8 replies to this topic

[Napoleon Solo]

http://www.hmss.com/...oenigreview.htm

One of these days, there'll be a new edition of Her Majesty's Secret Servant. I was hoping it'd be out when Casino Royale came out in the theaters. Then, I was hoping it'd be out in time for the home video release. Anyway, here's my contribution. I intended it more as an essay (because the movie had been pretty throughly hashed out). You may agree or disagree, but here it is.

[JimmyBond]

Great review of CR. I am curious what your opinion is of TWINE now, considering you gave it a good review back then (I even agreed with it back then). My opinion of TWINE has changed considerably, I'm curious if yours has too.

[Napoleon Solo]

I think TWINE is pretty fair (it had ambition, wanting to put more drama in the mix). I think today I'd move it to 2.5 stars and move DAD back to 2 stars.

I wrote a commentary quite some time ago (when Brosnan was out but well before Daniel Craig emerged) saying the Brosnan years were a lost opportunity. In some ways, I think the Brosnan films are more *consistent* compared to the Moore films (which had some good highs but some very deep lows). If the new HMSS issue gets out, maybe that commentary will be in there.

[Mr_Wint]

You call this a "review"...?

[00Twelve]

I do!

Good review, Mr. Koenig, even if it wasn't in-depth. I liked all the HMSS reviews. I agree with most all their takes, minus one or two. Good stuff.

[LadySylvia]

I'm not so sure about how I liked that review.

[PrinceKamalKhan]

I think TWINE is pretty fair (it had ambition, wanting to put more drama in the mix). I think today I'd move it to 2.5 stars and move DAD back to 2 stars.

Just curious, would you still rank TND at 3.5 stars, Mr. Solo?

That's the trouble when giving a review when its new. Sometime the "newness" of the film affects how we view it and excitement of it. Right now, I'm loving CR and think its the best Bond film since TLD. I think my rating of it will stay high since its based on a classic Fleming title but only time will tell.

I wrote a commentary quite some time ago (when Brosnan was out but well before Daniel Craig emerged) saying the Brosnan years were a lost opportunity. In some ways, I think the Brosnan films are more *consistent* compared to the Moore films (which had some good highs but some very deep lows). If the new HMSS issue gets out, maybe that commentary will be in there.

I'd like to read it. Let us know when it's available.

[Napoleon Solo]

Prince Kamal Kahn asked:

<<Just curious, would you still rank TND at 3.5 stars, Mr. Solo?>>

I'd probably put GoldenEye, TND and TWINE around 2.5, with DAD at around 2. If I could separate the first half of DAD, it'd be in the 3-3.5 star range.


Also, re: the commentary on the Brosnan era and HMSS...if the new issue ever comes out, I'll post immediately here in the forums.

[PrinceKamalKhan]

Prince Kamal Kahn asked:

<<Just curious, would you still rank TND at 3.5 stars, Mr. Solo?>>

I'd probably put GoldenEye, TND and TWINE around 2.5, with DAD at around 2. If I could separate the first half of DAD, it'd be in the 3-3.5 star range.

Interesting. I also consider the first 2/3 of DAD to be the most entertaining "Brosnan-as-Bond" cinematic experience. I initially gave TND 3.5 the first time I saw it but tempered it down to 3 upon later viewings. CR is currently in the 3.5-4 rankings for me but I'm trying to be cautious about it and see how it holds up over time.

What would you give TLD and LTK?

Also, re: the commentary on the Brosnan era and HMSS...if the new issue ever comes out, I'll post immediately here in the forums.

Thanks, Mr. Solo. Give my regards to Mr. Waverly and Mr. Kuryakin