar premise, would DAD be improved at least a bit if it had a GE-era Brosnan?
"...the purposeful slant of his striding figure looked dangerous, as if he was making quickly for something bad that was happening further down the street." -SMERSH on 007 dossier photo, Ch. 6 FRWL.....
To correct something I said in an earlier post about swansong Bond movies and to be fair to Brosnan, he didn't really know 100% that DAD was going to be his last Bond, perhaps explaining his bordom
I saw no boredom, only a dedicated actor giving his all.
You know, I'm fairly sick of the 'boredom card'. Can we reshuffle that particular deck of criticism cards?? )
I also didn't notice Brosnan as bored, just as I never noticed
Connery bored in YOLT, or indeed Moore in AVTAK. I thought
They all did their usual fine job. -{
"I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
I wouldn't really say that Moore looked bored in AVTAK, just rather old )
1.On Her Majesties Secret Service 2.The Living Daylights 3.license To Kill 4.The Spy Who Loved Me 5.Goldfinger
superadoRegent's Park West (CaliforniaPosts: 2,656MI6 Agent
I think the boredom effect has a lot to do with the level of comfort of the actor and in some movies, there might have been too much comfort and familiarity showing through. What I like using as a quality and mentioned at times is the sincerity factor, which I think was present with Connery most in his first 2, just as I think it was fairly present with Lazenby, and with Moore (some MOORE, some less depending on the movie) even in AVTAK, in both of Dalton's movies, in Brosnan's first 2 movies and all of Craig's movies. I think Bond actors need to fight the urge of feeling too much like Bond when they slip on their tuxedos (which is why I prefer not seeing Bond in tuxes in EVERY film) or when ordering martinis. This is another argument for the fundamental qualities of the Bond character as mostly established by the books and for the record, I am not a stickler for the film series staples, like the tuxes, the Bond martini order, banter with Moneypenny/Q, etc., etc.
"...the purposeful slant of his striding figure looked dangerous, as if he was making quickly for something bad that was happening further down the street." -SMERSH on 007 dossier photo, Ch. 6 FRWL.....
Comments
When you want severe OTT stuff.
And you're drinking a bit...
Dropping acid probably wouldn't hurt too...
#1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS
It's appropriate to include DAF in this discussion, since it, along with AVTAK and DAD were swansong EON Bonds. As I've always said many times in the past, I love all Bond movies, but if I had to single out the worst ones for each actor, it would be these. I believe that at the onset of production, any Bond movie had the opportunity and potential to become excellent, whether it's input from the director, writer, production designer, and not the least, the leading man. For AVTAK, I think the biggest flaw that prevented its greatness was the hiring of Moore because his age really showed. However, with Connery and Brosnan, they still were on the right side of youth but they neglected their potential for a better physicality and more sincere performances.
In the end, I think they all looked what was to become their final Bond films for what they were, the then latest entry in an over-ripe, cash cow film series (true even with DAF). To single out Connery, DAF wasn't his Untouchables. This is why debut Bond movies for the most part are very interesting to watch, because the Bond actor tended to deliver his most sincere performance in the role, sadly IMO, which was doomed to never be matched in their later installments.
Well stated. Although I tend not to be too hard on the ageing Bond actors (given proper handling, I think an older James Bond should be perfectly acceptable), the age gap between Roger Moore and his MI6 cohorts -- compared to the spry youth of Zorin and May Day -- is glaringly obvious in A View to a Kill. This becomes even more apparent once we're introduced to Stacey Sutton as the love interest. It's like the series wants to update for the "modern" 1980's, yet it still clings on to the lightweight aesthetic & cast of films like Moonraker and IMO, it makes for an awkward combination. Contrast this with For Your Eyes Only, which seems to acknowledge that Bond is no spring chicken. Or Octopussy, where the age gap between Moore and Maud Adams is much less apparent.
+1
1) The Spy Who Loved Me 2) On Her Majesty's Secret Service 3) GoldenEye 4) Casino Royale 5) Goldfinger
Yeah, thats what I meant. I also was referring to the fact that it lost quite a few fans of the series who felt like it had done its dash. They needed CR and Daniel Craig to convince them it still had life in it.
-Casino Royale, Ian Fleming
It is glaringly obvious, and I like it. It's like a battle between the old establishment and the new order.
For sure, a more mature leading love interest would have been less apparent and more appropriate, though I am not as critical of Tanya Roberts as many are.
Not so with DAD. The movie has deeper problems. Brosnan is just fine.
I can't really say why as neither represent quality Bond film-making at its best. I just find Brosnan's effort the more fun film.
It's one of those weird choices, I just went with if I had the two in front
Of me which would I stick in the player ?
Good man! I support DAD in the same way I support both DAF & MR. All three are too generic to be great individually but leave me smiling. Everyone involved seems to be having a great time & that transfers to this viewer, at least.
Agreed, DAD is an overblown mish-mash with abundant implausibilites & no proper story to speak of. But it provides two hours of great entertainment. If I want more depth out of Bond's world I'll put on FRWL, OHMSS or CR. DAD isn't about depth. It's a rollercoaster ride of fun.
Right! {[]
1. Thunderball 2. FRWL 3. Casino Royale 4. TLD 5. OHMSS 6. SkyFall 7. GF 8. TSWLM 9. GE 10. FYEO
#1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS
I thought the common element was Bond turning the female villain after helping her release some endorphins
On the other hand, A View to a Kill is a solid 80's Bond film from the John Glen factory. There's no reason why this film gets so much flak for being "the worst ever"
I like both films quite a bit, but have a strong preference for AVTAK. Actually, I consider it among the best in the series.
1. GE 2. MR 3. OP 4. TMWTGG 5. TSWLM 6. TND 7. TWINE 8.DN 9. GF 10. AVTAK
It was also my first at the cinema.. and I still rate it the worst of all
1 - Moore, 2 - Dalton, 3 - Craig, 4 - Connery, 5 - Brosnan, 6 - Lazenby
Completely agree
1 - Moore, 2 - Dalton, 3 - Craig, 4 - Connery, 5 - Brosnan, 6 - Lazenby
I loved it in the cinema. Flaws became apparent years later. Still have a big soft spot for it though.
1. GE 2. MR 3. OP 4. TMWTGG 5. TSWLM 6. TND 7. TWINE 8.DN 9. GF 10. AVTAK
LOL harsh.
1. GE 2. MR 3. OP 4. TMWTGG 5. TSWLM 6. TND 7. TWINE 8.DN 9. GF 10. AVTAK
To be honest though, I really liked it when I first saw it. But with each viewing it seemed to get worse
1 - Moore, 2 - Dalton, 3 - Craig, 4 - Connery, 5 - Brosnan, 6 - Lazenby
I have my reasons. You might not agree with them, but I definitely have my reasons. :007)
#1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS
You know, I'm fairly sick of the 'boredom card'. Can we reshuffle that particular deck of criticism cards??
#1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS
Connery bored in YOLT, or indeed Moore in AVTAK.
They all did their usual fine job. -{