93 replies to this topic

[The Richmond Spy]

Hey, it is better than AVTAK!

[Colossus]

Irvin Kershner is a much better director than John Glen and it shows. Compared to the workman style, bland, by the numbers ones Glen directed (with the exception of TLD), NSNA's performances really pop out.

Are we talking about the same film? Because NSNA is THE worst directed Bondfilm I've ever seen.

You may not like this movie because of an aged Connery, no EON music, or gunbarrel, but it's direction was top notch. Are we comparing a guy who's non-Bond movie was an Iron Eagle sequel to one who directed A Fine Madness, The Flim-Flam Man, Eyes of Lara Mars and the finest Star Wars movie?

[Mr_Wint]

Irvin Kershner is a much better director than John Glen and it shows. Compared to the workman style, bland, by the numbers ones Glen directed (with the exception of TLD), NSNA's performances really pop out.

Are we talking about the same film? Because NSNA is THE worst directed Bondfilm I've ever seen.

You may not like this movie because of an aged Connery, no EON music, or gunbarrel, but it's direction was top notch. Are we comparing a guy who's non-Bond movie was an Iron Eagle sequel to one who directed A Fine Madness, The Flim-Flam Man, Eyes of Lara Mars and the finest Star Wars movie?

You are not only wrong about NSNA, you're wrong about my opinions too. I have nothing against Sean Connery - he's a great Bond here. The problem with NSNA is that the script is both weak and stupid, the film lacks any direction whatsoever and it is all a total dated mess. NSNA has a story that you can follow for about 30 min but then you are lost. Is Bond on a mission or is it a holiday? Like GoldenEye the film has a fake wit pasted all over it, but I dont call that good direction.

I would take AVTAK over this film anyday.

[JimmyBond]

What's this!? Has the whole world gone mad? Mr_Wint and I are for once, in total 100% agreement on something

As I said earlier, my problems with the film have nothing to do whether the familar EON trappings are there or not. I just think it's a very slow moving film where nothing of interest happens. The only trappings they had to adhere to was the basic structure of the novel, from there they could have made a great film. Instead they copied EON's formula (badly at that) and produced a subpar film where the only real saving grace is having Connery back as Bond.

[HH007]

Even though Irwin Kershner is a good director (I saw him in person at the STAR WARS convention in L.A., last spring), I don't think that he gave NSNA any particular panache or style.

Keep in mind Irvin Kershner also directed Robocop 2, which is an awful movie (imo). Even though he may be more respected than John Glen for directing The Empire Strikes Back, I still think that Glen's For Your Eyes Only, The Living Daylights, and yes, License To Kill, are better than Never Say Never Again.

[LadySylvia]

Even though Irwin Kershner is a good director (I saw him in person at the STAR WARS convention in L.A., last spring), I don't think that he gave NSNA any particular panache or style.

Keep in mind Irvin Kershner also directed Robocop 2, which is an awful movie (imo).

Oh dear. I didn't realize that. YIKES!

[triviachamp]

NSNA was not well directed. My problem with the film is that it is boring and lifeless. That includes direction and almost everything else.

[Safari Suit]

I find NSNA interesting, but not all that entertaining. I love Robocop 2 though. Which might be why I don't like NSNA; I have no taste.

[Mr. Blofeld]

The direction was fine; it just needed better editing and music. If you need more proof, look no further than Never Say McClory Again.

[OmarB]

Why is NSNA so ignored? Mostly because it sucks and Sean looks like he's on his last legs running up that hill in the opening scene. Oh, and I love Irving Kirshner's work for the most part. Hell he directed my favorite SW movie. That time he musta been experimenting with closing his eyes while directing a film.

[Johnboy007]

Why I do not care or (or ignore) NSNA:

It's a straight remake: I love Thunderball, but NSNA lacks Thunderball's fun. For me, Celi plays a better Largo and Auger is a more tantalizing Domino. Old Sean does a fine job, but I can't get past his age.

The music is uninspiring at best. The rest of the movie frequently drowns it out to the point that I forget music was even present.

Feel: It's a victim of the early 80s. It looks terribly dated and does not have much of a "cool retro factor" like early Connery's or some of the earlier Moore's.

The writing is fun with snappy quips and one liners, but those delivering them just don't do it for me.


In all, I can see how some may like it, but it simply does nothing for me.

[Blonde Bond]

Even though Irwin Kershner is a good director (I saw him in person at the STAR WARS convention in L.A., last spring), I don't think that he gave NSNA any particular panache or style.

Keep in mind Irvin Kershner also directed Robocop 2, which is an awful movie (imo).

Oh dear. I didn't realize that. YIKES!

Yep. Robocop 2 was the movie that killed his director's career. After that he's only directed one Sea Quest episode for television.

The only well directed Kershner movie, that I've seen, was 'The Empire Strikes Back'. Then again, I think I've only seen 4 of his movies. ESB,Robocop 2,NSNA and some, that I don't remember.

NSNA is not a bad movie. But neither is it a well directed one.

[McThing]

I never really liked NSNA there was just something about it that didnt sit right with me. Maybe it was the closeness to TB (which is a movie I love) that made it feel like a cheap copy.

[Garth007]

Beside NSNA not having a gunbarrel,better main title song,better bond girl, and a better directer. it was alright. the story could have been worked on a little bit to make it better. If i had to rate it as it is on a scale to one to ten. i would give it a 3 just because Connery was Bond again.

[WC]

Is it really so ignored? I don't think the casual viewer of Bond movies always knows that it's not an official one. They even often show NSNA as part of a whole series of Bond movies (or Sean Connery Bond movies) when it is on ITV.

Perhaps it's more ignored by the serious Bond fan and purist, and certainly the lack of a Bond score and gunbarrel makes it look out of place. Furthermore, the timeline is rather skewed from the rest of the series in that Bond is reliving events that have already occurred before (in Thunderball).

But to the casual fan, I'm not sure they even notice that. I don't think they always remember the details of Bond's missions, only really the action scenes, gadgets and witty repartee.

[Professor Dent]

Is it really so ignored? I don't think the casual viewer of Bond movies always knows that it's not an official one. They even often show NSNA as part of a whole series of Bond movies (or Sean Connery Bond movies) when it is on ITV.

Good point. Whenever it is on SpikeTV, AMC, or another channel, this movie is usually included in their Bond marathons. Most casual fans just accept it as a Bond movie because it has Connery as Bond. Whenever I've asked a casual fan about it, I've always gotten an answer like, "I thought that movie looked a lot like Thunderball but I wasn't sure why."

[ACE]

My full opinion of the film is here

I think it can never be ignored - and it isn't.
However, for some people, NSNA was a disappointment. It is certainly an interesting take on 007 and, IMHO, Connery, Brandauer and Carrera are great.

[Blofeld's Cat]

Saw Blofelds Cat's version of it last night. The music helps somewhat.

[Mister Asterix]

Saw Blofelds Cat's version of it last night. The music helps somewhat.

[mra]At times his edits help as much as the music does. Going to the Spectre meeting out of the main titles rather than to M

[Mr. Blofeld]

Indeed; perhaps he should try to licence it to EON.

[DLibrasnow]

[quote name='Mister Asterix' post='787676' date='28 October 2007 - 15:14'][quote name='Blofeld's Cat' post='787649' date='28 October 2007 - 13:56']Saw Blofelds Cat's version of it last night. The music helps somewhat.[/quote]

[mra]At times his edits help as much as the music does. Going to the Spectre meeting out of the main titles rather than to M

[Mr. Blofeld]

I happen to agree....I liked that particular edit out of the main titles as it kept the viewer wondering about the fate of Bond a little longer. My only issue really with the sterling job that Blofelds Cat did on the movie is not including the title track at the end of the movie. I know I am in the minority but I actually like the title track quite a bit.

Really? I, for one, think Lani Hall goes a bit too far beyond her range in this song.

"To get mixed up with..."

[Loomis]

Yep. Robocop 2 was the movie that killed his director's career. After that he's only directed one Sea Quest episode for television.

I wonder why ROBOCOP 2 killed Kershner's career. I mean, Box Office Mojo informs me that it grossed some $46 million Stateside, "not too shabby" in 1990, and did better than other high profile sequels that year like YOUNG GUNS II, GREMLINS 2, ROCKY V and PREDATOR 2. Not exactly a total wipeout, surely?

I also wonder why Kershner was offered ROBOCOP 2 in the first place. He hadn't done a feature in nearly seven years and was knocking on a bit - hardly the kind of director you'd expect for a (in those days) hip, edgy and boundary-pushing franchise like ROBOCOP.

Still, I remember really liking ROBOCOP 2 when I saw it on its theatrical run. Underrated, and possibly even better than the first one. I actually think both NEVER SAY NEVER AGAIN and ROBOCOP 2 are superior to THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK, which I find an absurdly overrated piece of work, but then I know I'm in an absolutely miniscule minority there.

[HH007]

Yep. Robocop 2 was the movie that killed his director's career. After that he's only directed one Sea Quest episode for television.

Still, I remember really liking ROBOCOP 2 when I saw it on its theatrical run. Underrated, and possibly even better than the first one.

Couldn't DISAGREE more.

[Mr. Blofeld]

I actually think both NEVER SAY NEVER AGAIN and ROBOCOP 2 are superior to THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK, which I find an absurdly overrated piece of work.

You're kidding, right?

[Blofeld's Cat]

[quote name='DLibrasnow' post='787687' date='29 October 2007 - 07:41'][quote name='Mister Asterix' post='787676' date='28 October 2007 - 15:14'][quote name='Blofeld's Cat' post='787649' date='28 October 2007 - 13:56']Saw Blofelds Cat's version of it last night. The music helps somewhat.[/quote]

[mra]At times his edits help as much as the music does. Going to the Spectre meeting out of the main titles rather than to M

[O.H.M.S.S.]

I think Never Say Never Again is a good movie, but nothing special. It had some wonderful actors in main roles (Sean Connery, Klaus Maria Brandauer, Max Von Sydow and Edward Fox), the settings were nice, but there is too much misplaced humour and we know the story, like in every remake, that would be the biggest problem.

[The White Tuxedo]

Because it's awful! That's why it is ignored. Though I'd probably put it above one or two Moore films and at least three Brosnan films. Kim Basinger is quite appealing. But the music is grotesqely bad.

[Blofelds Cat]

[quote name='DLibrasnow' post='787687' date='29 October 2007 - 04:41'][quote name='Mister Asterix' post='787676' date='28 October 2007 - 15:14'][quote name='Blofeld's Cat' post='787649' date='28 October 2007 - 13:56']Saw Blofelds Cat's version of it last night. The music helps somewhat.[/quote]

[mra]At times his edits help as much as the music does. Going to the Spectre meeting out of the main titles rather than to M

[Blofeld's Cat]

[quote name='Blofelds Cat' post='792601' date='13 November 2007 - 18:41'][quote name='DLibrasnow' post='787687' date='29 October 2007 - 04:41'][quote name='Mister Asterix' post='787676' date='28 October 2007 - 15:14'][quote name='Blofeld's Cat' post='787649' date='28 October 2007 - 13:56']Saw Blofelds Cat's version of it last night. The music helps somewhat.[/quote]

[mra]At times his edits help as much as the music does. Going to the Spectre meeting out of the main titles rather than to M