Moore as the ultimate bond
Sweepy the Cat
Halifax, West Yorkshire, EnglaPosts: 986MI6 Agent
Who thinks moore should have chosen Bond over The Saint and played him in all the films up until the late 70s/early 80s, obviosely with some nips and tucks. I can imagine him in all except FRWL, TB and OHMSS.
Comments
Roger Moore 1927-2017
Connery IMO owns DN-TB. Connery wasn't wonderful in YOLT but he was still pretty good, however even if Moore came in for YOLT, that leaves a major problem; what about DAF?
Before I say what I mean, let me just say that, the final scene and his physicality aside, I didn't particularly like Lazenby in OHMSS. Unlike some other people here, I am absolutely delighted that he only ever did one Bond, and I often wonder about what OHMSS would have been like if Connery had done the film instead of Lazenby (this often leads to a question of whether Connery would have wanted to do the final scene, but that's a discussion for another time.) However, there isn't any major reason why Moore couldn't have done OHMSS. But that still leaves the big question; what about DAF?
I adored Connery in DAF. IMO it was an absolutely magnificent Bond performance which has been bettered only by Connery's first four performances and Brosnan's performance in TWINE. It's interesting to think about Moore doing YOLT or OHMSS, but IMO the other five films during this era could only have starred Connery.
So to answer your question, I could accept Moore coming in for YOLT and OHMSS, but only if he didn't do DAF, before returning for LALD (and retiring after OP.)
But, I grew up with Rog in the 70s and 80s. And much as it is in fashion to disregard him nowadays, (thanks be to the messiah Daniel Craig), he remains my favorite when I need a quick pick me up.
I love all the Bonds!
Roger Moore vs. Red Grant?
Roger Moore vs. Oddjob?
Roger Moore in bed with Fiona Volpe?
No way he could have pulled it off.
Buffonery is NOT forever.
Here's another classic:
http://www.ajb007.co.uk/index.php?topic=29574
As for Roger being the ultimate Bond - maybe. I always found him eaiser to watch than any of the other Bonds. Not too bad on the eyes, either.
Roger Moore has stated something to the effect that he knew he could not play the Bond role as it originally was, so he stressed the comedy aspect. Knowing that, do you honestly believe he could have convincingly played Bond as it was written? I don't. I think if Moore would have been the original actor, the edge that the series had would have never been. Bond would have resembled the Dean Martin Matt Helm series, or the Our Man Flint movies. And all those movies are today are humor footnotes of the 60s.
Although, as I mentioned, Moore was certainly quite humerous, a trait of his which I have always appreciated, I would never describe him as comedic. It ignores the serious aspects of his portrayal; some of which I've mentioned above. I'm also not really concerned with what Moore himself thinks. Robert De Niro, my favourite actor, once said that he couldn't do comedy or Shakespeare. Well, while he's yet to do Shakespeare, he has done comedy and has done it exceptionally well.
As I said, I love Moore and I believe that he could have done brilliantly in the pre-Moore films (I think he's a better actor than many people give him credit for), but I'm not fussed as Connery is my favourite Bond, and I wouldn't take away DN-TB & DAF from Connery for all the world. :007)
RJJB, you seem to be one of the breed (who by a remarkable coincidence usually happen to be Moore-haters
And I do not place all the blame on Moore. The down spiral to silliness satrted in YOLT and DAF.
As for Moore films resembling the silliness of Our Man Flint and Matt Helm, there are a few cringeworthy bits that take the films down.These are things that helped ruin the movies for me. Here are a few. Could list more , but my time is running out.
Kanaga inflating and exploding in LALD
The karate girls saving Bond and his subsequent
abandonment in TMWTGG.
The union jack parachute in TSWLM--ruined an otherwise great stunt
The gondola in MR
By the way, here's a good address for a great evaluation of MR: http://www.agonybooth.com/moonraker/
The gorilla suit in OP, especially when he checks his watch.
The climatic assault by Octopussy's team is straight out of "In Like Flint"
As for Moore's ruthlessness, it never seemed real to me. He is just not good of an actor. The fight with Sandor was ok, but then the end line "Such a helpful chap", sounds like a foppish gentleman, not at all like the tough character Bond is supposed to be. The cinematic villains of the first four movies would have taken care of the Nancy boy with little effort.
I have seen all the Moore movies numerous times, and I always gave him a chance. But no more Moore for me.
Sorry for the anti-Moore sentiment. I try to keep it to a minimum,and it gets tiring, focusing on the worst aspect of the series. But occasionally there are some things I just can't ignore.
This may be true in your case (and I don't doubt that it is) but I don't think that your dislike for Moore has all that much to do with your age. I mean, there are plenty of Moore fans who as old as you, if not older.
Why? ?:) I loved that stunt and seeing the union jack parachute provided IMO the perfect finish.
This wasn't exactly the greatest assault in the history of cinema, but surely you weren't watching it for its realism?
But how is this different to Connery saying 'they were on their way to a funeral,' 'She should have kept her mouth shut' or 'shocking! positively shocking!'? Bond is indeed a tough character. However what I have always loved about Bond is that he always balanced a ruthless or violent act with some humour (similarly to John McClane in Die Hard.) Don't you mean no moore for me?
Really? I thought it was due to you not being a fan of Moore's take on 007, but what do I know?
Here's an even better evaluation of MR, by yours truly:
http://www.ajb007.co.uk/index.php?topic=25560&cpage=2
Owned.
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Moore has been the subject of prodigious criticism, but I believe that Sir Roger played the role as only he could. He never too himself, or the part, too seriously. It is almost as if he realises how unrealistic his part is and therefore decides to have fun playing it.
He's never going to be everyone's cup of tea, but when I think of Bond, I first think of Roger Moore.
Still, much as I loved MR, I found the recap at the agonybooth hilarious. Can't wait til I get more free time to write my LTK recap :v. Especially the part about the scientist looking like the drama teacher, I was in stitches for days.
Sidewinder, your review is great though! I'm so glad someone around here sticks up for Moonraker!
Although, if he was Bond for DN, imagine the reaction if he still left at the same time (or a few years later, say, DN to LTK?)