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Views on 'A View To A Kill'


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#31 Turn

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Posted 31 May 2005 - 01:11 PM

Great fun. Can't believe there hasn't been a Bond film that was pure, 100 per cent fun in 20 years.

View Post

I see where you're coming from on this one. However, I'd subtract at least 20-25 percent just on Tanya Roberts alone.

Then I'd subtract more for the baking scene; the lack of anything interesting between when Bond arrives in San Francisco and the fire in city hall; the firetruck chase; the goofy cop who makes me want J.W. Pepper back; one of the most boring sidekicks ever in Chuck Lee; May Day turning good; the ticking bomb repeat from OP; a repeat of "Go get him."

I really want to like AVTAK, but some of the above just drags it down for me.

#32 PrinceKamalKhan

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Posted 30 January 2010 - 12:27 AM

20 years later we find ourselves in the same predicament: A tired series bereft of energy and creativity, an aging on his way out star and uncertainty...I hope a Dalton type star and TLD type film is in store for us.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>



Agreed, Tarl_Cabot though I do like the first 90 minutes of Die Another Day more than many on this forum and my initially negative views on A View to a Kill have softened somewhat though I still think it's the weakest Roger Moore Bond. I hope Casino Royale turns out to be for the 2000s what The Living Daylights was for the 1980s.


Just ran across this while doing some AVTAK research. It turned out my May 2005 hopes concerning CR came true! B)


I like this one a lot too. It's the first one I ever saw and Christopher Walken really is a great villain. In fact, I'm just starting an article on AVTAK for the site which will hopefully be finished by the end of summer.


Have you finished the article, Genrewriter? I'd love to read it since I enjoyed your articles on DAF and your First Looks articles on the actors' debut films.

#33 Brian Flagg

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Posted 30 January 2010 - 12:37 PM

The last of the good old-fashioned "fun" Bond films, actually. B)

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>


Just to expand on that on a little, a strong streak of miserablism entered the series with the Dalton era and never really went away. A VIEW TO A KILL was the last film in which we had a Bond not tormented by "his demons" and/or embarking on a "personal" mission. I really wish we could once again see a Bond flick in the MAN WITH THE GOLDEN GUN/SPY WHO LOVED ME/MOONRAKER/OCTOPUSSY/AVTAK vein, but I somehow doubt we ever will.


So now it's 25 years since AVTAK...

The film, despite its flaws, is hugely nostalgic for me. I was not yet fourteen in May, 1985 so it's the last Bond film of my childhood. One of my friends was obsessed with Max Zorin. This friend of mine played that Duran Duran song constantly that Summer and eveyrthing was "Max Zorin this/Max Zorin that", anything Christopher Walken did after AVTAK invariably got compared to his work here.

My friends and I saw AVTAK in the theatre three times and just loved it. Never noticed Moore being too old; it was just Roger as Bond, like it always was during most of our lives. But I think we liked the non-Bond elements of the film best: Max Zorin's castle, his vast empire, Sir Godfrey Tibbets, John Barry's score and Zorin's ever-increasing insanity. And Grace Jones, while off-putting at first, was actually rather good!

#34 elizabeth

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Posted 04 February 2010 - 09:46 PM

Not a very captivating film. Boring storyline. Roger was too old.

#35 zencat

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Posted 04 February 2010 - 11:58 PM

Coming up on 25 years now.

#36 Publius

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Posted 05 February 2010 - 04:10 AM

Coming up on 25 years now.

As are some of us Bond fans. Can't believe I wasn't even of legal drinking age when I signed up.

#37 scaramunga

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Posted 23 February 2010 - 04:51 AM

I hope we will see a 25th anniversary edition blu ray in 2010!!!

I really like A View To A Kill. Great score, locations, and Roger is entertaining as always in his last turn as Bond.

#38 Mr. Blofeld

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Posted 23 February 2010 - 04:59 AM

Have you finished the article, Genrewriter? I'd love to read it since I enjoyed your articles on DAF and your First Looks articles on the actors' debut films.

Nope; he's ditched this site for the agony booth. B)

#39 SecretAgentFan

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Posted 23 February 2010 - 01:19 PM

Not a very captivating film. Boring storyline. Roger was too old.


My thoughts exactly... until I watched it again. At the time of its release I could not appreciate it. Now, I can see how great it really is and what they were going for. Give it another chance, will ya?

#40 Zorin Industries

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Posted 23 February 2010 - 03:46 PM

Not a very captivating film. Boring storyline. Roger was too old.


My thoughts exactly... until I watched it again. At the time of its release I could not appreciate it. Now, I can see how great it really is and what they were going for. Give it another chance, will ya?

Glad people are seeing the light. More persuading can be seen here in my review (to a kill) .....

http://debrief.comma...p...c=52907&hl=

#41 MrKidd

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Posted 23 February 2010 - 05:03 PM

AVTAK is quite appalling. In fact, I find it barely watchable.

Stunt doubles are obvious, Walken is underused, terrible Bond girl, Roger way passed his prime and that Grace Jones snog!!! WTF??!!

So it's pants but so what?! Its Rog - and he's a legend! :tdown: I pretty much love AVTAK although its rubbish B)

Edited by MrKidd, 23 February 2010 - 08:39 PM.


#42 elizabeth

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Posted 24 February 2010 - 10:31 PM

Not a very captivating film. Boring storyline. Roger was too old.


My thoughts exactly... until I watched it again. At the time of its release I could not appreciate it. Now, I can see how great it really is and what they were going for. Give it another chance, will ya?

I think I will. This film was kind of like TB for me. Got kind of drowsy. But now that I'm older, I think I'll catch it next time it's on TV.

#43 Mr. Somerset

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Posted 25 February 2010 - 12:47 AM

View is one I wouldn't mind seeing on the big screen again with an audience. I imagine there would be laughter at the sadly outdated title sequence, though. Still, the Eiffel Tower sequence was pretty exciting when I saw it at 10 in '85.

#44 quantumofsolace

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Posted 23 October 2012 - 02:57 PM

http://www.denofgeek...-view-to-a-kill

#45 glidrose

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Posted 15 January 2013 - 12:28 AM

http://www.cultbrita...view-to-a-kill/

 

Defending AVTAK. Solid good read!



#46 nickjb007

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Posted 15 January 2013 - 02:03 AM

As the author stated in the article I think he does have his rose tinted glasses on.



#47 AMC Hornet

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Posted 15 January 2013 - 03:15 AM

In a couple of years, after I turn 57, I'll probably feel different about it.



#48 nickjb007

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Posted 15 January 2013 - 03:50 AM

I must say roger (not the first time this has been said and won't be the last time) really shows his age in AVTAK but I was watching the bond silver anniversary special on TLD blu ray and he looks substantial better considering it was two years after AVTAK.

#49 thecasinoroyale

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Posted 15 January 2013 - 09:18 AM

'A View To A Kill' is my 3rd favourite Bond film - I don't know why, well I do...I love the fun about it. It's a great simple plot and the chracters are great. Christopher Walken is the perfect Bond villain and always makes me chuckle in his psycotic ways. Roger Moore does his best as an older Bond but still delivers the fight sequences and charm he did so well in 'Live And Let Die' and it's simply comforting to know this is the Bond we met 12 years ago and have grown with since he took over.

 

A blistering final action sequence on the Golden Gate Bridge, a fantastic title song by Duran Duran and great action sequences and narrative throughout.

 

Yes, it has flaws, some minor characters I feel are a little wooden and the story loses pace during the middle, but on the whole it's great fun and enjoyable and simple Bond action!



#50 SecretAgentFan

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Posted 15 January 2013 - 10:47 AM

In a couple of years, after I turn 57, I'll probably feel different about it.

 

First best post of the year.



#51 seawolfnyy

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Posted 23 January 2013 - 07:09 PM

The problem with the film is the fact that Rog needed to be replaced. Grace Jones is completely misused and Tanya Roberts *shudder*. The score is great, possibility one of the best of Moore era, however it is irreparably damaged by California Girls. The film needed some more polish before it was released and some recasting. Having Dalton in the lead could've substantially improved it.



#52 Trevelyan 006

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Posted 24 January 2013 - 05:01 AM

THE Best theme of the series (for my money).

 

One of the greatest Bond villains of all time.

 

What's not to like?

 

... Other than the fact that Roger should have stepped away after Octopussy



#53 thecasinoroyale

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Posted 24 January 2013 - 08:53 AM

Summed it up for me there Trevelyan - theme and villain!



#54 seawolfnyy

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Posted 24 January 2013 - 09:14 PM

I do like that it relies more heavily on espionage than straight action.



#55 Turn

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Posted 25 January 2013 - 02:21 AM

 

What's not to like?

 

Tanya Roberts; the firetruck chase that leans too heavily on comedy; the annoying cop; the death of Tibbett; May Day switching sides so easily; the absence of Walken for a long stretch; the uneasy transition from lowbrow comedy to stark violence.



#56 WasteOfScotch

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Posted 25 January 2013 - 01:25 PM

View is flawed beyond belief. But I really like it. Walken is one of my favourite villains, Jones is cool.

The theme song is one of the best, the Golden Gate setpiece is great.

 

Even the bad stuff is good. The HORRENDOUS fight scene in Staceys house, old men slowly tumbling around, is hilarious. Roberts is *so* bad throughout, but she looks stunning.

 

Looking forward to the aforementioned article.



#57 Mallory

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Posted 26 January 2013 - 04:15 AM

I don't care what people say, Roger Moor looked damn good for 58. 

 

One of John Barry's best themes. Hell that guy hasn't written a bad score. John Barry can make bad movies sound good. He was like Jerry Goldsmith. 



#58 Belmont

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Posted 26 January 2013 - 07:14 PM

There are definitely things to appreciate about View, but they're weighed down by so many bad choices that it's hard to get on board with it for any length of time. I even think Walken was completely underwhelming as the villain, which is saying something considering the man's talents.



#59 AMC Hornet

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Posted 26 January 2013 - 10:48 PM

I don't care what people say, Roger Moor looked damn good for 58. 

Do you care when they say he was only 57?



#60 Iceskater101

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Posted 28 January 2013 - 01:02 AM

I don't care what people say, Roger Moor looked damn good for 58. 

 

I guess we will have to agree to disagree..

I don't find Roger Moore all that attractive in the first place and in this movie.. Ick.
I want to rewatch this again though since I don't remember much about this movie. It's been a while