YOLT vs. TSWLM vs. MR

chrisisall · February 2013

Arguably, the three biggest, over the top comic book-like Bonds.
YOLT has Connery, amazing sets, Barry music & big (hidden volcano base) fights & explosions.
TSWLM has Jaws, fantastic model work, a cool car/sub, & big (sub-stealing tanker) fights & explosions.
MR has unbelievable model work, Barry music, & big (in space orbit) fights & explosions.

Which is your pick for the best/your favourite one? And, of course, why that is.

Silhouette Man · February 2013

Moonraker - just the most outlandish and memorable James Bond film ever - great production values and no expense spared here!

chrisisall · February 2013

Silhouette Man wrote:

Moonraker

Hardly the choice I would expect from such a literary fan as yourself, SM! ?:)

)

NeverSayDie · February 2013

Silhouette Man wrote:

Moonraker - just the most outlandish and memorable James Bond film ever - great production values and nop expense spared here!

MR gets my vote. Great film.

Nick37 · February 2013

I would have to lean towards "The Spy Who Loved Me".

"You Only Live Twice", while featuring a nice turn by Donald Pleasence, features a rather bored one by Sean Connery. It's obvious that the constant pressure of having the press up his arse was wearing thin. He's not bad, he's just not cracking. When your lead is bored with the material, so are you as an audience member. And overall, it just doesn't grab me as much as the other Connerys. Even DAF and NSNA kept me more entertained than YOLT.

"The Spy Who Loved Me" really pulled out all the stops, and it shows. The locales are great, Bond actually doesn't destroy Q's car, and the subplot involving Bond, while it would have been better delivered in the hands of FRWL Connery or T Dalts, is nonetheless fairly well executed by Moore, especially in the scene where she finds out. Barbara Bach may be lacking in the acting department, but she's a knockout. Curt Jurgens sometimes seems like he'd rather be somewhere else, but overall, he's a decent villain, and shows a bit more range than the entirely one-note Drax, who only changes his tone in one scene (EXPELL THEM!) Moore looks his best as 007 here. The final major gunfight on the tanker is well-executed. And call me crazy, but I really dug Caroline Munro's Naomi. Definitely rivaled Bach in the looks department. Shame she gets 'sploded.

Moonraker is entertaining, but it's basically a remake of the prior film. While Lois Chiles is also very attractive, she doesn't grab me as a character as much as Bach's in TSWLM, though she's pretty close. The effects remain good, but I preferred the grounded realistic effects in the prior film. Drax is one of the more boring villains, and the shoehorned love story to give Jaws an exit other than death is pretty ridiculous. Ok, I get it, he helped Bond. Is that supposed to make us forget the large quantities of human beings he slaughtered between the two films?

At the end of the day, I'm watching TSWLM first, then Moonraker. I'm likely only adding YOLT to the list if I've watched everything else or if the only Bond DVDs at my disposal are that one, and the last three Brosnan outings. Among those four, YOLT wins every time.

Blackleiter · February 2013

You Only Live Twice for me. The reasons:

Connery - even though many believe he appeared bored and out of shape (I disagree), I'll take "bored, out-of-shape" Connery over the other Bonds 9 out of 10 times.

Japan - I thought the setting in Japan was an exotic change of pace, and it really intrigued me when the film was first released. Because of YOLT, I developed a life-long fascination with Japan and the Far East (which I passed along to my youngest son who now lives in Japan).

The score - to me the beautiful soundtrack for YOLT is second only to OHMSS as Barry's best Bond score.

chrisisall wrote:

Arguably, the three biggest, over the top comic book-like Bonds.
YOLT has Connery, amazing sets, Barry music & big (hidden volcano base) fights & explosions.
TSWLM has Jaws, fantastic model work, a cool car/sub, & big (sub-stealing tanker) fights & explosions.
MR has unbelievable model work, Barry music, & big (in space orbit) fights & explosions.

Which is your pick for the best/your favourite one? And, of course, why that is.

chrisisall · February 2013

Blackleiter wrote:

You Only Live Twice for me.

Hey, and beating up a guy with a Japanese sofa is pretty freakin' awesome.

)

Blackleiter · February 2013

Agreed. You certainly don't see that every day!

chrisisall wrote:

Blackleiter wrote:

You Only Live Twice for me.

Hey, and beating up a guy with a Japanese sofa is pretty freakin' awesome. )

raptors_887 · February 2013

TSWLM

YOLT

MR

In that order. TSWLM is a really good movie with one of the best action sequences in the entire series. In YOLT I thought the 1st half was really good but it kind of got dull towards the end. And then in Moonraker I liked the very first 10 minutes where Bond is falling out of the plane trying to get the parachute. Thats a great scene but the rest of the movie is horrible.

Moore Than · February 2013

The Spy Who Loved Me gets my vote. Other Bond films may have better villains, or Bond girls etc, but none of them combines all the classic elements better than this film, IMHO. And that is why it is (and probably always will be) my favourite.

You Only Live Twice and Moonraker are both guilty pleasures. YOLT features a dis-interested Sean Connery, the silly Japanese disguise, and a weak Blofeld. However, it also features great sets, locations, and a fabulous score from John Barry that really (for me) captures the essence of Japan. I also really enjoy the principal Japanese characters, Tiger Tanaka, Aki and Kissy.

Moonraker features the laser fight in space, Jaws has lost virtually all the menace from TSWLM and worse still falls in love. However, it also features great sets, locations, and a fabulous score from John Barry. Great scenes such as the centrifuge, the pheasant shoot/Corinne Dufour's demise, memorable dialogue and genuine humour.

Napoleon Plural · February 2013

Moonraker, purely from an emotional pov.

TSWLM thinking rationally, iconic moments, maybe best song and Moore's best performance.

But both are standing on the shoulders of YOLT, oft maligned for not following the book more closely, but had it done so, would those other two films have come about at all?

Firemass · February 2013

TSWLM is kinda like my favorite movie of all time. 10/10

Moonraker is very similar to TSWLM so I love it too. 8/10

YOLT feels like a prototype demo version in comparison. 6/10

LastRatStanding · February 2013

1. The Spy Who Loved Me
2. You Only Live Twice
3. Moonraker

The spy who loved me takes the stop spot because it's just great in general. I mean, it HAS to be good because Jaws is in it yet I still think it's great. To be fair though Jaws was allright in this one, the scene by the pyramids is spooky and it's genuinely terrifying when he turns up in Anya's train compartment when she opens the cupboard. In general this one has some tense scenes at the end and good action throughout! Also - DAT PTS. -{

You only live twice comes in at second of course! Connery looking mature and somewhat bored kind of takes the excitement away but the whole ending at the volcano is cool! Donald Pleasance gives a good performance as Blofeld too!

And last and so very very much least, Moonraker. Too much forced humour! Seriously it's just not funny. What was once a great intimidating character in Jaws is now just a complete joke. I cringe too much when I watch this one. The laser battle was pretty bad ass though. But...it's just too much of a parody to be taken seriously - and yes I understand that it's not meant to be taken seriously - I can enjoy Bond in Space easily! But all the forced humour is just not funny. Drax is cool though.

Silhouette Man · February 2013

chrisisall wrote:

Silhouette Man wrote:

Moonraker

Hardly the choice I would expect from such a literary fan as yourself, SM! ?:) )

I know - appearances can indeed be deceptive. I literally had an infatuation with this film after seeing parts of it on TV as a child. Early, happy Bond memories! I now know that the novel is far superior, of course, but first love is real love, too! I'm a big defender of the Moonraker film, but then I'm funny like that!

The order of the Big Three would be:

1. Moonraker
2. TSWLM
3. YOLT (near the bottom of my list of 23 Bond films - only DAD and DAF are worse for me!)

moonraker84 · February 2013

1.) The Spy Who Loved Me - My fave Bond film, love the locations, XXX, Jaws, good action, great theme song and opening sequence.
2.) Moonraker - as my username would suggest i am a big fan of Moonraker, love the score, action scenes particularly the cable car scene, and unlike most i actually like the laser battle in outer space.
3.) You Only Live Twice - my least fave of the 3, i still like it a lot, the title song and score throughout is beautiful and i like the Japanese locations.

chrisisall · February 2013

moonraker84 wrote:

unlike most i actually like the laser battle in outer space.

While not a fan of putting Bond in space, I actually had no problem with the space battle- my problem is with Jaws the good guy. Moonraker would be a favourite if Jaws just wasn't in it at all.

Jarvio · February 2013

Sometimes my order is:
YOLT
TSWLM
MR

But at the moment, it's:
TSWLM
YOLT
MR

TSWLM and YOLT are both really enjoyable for me, whilst MR is the worst bond film of the lot.

Edit: I think DAD should be on this list too, regarding 'over-the-top' qualities. I'd place DAD second to last.

chrisisall · February 2013

Jarvio wrote:

Edit: I think DAD should be on this list too, regarding 'over-the-top' qualities. I'd place DAD second to last.

But it has no final battle with big explosions... or does it? Been a while...

)

Firemass · February 2013

Jarvio wrote:

Edit: I think DAD should be on this list too, regarding 'over-the-top' qualities. I'd place DAD second to last.

I believe this list is regarding Lewis Gilbert directing three very similar Bond films.

Silhouette Man · February 2013

Yes, DAD has similarities with MR at least, bit I think that TND would be a better contender for inclusion as it has the WWIII old hoary plot strand from YOLT and TSWLM reheated. But, as said above, we're only dealing with the actual Lewis Gilbert Bond films here. TND and DAD are honorary additions to this exclusive outlandish club, though IMHO. -{

moonraker84 · February 2013

chrisisall wrote:

moonraker84 wrote:

unlike most i actually like the laser battle in outer space.

While not a fan of putting Bond in space, I actually had no problem with the space battle- my problem is with Jaws the good guy. Moonraker would be a favourite if Jaws just wasn't in it at all.

I dont actually mind Jaws turning good i just didnt like the scene where he and Dolly first meet with the soppy music coming on, that was not needed imo though i have nothing against Dolly.

AlphaOmegaSin · February 2013

The three Films also are so disconnected from the original Source Material that Flemming would of had a few things to say if he was still alive when they came out. Don't get me wrong, YOLT and TSWLM are two of the greatest Bonds ever (Moonraker is another Story altogether)

chrisisall · February 2013

Hold the phone; I'm watching YOLT right now (first time in many years), and I find ZERO validity to the idea that Connery did not deliver a professional, engaging performance. Maybe not up to TB standards, but in NO WAY the crap execution I see so many talking about now and again.

This movie is so much better than I remembered- comic book yes, but still maintaining the classic Bond feel. His turn in DAF was a tad livelier, too bad the movie itself is such a comedown from this.
YOLT is at least as good as TSWLM, if not better. IMO, of course.
Edit to add: I finished it. It's better than TSWLM.
My only true problem with it remains the apparent lack of Bond's remorse over Aki's death. Maybe that's an agent thing; the job at hand and all that. Still, awesome OTT Bond.

Blackleiter · February 2013

Exactly what I have been saying about YOLT for a while. Connery gives a confident, relaxed performance, not a bored performance. True this is an example of an OTT Bond, as opposed to the more grounded stories of Dr. No and From Russia With Love, but it's still thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining. While it has some glaring weaknesses ( e.g. a weak Blofeld, too much emphasis on gadgetry, Connery trying pass himself off as Japanese), I think YOLT is a severely underrated entry in the series.

chrisisall wrote:

Hold the phone; I'm watching YOLT right now (first time in many years), and I find ZERO validity to the idea that Connery did not deliver a professional, engaging performance. Maybe not up to TB standards, but in NO WAY the crap execution I see so many talking about now and again.

This movie is so much better than I remembered- comic book yes, but still maintaining the classic Bond feel. His turn in DAF was a tad livelier, too bad the movie itself is such a comedown from this.
YOLT is at least as good as TSWLM, if not better. IMO, of course.
Edit to add: I finished it. It's better than TSWLM.
My only true problem with it remains the apparent lack of Bond's remorse over Aki's death. Maybe that's an agent thing; the job at hand and all that. Still, awesome OTT Bond.

chrisisall · February 2013

Blackleiter wrote:

While it has some glaring weaknesses ( e.g. a weak Blofeld, too much emphasis on gadgetry, Connery trying pass himself off as Japanese)

Y'know, none of those things even bothered me at all this time around. Even the Bond-as-a-Japanese thing. So he's undercover, he's not being inspected close up by HD traffic cams & Blofeld agents or anything...

)

Blackleiter · February 2013

I think I might have mentioned in another thread that YOLT is probably the Bond film I watch the most. I really get a kick out of it!

)

chrisisall wrote:

Blackleiter wrote:

While it has some glaring weaknesses ( e.g. a weak Blofeld, too much emphasis on gadgetry, Connery trying pass himself off as Japanese)

Y'know, none of those things even bothered me at all this time around. Even the Bond-as-a-Japanese thing. So he's undercover, he's not being inspected close up by HD traffic cams & Blofeld agents or anything... )

chrisisall · February 2013

Blackleiter wrote:

I think I might have mentioned in another thread that YOLT is probably the Bond film I watch the most. I really get a kick out of it! )

Well, it's gonna be on in my home a whole lot more regularly now.
On MI6 I had this exchange on a YOLT thread recently:

Dude: You want evidence? Better get your shields up! How about Connery when he says the "I love you" line? Couldn't have said it more flatly and unenthusiasticly.

Me: It's a CONTACT line, not a come on. It being said like that was perfectly okay with me.

Dude: How about when he is on the Ning Po with Helga? Out of all the scenes Connery has with his women, this fell remarkably short of expectations. He doesn't look like he cares at all that there's an attractive (well somewhat) woman standing in front of him having him tied to a chair!

Me: Again, I LIKE the way he played it, kind of resigned that whatever he said wasn't gonna work with this one, then surprise- it did (not really; she was playing him).

Dude: Then there's his scenes with Aki and Kissy, I mean come on, no chemistry whatsoever.

Me: That's not what I saw; he seemed genuinely interested in Aki, and playfully attracted to Kissy.
The only part where he seemed 'disinterested' if you will, was when he had the Japanese identity, and even this could be attributed to his staying in character in order to keep a low profile.

There is a lot more antagonism towards the movie out there than I ever expected!

Dutchfinger · February 2013

I think all three of Lewis Gilbert's movies were great Bond adventures. TSWLM and YOLT are both ranked in my personal top 10. MR is a little bit lower, but still a grand Bond adventure that I believe isn't half as terrible as a lot of people claim it to be.

TSWLM is my favorite of the three, definitely the best Bond movie of the 70's. I think this is Roger Moore's Goldfinger. It has it all! It used to be in my top 5 untill Skyfall came along.

All three of these films don't take themselves to seriously but serve as great escapism.

chrisisall · February 2013

Dutchfinger wrote:

MR is a little bit lower, but still a grand Bond adventure that I believe isn't half as terrible as a lot of people claim it to be.

The movie as a whole is very good, it's just that some people (like myself, sadly) have issues with an element or two that spoil it for us- for me it's Jaws turning good & falling in love. I... I just can't get past it...

Dutchfinger · February 2013

chrisisall wrote:

Dutchfinger wrote:

MR is a little bit lower, but still a grand Bond adventure that I believe isn't half as terrible as a lot of people claim it to be.

The movie as a whole is very good, it's just that some people (like myself, sadly) have issues with an element or two that spoil it for us- for me it's Jaws turning good & falling in love. I... I just can't get past it...

Yeah.. Can't really argue with you there. That was pretty cringe worthy!

Blackleiter · February 2013

Well...... at least WE get it!

)

chrisisall wrote:

Blackleiter wrote:

I think I might have mentioned in another thread that YOLT is probably the Bond film I watch the most. I really get a kick out of it! )

Well, it's gonna be on in my home a whole lot more regularly now.
On MI6 I had this exchange on a YOLT thread recently:

Dude: You want evidence? Better get your shields up! How about Connery when he says the "I love you" line? Couldn't have said it more flatly and unenthusiasticly.

Me: It's a CONTACT line, not a come on. It being said like that was perfectly okay with me.

Dude: How about when he is on the Ning Po with Helga? Out of all the scenes Connery has with his women, this fell remarkably short of expectations. He doesn't look like he cares at all that there's an attractive (well somewhat) woman standing in front of him having him tied to a chair!

Me: Again, I LIKE the way he played it, kind of resigned that whatever he said wasn't gonna work with this one, then surprise- it did (not really; she was playing him).

Dude: Then there's his scenes with Aki and Kissy, I mean come on, no chemistry whatsoever.

Me: That's not what I saw; he seemed genuinely interested in Aki, and playfully attracted to Kissy.
The only part where he seemed 'disinterested' if you will, was when he had the Japanese identity, and even this could be attributed to his staying in character in order to keep a low profile.

There is a lot more antagonism towards the movie out there than I ever expected!

YOLT vs. TSWLM vs. MR

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