Ebert reviews NSNA
Lazenby
The upper reaches of the AmazoPosts: 606MI6 Agent
Never Say Never Again seems to fall on the "universally disliked" list of Bond films around here. I haven't seen it in about 20 years, so I can't really give my own opinion. I dug up an old Roger Ebert review of it and was impressed by the sentimentality. It's clear that at one point or another Ebert was a big fan of Connery's Bond. Anyway, here it is:
"Ah, yes, James, it is good to have you back again. It is good to see the way you smile from under lowered eyebrows, and the way you bark commands in a sudden emergency, and it is good to see the way you look at women. Other secret agents may undress women with their eyes. You are more gallant. You undress them, and then thoughtfully dress them again. You are a rogue with the instincts of a gentleman.
It has been 12 years since Sean Connery hung it up as James Bond, 12 years since "Diamonds Are Forever," and Connery's announcement that he would "never again" play special agent 007. What complex instincts caused him to have one more fling at the role, I cannot guess. Perhaps it was one morning in front of the mirror, as he pulled in his gut and reflected that he was in pretty damn fine shape for 53. And then, with a bow in the direction of his friend Roger Moore, who has made his own niche as a different kind of Bond, Sean Connery went back on assignment again.
The movie is called "Never Say Never Again." The title has nothing to do with the movie -- except why Connery made it -- but never mind, nothing in this movie has much to do with anything else. It's another one of those Bond plots in which the basic ingredients are thrown together more or less in fancy.
We begin with a threat (SPECTRE has stolen two nuclear missiles and is holding the world at ransom). We continue with Bond, his newest gadgets, his mission briefing. We meet the beautiful women who will figure in the plot (Barbara Carrera as terrorist Fatima Blush, Kim Basinger as the innocent mistress of the evil Largo). We meet the villains (Max von Sydow as Blofeld, Klaus Maria Brandauer as Largo). We visit exotic locations, we survive near misses, and Bond spars with the evil woman and redeems the good one. All basic.
What makes "Never Say Never Again" more fun than most of the Bonds is more complex than that. For one thing, there's more of a human element in the movie, and it comes from Klaus Maria Brandauer, as Largo. Brandauer is a wonderful actor, and he chooses not to play the villain as a cliché. Instead, he brings a certain poignancy and charm to Largo, and since Connery always has been a particularly human James Bond, the emotional stakes are more convincing this time.
Sean Connery says he'll never make another James Bond movie, and maybe I believe him. But the fact that he made this one, so many years later, is one of those small show-business miracles that never happen. There was never a Beatles reunion. Bob Dylan and Joan Baez don't appear on the same stage anymore. But here, by God, is Sean Connery as Sir James Bond. Good work, 007."
For those who care about such things, here is the link: Never Say Never Again
"Ah, yes, James, it is good to have you back again. It is good to see the way you smile from under lowered eyebrows, and the way you bark commands in a sudden emergency, and it is good to see the way you look at women. Other secret agents may undress women with their eyes. You are more gallant. You undress them, and then thoughtfully dress them again. You are a rogue with the instincts of a gentleman.
It has been 12 years since Sean Connery hung it up as James Bond, 12 years since "Diamonds Are Forever," and Connery's announcement that he would "never again" play special agent 007. What complex instincts caused him to have one more fling at the role, I cannot guess. Perhaps it was one morning in front of the mirror, as he pulled in his gut and reflected that he was in pretty damn fine shape for 53. And then, with a bow in the direction of his friend Roger Moore, who has made his own niche as a different kind of Bond, Sean Connery went back on assignment again.
The movie is called "Never Say Never Again." The title has nothing to do with the movie -- except why Connery made it -- but never mind, nothing in this movie has much to do with anything else. It's another one of those Bond plots in which the basic ingredients are thrown together more or less in fancy.
We begin with a threat (SPECTRE has stolen two nuclear missiles and is holding the world at ransom). We continue with Bond, his newest gadgets, his mission briefing. We meet the beautiful women who will figure in the plot (Barbara Carrera as terrorist Fatima Blush, Kim Basinger as the innocent mistress of the evil Largo). We meet the villains (Max von Sydow as Blofeld, Klaus Maria Brandauer as Largo). We visit exotic locations, we survive near misses, and Bond spars with the evil woman and redeems the good one. All basic.
What makes "Never Say Never Again" more fun than most of the Bonds is more complex than that. For one thing, there's more of a human element in the movie, and it comes from Klaus Maria Brandauer, as Largo. Brandauer is a wonderful actor, and he chooses not to play the villain as a cliché. Instead, he brings a certain poignancy and charm to Largo, and since Connery always has been a particularly human James Bond, the emotional stakes are more convincing this time.
Sean Connery says he'll never make another James Bond movie, and maybe I believe him. But the fact that he made this one, so many years later, is one of those small show-business miracles that never happen. There was never a Beatles reunion. Bob Dylan and Joan Baez don't appear on the same stage anymore. But here, by God, is Sean Connery as Sir James Bond. Good work, 007."
For those who care about such things, here is the link: Never Say Never Again
Comments
Sorry, everyone...I like this film---one hell of a lot more than what Eon was doing at the time.
If I had to pick my geezer Bond, and my silly Bond...guess whom I'd pick B-)
:007)
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
If I'm to pick between the Bond's, Moore is the one moore likely to win.
I've sworn off discussing the other fellow---due to the tender sensitivities of some of his most ardent admirers---but you are more than welcome to your preference {[]
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
*pauses to clean off beverage sprayed on front of monitor*
My dear Loeffelholz, did you learn nothing from our summit meeting?
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe Roger showed considerable skin in bed with May Day in AVTAK. At the age of 57, mind you.
Take your best shot Loeffs. 1983 is a monumental year for us Moor(e)s. Roger Moore became what many seemed impossible: an equal or better James Bond than Sean Connery. OP crushed NSNA at the box office, and rightly so! {[]
Don't get me wrong, NSNA did have some great dialogue:
"How reckless of me, I've made you all wet!"
"Yes, but my martini is still dry."
"Oh you're Mr. Bond. I believe I'm having you in half an hour."
"Oh splendid, your room or mine?"
Barbara Carrera is also a highlight, portraying the sexy, yet lethal Fatima Blush.
I also love the scene in which Bond, supposed to be on a strict, healthy diet, opens a suitcase containing quail eggs, caviar, vodka, etc.
Didn't really need to see Bond's urine though, let alone used as a weapon, but at least it wasn't contained in a bag at Bond's side.
Bottom line: NSNA fails for me in that it too closely resembles Eon's TB, a far superior film IMO.
Long live OP and Roger Moore, James Bond champion of '83! {[]
-Roger Moore
I don't think it's fair to say that NSNA was crushed-- the two movies were only about 20 million or so apart in terms of their worldwide gross, and Moore at that point had the benefit of a more recent, familiar audience (as well as all the trademark elements of the Bond series). If you want to talk box office, TB to this day absolutely swamps every other film in the Bond franchise in terms of ticket sales (with inflation factored in of course).
Finally, there's OP. OP is IMO among the most underrated Bond films of all time, was IMO the second best Bond film of the 80's (behind FYEO) and is a Bond film that I am extremely fond of. I consider Moore to have been amazing in OP and so, I think that it was a pity that NSNA was released in the same year as a Bond film that I quite love. It would have been a different story if it had been released in 1985, 1987 or 1989.
I'd say the plot of NSNA is an improvement on Thunderball, though- it makes a lot more sense: especially the Domino/Jack link.
I agree. Brandauer is wonderful. I especially like the scene when Basinger tells him he's crazy, and he thinks for a moment then agrees that he is.
I also love certain scenes in the movie, such as the cigarette holder used as a fake bomb, and the destructive fight at the SPA....
On the negative side I could have done without the videogame replacing baccarat.
I also remember the feelings of disappointment and dissatisfaction after seeing it. It's a poorly made film which doesn't reflect its large budget and relies on its star for its entire appeal. Some of the individual elements work, some of the dialogue has the right touch, and some of the cast are memorable. And the score stinks (you'd expect me to say that last bit, so it's in X-().
I'll have to take another look to confirm...but methinks you'll find that the actor in question was demurely shot from his bare shoulders up...the rest (mercifully) hidden from view by bed linen, etc.
EDIT: Just checked the DVD; shoulders and up. I think the last time we saw him shirtless might've been TMWTGG (wearing the infamous fake 3rd nipple). If I'm wrong, and we got a peek in SWLM, so be it...but I maintain the opinion that one of them went shirtless with far more confidence than the other.
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
The voice of reason.
Not only do TB & OP trounce NSNA in every way, so do all the other Bond films. NSNA is an appalling piece of work that even Connery in his prime could not save.
Ah well. C'est la guerre...
Just as the burgeoning 'CR Sucks' contingent is unaffected by its minority status, thus do I remain undaunted in my lonely affection for NSNA...
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
Yes- little peek of Roger's man-tits in TSWLM as he prepares to do it 'for England'
Honestly, the things we'll talk about on the internet...
Of course Connery is very fit here. More so then in DAF. Interesting that the layover from 007 to Murder On The Orient Express he seems to have relaxed and let go a bit. By Zardoz time he was again in good physical shape.
This is an enjoyable caper, but the leg warmer decade is a far cry from the golden age. Thunderball is easily the superior.
Quite so; I blame JFF for drawing me into a debate over Best Geezer, circa 1983.
No contest, IMO, but I find other views nothing short of fascinating.
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
It's kind of interesting that humour is often cited as one of Roger Moore's great strengths when it's really undeniable that, in terms of deadpan wit and one-liners (among other things of course), Sir Sean Connery puts everyone else to shame. I still chuckle at many of Connery's lines after all these years ("You're a woman of many parts Pussy" is a favorite) whereas many if not most of Moore's have not dated well at all.
Alas, I cannot...there's no fun in it anymore; too many many recriminations and hurt feelings---particularly if I wield a dreaded smiley in driving my point home
Too many fans hold him closely to their bosom. I've seen the error of my ways...especially as the old gent in question no longer poses a direct threat to the franchise. To me, he's now simply swell, and his swellness has only improved with age---much like his increasingly unphotographed torso, I'm sure...
Personally, I like all (any) of the five other Bond actors better---but that's only me.
* Smiley used only as an example, to demonstrate its awesome power in driving said point home.
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM
It's a fair point- I do love ROger and think he did a great job, but he never quite managed anything as subtle as that little look Sean does when he's bet the gold in the golf match in Goldfinger, for example. Just different ways of playing it, but I'd agree Sean was fantastic with the funny bits.
response deleted
not worth the effort
In a James Bond Films forum?!? Say it aint so! ;%
NSNA itself was sort of a tribute to Connery...I can't wait to watch it again so I can actually weigh in with my opinion.
In a James Bond Films forum?!? Say it aint so! ;%
NSNA itself was sort of a tribute to Connery...I can't wait to watch it again so I can actually weigh in with my opinion.
Fish, have you never heard the phrase, "if you have nothing nice to say, don't say anything at all"?
@merseytart
Thumbs up for:
Ming the Merciless as Blofeld
The fight at the spa
Klaus Maria Brandauer
Barbara Carrera
Timothy Dalton cameo
Kashoggi's ship
General scenery
Thumbs down for:
Mr. Bean
Video games
The big underwater fight scene between white hats and black hats looks kind of stupid (but it did on the original, also)
That's all I can think of right now. Thanks
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM