It could have been great. There's some good stuntwork in there, after all.
Unfortunately, you're also stuck with:
- Actors who can't act playing the cops
- Cops who are completely incompetent at their jobs
- Attempts at humor that all fall flat
Those three factors above completely nullify any sort of tension or excitement in the scene. When the film is constantly reminding you that 'you're watching a movie', I can't engage with the film and it becomes a passive viewing experience involving a bunch of people flailing about in an inane manner.
My only problem with it is that I've never understood why Bond hands the wheel over to Stacey and goes outside to hang on to the fire engine... Because movie? Or have I missed something?
Critics and material I don't need. I haven't changed my act in 53 years.
I think "because movie" is a good reason in some situation. On the situation you mentioned: On one hand driving is the least heroic job compared to climbing on the ladder. They could have made it even more comdic if Stacy was climbing the ladder …. I'm not sure if that's pro or con. What I'm sure of is that Tanya Roberts would have looked better than than Roger Moore hanging from that ladder.
But she would have screamed "James!" a lot …..
It could have been great. There's some good stuntwork in there, after all.
Unfortunately, you're also stuck with:
- Actors who can't act playing the cops
- Cops who are completely incompetent at their jobs
- Attempts at humor that all fall flat
Those three factors above completely nullify any sort of tension or excitement in the scene. When the film is constantly reminding you that 'you're watching a movie', I can't engage with the film and it becomes a passive viewing experience involving a bunch of people flailing about in an inane manner.
My only problem with it is that I've never understood why Bond hands the wheel over to Stacey and goes outside to hang on to the fire engine... Because movie? Or have I missed something?
He drives the rear-steering back end to block the cop cars.
I like in that scene if you watch the shot where the police captain parks his car under the bridge counterweight, he gets out and looks right towards the camera and you can see quite visibly that he isn't the actor who's been playing the part in all of the other scenes
I partly agree re. Glen.
He did very well on FYEO and mostly in OP but then became repetitive with an aging Roger Moore.
I never liked his „old man humor“ that repeats itself in and on and makes Moore seem older than he was.
Yesterdays‘s AVTAK was better than what I remember.
Barry‘s score (while very repetitive) is quite powerful and lifts the movie up when it‘s needed.
„Wine with Stacy“ and its variations touches me everytime that i am hearing it.
Moore looked quite ok in parts and then suddenly looks very wrinkly with heavy sunburn in the next shot. His banter with McNee does not get embarrassing to me.
What annoys me today with HD is that the stuntmen are so clearly and often seen with their faces.
I consider them handcraft errors, because from a different angle and with a bit more effort from the wig department that can be avoided.
35 years later, Grace Jones‘ appearance seems to be more acceptable to me than in the 80s.
Roberts while looking wonderful at the party scenes looses most of her appeal when we are in the US.
Walken as the creepy villain is not an asset imo. He‘s a freak but look at Silva and that comparison is doing Walken no favor.
All in all, it was very much the time to move on with another actor but I am eternally grateful to Moore for having introduced me to James Bond and guided me that way thru the 70s and 80s.
President of the 'Misty Eyes Club'.
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
What I find interesting about Walken (who I think is great) is that his character appears to be inspired by NSNA’s Largo. Up until then Bond villains were urbane and charming and usually older, now it’s two young blond(!) psychopaths in a row. Coincidence?
Comments
Me too. Personally I'd welcome a break from Glen, in favour of some heyday Brosnan, even though I'm a big fan of LTK - but happy either or any way.
My only problem with it is that I've never understood why Bond hands the wheel over to Stacey and goes outside to hang on to the fire engine... Because movie? Or have I missed something?
But she would have screamed "James!" a lot …..
He drives the rear-steering back end to block the cop cars.
I like in that scene if you watch the shot where the police captain parks his car under the bridge counterweight, he gets out and looks right towards the camera and you can see quite visibly that he isn't the actor who's been playing the part in all of the other scenes
Thanks, I didn't know that. That's the establishing shot of the Eiffel?
He did very well on FYEO and mostly in OP but then became repetitive with an aging Roger Moore.
I never liked his „old man humor“ that repeats itself in and on and makes Moore seem older than he was.
Yesterdays‘s AVTAK was better than what I remember.
Barry‘s score (while very repetitive) is quite powerful and lifts the movie up when it‘s needed.
„Wine with Stacy“ and its variations touches me everytime that i am hearing it.
Moore looked quite ok in parts and then suddenly looks very wrinkly with heavy sunburn in the next shot. His banter with McNee does not get embarrassing to me.
What annoys me today with HD is that the stuntmen are so clearly and often seen with their faces.
I consider them handcraft errors, because from a different angle and with a bit more effort from the wig department that can be avoided.
35 years later, Grace Jones‘ appearance seems to be more acceptable to me than in the 80s.
Roberts while looking wonderful at the party scenes looses most of her appeal when we are in the US.
Walken as the creepy villain is not an asset imo. He‘s a freak but look at Silva and that comparison is doing Walken no favor.
All in all, it was very much the time to move on with another actor but I am eternally grateful to Moore for having introduced me to James Bond and guided me that way thru the 70s and 80s.
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
Let me just say the lack of Tanya Roberts/Stacy Sutton GIFs out there is shocking
Credit Thunderballs incredible archive
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=TPWyA1EQVLY
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=5wUsivZDECk