My Journey Through Bond

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jcoffman99

jcoffman99

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My folks were kind enough to hook me up with the complete Bond Blu-ray
set for my birthday. I was born in 76 so "my" Bond growing up was Roger Moore. So what I thought I'd do is open a running discussion about the films as I watch them, many for the first time, in order. I would only ask that you please keep the discussion to the films as I mention them as I don't want the others ruined for me. :)

Dr. No
Loved it. Dr. No is the perfect villain. He's mysterious, creepy, and calculating. The film had a good pace and good action sequences. I didn't feel like I was watching an "old" movie. I think it holds up well. This was first time experiencing Connery as Bond, and holy buckets. James was a badass. Although there was one liner or two, he was not the comedian that Moore's Bond became. Bond was a cold killer. I can now see the relationship between Connery and Craig.

From Russia with Love
Not a big fan of this one. Seemed like it dragged on and there were too many frame speed ups in the fight sequences. I hate those. Hate. Hate. Hate. The scenes between Bond and Shaw were great. I had no idea that was Robert Shaw until the movie was almost over. I didn't much care for the audio on this one either. I spent too much time turning the volume down only to have to turn it back up when folks were talking.

So I've made it through the first two. On to Goldfinger. Maybe tomorrow night. I'm trying to watch all the films before Skyfall hits. Again, please keep the discussion limited to the first two films. Thanks.:)
 
Connery is the ultimate Bond! :)

I've seen them all countless times but recently did a marathon starting with my least favourite to my favourite and I have to say, they all have aspects that I like. Even my least favourite Bond film (Moonraker) has parts that are definitely worth watching. :thumbsup

Dr. No is a very basic story and it was good for them to start the franchise with it. It really starts the "Villain who's pride and admiration for his foe is his undoing" thing that runs throughout the series.

I'm actually surprised at your thoughts on FRWL. It is my second favourite of the franchise and quite frankly one of the best spy movies ever made. After you're done with your marathon I highly encourage you to give it a second shot. There's a lot going on there that make it truly an iconic film.

Next up for you is my favourite Bond film. Enjoy! :D:thumbsup
 
jcoffman99 said:
This was first time experiencing Connery as Bond, and holy buckets. James was a badass. Although there was one liner or two, he was not the comedian that Moore's Bond became. Bond was a cold killer. I can now see the relationship between Connery and Craig.
Click to expand...

:thumbsup

Moore's Bond was a comedian and lover with a job to do.

Connery's Bond was a killer who used comedy and womanizing to mask who he was.
 
Alright, in case you hadn't noticed HUGE Bond fan here so this thread will be full of posts from me. :D

I found my old blog and I did a whole series where I posted my thoughts on "Classic Era" Bond as well as the films. I'll re-post here to give you some of my thoughts on the character (omitting anything that includes spoilers of future films)
 
The Classic Era, as I define it, spans from 1962 - 1969 starting with Sean Connery in "Dr. No" and ending with George Lazenby in "On Her Majesty's Secret Service".

Classic Era Bond films are very much driven by the character as portrayed by Sean Connery (Even when he isn't in the starring roll). He's not the superman that Bond has become over the years but rather a very human character with sincere weaknesses. Unlike some of the more recent films there is no point in the classic era in which Bond takes on an entire army by himself. Rather, in most films he's the pivotal character in a larger plot that involves numerous allies when needed but more often one or two close aides whom he relies upon. Bond is ruthless one moment and suave the next. He is as he should be, a womanizing killer with a taste for fine things and a sharp wit. As a matter of fact James Bond himself would make a fine Bond villain if given the chance.

The Classic Bond, interestingly enough, is a Bond that smokes cigarettes prominently. The only Bond outside this era to smoke was Timothy Dalton but we'll save him for later. This is one thing that I think vastly improves the character. Between his smoking and his drinking Classic Bond is a character who clearly isn't overly health conscious. Yes, in the 60's just about everyone smoked and drank but with Bond I see him as a man who really feels he has no need to worry about what his fitness level will be when he's 70 as he has no thoughts of living that long.

Classic 007 also isn't full of jokes. Although he gets in his quips from time to time you don't get the feeling that he isn't taking his job seriously. His quips come across as a person bringing levity to the situation and not someone who is practicing for his comedy routine.

The first actor to play Bond in the Classic Era was Sean Connery. The casting of Sean in the role was pure genius. He truly looks like a man who could be very dangerous if not taken seriously and he exudes confidence. Even now at 80 years old he looks like he could kick my ass. He played Bond much like himself, a no nonsense guy who doesn't take crap from anyone. Connery famously stated in an interview that it was okay to hit a woman if "she was being a b*tch". Acceptable? Nope. James Bond? Hell ya. He's used to being the boss and no one is going to tell him different. Perhaps this is why Classic Bond looks so convincing when he's slapping a woman around...
 
Dr. No (1962) - Sean Connery


The first Bond film and it definitely feels that way. It's by no means a bad film and is full of memorable moments but it's clear that they were trying to figure out how to tell the story and hadn't quite nailed it yet. For the most part Bond comes across as more of a detective than a spy but it works well.


The Good: This film established Bond perfectly. Everything I've mentioned thus far about the "Classic" Bond is touched in some way in Dr. No and that success in storytelling is why the series took off like it did. Jack Lord as Felix Leiter. That's right, when Bond needs help he calls Hawaii Five-O.


The Bad: My biggest gripe with this film is the score, with the exception of the Bond theme it doesn't have much going for it.




From Russia with Love (1963) - Sean Connery


This film is one of the two that are generally hailed as the best Bond movies in the series. Bond moves from being a detective to a real spy on a mission and it's a thrilling cold war ride that I would recommend to anyone, including those who don't like Bond. It truly feels like Bond is simply a cog in the wheel of events that take place around him and it's a thoroughly enjoyable film. This also established "Q" and the first gadget which the series would become famous for, Bond's attache case.


The Good: Arguably the best spy film ever made. Also, John Berry blossomed into the music sensation that the series needed in this movie filling it with memorable tracks that enhance the scenes they accompany.


The Bad: It's very hard to find a negative in this film. I will say though that I never liked that the chess master got the knife boot from Blofeld instead of Klebb at the start of the movie. Just didn't make sense to me, he was a genius.
 
See I thought the score of FRWL was misused. It features loudly while Bond is checking out his room. I thought it would have been much better used during the helicopter scene.
 
jcoffman99 said:
See I thought the score of FRWL was misused. It features loudly while Bond is checking out his room. I thought it would have been much better used during the helicopter scene.
Click to expand...

Perhaps in spots, but my comment was on the score in general and not it's placement, it's fantastic. The fight in the gypsy camp (track called 007), the theme itself, I could go on. It's such a full score that it regularly gets play in my car. Captures the feel perfectly.

FRWL was the first film to truly establish what a full Bond score should sound like.
 
Goldfinger
So far my favorite. Lots of action. Bond being a pig to women. Great bad guy. Still too much cheesy sped up action, but 100 times better than FRWL.
 
connery ftw!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3FgMLROTqJ0&feature=player_embedded
connery-slap-ho-o.gif
 
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My favorite Connery Bond is ThunderBall-- are you watching that one soon?
Unfortunately like Goldfinger, it suffers from the 'sped up' film, but it is this movie where Connery is at his best!
 
As you're watching these blu-rays, care to comment on the transfers themselves? How are they looking, say, by comparison to the DVDs? Do the extras overlap or are they different? (basically, is there a reason to keep the DVDs, or just sell 'em?)

--EDIT--

Oh, and on the score of FRWL, personally, I LOVE the score. The staccato bursts at the start of it have been stuck in my head for a week...and I'm ok with that.
 
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jcoffman99 said:
Goldfinger
So far my favorite. Lots of action. Bond being a pig to women. Great bad guy. Still too much cheesy sped up action, but 100 times better than FRWL.
Click to expand...

Goldfinger is easily my favourite of the entire series! Fantastic film with everything. It truly set the tone for what a Bond film should be. That laser table scene I could watch on a loop...

You just have to get used to the sped up film, it was the style back then. ;)

I also still say give FRWL a second chance, it's truly a great spy story and quite honestly, in strict spy story, it's the best of any Bond film.

My Blog review on Goldfinger:

Goldfinger (1964) - Sean Connery

This is the other film that is often called the best Bond film and I think it is. Here's how I label it: From Russia with Love is the best spy film, Goldfinger is the best James Bond film. As the third film Goldfinger cemented the formula and as the first to do it it's truly a gem of cinema. It has everything! An obsessed villain, an intimidating henchman, gadgets, a cool car, beautiful women, and a devious plot with worldwide implications.

The Good: Contains the best and most famous Bond scene of all time, the laser table. All around fantastic film.

The Bad: Another hard one to criticize. Felix Leiter is pretty weak in this movie.
 
Goldfinger was the film that introduced me to James Bond. I was 11 at the time and was totally blown away.
 
:lol

"Dink, say goodbye to Felix". And no other Bond could pull off the outfit Connery puts on right after that part. :lol
 
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