Day 127: Never Say Never Again

Never Say Never Again
Director: Irvin Kershner
Starring: Sean Connery, Max von Sydow & Kim Basinger
Rated: PG
Length: 134 min.
Released: October 7, 1983
Trailer

IMDB.com Synopsis:
Using an astounding array of weapons, Agent 007 has singlehandedly wiped out an army of Her Majesty’s enemies. But when a lovely captive slips a knife into 007′s ribs, the superspy’s boss decides it’s time his top agent sharpen his lethal edge. So James Bond is off to a health spa. However his “vacation” is cut short by Largo, a power-mad mastermind set on carrying out his plan for worldwide nuclear blackmail. On Largo’s side, the murderous femme fatale Fatima Blush and vile SPECTRE chief Blofeld. But Bond does have an ally though, Largo’s girlfriend, the willowy Domino, who falls for Bond.

My Thoughts:
This film is a major anomaly in the Bond films. It’s a remake of Thunderball that stemed from all the controversy surounding that film and it’s not considered an “official” Bond film. One watch and you can tell why. The title is based on a conversation between Sean Connery and his second wife, Micheline Roquebrune. After initially retiring from the role following Diamonds Are Forever (1971) he told the press he would ‘never’ play James Bond again; her response for him was to never say “never” again. She is credited at the end of the film for her contribution. As a result, it was the first Bond movie to use a non-Ian Fleming originated title.

I would have to say this is the strangest  Bond film of them all. Why is it so strange? For starters it’s Sean Connery’s last film as Bond…and he looks soooo old. It was not released by EON Productions, so it doesn’t have the music, the typical opening credits, the gun barrel looking at bond and then him shooting and the red dropping down on the screen…no Q…nothing! It tries to replace all that stuff, but it just falls short. The gadgets are okay, but the music is horrendous. The opening sequence would have been so much better if it didn’t have that awful song starting out the movie.

It does have some fun moments though. For example, there is a memorable sequence regarding a rather insane idea for a video game and a pretty cool motercycle Bond uses to avaid hs enemy. It’s also intresting to see Connery and Basinger share the screen.

There’s also a small debate over if this film fits into the chronology of the rest of the Bond films. As explained on Wikipedia:

“As a standalone film, it takes place in an alternative timeline compared to previously released films. Specifically, while the portrayal of Connery as Bond is true to the fact Connery played Bond for 6 of the 7 first films, most involving SPECTRE, this film ignores the events of those films, as Blofeld is active and apparently previously unknown to Bond and MI6.

Several fans however, those of whom decide to place the film’s story within the EON Bond series, have speculated that the events depicted show a failed attempt from Blofeld and Largo to bring back SPECTRE from the dead, without obviously counting at Bond’s resurgence from retirement. Even in this scenario, the whereabouts of Blofeld remain unknown.”

This is the main film that made me dicide to watch the Bond films in release date order rather than the story’s chronological order. It’s hard to place this one.

At any rate, it was a valient attempt by Connery…but he should have stopped with Dimonds Are Forever. I’m giving this one 3 stars out of 5.

Day 126: Octopussy

Octopussy
Director: John Glen
Starring: Roger Moore & Maud Adams
Rated: PG
Length: 131 min.
Released: June 10, 1983
Trailer

IMDB.com Synopsis:
Bond must investigate the murder of a fellow agent who was clutching a priceless Faberge egg at the time of his death. The trail leads to the mysterious Octopussy, whose traveling circus features a company of luscious, athletic women. Bond and Octopussy share a passionate affection, but soon 007 discovers that the elegant Kamal Khan is working with a mad Russian officer to hurl mankind into World War III! As Bond tries to stop the nightmarish scheme, his exploits will include a riveting chase through the streets of India, a deadly brawl on top of a speeding train, and a breathtaking midair knife fight on an airplane wing.

My Thoughts:
This one is probably my least favorite Bond Film by Roger Moore. It came out the same year as Never Say Never Again (the last “Bond” film by Connery) which also wasn’t very good. 1983 just wasn’t a good year or Bond (though the films to come would get worse…much worse).

If you can get past the awkwardness of the title it’s an okay film. But there isn’t a whole lot about it that sticks out about it besides the name. There are some entertaining chase sequences, most memorable is the fights/chases on top of a speeding train. Other than that it doesn’t offer much. Typical Russian villain that wants to destroy the world…women seriously objectified, and over the top action one sequence after another.

After following such a good film in For Your Eyes Only…this one just doesn’t measure up at all. It’s getting 3 stars out of 5.

Day 125: For Your Eyes Only

For Your Eyes Only
Director: John Glen
Starring: Roger Moore & Carole Bouquet
Rated: PG
Length:
127 min
Released: June 26th, 1981
Trailer

IMDB.com Synopsis:
After disposing of a familiar looking face, Bond is sent to recover a communication device, known as an ATAC, which went down with a British Spy ship as it sunk. Bond must hurry though, as the Russians are also out for this device. On his travels, he also meets Melina Havelock, whose parents were brutally murdered. Bond also encounters both Aristotle Kristatos and Milos Colombo. Each of them are accusing the other of having links with with the Russian’s. Bond must team up with Melina, solve who the true ally is and find the ATAC before it’s too late.

My Thoughts:
This is my absolute favorite Roger Moore Bond film. It’s brutal, action packed, slightly more grounded and a bit darker than all his other films. It starts with one of my favorite sequences in all the Bond films as we finally see Blowfelt get what’s coming to him.

There was a bit of a debate about weather the film should go as dark and grity as it did. I mean sure…Bond has a license to kill, but is he the type of guy that would choose NOT to save a bad guy about to plunge to his death, but rather, kicks the guy over the cliff! That’s dark stuff…that’s intense, and I loved it!

The gadgets are cool as usual, the cars are sweet, the villain is brutal…and the locations are exotic. It’s everything you want in a bond film. I’m giving this one 5 stars out of 5.

Day 124: Moonraker

Moonraker
Director: Lewis Gilbert
Starring: Roger Moore, Lois Chiles, Michael Lonsdale & Richard Kiel
Rated: PG
Length: 126 min
Released: June 29, 1979
Trailer

IMDB.com Synopsis:
A space shuttle called the Moonraker, built by Drax Industries, is on its way to the U.K when it is hijacked in mid-air and the crew of the 747 carrying it is killed. Bond immediately is called into action, and starts the investigation with Hugo Drax himself. While at the Drax laboratories, Bond meets the brilliant & stunning Dr. Holly Goodhead, a NASA astronaut & CIA agent who is investigating Drax for the U.S. Government. One of Drax’s thugs, the sinister Chan, attempts to kill 007 at the lab but when that fails, he follows Bond to Venice and tries again there. Bond & Goodhead follow Drax’s trail to Brazil, where they once again run into the 7′ Goliath Jaws, a towering giant with metal teeth. Escaping from him, they discover the existence of a huge space station undetected by U.S. or Soviet radar, and a horrible plot by Drax to employ nerve gas in a genocidal project! Bond & Holly must quickly find a way to stop Hugo Drax before his horrific plans can be put into effect.

My Thoughts:
Okay, I never thought I’d say this…but I’m getting soooo tired of James Bond. This is just crazy. My goodness…marathon in deed.

I also want to apologize (again) for the tardiness of some of these posts. I look like I’m a bit behind, and when it comes to the posting I am. I still don’t have the net at home (I know…I’m working on it) so it’s getting hard to do a post every day…but I’m still watching them.

With that said…thank you to all who have been following me on this journey. I’m sure you are getting tired of all these Bond films, like I am. It will soon be over…and then on to something less misogynistic perhaps? We’ll see.

So, Moonraker. The villain with a plot that winks at Hitler’s idea of the “superior” race and the dark days of eugenics in the world of science/medicine. It’s one of the more memorable Bond films with Roger Moore…and probably my least favorite. All the master race, space battles…and so on. It just doesn’t work for me. Space battles don’t belong to James Bond. I know it’s based on a book…but come on. It seemed like they were really stretching for some new exotic place to have a battle. They’ve done just about everywhere on the planet, so they just took it outside.

It kind of has a throw back feel to it, though. Some parts seem like a little wink back at the older Connery bond films that have elaborate futuristic sets and every villain seemed to have the same interior designer that was way to obsessed with “space age” technology.

On an up note…laser guns are sweet and Jaws gets a girlfriend!!! So hey…it’s not all bad. I’m giving this one 3 stars out of 5.

Day 123: The Spy Who Loved Me

The Spy Who Loved Me
Director: Lewis Gilbert
Starring: Roger Moore, Barbara Bach & Richard Kiel
Rated: PG
Length: 125 min.
Released: August 3, 1977
Trailer

IMDB.com Synopsis:
Both the British and Russians are amazed when a submarine from each country disappears and the only link is a microfilm detailing the movements of the British submarine meaning that somehow a submarine can be tracked via it’s “wake”. The British sends agent James Bond and the Russians send Major Anya Amasova, otherwise known as “Triple-X”. After first fighting against each other over the microfilm, the two agents are ordered to work together against the real enemy, mad shipping billionaire Carl Stromberg who plans to use the submarines to destroy the world via nuclear missiles so that any survivors are forced to live in Stromberg’s dream world beneath the sea. However James must also defend himself against Anya as she finds out that James had killed her lover on a previous mission.

My Thoughts:
Arguably the best Roger Moore Bond film of them all. This one is just so perfect! The pace, the acting, the story, the special effects and the villains…all excellent!!!

The part of the film that stands out to me the most is the fact that the leading lady is portrayed as a strong woman who can hold her own against Bond. In most roles thus far any “strong” female roles have been villains…but not this time. The back and forth power struggle between Bond and his soviet counterpart is a lot of fun to watch. It’s about time Bond ran into a girl that’s able to stand up to him.

Another interesting aspect of this movie is the “teamwork” between the Russians and the British. It was released during the Cold War and the concept of having bond work WITH a communist…that was just crazy. There are several conversations between Soviet and British leaders hinting at the “evils” of capitalism and communism. It’s an interesting thing to watch in hindsight.

And let’s not leave out the submarine car!!! Stinkin’ cool!!! Not sure how plausible…but it’s cool none the less.

It wouldn’t be a solid review of this film lest we forget the best part of all…JAWS!!! No, not the shark (some of you people need to read up on you Bond villains a little more). This film introduces the metal fanged, bar bending, car lifting, 7 feet 1.5 inch tower of terror that relentlessly goes after Bond and seemingly can not (or will not) die. Easily the most memorable Bond villain of them all (and the last guy you want to pick when playing multiplayer in the N64 video game Goldeneye…I’m just saying). Every time Jaws is on screen he steals the show.

I’m giving this on 4.5 stars out of 5.

Day 122: The Man with the Golden Gun

The Man with the Golden Gun
Director: Guy Hamilton
Starring: Roger Moore & Christopher Lee
Rated: PG
Length: 125 min.
Released: December 20, 1974
Trailer

IMDB.com Synopsis:
Scaramanga, a hit man who is known as “the man with the golden gun”, because of the golden gun he carries and the gold bullets he uses on his targets. Bond receives a message supposedly from Scaramanga saying that Bond is his next target. So M decides to relieve Bond of his duties till the danger has been neutralized. But Bond feeling that the mission he was on is of the utmost urgency decides to go and find Scaramanga himself. And he thinks he found him but discovers that Scaramanga is not after him when he had a clear shot at him and missed, which he doesn’t do. But the man who was killed is the man he was originally looking for. A scientist working on a device that can make harnessing the sun’s energy possible. So he must now find the device.

My Thoughts:
What a strange thing to see Christopher Lee so young! Ha ha…any way, the argument could be made this film is loosely based on the short story of “The Most Dangerous Game“, which is a short story by Richard Connell published in Collier’s Weekly on January 19, 1924.

The “man hunt” is the most interesting part of this film. Christopher Lee does a great job portraying a rather twisted villain with a very unique weapon choice. I’m still waiting for the Mythbusters to put the golden gun to the test, but it makes for an interesting “gadget” if you will. The short “little person” henchman was a strange one. Not sure why…but then again, why the heck not?

It’s probably one of the more memorable Bond films because of the “golden gun” but the plot itself to harness the suns energy and all that…totally forgotten. The main reason people remember this is the “hunt” at the end of the film between Bond and Scaramanga. I’m giving it 4 stars out of 5.

Day 121: Live And Let Die

Live And Let Die
Director: Guy Hamilton
Starring: Roger Moore, Jane Seymour & Yaphet Kotto
Rated: PG
Length: 121 min.
Released: June 27, 1973
Trailer

IMDB.com Synopsis:
When Bond investigates the murders of three fellow agents, he soon finds himself a target, evading the vicious assassins as he closes in on the powerful Kananga. Known as “Mr. Big,” Kananga is coordinating a globally threatening scheme using tons of self-produced heroin. As Bond tries to unravel the mastermind’s plan, he meet Solitaire, the beautiful Tarot card reader whose magical gifts are crucial to the crime lord. Bond, of course, works his own magic on her, and the stage is set for pulse-pounding action sequences involving voodoo, hungry crocodiles and turbo-charged speedboats.

My Thoughts:
And so we enter the 70s and a new era in Bond films. The first Roger Moore Bond film has it’s moments, to be certain. Great action and proof that if it has a motor Bond can drive, fly and/or pilot it…and then destroy it.  However, on the whole, I’m not as big a fan of this one compared to other Roger Moore Bond Films. It is better than several Connery films like From Russia With Love and Dr. No, however. Still, I generally like to compare Bond films to others of the same actor and not cross over decades and compare actors. They each reflect different eras in film making, and different decades and social norms and expectations in general. So I don’t think it’s fair to compare them like that.

The villains are  intimidating (with the exception of some claw dude…that just looked stupid), but the cult/voodoo stuff was just too weird for me. The main Voodoo witchdoctor was kinda of cool, but the voodoo stuff just wasn’t my thing.

Voodoo aside…It had great action, and in typical Bond style it was all over the top. Most of the Bond films from here on just get more outlandish then the next…and I don’t know that I’m a fan of that. We’ll see though. There are a few that stick out as being particularly good and I’ll get to them soon enough.

This one also takes place in the US for a significant part of it. That made it a little less exotic, and dealing with voodoo you would have thought it would be just that…exotic.

Still it was a fun ride. It was a valiant attempt at establishing Moore as the next Bond…and he really did prove his worth in this film. 4 stars out of 5.

Day 120: Diamonds Are Forever

Diamonds Are Forever
Director: Guy Hamilton
Starring: Sean Connery, Jill St. John, Charles Gray & Jimmy Dean
Rated: PG
Length: 120 min.
Released: December 17, 1971
Trailer

IMDB.com Synopsis:

After traveling the world in his quest to kill Blofeld, Bond returns triumphant, only to discover a case waiting for him: a large amount of diamonds has been stolen from the South African mines and two offbeat assassins are killing everyone in the smuggling ring one-by-one. Bond goes undercover as Peter Franks, diamond smuggler. What he discovers shocks him: the head of the smuggling ring is none other than Ernst Stavros Blofeld! Now, Bond must resist the wiles of a beautiful smuggler and survive the machinations of Mr. Wint and Mr. Kidd, Blofeld’s two best assassins so that he can uncover Blofeld’s sinister plot.

My Thoughts:
The final chapter in the Connery era of EON Production’s James Bond films. It’s an interesting one to say the least. Strangely enough…you can tell Connery is getting a bit old for this role. Still, he demands attention when on screen. My favorite part of the film, however, has to be seeing Jimmy Dean in his acting debut!!! Just awesome!

Also, it’s one of the only films that has a significant amount of it set in the US…and driving a US car! Most use the classic British cars but this one has some good old fashion American muscle.

While It’s not the best Bond film…it’s not the worst either. The villains are memorable…kind of. Two gay guys who are just creepy assassins and then Blowfeld who makes a copy of himself. It seems to expound on the vendetta between Blowfeld and Bond a bit and does a decent job keeping you entertained. I’m giving this one 3.5 stars out of 5.

Day 119: On Her Majesty’s Secret Service

On Her Majesty’s Secret Service
Director: Peter R. Hunt
Starring: George Lazenby, Diana Rigg & Telly Savalas
Rated: PG
Length: 142 min.
Released: December 18, 1969
Trailer

IMDB.com Synopsis:
The most emotional adventure of his career begins for James Bond on a deserted beach where a young woman tries to drown herself. He rescues the girl and for his trouble is attacked by two toughs – the girl’s bodyguards. It soon becomes much bigger for 007 – the girl is Teresa Draco, daughter of crime boss Marc Ange Draco, who wants James to marry his wayward daughter, and in return he can provide 007 with information on an even more dangerous criminal leader – Ernst Stavro Bloefeld of SPECTRE. But both James and Teresa find more than they ever bargained for when their paths collide in a vicious pursuit in the snow-capped mountains of Switzerland, an enormous avalanche, and a smuggling ring for germ warfare against the West by Blofeld, who proves most difficult to kill and who exacts a revenge that James can never forget – or forgive.

My Thoughts:
An anomaly in the Bond films to say the least. This is by far the most controversial Bond film ever made. There is so much about this film that is unique. I find it to be one of my personal favorites. But not everyone agrees with me:

“American movie reviewer Leonard Maltin has suggested that if it had been Connery in the leading role instead of Lazenby, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service would have epitomised the series. On the other hand, Danny Peary wrote, “I’m not sure I agree with those who insist that if Connery had played Bond it would definitely be the best of the entire Bond series…Connery’s Bond, with his boundless humor and sense of fun and self-confidence, would be out of place in this picture. It actually works better with Lazenby because he is incapable of playing Bond as a bigger-than-life hero; for one thing he hasn’t the looks…Lazenby’s Bond also hasn’t the assurance of Connery’s Bond and that is appropriate in the crumbling, depressing world he finds himself. He seems vulnerable and jittery at times. At the skating rink, he is actually scared. We worry about him…On Her Majesty’s Secret Service doesn’t have Connery and it’s impossible to ever fully adjust to Lazenby, but I think that it still might be the best Bond film, as many Bond cultists claim.” Peary also described On Her Majesty’s Secret Service as “the most serious,” “the most cynical” and “the most tragic” of the Bond films.”

The reason I like this film is because it’s a lot more emotional. It’s not the same flash-in-the-pan action sequences and the relationships built are more genuine and real. They are more…emotional. I have to agree that I don’t think Connery could have pulled that off the same way that Lazenby did. It’s also the only Bond film that is continually referenced back to in later films. It’s that important. The newer films with Daniel Craig are touching on similar nerves…and I like that. It makes the story more real. Give the characters more depth and the audience gets more involved. They are well rounded and that keeps them grounded. As a result the audience buys the story and what they are seeing more.

The biggest problem most people have with this film (besides Lazenby) is how it’s a far stricter adaptation of the book. Thus, it doesn’t have as much “flare” like crazy gadgets and elaborate sets. There’s a lot of on sight locations which opens it up a lot, and the action and acting is very grounded. It has a totally different feel from what most had been use to at that time.

Because of the genuineness of this film, the risks taken and the mark this film had on the Bond series I’m giving it 4.5 stars out of 5.

Day 118: You Only Live Twice

You Only Live Twice
Director: Lewis Gilbert
Starring: Sean Connery, Akiko Wakabayashi & Mie Hama
Rated: PG
Length: 117 min
Released: June 13, 1967
Trailer

IMDB.com Synopsis:
In 1967 the US and Soviet Russia reach a new crisis when Jupiter 16, a US space capsule, is captured in Earth orbit by a strange rocket ship. The US accuses the Soviets of the space hijacking, even though Great Britain believes the alien ship landed in the Sea Of Japan. Her Majesty’s Secret Service now swings into action by “killing” James Bond in Hong Kong – a ruse so Bond can move about Japan unmolested by his enemies. Working with, and enjoying the exotic hospitality of, Japanese SIS and its commander “Tiger” Tanaka, James uncovers evidence that a major chemical company is smuggling liquid oxygen for rocket fuel, and his and Tanaka’s investigation leads to an extinct volcano that is the source of the space hijacking – just as a Soviet spacecraft is grabbed by the alien rocket and a previously scheduled US launch is pushed upward with America’s strategic forces on full battle alert, forcing James and Tanaka to confront the true source of the space hijackings – SPECTRE, and its ruthless leader Ernst Stavro Blofeld.

My Thoughts:
So, we are nearing the end of the Connery era of Bond films. There is just one more (well, technically two, but that won’t come till later) and I have to say, Connery was the perfect Bond for the 60s. As we’ll discuss in the next film, he took a one film hiatus and it didn’t go so well.

So, You Only Live Twice…what is there to say about the rest of the Connery Bond films that hasn’t already been said. It has an interesting feel because much of it takes place in Japan. We see first had that Connery would make an ugly Asian…yet somehow is still able to get the girl. And we learn that he as able to drive, fly and then destroy just about any possible mode of transportation known to man.

The most memorable part of this film is the volcano used as the base of operations for the bad guys and the revealing of the sinister leader of SPECTRE Mr. Ernst Stavro Blofeld. It’s about time we can put a face to the voice…and the owner of that stinkin’ cat. You know…if it ever got lost now we know who to return it to.

At any rate, this one wasn’t particularly “spectacular” but it had a clear set of memorable moments, like Bond as an Asian dude, fighting ninjas…heck a whole ninja training camp! That’s cool. A funny little plain with some serious artillery, an evil short bald guy with a bad accent, nasty scar and a serious crush on his cat…and a volcano that isn’t a volcano until Bond blows it up like he does everything. I’m giving this one 4 stars out of 5.