Confessions of a Former Moore Hater
Agent Lee
Posts: 254MI6 Agent
There was a time in my life where I had dismissed the Moore era altogether.
Sad, I know. But as my love for Bond grew I gradually turned into one of those obnoxious "Fleming purists" (no offense, to whom it may concern
).
The first Bond film I ever saw was Tomorrow Never Dies. I was 9 years old and my parents had rented it from Blockbuster. From there I was hooked. Being the vintage Bond fans that they were, my parents systematically rented me a handful of the classics from the Connery and Moore eras (my dad had grown up with Connery and my mom with Moore). With each new adventure I became more and more engrossed in the world of Bond. A few years down the road I started picking my own, the ones lesser known to my parents that I hadn't seen yet. Among these were Goldeneye, On Her Majesty's Secret Service, and the Timothy Dalton Bonds. Then I started reading the books. In High School I became very enamored with the literary 007 and grew to really appreciate Timothy Dalton's sincere and successful attempt at capturing the spirit of Ian Fleming's James Bond. Licence to Kill became my favorite Bond film. I still remember being incredibly frustrated my freshman year of High School (2004) when I had my friends over to watch LTK in the hopes that I would convert them to the Dalton era. It was to no avail as this was a generation raised on the 90's metro flare of Brosnan's Bond. I specifically remember burning up when one of my friends told me point blank "Dude, nobody likes Timothy Dalton. Everybody likes Pierce Brosnan." I can't be sure, but this event may have even further cemented my Flemingist attitude toward the films.
I came to make the gross mistake of comparing Roger Moore's films to the darker, more serious tone of my favorite Bonds; FRWL, OHMSS, LTK, GE; not to mention the Fleming and Gardner novels. That's when I decided that Roger Moore was simply NOT my Bond. I dismissed him for years as a weak imitation of Fleming's creation. Granted, no Bond had yet captured the Bond of the books perfectly in my eyes, but at least there were stark moments where Fleming's Bond shown through. Even Pierce Brosnan had managed to capture at least some small essence of Fleming in his finest moments. This was a dark time when I would scoff at anyone who dared say Roger Moore was their favorite Bond, or ask me which Bond was my favorite. "Connery and Dalton" I would say, to which I would usually get the reply "You like Timothy Dalton? He sucks. Roger Moore is way better." This only fueled and exacerbated my hatred for Moore.
I was a senior in High School when Casino Royale came out. It was the Bond film I had been waiting for my whole life. A true return to Ian Fleming's James Bond. Upon my first viewing in theaters (at midnight at my local theater in Provo UT), there were moments when I couldn't believe my eyes. Sure, Daniel Craig was blonde, but his steely blues eyes, rugged good looks, and brilliant re-invention of the character was the Bond I pictured vividly when I read Casino Royale, Live and Let Die, On Her Majesty's Secret Service, and even For Special Services. Not only that, the masses loved him AND Casino Royale. Finally, everyone else was on my side. Fleming's Bond was the RIGHT Bond.
Now here's the twist. With the arrival of the Craig era came my re-discovery and newfound love for Roger Moore. Here's how: because the Bond films had taken such a harsh turn in my favor, and because Casino Royale was a "reboot" of the series, it led me to re-explore the series as a whole and see each Bond actor in a new light. Now that Craig had completely re-invented the character, and Bond was finally speaking to MY generation in a very visceral way, I realized that each era of Bond brought its own unique spin to the table. Furthermore, I realized that Roger Moore had succeeded in doing what Daniel Craig is doing today; reinventing the character to fit his sensibilities and speak to a new generation of Bond fans.
Fast forward to today. Skyfall is only second to From Russia With Love as my favorite Bond film of all time, and I still look to Fleming as the gold standard upon which every good Bond film should build itself. I've read most of the Fleming novels, and I for whatever reason I see them in a much different light than I did when I was younger. Now I see that there is just as much fun camp as there is serious violence in the books; and I see that both of those elements are represented by the Moore era, only emphasized differently than Connery or Craig.
And guess what? I love Roger Moore! Granted, he's still probably my least favorite Bond, but I've grown to really appreciate and even cherish what he brings to the character. When I've ruminated enough on the darkness of Bond through Connery, Craig or Dalton, it's good to know I can turn to LALD or TSWLM (my two favorite Moore films) for a fun, charming, and exciting version of my favorite secret agent. There are even times when I feel that I--a tall, lanky, bright-eyed kid from Utah--can relate to Moore's Bond better than the others (but only sometimes...I do have a dark side -{ ). Connery was right when he said that Roger Moore's take on Bond was a sort of parody of the character he had created for the screen. But that's far from a bad thing. Especially since Roger is so darn delightful at it
And as much as I love the classic dress style of Connery or Craig, there are times when I'm really jealous of Roger Moore's fantastic '70's suits!
Now my question for all of you is: Has there ever been a time where you really despised one of the Bonds in particular? And has your opinion of him and his films changed over the years?
Sad, I know. But as my love for Bond grew I gradually turned into one of those obnoxious "Fleming purists" (no offense, to whom it may concern
).The first Bond film I ever saw was Tomorrow Never Dies. I was 9 years old and my parents had rented it from Blockbuster. From there I was hooked. Being the vintage Bond fans that they were, my parents systematically rented me a handful of the classics from the Connery and Moore eras (my dad had grown up with Connery and my mom with Moore). With each new adventure I became more and more engrossed in the world of Bond. A few years down the road I started picking my own, the ones lesser known to my parents that I hadn't seen yet. Among these were Goldeneye, On Her Majesty's Secret Service, and the Timothy Dalton Bonds. Then I started reading the books. In High School I became very enamored with the literary 007 and grew to really appreciate Timothy Dalton's sincere and successful attempt at capturing the spirit of Ian Fleming's James Bond. Licence to Kill became my favorite Bond film. I still remember being incredibly frustrated my freshman year of High School (2004) when I had my friends over to watch LTK in the hopes that I would convert them to the Dalton era. It was to no avail as this was a generation raised on the 90's metro flare of Brosnan's Bond. I specifically remember burning up when one of my friends told me point blank "Dude, nobody likes Timothy Dalton. Everybody likes Pierce Brosnan." I can't be sure, but this event may have even further cemented my Flemingist attitude toward the films.
I came to make the gross mistake of comparing Roger Moore's films to the darker, more serious tone of my favorite Bonds; FRWL, OHMSS, LTK, GE; not to mention the Fleming and Gardner novels. That's when I decided that Roger Moore was simply NOT my Bond. I dismissed him for years as a weak imitation of Fleming's creation. Granted, no Bond had yet captured the Bond of the books perfectly in my eyes, but at least there were stark moments where Fleming's Bond shown through. Even Pierce Brosnan had managed to capture at least some small essence of Fleming in his finest moments. This was a dark time when I would scoff at anyone who dared say Roger Moore was their favorite Bond, or ask me which Bond was my favorite. "Connery and Dalton" I would say, to which I would usually get the reply "You like Timothy Dalton? He sucks. Roger Moore is way better." This only fueled and exacerbated my hatred for Moore.
I was a senior in High School when Casino Royale came out. It was the Bond film I had been waiting for my whole life. A true return to Ian Fleming's James Bond. Upon my first viewing in theaters (at midnight at my local theater in Provo UT), there were moments when I couldn't believe my eyes. Sure, Daniel Craig was blonde, but his steely blues eyes, rugged good looks, and brilliant re-invention of the character was the Bond I pictured vividly when I read Casino Royale, Live and Let Die, On Her Majesty's Secret Service, and even For Special Services. Not only that, the masses loved him AND Casino Royale. Finally, everyone else was on my side. Fleming's Bond was the RIGHT Bond.
Now here's the twist. With the arrival of the Craig era came my re-discovery and newfound love for Roger Moore. Here's how: because the Bond films had taken such a harsh turn in my favor, and because Casino Royale was a "reboot" of the series, it led me to re-explore the series as a whole and see each Bond actor in a new light. Now that Craig had completely re-invented the character, and Bond was finally speaking to MY generation in a very visceral way, I realized that each era of Bond brought its own unique spin to the table. Furthermore, I realized that Roger Moore had succeeded in doing what Daniel Craig is doing today; reinventing the character to fit his sensibilities and speak to a new generation of Bond fans.
Fast forward to today. Skyfall is only second to From Russia With Love as my favorite Bond film of all time, and I still look to Fleming as the gold standard upon which every good Bond film should build itself. I've read most of the Fleming novels, and I for whatever reason I see them in a much different light than I did when I was younger. Now I see that there is just as much fun camp as there is serious violence in the books; and I see that both of those elements are represented by the Moore era, only emphasized differently than Connery or Craig.
And guess what? I love Roger Moore! Granted, he's still probably my least favorite Bond, but I've grown to really appreciate and even cherish what he brings to the character. When I've ruminated enough on the darkness of Bond through Connery, Craig or Dalton, it's good to know I can turn to LALD or TSWLM (my two favorite Moore films) for a fun, charming, and exciting version of my favorite secret agent. There are even times when I feel that I--a tall, lanky, bright-eyed kid from Utah--can relate to Moore's Bond better than the others (but only sometimes...I do have a dark side -{ ). Connery was right when he said that Roger Moore's take on Bond was a sort of parody of the character he had created for the screen. But that's far from a bad thing. Especially since Roger is so darn delightful at it
And as much as I love the classic dress style of Connery or Craig, there are times when I'm really jealous of Roger Moore's fantastic '70's suits!
Now my question for all of you is: Has there ever been a time where you really despised one of the Bonds in particular? And has your opinion of him and his films changed over the years?
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Comments
I never hated any of the Bonds but I'm warmer toward Connery because I understand it's probably a thyroid issue.
AJB007 Favorite Film Rankings
Pros and Cons Compendium (50 Years)
Prior to CR my favorite bond was Dalton. But now I am seriously crushing on DC. Dalton will always be my sentimental favorite, because TLD my first bond film. But Craig has just been a revelation.
Interesting. I think I kind of went through a phase as well where I retroactively liked Brosnan less after Craig came on the scene, but now I like him even more than I did in the 90's. Like you said, his scripts were to blame.
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AJB007 Favorite Film Rankings
Pros and Cons Compendium (50 Years)
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Gives the man a round of applause.
As each Brosnan film came out I started to miss Dalton more. With GE, why had they thrown away Dalts to give it to this man. He wasn't doing as well as Tim The difference between the 90's retro flare of James Bond was scary.It was as if they threw a\way Tim persona for Bond and went for jokes and hair laquer. But to be honest the mess Broisnans Bond became was down to the directors.
I still read the Bonds. Read YOLT and still see Craig in the role. Moore is part of my childhood - so I adore him.But Brosnan..
Joins in the applause. -{ -{ -{ -{ -{
-{ -{ -{ -{ -{
Gives the man a round of applause.
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
This is probably why Moore is also my favourite. You can tell he always enjoyed playing Bond (or rather himself). I don't feel like he was playing a role, but that can be seen as good or bad. Sean Connery wasn't as naturally his Bond, but I found him just as convincing. I don't, however, find Daniel Craig as convincing, though his discomfort is part of his character. I don't picture Moore so much in Fleming's books, but I always pictured him when reading Gardner's books.
Then Dalton hit in the mid 80's and I was like "whoa, this guy is amazing!" Dalton will always be my favourite Bond
But then Connery is the original, and was excellent when you watch him back nowadays, he just seems to do it so effortlessly.
They all bring something individual to the table I think, it's part of the reason why Bond endures.
a soft spot for him. -{
Chapter One- Early Years: Mamma Mia!
Chapter Two- My First Job: The Lawnmower Man
Chapter Three- I Meet AlphaOmegaSin
Neither had an autobiography from Brosnan. One from Moore, but he's the only one
AJBers live for any chance for a bit of " leg pulling "
Very much in the spirit of the great man himself, Sir Roger Moore. -{
I grew up with Brosnan too (though I watch the Connery and Moore films before), and most of my friends were big fans of both Connery and Brosnan. Nobody liked Dalton and Lazenby, and people neither loved nor hated Moore. I usually ranked Brosnan under everyone except Lazenby, whilst my friends ranked him second under Connery. Moore was always my favourite, but due to peer pressure it took me a while to admit it. I always wanted to wear a safari suit like his, but I haven't yet been to a jungle.
Great point. I think generally it's a good thing to kind of separate the Bond from his films in judging his performance, as ludicrous as that may sound. That's kind of how I've come to really like Brosnan in recent years. And yeah, I guess Moore is just playing himself essentially, which probably accounts for him being more at ease in the role than any other Bond. -{
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It doesn't mean I hate or even dislike him.
Of other actors. I do think Brosnan was unlucky to get the role, at a time when
It almost seemed as if the series was treading water, in a holding position.
AJB007 Favorite Film Rankings
Pros and Cons Compendium (50 Years)
Your confession is off to a good start, but is still only a partial-confession. I can tell you're still harboring a lot of misguided hatred for Roger and not truly appreciating his era of Bond. For example, he's still your 'least favorite' Bond and you still see his films as a light-hearted parody.
These are few key confession points that I am looking for:
1. OHMSS is not a "darker, more serious" story. It is wildly over-the-top and pure escapist fantasy. A mountain lair of brainwashed beauties who are being used for spreading biological warfare. Sounds like a perfect job for Roger Moore. Anyway, you almost got this one by saying, "there is just as much fun camp as there is serious violence in the books."
2. Roger's Bond is easily identifiable as Fleming's Bond, although certainly playing to a different set of strengths. Just the way Roger talks seems to be lifted straight from Fleming's pages. "Just what I read in the papers, sir." or "Thank God you're safe." He can also be ruthless when necessarily and has racked up some of the coldest kills in the series. For example, TSWLM, he swats his tie away from a desperate henchman, shoots a defenseless Stromberg at point blank, and kills two baddies in one shot with a spear gun and knocks another down the stairs before making a graceful escape on the monorail. And don't even get me started on what a cold-hearted bastard he is in TMWTGG; Nearly breaking Maud's arm, firing rifle at gunmakers groin, pushing kid into the river, and his reluctance to work with a female agent is very similar to the Casino Royale novel.
3. Although there were some bad comedy elements or characters added to series, Roger always played it straight and took his job seriously.
4. Roger's missions were not a cake-walk. His Bond gets hurt, wounded, frustrated, and desperate.
5. Roger can interrogate a rogue Russian General at gunpoint as good as anyone!
Misc:
What kind of "obnoxious Fleming purist" hasn't read ALL the novels? That is a basic requirement for any serious Bond fan. Don't kid yourself into thinking that reading 'some' or 'most' of the novels is good enough. (That goes for anyone on AJB)
I share your pain with Dalton, as I've had similar experience in showing my friends 'The Living Daylights'
As for the film Casino Royale, it doesn't even get around to Fleming's story until about halfway through. The rest is very bad filler material. They screwed up his first 2 kills, dressed him in some awful clothes, gambled to win the DB5, and added mindless action like free-running and airport bomb hiijinks. ( and Texas Hold 'Em ??)
1. GE 2. MR 3. OP 4. TMWTGG 5. TSWLM 6. TND 7. TWINE 8.DN 9. GF 10. AVTAK
I can thoroughly enjoy Moore today.
#1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS
I'm not so sure. People talk about Craig because he is the current Bond, and people talk about Connery because he's the original Bond. Connery was still relevant long after Bond and made great movies like Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, The Rock and Zardoz
He plays it straight most of the time, but the "Don't bother showing me the rest. If I get lost I'll take a cab" line is pretty awful.
One of the best moments in the series! All of his scenes in Germany in Octopussy are fantastic. I don't have a problem with the clown costume because Roger Moore plays it very seriously.
I agree completely! That filler material is why I don't care much for Casino Royale. The clothes during both the free-running and airport bomb scenes are some of the worst in the series. Fleming's material alone wouldn't have enough action to please the modern audiences. My biggest complaints about that film are from the scenes before the casino, but I also don't like that they changed the game. I refreshed myself on how baccarat is played before I went to see the film, only to be disappointed the game was changed to poker.
Unlike Bond, I get the feeling that Fleming was a poor gambler. Getting cleaned out by the Germans in Lisbon, for example.
Believe me, I'm not "harboring misguided hatred" toward Roger Moore. You make some good points about different ideas about who Felming's Bond really is, and the fact that OHMSS isn't really a darker Bond film. Most of what I wrote was meant to be kid of a tongue in cheek retelling in the tone of my former perspective. And when I say Roger Moore is still my least favorite Bond, it means that he's the least favorite of six actors whose different portrayals I LOVE...INCLUDING Moore's. And I agree with you that Fleming's Bond can be identified in Moore just as he can in any of the Bonds. Each Bond emphasizes elements of the character in his own way.
Also, I think the fact that I spend my time writing long posts on a James Bond fan community site qualifies me as a serious Bond fan more than whether or not I've read every single Fleming novel, but that's just me.
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