Nah, Connery still owns Bond. Craig has never, ever given the range of emotions -- heck, facial expressions -- that Connery could muster, even when he seemed to be trying less. I am a big fan of Craig's but more because he has given the films a boost of testosterone and unpredictability that they haven't seen since Connery. But he's no Connery yet. I have a feeling, though, that Spectre might tilt things in his direction more, now that he may actually be given a chance to demonstrate more. However, that remains to be seen with the script.
Nah, Connery still owns Bond. Craig has never, ever given the range of emotions -- heck, facial expressions -- that Connery could muster, even when he seemed to be trying less. I am a big fan of Craig's but more because he has given the films a boost of testosterone and unpredictability that they haven't seen since Connery. But he's no Connery yet. I have a feeling, though, that Spectre might tilt things in his direction more, now that he may actually be given a chance to demonstrate more. However, that remains to be seen with the script.
* Sean Connery, bored, out of shape, stressed by fans while filming, feeling underpaid by producers. As the good professional he is, he still gave a correct performance. But nothing more. No spark whatsoever. His 1962-1965 Bond came across the screen. His 1967 Bond stays there.
* The first time that they totally deviated from Fleming in order to give the biggest spectacle possible. Unfortunatelly by doing this they didn't use a very good Fleming story.
* Special effects.- although they might have been spectacular in 1967, they look positively dated now. The space scenes are also slow.
I've seen it many times, but it has never been a favourite of mine (obvious,right?).
Agree with most of your points, but I'll comment on these in particular.
1. Yes! I can't say Connery is bad because he had the role down to a formula. But in YOLT he seems to stick to the formula without providing anything else.
2. YOLT was the beginning of the films deviating from Fleming's book. I think the success of Thunderball sent a message that spicing things up and focusing more on technology than story authenticity makes more profits.
3. Yes, the effects are dated. The volcano special effect is quite bad. That's the problem when you rely on technology. Tech often doesn't age well. There's always going to be more efficient tech out there.
4. Despite it's flaws, it has a lot of replay value. Perhaps that's the most important point I can make here!
Watching Blofeld's rocket slide out of the volcano on a small puff of white smoke just reinforced the visual that we were watching a toy model and what seemed like a scene out of the Firebirds.
well, there's also the stock footage with palm trees of the US rocket launch supposedly being a Russian launch
Don't forget the stock footage of a volcano eruption at the end.
Ooops! Sorry..I did mean Thunderbirds (referencing some other posts here) and no, they were not a bad thing..I loved watching it as a child.
Yes whenever films rely on a lot of the tech at the time for the main part of the plot (and this one is a big one) it can really weaken them decades later. I love Hitchcock and a lot of the old black and white films but the rear projection shots almost look amateurish now. Still, I can't fault the whole movie for them.
I don't know if it's a case of not growing up but when I watch
Or rewatch ( many times) any Bond film, basically I'm a kid
Again. I'm right back as that 12 year old lying on the floor,
Eyes glued to the screen.
So I find it hard to pick faults ( even small ones) with any Bond.
Other films I can pull apart with bad camerawork, weak scripts or
Lazy character writing, But Bond ? I'm just a fan, I can see no problems
With special effects etc. They did the best that was possible for the time.
I simply get drawn into his world, and get taken on a wonderful adventure. -{
"I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
I remember when they were first shown on ITV, eagerly waiting for
Christmas etc, to see the trailers for upcoming films and programmes
Just to catch a quick glimpse of what ever big Bond film was coming
Up. )
"I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
Sooo hard to pick flaws in this for me! Yeah maybe the Helga Brandt character could have been done a lot better and perhaps it drags a little in the middle third but for me YOLT is just a sit back and enjoy film, not just an excuse to pick flaws because its escapism. And Connery is still amazing in it. -{
A note here, about the prosthetic Japanese bits fading away as the movie progressed... What? You thought all that stuff would last? It was temporary junk for long range cover that had an expiration date. That it began to disappear was absolutely realistic, especially after swimming. :007)
Nah, Connery still owns Bond. Craig has never, ever given the range of emotions -- heck, facial expressions -- that Connery could muster, even when he seemed to be trying less. I am a big fan of Craig's but more because he has given the films a boost of testosterone and unpredictability that they haven't seen since Connery. But he's no Connery yet. I have a feeling, though, that Spectre might tilt things in his direction more, now that he may actually be given a chance to demonstrate more. However, that remains to be seen with the script.
I'm sure Craig showed his emotions when vesper died
Top 10 Bond Films
1. Thunderball 2. FRWL 3. Casino Royale 4. TLD 5. OHMSS 6. SkyFall 7. GF 8. TSWLM 9. GE 10. FYEO
It's better than I remembered. I think I had other things on my mind when I first watched it so I was distracted.
But I all the more appreciate its merits. This Blofeld is definitely my favorite. The atmosphere and settings were much better than I remembered, as was the action. There was lots of humor but it still was a tense kinda-serious film. The gadgets and mini-copter were cool because they were used just enough.
The movie still has its faults. Bond faking his own death didn't do him any good. Neither did him turning Japanese. Like Chrisisall said, Aki was needlessly killed. Maybe they wanted to stay faithful to some bits of Fleming's original book, but these elements didn't make sense since the film was vastly different from the book. And the woman who replaced Aki somehow was wearing a bikini and nightgown the entire time (in harm's way), while all the other men were wearing protective armor but these are just nitpicks.
The film tries to incorporate Japanese culture. Like LALD in Harlem, since this film was written in a time where people were less attentive to modern day sensibilities, there is some ignorance and stereotype, but I think overall it attends to be a friendly homage and it achieves that quite well.
Before, I had this film bordering at around 17-19 in my ranking list. It'll probably be top 15 when I edit my list.
I pretty much agree with your feelings, but though I love Pleasence as an actor, I felt he came off small and creepy in this role. He lacked the gravitas I prefer in villains and I cringe at what seems like two hours that he holds his gun out at Bond before trying to pull the trigger. ) While I prefer the "unseen" Blofelds, at least Telly Savalas was someone who exuded intelligence and machismo.
I agree Savalas was my favourite Blofeld. -{ but Pleasence did have that
Creepy vibe about his character !, in fact I think the cat was trying to
Escaped from him, not from being frightened of the sounds of the explosions,
But to get away from what Blofeld was doing to him on his free time ! )
( sorry Thunderbird2 )
"I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
I pretty much agree with your feelings, but though I love Pleasence as an actor, I felt he came off small and creepy in this role. He lacked the gravitas I prefer in villains and I cringe at what seems like two hours that he holds his gun out at Bond before trying to pull the trigger. ) While I prefer the "unseen" Blofelds, at least Telly Savalas was someone who exuded intelligence and machismo.
Pleasance had an alien vibe to him. Savalas was a great actor, but he seemed more like a garden-variety abusive husband than a really spooky villain.
I agree, and it's nice to see some others else get that. -{
Nah! :v
Savalas comes across as a menancing, intelligent, but somewhat delusional meglomanic who isn't afraid to mix it up with Bond a bit, if necessary. I like that!
Comments
Can't argue with that! {[]
#1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS
Agree with most of your points, but I'll comment on these in particular.
1. Yes! I can't say Connery is bad because he had the role down to a formula. But in YOLT he seems to stick to the formula without providing anything else.
2. YOLT was the beginning of the films deviating from Fleming's book. I think the success of Thunderball sent a message that spicing things up and focusing more on technology than story authenticity makes more profits.
3. Yes, the effects are dated. The volcano special effect is quite bad. That's the problem when you rely on technology. Tech often doesn't age well. There's always going to be more efficient tech out there.
4. Despite it's flaws, it has a lot of replay value. Perhaps that's the most important point I can make here!
AJB007 Favorite Film Rankings
Pros and Cons Compendium (50 Years)
The effyouenn factor.
#1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS
Ooops! Sorry..I did mean Thunderbirds (referencing some other posts here) and no, they were not a bad thing..I loved watching it as a child.
Yes whenever films rely on a lot of the tech at the time for the main part of the plot (and this one is a big one) it can really weaken them decades later. I love Hitchcock and a lot of the old black and white films but the rear projection shots almost look amateurish now. Still, I can't fault the whole movie for them.
Or rewatch ( many times) any Bond film, basically I'm a kid
Again. I'm right back as that 12 year old lying on the floor,
Eyes glued to the screen.
So I find it hard to pick faults ( even small ones) with any Bond.
Other films I can pull apart with bad camerawork, weak scripts or
Lazy character writing, But Bond ? I'm just a fan, I can see no problems
With special effects etc. They did the best that was possible for the time.
I simply get drawn into his world, and get taken on a wonderful adventure. -{
Christmas etc, to see the trailers for upcoming films and programmes
Just to catch a quick glimpse of what ever big Bond film was coming
Up.
#1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS
#1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS
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
1. Thunderball 2. FRWL 3. Casino Royale 4. TLD 5. OHMSS 6. SkyFall 7. GF 8. TSWLM 9. GE 10. FYEO
Wasn't that because he'd split his fingernail during the previous stunt? :v
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
1. Thunderball 2. FRWL 3. Casino Royale 4. TLD 5. OHMSS 6. SkyFall 7. GF 8. TSWLM 9. GE 10. FYEO
The dopey "Who's filming that?" shots.
That Aki had to die to save James.
They didn't make Pleasance seem at least as tall as Bond.
Pros:
EVERYTHING ELSE!
-{
#1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS
It's better than I remembered. I think I had other things on my mind when I first watched it so I was distracted.
But I all the more appreciate its merits. This Blofeld is definitely my favorite. The atmosphere and settings were much better than I remembered, as was the action. There was lots of humor but it still was a tense kinda-serious film. The gadgets and mini-copter were cool because they were used just enough.
The movie still has its faults. Bond faking his own death didn't do him any good. Neither did him turning Japanese. Like Chrisisall said, Aki was needlessly killed. Maybe they wanted to stay faithful to some bits of Fleming's original book, but these elements didn't make sense since the film was vastly different from the book. And the woman who replaced Aki somehow was wearing a bikini and nightgown the entire time (in harm's way), while all the other men were wearing protective armor but these are just nitpicks.
The film tries to incorporate Japanese culture. Like LALD in Harlem, since this film was written in a time where people were less attentive to modern day sensibilities, there is some ignorance and stereotype, but I think overall it attends to be a friendly homage and it achieves that quite well.
Before, I had this film bordering at around 17-19 in my ranking list. It'll probably be top 15 when I edit my list.
AJB007 Favorite Film Rankings
Pros and Cons Compendium (50 Years)
I pretty much agree with your feelings, but though I love Pleasence as an actor, I felt he came off small and creepy in this role. He lacked the gravitas I prefer in villains and I cringe at what seems like two hours that he holds his gun out at Bond before trying to pull the trigger.
Creepy vibe about his character !, in fact I think the cat was trying to
Escaped from him, not from being frightened of the sounds of the explosions,
But to get away from what Blofeld was doing to him on his free time !
( sorry Thunderbird2 )
AJB007 Favorite Film Rankings
Pros and Cons Compendium (50 Years)
#1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS
^^^^^^
What he said. -{
Nah! :v
Savalas comes across as a menancing, intelligent, but somewhat delusional meglomanic who isn't afraid to mix it up with Bond a bit, if necessary. I like that!
#1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS