PTS
Titles
Chess game
The plot revealed
Spectre island - Knuckleduster scene superb.
Klebb interviewing Tatiana
Bond's briefing with M & Q
Gypsy camp scenes - girl fight excellent.
Bond meets Tatiana
Stealing the Lektor
The entire train sequence: Death of Kerim - Dinner - Grant revealing plot to Bond - Train Fight
Helicopter hunting Bond
Boat Chase
Klebb turning up to try and steal the Lektor
Istanbul locations
The entire cast
Music
Cons:
One obvious stunt double with Bond walking past the burning helicopter
Observations:
Major Boothroyd now played by Desmond Llewelyn and far better than the rather wooden Peter Burton
The 007 theme gets it's first airing - I actually like this better than the James Bond theme.
The flower truck gets covered in debris after an explosion next to it and then is perfectly clean again afterwards.
Conclusion:
This is a great sequel and confirms Bond as a major character in movies. The casting is sublime - Pedro Armendariz, Lotte Lenya and Robert Shaw are superb. Daniella Bianchi is a lovely Bond girl. Bond is in real danger on the train and it is a very tense sequence once Grant reveals himself as a Spectre agent. John Barry's score is excellent but I was a shade disappointed with the inclusion of the spider music from DN. All in all this is not only a great Bond film but a truly great British film and even if it was a one-off movie it would be considered as an all-time great.
CHB WILL RETURN REVIEWING GOLDFINGER SOON
Yeah, well, sometimes nothin' can be a real cool hand.
Well I can't argue with your conclusions CHB -{
I think anybody who enjoys a more serious spy film with great cast, locations and plot would find it difficult to find fault with FRWL.
-Paced well enough (I really don't find it that slow).
-The train fight (obviously).
-Gypsy camp shootout.
-Boat chase.
-Kerim Bey.
-Istambul.
-Venice.
-The plot fits well in a Cold War context.
Cons:
-Rosa Klebb is an uninteresting villainess (for me anyway).
-Tatiana Romanova is pretty, but not really a strong Bond girl (imo).
Overall, I quite dig FRWL, and give it a 9/10.
"Hostile takeovers. Shall we?"
New 2020 ranking (for now DAF and FYEO keep their previous placements)
1. TLD 2. TND 3. GF 4. TSWLM 5. TWINE 6. OHMSS 7. LtK 8. TMWTGG 9. L&LD 10. YOLT 11. DAD 12. QoS 13. DN 14. GE 15. SF 16. OP 17. MR 18. AVTAK 19. TB 20. FRWL 21. CR 22. FYEO 23. DAF (SP to be included later)
Bond actors to be re-ranked later
Pros:
-Paced well enough (I really don't find it that slow).
Yeah I thought it would've been slow but I found it ok on this viewing. There's a few other Bond films that are much slower (the Hamiltons for instance)
"Hostile takeovers. Shall we?"
New 2020 ranking (for now DAF and FYEO keep their previous placements)
1. TLD 2. TND 3. GF 4. TSWLM 5. TWINE 6. OHMSS 7. LtK 8. TMWTGG 9. L&LD 10. YOLT 11. DAD 12. QoS 13. DN 14. GE 15. SF 16. OP 17. MR 18. AVTAK 19. TB 20. FRWL 21. CR 22. FYEO 23. DAF (SP to be included later)
Bond actors to be re-ranked later
Definitely the most ally in the series. Bond spends a lot of time with him too so we get to know him throughout the film, unlike most other allies who are just there to move the plot along and give Bond stuff
"Hostile takeovers. Shall we?"
New 2020 ranking (for now DAF and FYEO keep their previous placements)
1. TLD 2. TND 3. GF 4. TSWLM 5. TWINE 6. OHMSS 7. LtK 8. TMWTGG 9. L&LD 10. YOLT 11. DAD 12. QoS 13. DN 14. GE 15. SF 16. OP 17. MR 18. AVTAK 19. TB 20. FRWL 21. CR 22. FYEO 23. DAF (SP to be included later)
Bond actors to be re-ranked later
Pros
+ Is the first direct sequel in the franchise
+ Has a bunch of parallels with Quantum of Solace, the second direct sequel in the franchise
+ Organically expands on SPECTRE
+ Ups the 'personal violence' quotient significantly from Dr. No
Cons
- The story gets bogged down a bit with the Gypsy Camp sequence and a few other things relating to the Russians in Istanbul
- The bad guys get the better of James a little more easily than they ought to
- The sequence where Red Grant outlines SPECTRE's scheme to James feels unnecessary and overly cliched
Pros
+ Is the first direct sequel in the franchise
+ Has a bunch of parallels with Quantum of Solace, the second direct sequel in the franchise
+ Organically expands on SPECTRE
+ Ups the 'personal violence' quotient significantly from Dr. No
Cons
- The story gets bogged down a bit with the Gypsy Camp sequence and a few other things relating to the Russians in Istanbul
- The bad guys get the better of James a little more easily than they ought to
- The sequence where Red Grant outlines SPECTRE's scheme to James feels unnecessary and overly cliched
Its interesting reading the ruminations of those who sees it recently
and comparing it with those who saw it decades ago...
1. For Your Eyes Only 2. The Living Daylights 3 From Russia with Love 4. Casino Royale 5. OHMSS 6. Skyfall
^ That's not the impression I was left with; the impression I was left with is that it was unrealistic and borderline cheesy for a man who has been shown to be quite intelligent and more than capable of 'thinking his way out of a situation' to be hoodwinked and bested by the bad guys as easily and as often as he is.
IOW, it doesn't make SPECTRE look strong; it makes Bond look weak.
^ You don't have to agree with me, but that's how I feel.
Thankfully, there are enough instances where Bond looks strong compared to the instances where he falls into situations that make him look weak because of the way that they're set up to 'offset' said instances and keep the character from descending into 'parody' territory.
^ That's not the impression I was left with; the impression I was left with is that it was unrealistic and borderline cheesy for a man who has been shown to be quite intelligent and more than capable of 'thinking his way out of a situation' to be hoodwinked and bested by the bad guys as easily and as often as he is.
IOW, it doesn't make SPECTRE look strong; it makes Bond look weak.
[bags head against wall]
1. For Your Eyes Only 2. The Living Daylights 3 From Russia with Love 4. Casino Royale 5. OHMSS 6. Skyfall
broadshoulder, since this is your fave of the Connerys, how would you compare this film to other Connery films?
Does this one have your fave Connery performance in the 007 role?
"Hostile takeovers. Shall we?"
New 2020 ranking (for now DAF and FYEO keep their previous placements)
1. TLD 2. TND 3. GF 4. TSWLM 5. TWINE 6. OHMSS 7. LtK 8. TMWTGG 9. L&LD 10. YOLT 11. DAD 12. QoS 13. DN 14. GE 15. SF 16. OP 17. MR 18. AVTAK 19. TB 20. FRWL 21. CR 22. FYEO 23. DAF (SP to be included later)
Bond actors to be re-ranked later
He was the one responsible for getting the franchise going, there's no doubt about that.
"Hostile takeovers. Shall we?"
New 2020 ranking (for now DAF and FYEO keep their previous placements)
1. TLD 2. TND 3. GF 4. TSWLM 5. TWINE 6. OHMSS 7. LtK 8. TMWTGG 9. L&LD 10. YOLT 11. DAD 12. QoS 13. DN 14. GE 15. SF 16. OP 17. MR 18. AVTAK 19. TB 20. FRWL 21. CR 22. FYEO 23. DAF (SP to be included later)
Bond actors to be re-ranked later
broadshoulder, since this is your fave of the Connerys, how would you compare this film to other Connery films?
Does this one have your fave Connery performance in the 007 role?
I love every single one of the Connery's. Adore them. Think the world of them (pats them on the head)
I feel the same about the first four, but YOLT & DAF just don't quite have the same feeling for me.
I still really enjoy them, but they just seem to "lack something" when stacked up against DN, FRWL, GF & TB.
Thing is, I can't even figure out what it is that I think they lack )
Switch TB with YOLT and we'd mostly agree on the Connery Era.
I quite enjoy the first 3 and YOLT, but TB and DAF don't quite do it for me, especially the latter.
"Hostile takeovers. Shall we?"
New 2020 ranking (for now DAF and FYEO keep their previous placements)
1. TLD 2. TND 3. GF 4. TSWLM 5. TWINE 6. OHMSS 7. LtK 8. TMWTGG 9. L&LD 10. YOLT 11. DAD 12. QoS 13. DN 14. GE 15. SF 16. OP 17. MR 18. AVTAK 19. TB 20. FRWL 21. CR 22. FYEO 23. DAF (SP to be included later)
Bond actors to be re-ranked later
I cannot remember the last time I watched FRWL, I've always struggled to enjoy it, it never hit the right note for me - until this viewing. Throughly enjoyed seeing this and appreciating it.
Pros:
- PTS.
- Title sequence, lush music, titles are very well done (esp. in BluRay).
- Sean Connery's best performance as Bond - he's putting everything into it.
- Sean Connery's suits.
- Humour is sharp.
- Plot is great, it's real espionage.
- Tatiana is gorgeous, well acted by Bianchi.
- Kerim Bay - great ally.
- Red Grant - awesome presence, great how he becomes more near the end.
- Rosa Klebb - tough-mutha.
- Locations.
- Train fight - epic!
- Final action sequences, helicopter/boat chase.
- Introduction to gadgets/Q is masterfully done.
- Gypsy camp is a fun sequence.
- Original parts of soundtrack (not the rehash).
- Generally good acting all-round.
Cons:
- Bond mask - they could've just used a Bond look-alike and filmed from afar to create the same effect - the dude underneath the mask looked good enough!
- Pacing is following a fine line of being tedious at times.
- Some scenes early in the movie have bad dubbing.
- Rewinding of Klebb is obvious.
- Overuse of the Bond theme in hotel is annoying.
- Green screen at end and SFX of video camera is poorly done.
Observations:
This is a major step-up from Dr. No. It's obvious that they doubled-down on the production values and overall James Bond feel...The hotel-girl's dubbed voice sounds very similar to Honey Ryder's dubbed voice.
BluRay:
Incredible looking, very clear. The shaky green-screen is resolved to make it look less ****.
Comments
Comes to us all, all those facts get jumbled up, next thing it's .....
..... Now why did I come in here !
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
#1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS
Pros:
PTS
Titles
Chess game
The plot revealed
Spectre island - Knuckleduster scene superb.
Klebb interviewing Tatiana
Bond's briefing with M & Q
Gypsy camp scenes - girl fight excellent.
Bond meets Tatiana
Stealing the Lektor
The entire train sequence: Death of Kerim - Dinner - Grant revealing plot to Bond - Train Fight
Helicopter hunting Bond
Boat Chase
Klebb turning up to try and steal the Lektor
Istanbul locations
The entire cast
Music
Cons:
One obvious stunt double with Bond walking past the burning helicopter
Observations:
Major Boothroyd now played by Desmond Llewelyn and far better than the rather wooden Peter Burton
The 007 theme gets it's first airing - I actually like this better than the James Bond theme.
The flower truck gets covered in debris after an explosion next to it and then is perfectly clean again afterwards.
Conclusion:
This is a great sequel and confirms Bond as a major character in movies. The casting is sublime - Pedro Armendariz, Lotte Lenya and Robert Shaw are superb. Daniella Bianchi is a lovely Bond girl. Bond is in real danger on the train and it is a very tense sequence once Grant reveals himself as a Spectre agent. John Barry's score is excellent but I was a shade disappointed with the inclusion of the spider music from DN. All in all this is not only a great Bond film but a truly great British film and even if it was a one-off movie it would be considered as an all-time great.
CHB WILL RETURN REVIEWING GOLDFINGER SOON
I think anybody who enjoys a more serious spy film with great cast, locations and plot would find it difficult to find fault with FRWL.
-Paced well enough (I really don't find it that slow).
-The train fight (obviously).
-Gypsy camp shootout.
-Boat chase.
-Kerim Bey.
-Istambul.
-Venice.
-The plot fits well in a Cold War context.
Cons:
-Rosa Klebb is an uninteresting villainess (for me anyway).
-Tatiana Romanova is pretty, but not really a strong Bond girl (imo).
Overall, I quite dig FRWL, and give it a 9/10.
New 2020 ranking (for now DAF and FYEO keep their previous placements)
1. TLD 2. TND 3. GF 4. TSWLM 5. TWINE 6. OHMSS 7. LtK 8. TMWTGG 9. L&LD 10. YOLT 11. DAD 12. QoS 13. DN 14. GE 15. SF 16. OP 17. MR 18. AVTAK 19. TB 20. FRWL 21. CR 22. FYEO 23. DAF (SP to be included later)
Bond actors to be re-ranked later
Yeah I thought it would've been slow but I found it ok on this viewing. There's a few other Bond films that are much slower (the Hamiltons for instance)
New 2020 ranking (for now DAF and FYEO keep their previous placements)
1. TLD 2. TND 3. GF 4. TSWLM 5. TWINE 6. OHMSS 7. LtK 8. TMWTGG 9. L&LD 10. YOLT 11. DAD 12. QoS 13. DN 14. GE 15. SF 16. OP 17. MR 18. AVTAK 19. TB 20. FRWL 21. CR 22. FYEO 23. DAF (SP to be included later)
Bond actors to be re-ranked later
Definitely the most ally in the series. Bond spends a lot of time with him too so we get to know him throughout the film, unlike most other allies who are just there to move the plot along and give Bond stuff
New 2020 ranking (for now DAF and FYEO keep their previous placements)
1. TLD 2. TND 3. GF 4. TSWLM 5. TWINE 6. OHMSS 7. LtK 8. TMWTGG 9. L&LD 10. YOLT 11. DAD 12. QoS 13. DN 14. GE 15. SF 16. OP 17. MR 18. AVTAK 19. TB 20. FRWL 21. CR 22. FYEO 23. DAF (SP to be included later)
Bond actors to be re-ranked later
+ Is the first direct sequel in the franchise
+ Has a bunch of parallels with Quantum of Solace, the second direct sequel in the franchise
+ Organically expands on SPECTRE
+ Ups the 'personal violence' quotient significantly from Dr. No
Cons
- The story gets bogged down a bit with the Gypsy Camp sequence and a few other things relating to the Russians in Istanbul
- The bad guys get the better of James a little more easily than they ought to
- The sequence where Red Grant outlines SPECTRE's scheme to James feels unnecessary and overly cliched
Its interesting reading the ruminations of those who sees it recently
and comparing it with those who saw it decades ago...
Thats the point. One man against the might of SPECTRE
IOW, it doesn't make SPECTRE look strong; it makes Bond look weak.
Thankfully, there are enough instances where Bond looks strong compared to the instances where he falls into situations that make him look weak because of the way that they're set up to 'offset' said instances and keep the character from descending into 'parody' territory.
[bags head against wall]
Does this one have your fave Connery performance in the 007 role?
New 2020 ranking (for now DAF and FYEO keep their previous placements)
1. TLD 2. TND 3. GF 4. TSWLM 5. TWINE 6. OHMSS 7. LtK 8. TMWTGG 9. L&LD 10. YOLT 11. DAD 12. QoS 13. DN 14. GE 15. SF 16. OP 17. MR 18. AVTAK 19. TB 20. FRWL 21. CR 22. FYEO 23. DAF (SP to be included later)
Bond actors to be re-ranked later
I love every single one of the Connery's. Adore them. Think the world of them (pats them on the head)
New 2020 ranking (for now DAF and FYEO keep their previous placements)
1. TLD 2. TND 3. GF 4. TSWLM 5. TWINE 6. OHMSS 7. LtK 8. TMWTGG 9. L&LD 10. YOLT 11. DAD 12. QoS 13. DN 14. GE 15. SF 16. OP 17. MR 18. AVTAK 19. TB 20. FRWL 21. CR 22. FYEO 23. DAF (SP to be included later)
Bond actors to be re-ranked later
Much as I love Connery as Bond, surely that credit goes to Cubby Broccoli or above all Ian Fleming without whom there wouldn't be any franchise!
of an impact ! {[]
Rather like when people meet me.
I feel the same about the first four, but YOLT & DAF just don't quite have the same feeling for me.
I still really enjoy them, but they just seem to "lack something" when stacked up against DN, FRWL, GF & TB.
Thing is, I can't even figure out what it is that I think they lack
Switch TB with YOLT and we'd mostly agree on the Connery Era.
I quite enjoy the first 3 and YOLT, but TB and DAF don't quite do it for me, especially the latter.
New 2020 ranking (for now DAF and FYEO keep their previous placements)
1. TLD 2. TND 3. GF 4. TSWLM 5. TWINE 6. OHMSS 7. LtK 8. TMWTGG 9. L&LD 10. YOLT 11. DAD 12. QoS 13. DN 14. GE 15. SF 16. OP 17. MR 18. AVTAK 19. TB 20. FRWL 21. CR 22. FYEO 23. DAF (SP to be included later)
Bond actors to be re-ranked later
Pros:
- PTS.
- Title sequence, lush music, titles are very well done (esp. in BluRay).
- Sean Connery's best performance as Bond - he's putting everything into it.
- Sean Connery's suits.
- Humour is sharp.
- Plot is great, it's real espionage.
- Tatiana is gorgeous, well acted by Bianchi.
- Kerim Bay - great ally.
- Red Grant - awesome presence, great how he becomes more near the end.
- Rosa Klebb - tough-mutha.
- Locations.
- Train fight - epic!
- Final action sequences, helicopter/boat chase.
- Introduction to gadgets/Q is masterfully done.
- Gypsy camp is a fun sequence.
- Original parts of soundtrack (not the rehash).
- Generally good acting all-round.
Cons:
- Bond mask - they could've just used a Bond look-alike and filmed from afar to create the same effect - the dude underneath the mask looked good enough!
- Pacing is following a fine line of being tedious at times.
- Some scenes early in the movie have bad dubbing.
- Rewinding of Klebb is obvious.
- Overuse of the Bond theme in hotel is annoying.
- Green screen at end and SFX of video camera is poorly done.
Observations:
This is a major step-up from Dr. No. It's obvious that they doubled-down on the production values and overall James Bond feel...The hotel-girl's dubbed voice sounds very similar to Honey Ryder's dubbed voice.
BluRay:
Incredible looking, very clear. The shaky green-screen is resolved to make it look less ****.
FRWL has moved up in my rankings!
"Better make that two."