13 replies to this topic

[The Admiral]

Does anyone else here think that Kevin McClory should lay off and leave Bond to MGM? I doubt anyone wants to companies producing the films! I watched Never Say Never Again last night (after 5 years!) and hated it. The only good thing about it is that it has Sean Connery in it, other than that - it's crap!

Also, the characters are portrayed differently, for example, M and Q. Miss Moneypenny has blatently been made to act like the one in the MGM films. You can really tell.

My personal opinion is that Kevin McClory shouldn't (and no-one else) have the rights to any Bond films. Because then major competition will happen between the two, and the films will turn out to be really bad.

[White Persian]

Just posted my feelings about "Never Say Never Again" on the thread labelled "correction", so I won't repeat myself, but I'd hate to see a Bond TV series which would devalue the whole phenomenon. A rival film, though is a different matter. "N.S.N.A." didn't seem to harm "Octopussy's" box office. Most Bond fans saw both, and in my case enjoyed them about equally (slightly preferred Connery). I'd be interested to see a well cast, well made rival Bond film. The strong position EON is in with Brosnan should mean they've got nothing to fear. Ideally though, M.G.M./U.A. should just buy McClory out and get back the rights to use Blofeld. If he loses again, he'd surely do a deal. He must know he can only remake Thunderball so many times. Then, maybe we can finally see Bond settle Blofeld's hash for good...or have a recurring villain of some stature.

[The Admiral]

Good point!

[Blue Eyes]

Digitarius (19 May, 2001 01:10 p.m.):
the Bond girls were not exotic enough, M was not M, Moneypenny looked like Toffee Penny and Q was ridiculous.  

I think they were going for a totally different feel with M, Moneypenny and Q!

[The Admiral]

Blue Eyes (20 May, 2001 04:17 a.m.):

Digitarius (19 May, 2001 01:10 p.m.):
the Bond girls were not exotic enough, M was not M, Moneypenny looked like Toffee Penny and Q was ridiculous.  

I think they were going for a totally different feel with M, Moneypenny and Q!

But they were rubbish! We're so used to the way the characters have been portrayed in the Albert Brocoli films, that we just wouldn't be able to get used to a totally different way Kevin McClory wanted them.

[White Persian]

I always figured that the M and Algy figures in NSNA weren't meant to be the same people as EON's M and Q (Edward Fox even says as much in the film) so it didn't bother me. As for Pamela Salem as Moneypenny, I preferred her to Caroline Bliss, who was a much greater leap from Lois Maxwell's portrayal.
Incidentally, aren't they just wasting the perfectly cast Samantha Bond as Moneypenny! She had a good scene with Bond in GoldenEye, but since then she's been reduced to making bad puns.

[Digitarius]

Samantha Bond was great in TWINE as well. I mean, the thing about the cigar

[Blue Eyes]

I really don't know. But there is one thing I have to mention, McClory wants to launch a James Bond TV Series!! It would center around Bond vs Spectre

Now would you support McClory's Bond action?

[Digitarius]

But Never Say Never Again was surely one of the worst Bond films ever.

[The Admiral]

I'd still hate it, as all the characters would be played differently. I love the suspense of having to wait for the next film to come out, and I think that if a series came out, that it would make the James Bond phenomenon (SP) die out. I don't know how, but I think it would.

And yes, it is the worst film!

[Blue Eyes]

I think there is some technicality that if he makes Thunderball again he can make another Bond film with any story line as long as it includes Blofeld.

He originally was going to do in in 85 but Connery refused.

[mrmoon]

If they make bond into a series it's gonna be completely crap. It'll ruin the whole Bond World. And if it happens I will personally assasinate Kevin Mclory because he's really starting to piss me off. He's trying to get credit for something he didn't create and it really really annoys me. Every time EON do something he's always on their back saying they've stolen ideas. Why doesn't he just stop being a glory grabber.

[Blue Eyes]

I'm researching an article for this right now so there's little I can say.

I don't think NSNA was the worst film ever - it just had an un-Bond feeling about it.

But here's what I have researched so far (mind you the case has been into court and I've got no news back!)

The appeals in cases decided by the judge in the manner of this trial are completely procedural and appeals courts are reluctant to second guess the trial judge.

So it looks like McClory may right out fail!

[Digitarius]

The thing is that Never Say Never Again wasn't the worst film ever (that distinction belongs to Batman and Robin) but it's the worst Bond film, mainly because it's just not Bond.
Connery was too old, the Bond girls were not exotic enough, M was not M, Moneypenny looked like Toffee Penny and Q was ridiculous.
Even Casino Royale was better, because they were clearly just taking the mickey, instead of trying to create something that is out of their reach.