Maybe this should be re-titled EXPLOSIONEYE, because everything explodes in this movie. I never noticed it before but seriously, things are constantly exploding in this movie. It doesn't matter how big or how small the set piece is, things are going to explode. My wife and I were laughing over this by about the midpoint of the movie.
If the film has a weak link (apart from all of the explosions), it's really Brosnan. He's good in the role but you can tell that he's wanting to go even darker with his characterization. Just look at his facial expressions and you can tell that this is an even darker version of Bond than we got with Dalton. Unfortunately, the film won't let him go that dark, so he's forced to be lighthearted at many points in the film which KINDA work....kinda. But there's a seething rage in this Bond that never really gets to be cut loose.
I agree that he was shackled, but I don't totally think it's because he wanted to go darker. He's suffocated by the overly apologetic nature of the film (in particular the first half) - he's continually getting a towelling down because it's the 90s and he's a "dinosaur".
Look at his face during the entire situation room sequence with Tanner and M, he's drowning!
Not just that, he storms out of the office after his discussion with M.
Just look at how he buttons up his suit.
He only lightened up after she cut him some slack, which is the perfect example of the apologetic nature of the film.
Goldeneye has a brilliant beginning and ending - but drags badly in the middle. The brilliant crash-bang gun-barrel to casino sequence is such "Bond porn" that once we get into the Servanaya sequence it just dies to such a slow pace that you're asking "where's Bond and why isn't he in on the action?"
Finally it all uncovers that Alec is alive and behind it all with the dull Cossack connection (more apologies). Finally after we're playing cat and mouse with "insert action here" tank chase, we're into a finale that, apart from the great fight and ending above the dish, is just based on stealing money and someones shouting with a pen to hand over a password.
The payoff lacks, which is surprising - because they went to such lengths to get you to care.
The best thing IMO about the film is all the Bond elements coming together when they work and a brilliant Bond girl (and chemistry) in Natalya.
Goldeneye has a brilliant beginning and ending - but drags badly in the middle. The brilliant crash-bang gun-barrel to casino sequence is such "Bond porn" that once we get into the Servanaya sequence it just dies to such a slow pace that you're asking "where's Bond and why isn't he in on the action?"
I used to find this a huge flaw in the movie, and just Pierce Brosnan in general. This was the film that always used to make me feel sad that Timothy Dalton wasn't in it, and we got who I still think is the worst Bond actor, but I've really grown into it and say that I love it. Seeing the other Brosnan films recently made me really appreciate this one for what it is. Brosnan does a fine job even if I completely agree with what Judi Dench says to him in the film about his behaviour, a sexist dinosaur. The film does kinda slow down a bit once we hit Russia (I wasn't a fan of it in this movie) but the dialogue and plot really bring it up.
GoldenEye is rather leisurely paced. I recall watching both the PTS opening for GE and TLD back to back and discovering how slow in comparison GE's is.
The David Arnold score is very good, incorporating a lot of classic Barry themes while being its own thing. The theme song, however, is one of the weaker entries in the franchise, and Sheryl Crow botches a lot of the high notes (in my opinion). The k.d. lang song over the end titles is much stronger.
Almost totally agree with you! Arnold's score is great, and the end title song is far better than the one over the main titles. Much as I don't care for that song, though, Ms Crow seems quite in tune to me.
And then there's Stamper, one of the worst henchmen of the franchise. It's like the writers said 'give us a Red Grant clone' and then left it at that, forgetting to give the character any personality. It doesn't help that the actor playing him is a complete void of personality, presence, or charisma.
Stamper is actually one of my favorite henchman even if he blonde henchman #2425352 in the franchise. Him and Bond really go at it with bullets, bombs and fists in the finale.
I also love how Stamper, actually protects Carver in the News HQ escape sequence.
although not emphasised in the movie, Like Renard. He feels no pain and was exceptionally
strong. I really enjoy How Bond Dispatches him -{
"I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
And then there's Stamper, one of the worst henchmen of the franchise. It's like the writers said 'give us a Red Grant clone' and then left it at that, forgetting to give the character any personality. It doesn't help that the actor playing him is a complete void of personality, presence, or charisma.
Speaking of bullets, holy cow. I never realized how machine gun happy Brosnan was compared to the other actors until this re-watch.
Also, I found the sound effects of Brosnan's Bond films (especially machine guns, ricochets and stuff breaking) quite weak when compared to other action movies of the 90s, arguably the strongest being Heat.
I mean, the computer Yeoh shoots sound more like a vase/china breaking.
As for Stamper, he fits more of the german stereotype of the blonde, tall and powerful henchman than Grant.
He was a Jaws in disguise, though he could never match him.
Stamper is great. TND is a romping stomping entertaining ride. If you don't take anything seriously (because it's bloody awful) then you have a great time - and the villains fit into this category.
My biggest gripe with the film is the overuse of machine guns and bullets...and the god-awful Paris Carver crap.
My biggest gripe with the film is the overuse of machine guns and bullets...and the god-awful Paris Carver crap.
Again, I didn't notice the overuse of machine guns until this re-watch. Seeing both GOLDENEYE and TOMORROW NEVER DIES back to back really highlights just how much of a leap the Brosnan films take regarding the bulletstorms. I'm really wondering how TWINE is going to play now.
I prefer TWINE over GE and TND because it doesn't have bulletstorms of those two.
My biggest gripe with the film is the overuse of machine guns and bullets...and the god-awful Paris Carver crap.
Again, I didn't notice the overuse of machine guns until this re-watch. Seeing both GOLDENEYE and TOMORROW NEVER DIES back to back really highlights just how much of a leap the Brosnan films take regarding the bulletstorms. I'm really wondering how TWINE is going to play now.
I prefer TWINE over GE and TND because it doesn't have bulletstorms of those two.
IIRC Bond uses his PP9 exclusively through the film (and quite a bit), others use machine guns.
And then there's Stamper, one of the worst henchmen of the franchise. It's like the writers said 'give us a Red Grant clone' and then left it at that, forgetting to give the character any personality. It doesn't help that the actor playing him is a complete void of personality, presence, or charisma.
Speaking of bullets, holy cow. I never realized how machine gun happy Brosnan was compared to the other actors until this re-watch.
Also, I found the sound effects of Brosnan's Bond films (especially machine guns, ricochets and stuff breaking) quite weak when compared to other action movies of the 90s, arguably the strongest being Heat.
I mean, the computer Yeoh shoots sound more like a vase/china breaking.
As for Stamper, he fits more of the german stereotype of the blonde, tall and powerful henchman than Grant.
He was a Jaws in disguise, though he could never match him.
The sound effects in GE are really dated especially when you realize it came out the same year as Heat. I always thought TND's had some of the best SFX in the franchise though, especially the weapons. It's one of the most fun Bond films to hear in surround sound.
The sound effects in GE are really dated especially when you realize it came out the same year as Heat. I always thought TND's had some of the best SFX in the franchise though, especially the weapons. It's one of the most fun Bond films to hear in surround sound.
GE still uses the same sfx library as all the Bond films from the 70s/80s.
People seem to forget the bulletstorms of YOLT... )
I haven't watched it in 3 years. Can you refresh my mind as to when Bond machine-guns his way through the bad guys?
You think if he had access to one he wouldn't? Bond running around with his PPK was sort of comic book in that film considering the hail of gunfire all around, but then, that was rather the point of it, eh? -{
^ I see that TWINE is actually in quite a good spot in your rankings?
Great to see that you've called out Arnold's soundtrack and the title song. I find that the music adds a texture to the film that suits the drama, romance and leisurely pace.
While the action sequences are "insert here" they aren't as overtly choreographed as TND and GE and come across a bit more real - in another thread I called out that in the entire film Bond uses his P99 and never a machine gun.
That being said, the sequences could do with a bit better editing and direction as you call out because what they've attempted isn't 100% - but I appreciate it more than the sequences in the Brosnan films around it (e.g. the tank sequence in GE is stupid).
While the action sequences are "insert here" they aren't as overtly choreographed as TND and GE and come across a bit more real - in another thread I called out that in the entire film Bond uses his P99 and never a machine gun.
Brosnan does use a P90 and is briefly seen with a TMP in TWINE but you're right it is the film where Brosnan uses automatic weapons the least I think.
I've said this before and I'll say it again: I like my Bond to be competent at his job and look like he's physically and intellectually capable of doing everything that he does on screen. We get all of that here in this film. He makes mistakes but they are believable and understandable mistakes (he's not perfect) and he makes corrections/adjustments along the way to accomplishing his goals. Things don't just happen to Bond in the film...he researches, he plans, and then he executes. Great stuff.
{[]
He also has to bury his pride and he eventually becomes increasingly less cocky throughout the film.
Casino Royale chewed Bond up as the novice, over-confident agent that he was and spat him out as the mature, experienced Bond that we recognise from the previous canon (most of us do, anyway 8-) ).
Character development...in a Bond film...for Bond? Who would've thought?
Comments
Lol I know, it was IMO too.
"Better make that two."
The proper term is IMHO
I agree that he was shackled, but I don't totally think it's because he wanted to go darker. He's suffocated by the overly apologetic nature of the film (in particular the first half) - he's continually getting a towelling down because it's the 90s and he's a "dinosaur".
Look at his face during the entire situation room sequence with Tanner and M, he's drowning!
"Better make that two."
Just look at how he buttons up his suit.
He only lightened up after she cut him some slack, which is the perfect example of the apologetic nature of the film.
Finally it all uncovers that Alec is alive and behind it all with the dull Cossack connection (more apologies). Finally after we're playing cat and mouse with "insert action here" tank chase, we're into a finale that, apart from the great fight and ending above the dish, is just based on stealing money and someones shouting with a pen to hand over a password.
The payoff lacks, which is surprising - because they went to such lengths to get you to care.
The best thing IMO about the film is all the Bond elements coming together when they work and a brilliant Bond girl (and chemistry) in Natalya.
"Better make that two."
I used to find this a huge flaw in the movie, and just Pierce Brosnan in general. This was the film that always used to make me feel sad that Timothy Dalton wasn't in it, and we got who I still think is the worst Bond actor, but I've really grown into it and say that I love it. Seeing the other Brosnan films recently made me really appreciate this one for what it is. Brosnan does a fine job even if I completely agree with what Judi Dench says to him in the film about his behaviour, a sexist dinosaur. The film does kinda slow down a bit once we hit Russia (I wasn't a fan of it in this movie) but the dialogue and plot really bring it up.
1. Dalton 2. Moore 3. Connery 4. Lazenby 5. Craig 6. Brosnan
Almost totally agree with you! Arnold's score is great, and the end title song is far better than the one over the main titles. Much as I don't care for that song, though, Ms Crow seems quite in tune to me.
although not emphasised in the movie, Like Renard. He feels no pain and was exceptionally
strong. I really enjoy How Bond Dispatches him -{
#1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS
I mean, the computer Yeoh shoots sound more like a vase/china breaking.
As for Stamper, he fits more of the german stereotype of the blonde, tall and powerful henchman than Grant.
He was a Jaws in disguise, though he could never match him.
Yes- some people try to spot Maud Adams in AVTAK, but AJB'ers try to spot Higgins in TLD!
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
My biggest gripe with the film is the overuse of machine guns and bullets...and the god-awful Paris Carver crap.
"Better make that two."
I prefer TWINE over GE and TND because it doesn't have bulletstorms of those two.
#1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS
I haven't watched it in 3 years. Can you refresh my mind as to when Bond machine-guns his way through the bad guys?
IIRC Bond uses his PP9 exclusively through the film (and quite a bit), others use machine guns.
"Better make that two."
GE still uses the same sfx library as all the Bond films from the 70s/80s.
"Better make that two."
#1.TLD/LTK 2.TND 3.GF 4.GE 5.DN 6.FYEO 7.FRWL 8.TMWTGG 9.TWINE 10.YOLT/QOS
Check out my Instagram: @livingthebondlife
"I never joke about my work, 007."
I will try to see all the Bonds with headphones, to see how different the experience will be.
Great to see that you've called out Arnold's soundtrack and the title song. I find that the music adds a texture to the film that suits the drama, romance and leisurely pace.
While the action sequences are "insert here" they aren't as overtly choreographed as TND and GE and come across a bit more real - in another thread I called out that in the entire film Bond uses his P99 and never a machine gun.
That being said, the sequences could do with a bit better editing and direction as you call out because what they've attempted isn't 100% - but I appreciate it more than the sequences in the Brosnan films around it (e.g. the tank sequence in GE is stupid).
"Better make that two."
HOW DARE YOU?
"- That is something to be afraid of."
He also has to bury his pride and he eventually becomes increasingly less cocky throughout the film.
Casino Royale chewed Bond up as the novice, over-confident agent that he was and spat him out as the mature, experienced Bond that we recognise from the previous canon (most of us do, anyway 8-) ).
Character development...in a Bond film...for Bond? Who would've thought?
What do you think of Vesper?
Roger Moore 1927-2017