4 replies to this topic

[JimmyBond]

In preperation of Skyfall I've been watching all the Bond's again. Unlike the last time I did it, I'm not going in any real order, just picking films at random. Interestingly, I've been gravitating toward the Roger Moore films. Starting with Octopussy, then View, then kind of working my way back from there. Today I just finished Spy.

I don't think it's a coincidence that I've been watching most of the Moore films, granted I've mixed in a Connery here, and a Brosnan there. But so far it's mostly Moore.

It's because his films are just fun for me. Moore really throws himself into the role and everything about them just works. Five films, and I've yet to be bored by one of them (Live and Let Die, and Golden Gun are left, but I enjoy those ones too).

I'm not sure I'd go so far to say Moore is my favorite Bond, but man if I don't love his films the most.

[Colossus]

Yes good of you to come around to this. I love his stuff too.

[thecasinoroyale]

I totally see your view here Jimmy, I am with you on this.

I find it hard to pinpoint a favourite James Bond actor (I think I go for Timothy Dalton as he was simply the first actor I saw as Bond in 'Licence To Kill'), but I couldn't do it for quality of film but doing that, Roger Moore is the one Bond I go to more if I want to watch one of the films to simply escape for a couple of hours, to enjoy myself and lose myself in a familiar, fun and exciting spy adventure.

I mostly put on 'Octopussy' or 'A View To A Kill' (my 2nd favourite Bond film) as they may not be 'groundbreaking' films or follow the general 'conventional' Bond film elements people expect, but they are easy to watch, they're funny, they've got great action sequences and decent plots, fantastic villains and Moore, as you say, just enjoys himself and gives 110% passion for the role, wheter it be in 1973 or 1985, regardless of his age, he is the Bond people grew up with for over 10 years so it's easy to warm to him and his charming ways.

Connery, Dalton, Brosnan and Craig (ok, and Lazenby!) each bring their own identification of Bond to the films, and each deliver something the others don't that you can go to if you want a serious Bond film, or a more action-packed Bond film, or a simple espionage Bond film...but more so for fun and having a Bond film on in the background you can dip in and out of if you need to, Roger Moore never lets me down, and never will.

[hilly]

I completely agree. Roger's films are simply great entertainment. I love OHMSS, but I think that, had the films continued in that dramatic emotional vein, audiences would have become bored and the series may well have fizzled by the mid-70s. Although the tone had begun to alter with Diamonds Are Forever, the production team clearly felt that a lighter more escapist feeling would prolong the lifespan. The Batman movies tried this, following the 2 Tim Burton films. They used Joel Schumacher and, certainly with Batman and Robin, the results were a disaster.
The Bond producers have always recognised when things have gone too far and have been quick to rein it in again for the next movie. With Roger's movies, they were fortunate in having a star who also recognised the inherent ridiculous quality of the films ( a secret agent who is known across the world etc) and went with it. Whilst Connery would bristle at certain fantasy elements, going back as far as Goldfinger ( apparently he felt that Oddjob crushing a golf ball was "in' ridiculous"), Roger was happy to go along for the ride. As Dalton reflected "Only Roger could have got away with a plane coming out of a horse's backside. I certainly couldn't have managed it......"

[elizabeth]

Def agree. Rog constantly provides jokes and he's a lot of fun.