So you can imagine my disappointment in DAD, I thought her performance was rushed with a slight sense of self consciousness, as if the poor gal had all the pressure of the oscar on her shoulders and the expectations of a 40 year anniversary.
Actually that seems more like a description of the movie, instead of Berry's performance. I thought that Halle was something of a refreshment in DAD, along with Rosamund Pike. Berry's Jinx was tough, ruthless, resourceful, fun and rather humorous. It seemed a miracle that she and Pike managed to rise above the infantile dialogue. Although I don't think that Brosnan had quite succeeded.
At least Samantha Bond didn't bombard the audience with a stream of bad sexual innuendos. Unfortunately, that poor woman was stuck in one of the most wince-inducing scenes in the franchise's history.
I'll definitely agree that my solitary opinion could well be a definition of DAD on the whole. (if garnered by such same minded fans as I)
However, I must stand by my original feelings on Berry's performance in DAD as a whole. Apart from the CGI fantasy, I thought Samantha maintained her same professional level.
I'm against spinoffs personally, I believe they drain strength and dilute the franchise that they're departing. Any time a fictional character becomes famous, usually the ambience and chemistry working good in the first place is due to the fact that he, (or she) is surrounded with the appropriate foils to play off against.
Complete agreement. Spinoffs have rarely worked elsewhere and any notion of one eminating from the Bond canon fills me with dread. I was very much relieved when I heard the Jinx project was cancelled (I should actually say I was far more alarmed it was given the green light in the first place). For me, there was just no character there. Granted, there was very little character of Bond in DAD either, and the wooden/OTT performances (depending on who was giving them, but everyone fell into one of those categories) coupled with a clunker of a script really did no one any favours. Of course, DAD was almost a Jinx movie anyway given the prominent marketing material... 8-)
That was all Samantha Bond did in that movie . . . that ludicrous CGI moment. Which is why I cannot get myself to "praise" her performance in DAD.
It wasn't a CGI moment, it was VR. And am I really the only one who thought it was quite funny? I loved it.
I'm with you Mo, I loved it.
Me too. It was one of my favourite parts in DAD. That, and the theme tune ( which everyone seems to hate as well ).
As for a spin off, dreadful idea IMO. They very rarely work and Bond is the star of this particular franchise and I dont see any other characters holding the publics interest in the slightest.
I'm not sure a Blofeld spinoff is a good idea. Do we really need to know the back story of the villians. I prefer going in to watch a Bond film knowing that he will be pitted against an evil foe, will kick his ass and then we all move onto the next film and next baddie. James Bond is the character will all go to watch these films for and I think any related spin off would have limited appeal IMO.
And as a side I thought the crap CGI ice surfing scene in Die Another Day was worse than all the bad acting put together!
The only actor whom I felt did well in DAD was Brosnan. Samantha Bond was subjected to (IMO) one of the worst scenes ever; the VR scene, Judy Dench gave a performance that was nothing but routine, Toby Stephens (who IMO gave the film's worst performance) wa nothing more than a spoilt brat, Rosamund Pike was okay but was hardly memorable and Halle Berry gave a 'look at me, look at me' performance that made me question why I liked her in the first place.
The thing about Brosnan, was that he was able to concince me that he wa Bond and was able to impress me even though he had some terrible dialogue to utter. That's whay I think Brosnan was so terrific in DAD; he was able IMO to produce a superb performance in spite of the horrible script. That is unlike Berry, who IMO couldn't handle the dialogue at all.
"He’s a man way out there in the blue, riding on a smile and a shoeshine. And when they start not smiling back—that’s an earthquake. and then you get yourself a couple of spots on your hat, and you’re finished. Nobody dast blame this man. A salesman is got to dream, boy. It comes with the territory." Death of a Salesman
The only actor whom I felt did well in DAD was Brosnan.
Nah can't agree there. I didn't like Brosnan or any other actor/actress in DAD for that matter. I felt his performance was very dissapointing. And his delivery of some lines were cringe worthy eg:
"threw it away years ago, what the hell is this all aaaaaaaaaabout (silly Brosnan voice)"
and for the CGI in that film...well i hid in my seat when i saw that at the cinema, away from my mates cold stare because i asked him to come with me to see it. Thank god for DC and Casino Royale hey {[]
Oh please, it's not freaking Shakespeare they are doing. I thought she was adorable.
And I'm with LR and Moonie on loving the DAD theme, it's one of my favorites.
I'm not a big fan of the DAD theme song, but I didn't feel particularly offended by the movie itself.On the screen Miss Moneypenny's been depicted as being interested in 007 since Dr.No, so it was kind of fun to see her playing with the virtual reality device.For whatever it's worth,I suspect if Eon hadn't recognized the series' 20th entry on the series' 40th anniversary andcoincidentally on the 50th anniversary of the literary James Bond's first appearance in print,there'd probably have been plenty of complaints from fans world over had the producers ignored these unique historical benchmarks.They wouldn't come again.Anyway,I liked the references to the previous films(and even a few to the books as well).Overall,I think Die Another Day it was okay for what it was--nothing special but not terrible,either.It's no more outlandish than The Spy Who Loved Me.
Having said that,I do think that both Halle Berry and Rosamund Pike give unfortunately self-conscious performances in the film.And there are moments when Brosnan seems disinterested.I blame the director for not correcting this more than anyone else.And in all honesty,I didn't find Jinx to be a unique or interesting enough character to support a series of films.I feel the same way about Anya Amasova.
As for Blofeld's origin?It's all pretty much moot now anyway,since Eon seems to be through with him for good.Regardless,I'd really rather Blofeld remain a figure of mystery--Fleming gives him an origin in Thunderball, but it's somewhat vague and might not seem dramatic enough to warrant a separate motion picture.It'd really depend upon the quality of the screenplay and the casting.But as is the case with Felix Leiter,I think Blofeld's rarely been portrayed effectively to begin with--apart from the Unseen version in From Russia With Love and Thunderball.
Q'S LAB
A sitcom set in Q's lab. With pre-recorded laughter-tracks, of course.
PUSSY GALORE & HER HIGH-FLYING FRIENDS
A feature film depicting the daily rutines for young female pilotes. Gymnastics. Skimpy clothing. Oil. Tools. Sauna. Preferably to be produced by the Playboy Channel.
WINT & KIDD - A ROMANCE
The heart-warming, tear-jerking story of a love against all odds. How they met, fell in love, experienced passion, and died.
JAWS - THE EARLY YEARS
The story of a misunderstood 10-year old Jaws struggling with teachers and schoolmates.
FROM CASINO TO ROYALE
Michael Palin travels the world around visiting all the casinos that have appeared in the Bond films.
Comments
However, I must stand by my original feelings on Berry's performance in DAD as a whole. Apart from the CGI fantasy, I thought Samantha maintained her same professional level.
Anyway, Spinoff, bad!!
It wasn't a CGI moment, it was VR. And am I really the only one who thought it was quite funny? I loved it.
I'm with you Mo, I loved it.
Me too. It was one of my favourite parts in DAD. That, and the theme tune ( which everyone seems to hate as well
As for a spin off, dreadful idea IMO. They very rarely work and Bond is the star of this particular franchise and I dont see any other characters holding the publics interest in the slightest.
Chalk me up too - it was one of several individual scenes that really worked for me.
I'm also in the minority with the theme tune, I really liked it too!
And I'm with LR and Moonie on loving the DAD theme, it's one of my favorites.
And as a side I thought the crap CGI ice surfing scene in Die Another Day was worse than all the bad acting put together!
The thing about Brosnan, was that he was able to concince me that he wa Bond and was able to impress me even though he had some terrible dialogue to utter. That's whay I think Brosnan was so terrific in DAD; he was able IMO to produce a superb performance in spite of the horrible script. That is unlike Berry, who IMO couldn't handle the dialogue at all.
I'm not a big fan of the DAD theme song, but I didn't feel particularly offended by the movie itself.On the screen Miss Moneypenny's been depicted as being interested in 007 since Dr.No, so it was kind of fun to see her playing with the virtual reality device.For whatever it's worth,I suspect if Eon hadn't recognized the series' 20th entry on the series' 40th anniversary andcoincidentally on the 50th anniversary of the literary James Bond's first appearance in print,there'd probably have been plenty of complaints from fans world over had the producers ignored these unique historical benchmarks.They wouldn't come again.Anyway,I liked the references to the previous films(and even a few to the books as well).Overall,I think Die Another Day it was okay for what it was--nothing special but not terrible,either.It's no more outlandish than The Spy Who Loved Me.
Having said that,I do think that both Halle Berry and Rosamund Pike give unfortunately self-conscious performances in the film.And there are moments when Brosnan seems disinterested.I blame the director for not correcting this more than anyone else.And in all honesty,I didn't find Jinx to be a unique or interesting enough character to support a series of films.I feel the same way about Anya Amasova.
As for Blofeld's origin?It's all pretty much moot now anyway,since Eon seems to be through with him for good.Regardless,I'd really rather Blofeld remain a figure of mystery--Fleming gives him an origin in Thunderball, but it's somewhat vague and might not seem dramatic enough to warrant a separate motion picture.It'd really depend upon the quality of the screenplay and the casting.But as is the case with Felix Leiter,I think Blofeld's rarely been portrayed effectively to begin with--apart from the Unseen version in From Russia With Love and Thunderball.
Q'S LAB
A sitcom set in Q's lab. With pre-recorded laughter-tracks, of course.
PUSSY GALORE & HER HIGH-FLYING FRIENDS
A feature film depicting the daily rutines for young female pilotes. Gymnastics. Skimpy clothing. Oil. Tools. Sauna. Preferably to be produced by the Playboy Channel.
WINT & KIDD - A ROMANCE
The heart-warming, tear-jerking story of a love against all odds. How they met, fell in love, experienced passion, and died.
JAWS - THE EARLY YEARS
The story of a misunderstood 10-year old Jaws struggling with teachers and schoolmates.
FROM CASINO TO ROYALE
Michael Palin travels the world around visiting all the casinos that have appeared in the Bond films.
---
jfm
"Don't touch that! It's my lunch."
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