Confessions of a bona-fide Brosnan hater...

O07 · April 2015

I hate the Pierce Brosnan movies. In my opinion every Bond has at least one top film, (FRWL, OHMSS, FYEO, LTK, SF) but Pierce has but one fair movie, his debut in GoldenEye is undoubtedly his best, though it's not all that really, I guess as an worthwhile update to the Moonraker novel then it serves OK. Brosnan looks more like he's in a Loreal advert than playing 007, his hair is far too long for Bond, his entire character is wrong, gone is the intensity of Dalton, instead a weak strain of charm and a half smile is a cheap replacement. The music is terrible, the worst score in the series.

Tomorrow Never Dies is Bond/Terminator by the numbers, both YOLT and in particular, TSWLM, did this exact plot so much better, why take it out for a third time? Too many gadgets, the most disgusting BMW and Brosnan is terrible in the "character" scenes with Paris. Teri Hatcher is awful, the relationship is completely unbelievable and wooden. The villains are embarrassingly poor. It's so full up with fancy high-tech 90's gadgetry. Arnold's score is generic, run of the mill mish mash best of John Barry.

The World Is Not Enough is paced horribly, Michael Apted was out of his depth, the action sequences lack any zip, another unbelievable "character" relationship with another wooden leading Lady. It's a horribly dis-jointed affair, the mine scenes are plain bad and Christmas Jones is a nuclear scientist yeah right! Never before have we had such weak villains and leading Ladies. At least the intentions in the plot are realistic-ish. Another instantly forgetable score and song.

Die Another Day is down right crap. It's GoldenEye 2 FFS. Didn't anyone notice? Jinx is cringe worthy embarassing, the dialog is pure tosh, invisible BMW is rubbish, the villains are shockingy awful, the whole gene replacement sub plot was blah, Sci-fi in Bond is never a good idea. That CGI scene is crap. Madonna, crap. Shitty techno score. Lee Tamahori what did you do? You, took the money and ran. The worst Bond movie EVER.

Thank goodness he got the sack when he did, I couldn't have taken a Casino Royale in the vein of the Brosnan movies, his mid-atlantic "The name's Band, James Band" grates. He's the worst Bond with the worst films.

Anyone agree?

broadshoulder · April 2015

Yep, well done

-{ +1

Higgins · April 2015

I fail to understand that 007 fans enter the forum by showing off their hate for a certain decade of their preferred franchise

I am widely known for being not a fan of Dalton's outings - particularly TLD, but it's still an acceptable movie.

I also understand the process of opinion-building and therefore there has to be bright and dark to give yourself orientation - it's a similar tool like the endless rating, ranking and pros and cons lists.

O07, you are at the start of a very exciting journey - on repeated viewings you will discover that your initial opinions on certain elements change - particularly based on the mass of informations that you can gather here on the board.

Don't be surprised that you are starting to enjoy the unthinkable and always consider that you are hurting feelings from others by brushing off a certain 007 period.

Welcome onboard! -{

broadshoulder · April 2015

Sorry

Higgins · April 2015

just wanted to add one thing:

David Arnold:
He's widely known for being a John Barry afficionado.

He greatly respects Barry's work and tries to continue in his spirit.
It would not work, if he copied The Master Barry - he has to do it his own way and as far as I am concerned, he's the one with the best scores after Barry! I even prefer him over Bill Conti! -{

Barbel · April 2015

Welcome to AJB, O07. I'd like to ask you to have a look at http://www.ajb007.co.uk/topic/45180/introduction-how-to-use-the-forum/, written by one of our long-standing members, minigeff.

Barbel · April 2015

Higgins wrote:

He's widely known for being a John Barry afficionado.

He greatly respects Barry's work and tries to continue in his spirit.
It would not work, if he copied The Master Barry - he has to do it his own way and as far as I am concerned, he's the one with the best scores after Barry!

In total agreement with this, and am sad that Arnold's work is being interrupted by Sam Mendes using Thomas Newman.

Higgins · April 2015

Barbel wrote:

sad that Arnold's work is being interrupted by Sam Mendes using Thomas Newman.

{[] {[] {[]

Thunderpussy · April 2015

+1, Arnold, in my opinion just keeps getting better with his Bond scores, QOS
Was some fantastic film music.

AlphaOmegaSin · April 2015

Like Higgins said, you will appreciate the Brosnan Outings more with repeated Viewings :007)

Napoleon Plural · April 2015

I like 007's opening post, it is passionate and well written and he makes some good points. DAD being a remake of GE, it is in a way! Both draw on the whole Moonraker novel.

The main mystery of course is how the hell we can have a new member calling himself '007' I mean how come that name hadn't been taken yet? ?:)

Brozzer is sort of a nearly man, he has worked with some top directors in other films but rarely knocks it out the park, he has had some bad luck and his portrayal lacked conviction in the same way that Connery's lacks conviction in NSNA - when you know you're having to carry a turkey while having to be this supercool guy, it gets awkward.

Barbel · April 2015

Napoleon Plural wrote:

The main mystery of course is how the hell we can have a new member calling himself '007' I mean how come that name hadn't been taken yet? ?:)

It's cos he's O (capital letter) 0 (number) 7, not 007 or OO7 or oo7 or .... you get the idea.

Jarvio · April 2015

I agree that the Brosnan-era is the worst era. And IMO he's the 2nd worst bond, only better than Lazenby (but Lazenby's 1 film is better than all of Brosnan's).

I don't hate Brosnan though. I just feel that he didn't make the role his own, although that may be the writer's fault.

TND, TWINE, and DAD are all low-rankers for me. But I love GE. It's by far his best.

Manxman · April 2015

I wouldn't say I hate Pierce Brosnan: he was simply unlucky to get a poor crop of scripts. Some actors can transcend bad material and others can't, and like Roger Moore Brosnan falls into the latter category. In his best Bond film The World Is Not Enough he's undeniably good and in his worst Tomorrow Never Dies he's absolutely dreadful and unbearably arch. However, given that most of his dialogue consisted of dreadful sexual double entendres or crass quips, who can really blame him?

Blackleiter · April 2015

Barbel wrote:

Higgins wrote:

He's widely known for being a John Barry afficionado.

He greatly respects Barry's work and tries to continue in his spirit.
It would not work, if he copied The Master Barry - he has to do it his own way and as far as I am concerned, he's the one with the best scores after Barry!

In total agreement with this, and am sad that Arnold's work is being interrupted by Sam Mendes using Thomas Newman.

Same here. {[]

chrisisall · April 2015

O07 wrote:

I hate the Pierce Brosnan movies.
He's the worst Bond with the worst films.
Anyone agree?

Imprinting is a key factor. My first Bond ever was DAF in the movies. Bond was introduced to me as a suave super agent in a fantastical world of evil doubles, sexual innuendos & space lasers. Despite later having read all of Fleming's books and discovering that yes, FRWL really IS one of, if not THE best Bond movie ever made in no way takes away from my enjoyment from the more OTT efforts like YOLT. In Mr. Brosnan's case, TND is merely an adventurous thrill ride with a rather magnificent score. I like Pierce, and have since I first saw him on Remington Steele. If he had starred in TLD as he should have, his tenure would have been radically different. The dip in the Bond box office take with Dalton's two caused the producers to seek solace in formula for GE & beyond, so Brosnan unfortunately never quite got to do the type of films Dalton got to play with.
A last thing- there is no Bond movie I care less for than MR. I don't care for it, but I don't hate it. It takes too much negative energy to hate (plus I'm led to understand that it leads to the Dark Side). :007)

bigzilcho · April 2015

Perhaps I should call my post Confessions of A Bond Fan who Hates Absolute Negative Criticisn of Bond.

Frankly, I'm bored to tears when I read topics like this one by 007. What I object is the blanket dismissal of a Bond actor's run. I see no leeway, no allowance to appreciate anything. I mean, come on, there's NOTHING of value in 4 films, 007?
In the immortal Bond/Q exchange: "You must be joking!"

I have become old and cranky as a Bond fan and,as such, my tolerance level for another Bond fan's total "hatred" for anything Bond has reached the ignition pont similiar to Dalton bursting the balloon in TLD.

This is not an attempt to dissuade criticism, let's be clear about that. And neither is it a dismissal of anybody's right to an opinion. 007 has an inalieanable right to hate Brosnan or whoever he chooses.

What I object to is the seeming lack of love. Nowhere in his post does 007 give the proverbial pat on the back to anything in Brosnan's tenure. And that lack of generosity towards any part of our favorite series starts to wear down my pleasure when I read topics like this.

I like to believe that Bond fans are amongst the most sophisticared and articulate of pop culture afficianados, simply because we quietly try to emulate our favorite fictional hero. I believe Bond fans can defend any movie in the series, particularly the ones they don't like.

I hope that soewhere down the line that 007 comes to appreciate the numerous treasures that are to be cherished in Brosnan's films. Check the current topic Confessions Of. Former Moore Hater to see how opinions that once seem inflexible can, with the passage of time, soften and change.

This is not a post meant to lambast 007 or his opinion. It is merely a defense mechanism that automatically springs into action whenever I feel a Bond actor or film is dismissed outright.

And to answer 007's question if anyone agrees: I don't...emphatically.

"Sorry about the leg, Q. Skiing?"
(Ka-boom!!!)
"Hunting!"

chrisisall · April 2015

bigzilcho wrote:

What I object is the blanket dismissal of a Bond actor's run.

Okay, I'll admit to it.
I hate all of James Brolin's Bond movies, every single one. I hate his fake accent, I hate that his Bond car is a Corvette, and what in Hades were they thinking having Frankie Goes To Hollywood score his films???

superado · April 2015

bigzilcho wrote:

Perhaps I should call my post Connfessions of A Bond Fan who Hates Absolute Negative Criticisn of Bond.

Frankly, I'm bored to tears when I read topics like this one by 007. What I object is the blanket dismissal of a Bond actor's run. I see no leeway, no allowance to appreciate anything. I mean, come on, there's NOTHING of value in 4 films, 007?
In the immortal Bond/Q exchange: "You must be joking!"

I have become old and cranky as a Bond fan and,as such, my tolerance level for another Bond fan's total "hatred" for anything Bond has reached the ignition pont similiar to Dalton bursting the balloon in TLD.

This is not an attempt to dissuade criticism, let's be clear about that. And neither is it a dismissal of anybody's right to an opinion. 007 has an inalieanable right to hate Brosnan or whoever he chooses.

What I object to is the seeming lack of love. Nowhere in his post does 007 give the proverbial pat on the back to anything in Brosnan's tenure. And that lack of generosity towards any part of our favorite series starts to wear down my pleasure when I read topics like this.

I like to believe that Bond fans are amongst the most sophisticared and articulate of pop culture afficianados, simply because we quietly try to emulate our favorite fictional hero. I believe Bond fans can defend any movie in the series, particularly the ones they don't like.

I hope that soewhere down the line that 007 comes to appreciate the numerous treasures that are to be cherished in Brosnan's films. Check the current topic Confessions Of. Former Moore Hater to see how opinions that once seem inflexible can, with the passage of time, soften and change.

This is not a post meant to lambast 007 or his opinion. It is merely a defense mechanism that automatically springs into action whenever I feel a Bond actor or film is dismissed outright.

And to answer 007's question if anyone agrees: I don't...emphatically.

"Sorry about the leg, Q. Skiing?"
(Ka-boom!!!)
"Hunting!"

Some people are capable of complex, critical thought, while some others can only think in absolute terms. Of the latter, I've observed these to be typically young people, though some older folks have proved to be the exceptions, which is nothing to be proud about.

O07 · April 2015

Hello again, I see a few differing opinions on here and that is good, it is what my posting was trying to do. I accept that there is some good in the Brosnan movies, GoldenEye in particular, also there's alot of well intended storyline in The World Is Not Enough, but in retrospect with the Craig films doing similar storylines much more effectively it comes across as a poor comparison. There are moments in the other two pictures as well, but on the whole it's the weakest era.

Higgins, I've seen the movies enough times in the past 20 years to know them inside out.

I also agree that Arnolds two Craig scores are so much better than anything 97-02.

chrisisall · April 2015

O07 wrote:

Higgins, I've seen the movies enough times in the past 20 years to know them inside out.

Okay- test: What movie is this from?
"Is ******** giving you any trouble?"

Barbel · April 2015

chrisisall wrote:

What movie is this from?
"Is ******** giving you a problem?"

...tempted... resists replying...

Firemass · April 2015

Higgins wrote:

Don't be surprised that you are starting to enjoy the unthinkable and always consider that you are hurting feelings from others by brushing off a certain 007 period.

+1 Wise words. Well put.

bigzilcho wrote:

I have become old and cranky as a Bond fan and,as such, my tolerance level for another Bond fan's total "hatred" for anything Bond has reached the ignition pont similiar to Dalton bursting the balloon in TLD.
This is not an attempt to dissuade criticism, let's be clear about that. And neither is it a dismissal of anybody's right to an opinion. 007 has an inalieanable right to hate Brosnan or whoever he chooses.
What I object to is the seeming lack of love. Nowhere in his post does 007 give the proverbial pat on the back to anything in Brosnan's tenure. And that lack of generosity towards any part of our favorite series starts to wear down my pleasure when I read topics like this.

+1 Sometimes AJB really bums me out, but I'm developing thicker skin so I can tolerate these "hater" posts and roll with the punches.

AlphaOmegaSin · April 2015

I just find it odd that someone who is a Fan of a Franchise would dismiss a certain Part of it

chrisisall · April 2015

Barbel wrote:

chrisisall wrote:

What movie is this from?
"Is ******** giving you any trouble?"

...tempted... resists replying...

Please dude, of course YOU know it instantly, I wanted to see if O07 could get it as fast... hmmm.. no reply.... :v

Absolutely_Cart · April 2015

I've been warming up to the Brosnan era lately. It doesn't quite reach the height of the Connery era, the decisiveness of the Craig era or the span of Moore's, but it has its own charm in its own right.

Absolutely_Cart · April 2015

LOL at Higgins practicing the act of projection.

chrisisall · April 2015

Absolutely_Cart wrote:

I've been warming up to the Brosnan era lately.

He's so cute with his charming the ladies ways & his pain face & all... how can ya not like the guy? :x

Absolutely_Cart · April 2015

Oh, I agree so much.

O07 · April 2015

I apologise if I hurt another's feelings on the subject, I was a Kid in the 90's, but even then I knew the Brosnan movies were not in the same league as the 60's/70's/80's films.

Just my opinion.

chrisisall · April 2015

O07 wrote:

I apologise if I hurt another's feelings on the subject, I was a Kid in the 90's, but even then I knew the Brosnan movies were not in the same league as the 60's/70's/80's films.

Just my opinion.

School is in session.
A best from the 60's- TB. A best from the 70's- TSWLM. A best from the 80's- TLD.
Now contrast any one of them to say, TND.
If you're being honest, you will see more similarities than differences. Nice scores, eccentric villains with crazy plans, good photography, cool fight scenes, funny and seemingly endless double-entendres/sexual innuendos, etc.
The main divergence is in the obvious difference is in the actors' takes on Bond himself. If for instance you can't stand Connery's swagger, you might prefer Moore's charm & Brosnan's directness. If you dislike Moore's lack of apparent physicality you will no doubt like Connery's brutality or Brosnan's slick moves better.

It all boils down to preference. To say Brosnan's movies aren't in the 'same league' with other films is simply to betray your lack of understanding that your personal preferences do not necessarily coincide with what might be a more objective opinion on quality.

Confessions of a bona-fide Brosnan hater...

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