Best Vs. Favourite

BIG TAM · May 2015

I was discussing all things Bond with a friend the other day. He said he found it hard to critique them as proper films because they belonged in their own universe. For example, QUANTUM OF SOLACE worked fine as an action film but didn't feel like a Bond film. We disagreed, though I could see his point of view. As a fan of cinema I like films to have strong production qualities. So ON HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE & FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE come tops because there's an attention to story & detail. But then there's a parallel thinking where I find myself loving DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER & MOONRAKER, two films with scant regard for any form of coherent storytelling, etc. This brings me to the point of this thread. Do fans have two Top Ten lists - one for best in terms of overall quality & another for those they watch repeatedly - not as Guilty Pleasures - but because they entertain pure & simple? Here are mine:-

Top Ten Best:
1. On Her Majesty's Secret Service
2. From Russia With Love
3. Goldfinger
4. Thunderball
5. Dr. No
6. Skyfall
7. Casino Royale
8. Licence To Kill
9. The Spy Who Loved Me
10. Live & Let Die

Top Ten Favourites:
1. Diamonds Are Forever
2. The Spy Who Loved Me
3. Moonraker
4. Live & Let Die
5. The Man With The Golden Gun
6. Skyfall
7. Quantum Of Solace
8. The World Is Not Enough
9. Die Another Day
10. Goldfinger

There's some crossover of titles but generally they're two separate lists. I quite like enjoying Bond on two levels. Anybody else agree or care to share their own tastes?

Absolutely_Cart · May 2015

Die Another Day and Quantum of Solace are some of my favorites even though they aren't the best.

Jarvio · May 2015

Even though Thunderball is at the bottom of my list, I still consider it "better" than DAD

MilleniumForce · May 2015

Id say the best films are my favourites. My definition of the 'best' or 'good' film is based on the enjoyment factor. I don't base it on filming qualities, locations etc. If films were made for enjoyment, then that's how we should judge how good a film is.

Gassy Man · May 2015

From Russia with Love is the best Bond film; Goldfinger is my favorite.

AlphaOmegaSin · May 2015

For me it's -

Best - The Living Daylights

Favorite - On Her Majesties Secret Service

DevilMayCare007 · May 2015

Best - From Russia With Love
Favorite - Thunderball

broadshoulder · May 2015

Best - From Russia with Love
favourite - For Your Eyes Only

Jarvio · May 2015

Best - Licence To Kill/Skyfall
Favourite - Live And Let Die

Blackleiter · May 2015

My best and favorite are one and the same. Come on, say it with me kids........Goldfinger!

Firemass · May 2015

BIG TAM wrote:

As a fan of cinema I like films to have strong production qualities. So ON HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE & FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE come tops because there's an attention to story & detail. But then there's a parallel thinking where I find myself loving DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER & MOONRAKER, two films with scant regard for any form of coherent storytelling, etc.
There's some crossover of titles but generally they're two separate lists. I quite like enjoying Bond on two levels. Anybody else agree or care to share their own tastes?

I like what you're getting at, but the weird thing is I don't agree with your criteria at all. For example, OHMSS and FRWL are two of the most faithful to Fleming, but don't necessarily have higher production values than many other Bonds.

Moonraker's story is actually VERY coherent and unfolds in a straight-forward linear fashion at a good pace. Compare this with confusing plots in OP, TLD, or even FRWL. Plus, Moonraker also has the highest production values of any Bond film. By those standards I would consider MR to be among the best and personal favorite in the series.

Anyway, I know what you mean though, and best vs. favorite is an important distinction to make. I don't feel like anyone can prove if one film is better than another since it is all highly subjective. All I can say for sure is which films I enjoy more or like for personal reasons.

However, if pressed, I would admit that FRWL is a "better" film than TMWTGG, even though I would rather watch the latter.

Firemass · May 2015

Blackleiter wrote:

My best and favorite are one and the same. Come on, say it with me kids........Goldfinger!

Anything less than the best is a felony!

BIG TAM · May 2015

Firemass wrote:

BIG TAM wrote:

As a fan of cinema I like films to have strong production qualities. So ON HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE & FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE come tops because there's an attention to story & detail. But then there's a parallel thinking where I find myself loving DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER & MOONRAKER, two films with scant regard for any form of coherent storytelling, etc.
There's some crossover of titles but generally they're two separate lists. I quite like enjoying Bond on two levels. Anybody else agree or care to share their own tastes?

I like what you're getting at, but the weird thing is I don't agree with your criteria at all. For example, OHMSS and FRWL are two of the most faithful to Fleming, but don't necessarily have higher production values than many other Bonds.

Moonraker's story is actually VERY coherent and unfolds in a straight-forward linear fashion at a good pace. Compare this with confusing plots in OP, TLD, or even FRWL. Plus, Moonraker also has the highest production values of any Bond film. By those standards I would consider MR to be among the best and personal favorite in the series.

Anyway, I know what you mean though, and best vs. favorite is an important distinction to make. I don't feel like anyone can prove if one film is better than another since it is all highly subjective. All I can say for sure is which films I enjoy more or like for personal reasons.

However, if pressed, I would admit that FRWL is a "better" film than TMWTGG, even though I would rather watch the latter.

I wasn't quite sure how to put this idea across. MilleniumForce makes a fair point that best & favourite should essentially be one & the same & you're right about production values. I think I was meaning more plot structure & care of storytelling but wrote it a bit wrong.
You're right that MOONRAKER has an easy to follow story but the means of getting from beginning to end feature so many bizarre contrivances compared to FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE's more carefully thought out story structure. This for me makes FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE the 'better' film but MOONRAKER is in many ways more enjoyable because of its carefree attitude to plot & character.
And I'd agree with your last line. I too enjoy watching THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN GUN more.

clublos · May 2015

What a great topic! I too agree that there is a huge difference between best and favorite, but it looks like we've wandered into a conversation to define "best" and how it pertains to Bond.

For my money, "best" could be most closely associated with adherence to Fleming's source material. Production value could be interpreted as story, cinematography or direction, so I think those elements are more subjective.

FRWL is the best, OHMSS is my favorite.

chrisisall · May 2015

For ME, 'best' means if you weren't a Bond fan, which film you like despite not fancying him.
FRWL.
And we all know my favourite. Same as Higgins'.
TLD.

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Best Vs. Favourite

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