Bond, James Bond: The Movies

[bklynred]

I can not WAIT for this.

[tszuj]

I really enjoyed it - especially the kind of classic feel. It does sort of make me laugh how the entire plot basically revolves around the fact that M16 would imprison their Most Wanted, who is basically the most genius computer hacker the world has ever known, in a cell controlled entirely by their computer system. Like, if someone had thought to run to the hardware store for a 59p padlock his whole dastardly, years-in-the-planning scheme would have been scuppered. How did they even install a computer-cell in that temporary tunnel base, anyway?

Loved both Judi Dench (as always) and Naomie Harris, though I really really hated how they treated the other Bond girl - did she really have to be a child rape victim/sex slave? Why did Bond get naked and basically accost her in the shower despite making her not any sign she wanted that - especially knowing her past and fact she needed him to escape? And why didn't get make any effort to save her from the 'game' knowing help would be arriving any moment. I feel like the modern 007 movies have a strand of really nasty misogyny that makes the sexism of the past look like nothing.

[chonies]

Oct 28, 2012 12:53:13 GMT -4 @huntergrayson said:

It's really too bad that the director and crew *instantly* hated Lazenby on sight (mainly, for not being Connery) and treated him like absolute shit (i.e. making him do stunts himself because he was the new guy and didn't know he didn't have to) because my lord, he could have been something.

Doesn't keep me from finding On Her Majesty's Secret Service the postmodern Bond version of a Greek Tragedy every time I watch it though.

This is fabulous.

I know liking On Her Majesty's Secret Service is a major canonical sin, but I don't care. I know the plot veers dangerously toward maudlin (like the episode of M*A*S*H with Hawkeye's One Who Got Away) but I think it took some potential and asked some interesting questions. I also think it's one of the few Bond films that changes a bit over time; and not like Living Daylights, what with Afghanistan and everything. Bond films as a Cold War artifact are interesting; Bond as shapeshifting mortal character far more so.

[chonies]

Saw Skyfall, loved the everloving hell out of it. Dark, thoughtful, and occasional jabs of winking (and the occasional anvil) treats for hardcore Bond fans. Javier Bardem was brilliant, the scenery was fantastic. Really, all I'm going to do right now is gush, and I was pretty riveted during a Bollywood-length movie (2:23, y'all!). There were a few parts where I could see people arguing too much exposition, but personally, I found that all very interesting in a scholarly way. Only real complaint was not enough shirtless Daniel Craig.

ETA: OK, after some reconsidering, I agree with tszuj. The shallow Bond superfan part of me had me confused and wondering when she was going to have defied death and reappear, but on the other hand, the few minutes she was on screen (and I don't think she had a name, did she? I know her boat did) were sort of strange. It was sort of a MacGuffin, possibly really bad for Bond, and also partially a "see? this is why we need MI6 and the 00 program! Bad things like sex trafficking!" Also, dying by musket shot has to be pretty horrible. I was initially more confused than disturbed. That said, I love the occasional moral ambiguity.

[Martini Girl]

I saw it today. Made me realize how much I've missed Bond. Javier Bardem still creeps me out, but he's a great actor. Daniel Craig is coming dangerously close to being the best Bond for me.....

[chonies]

Nov 10, 2012 23:44:23 GMT -4 Martini Girl said:

I saw it today. Made me realize how much I've missed Bond. Javier Bardem still creeps me out, but he's a great actor. Daniel Craig is coming dangerously close to being the best Bond for me.....

Javier Bardem is all-consuming in his creepiness. The bit with the hydrogen cyanide? Shudder, and downplayed well.

And Q looked like he was on his way to a Whovian meetup.

ETA: The "Bond Girl" is named Severine. I had to look it up.

[gitsie007]

I loved it.

I think Daniel Craig is one of the best Bonds ever and Javier Bardem is perfect as the villain.

Also, I absolutely love the Adele song in the beginning.

[forever1267]

The Adele song is fantastic, and we'll certainly will be hearing it at the Oscars for sure.

Loved the movie. Very exciting, more complex than earlier Bonds, and loved the shoutouts. I caught the ones from Goldfinger, For Your Eyes Only and my favorite Bond movie The Spy Who Loved Me, and I'm certain there was a shout-out with Q's coffee cup, but I missed it. And wasn't there a scene in one of the early Bonds set inside MI:6 as an Underground Station?

Daniel Craig, he, I, uh, um, oh... le sigh!!! Oh James, indeed!!!

[jynni]

Loved it. Loved it. Loved it. I wanted it to be longer so I could watch more of it.

I can't remember where I read it but agree with the sentiment that M is the Bond girl in this film. Judi Dench was fantastic. She and Craig have great chemistry.

Thought Bardiem made a great villain. He almost veers into scenery chewing territory but manages to walk that tightrope and turned a great performance.

And Craig, well for me he is Bond. I could look at that man all day.

[Deleted]

Sean Connery is still my favorite Bond...always love the classics, but Daniel is a close second. I pity the actor who follows him in future Bond movies, but that's going to be awhile since Daniel is signed up for at least 2 more. He was great in this movie. Loved how Skyfall was his "Rosebud". Craig is adept at slight humor too...not as good as Connery but still good!

The movie was great. Loved Ralph Fiennes. His character seemed like a natural fit.

Loved the new Q: Nerdy, brilliant goodness!

I can't say enough about Javier. Scary, brilliant, freaky, and mad in the best way!

Naomi was a little wooden for me and it goes without saying that Dame Judi is great as M.