31 replies to this topic

[Se]

Okay, there has been enough quarreling on this forum between people who love DAD and people who don't.

But although I don't really like DAD and I think there are quite a lot flaws, I will note some things that I DID like.

- The entire Pre-credit sequence was very good. The Hovercraft chase was very Bondish.

- The scene with Mr. Chang filming Bond was very classic Bond. I feel we need more of these types of scenes.

- The Sword fight will definately become a classic!

- The entire sequence in Cuba was great. No comments on that one.

- The music when Bond drives his car towards the ice-palace is great.
We should have more of those trumpet-things.


Now I propose that all people who pick on DAD (just like me) say what they found positive about DAD, just to show that we aren't 100% negative.

[flares]

I like the way Bond so casually escapes from the hospital ship, he doesn't run, he cooly walks - very nice (although it contradicts the lyrics from thunderball).

I like the way that when kissing Miranda against the car, and she asks if the guards have gone, bond says "they went ages ago", very good.

I love the way that Graves falls into the fountain at the end of the swordfight - very good impact after the torso cut - splash.

[Simon]

My sister saw the film just recently and while she is aware of my interest and while she is just a passer by with a passing interest and liking of the films and DAD for purely entertainment purposes, the one scene she liked the most was..........

it's worth the wait..........

really it is............

the para surfing scene.

So there we go sports fans. What do we know? I asked her why and for her the whole premise of Bond is "over the top" - and that scene did it for her.

(Just as a bit of filler in detail, she is bright, young, double honours degree, working in telecoms, so by way of explanation that would mean she wasn't slow witted or certifiable.)

[M_Balje]

[quote]Originally posted by Se

[Contessa]

Didn't hate DAD, but it left me cold (no pun intended) after Iceland. Not quite as painful on 2nd viewing, however. Highlights of both viewings (bear with me--I haven't seen the movie in a few weeks):
1. Pre-credit surfing scene
2. Brosnan's smile as he changes identities with the smuggler
3. Punching bag scene
4. Sense of tension just before Bond's identity is discovered
5. The waterfall scene, including "Saved by the bell", the expression on
Brosnan's face as he views the wreckage (seeming to ask himself "All right, old boy, what the ---- do I do now?") and his expression when confronted by the father of the man he thinks he just killed. No smirk, no throwaway line, no emotionalism (in other words, no Connery, Moore, Lazenby, or Dalton here). Bond was just doing his job, and doing what he had to do to survive.
6. The credits. I found the combination of Madonna's theme and the visuals riveting. Beautiful and jarring at the same time.
7. The scene with Bond being exchanged, with Zao emerging from the fog and the continuous disembodied voice saying "Move along, please"
as Bond stumbles across the bridge.

[General Koskov]

Almost all the Korea scenes except the beginning of the hovercraft chase (too reminiscent of TND--which was the ultimate PTS, and ought not to be upstaged).

The Cuban scenes were good but for Jinx's meeting Bond.

The England scenes were good but for the invisible car.

The Iceland scenes were good but for the lasers and the car chase.

The Antonov scenes would've been the film version of Licence Revoked, but since the Ice Palace was so good, a grand battle there would have been much more satisfying--so they looked like a rip-off TLD.

[JBond007]

I like the way Bond so casually escapes from the hospital ship, he doesn't run, he cooly walks - very nice (although it contradicts the lyrics from thunderball).

I thought the lyrics from Thunderball was talking about some other fictional baddie?

[Blue Eyes]

Could you actually say anything positive without the 'but' General Koskov?

[M_Balje]

Originally posted by General Koskov

The Antonov scenes would've been the film version of Licence Revoked, but since the Ice Palace was so good, a grand battle there would have been much more satisfying--so they looked like a rip-off TLD.

You say it self.
This is one of the element's about The living daylights.
I like it.

[Dr Noah]

I liked Q's scene with Bond.

Miranda Frost looked very sexy.

Brosnan was great.

Arnold's score was good.

[neversaynever]

I'm not a DAD hater, but I have found fault in some of the scenes in another thread, so here I will highlight the scenes I thought were the best:

- the title sequence. I was a bit doubtful about this when I heard about it, but in the end I thought Kleinman did the torture stuff very well, and I was surprised how well Madonna's song suited the titles.
- the scene in the cigar factory, when Bond's just walking through. The best "background" for such a scene since, well, I don't know when.
- the fencing scene. I didn't even mind Madonna's cameo, but I don't really know what the story was with her "heroin chic" black eye make up.
- Bond and Graves in the Ice Palace. I liked the dialogue, including "Plenty of time to sleep when you're dead", and thought it set the scene for Iceland pretty well.
- almost forgot: the hotel scene, with the masseuse. Classic Bond stuff.

[Morton Slumber]

Originally posted by Blue Eyes
Could you actually say anything positive without the 'but' General Koskov?

This remark puts DAD into perspective. It's that 'BUT' factor that makes DAD such a painful disappointment.

[mkkbb]

I thought all these points mentioned on this thread are all very Bondish moments, and they were done very well. Of course there are going to be some things some people didn't like, whilst others loved them.

Personally, after seeing the film 3 times, I thought the paragliding surfing sequence was very well done, great effects for the sea, but of course wouldn't like to see it become the norm for a Bond film.

I also thought the ending was good. After first viewing I thought it was a kind of rip-off of TLD, but it really was a good Bond ending for the film.

Iceland was also one of my favourite bits, reminds me of the big Bond films like TSWLM.

The cinematography was also top drawer. Some of the best for the series, especially Cuba and London.

The sets were terrific, Cuba, Los Organos and the Ice Palace. Even the Anatov was brilliant. The model work, maybe apart from the obvious waterfall, was well done too, from the Palace to the Los Organos island. Just felt like Bond.

A few things I didn't like, but were probably included to appear more modern was the editing style. While the speed ups for the Iceland shots suited the film, the slow downs in the fighting and for Zao with Jinx on the laser table, was really not needed and took away the feeling of a Bond film. Also the heart monitor sequence on the boat, not the best Bond scene. But then again it was the editing.

But the points I mentioned above more than compensate the for the editing style.

[Morton Slumber]

The design of the Ice Palace exterior is just too like the Sydney Harbour Opera House, with some leg things stuck on to make it look a bit original, for it to have the requisite "wow" factor. The Los Organos model is the most convincing and technically does have that allusive Bond feel (particlarly when we get the POV shot as the boat with Bond on board goes past). However, on a design level the exterior is quite boring and the interior sets (with the exception of the hall way with the rotating mirrors and rotating DNA models) is about as unexceptional a secret, high tec establishment as anyone is likely to see. What would Ken Adam say? The Bond films design has come to this sorry state?

[Kronsteen]

I didn't like DAD either that much. It was okay, but a dissapoinment.

I likes these scenes:

* The begining of the pre-title sequence (before the hover-craft chase)
* Zao and Bond being traded
* Bonds escape from Mi6 in Hong Kong...
* ...and all the scenes at the hotel
* Bonds meatings with Raoul
* Bonds time on Los Organos (not the ending of the action scene though, when Zao escapes in the helicopter and Jinx diving)
* Graves ariving in parachute and the scenes at Blades. (I must say that I did not enjoy Bonds time on Mi6 headquarters. Bond meating Q is just silly...)
* Bond escaping in the ice-vehicle and the cool CGI-scene (it's not very realistic, but hell it's great. It would've been even better if they had used the Bond theme)
* Bond and Jinx trying to save themselves in the helicopter is OK


I suppose that's all. I liked the first hour of the movie, but the rest is just very weak!

[bodie]

I liked the part when it ended.

[Morton Slumber]

The fencing at Blades was very good. However, it was not set up well and appeared to have no aftermath. But this is typical of the fragmented structure of the film.

Also loved the ice jet thing and Bond's escape, until it goes over the cliff.

[HUNTER C.]

The only thing that bothered me about the film is Iceland. All the pieces of the story suddenly clumped up in their come-together during this part of the film. Some of it was a bit sloppy. And a lot of continuity errors (Where does Kil go as Bond is entering to save Jinx... and how did she get knocked out and wake back up so fast?) The whole press show off of Icarus scene was too much for me and if it were possible, I'd rather it left on the cutting room floor. That whole set up looks ridiculous and comes out of nowhere. It would be nice if they even showed the huge TV monitors and stuff being set up outside earlier.. to add to some nice continuity. Oh well.

The parasurfing sequence is cheesy, no doubt. However, it does not bother me TOO much. I really do not want to see more of it though. And, I agree, when that thing went over the edge that was the worst!

I also just don't like the idea of "doing what the last movie did, only update it". Although its not as obvious in the pretitles (2 action sequences, Bond in near-trouble but gets out by use of gadget, a silver briefcase containing valuable something, etc.), it is however very obvious in the finale. The plane battle I think was an excuse so they can compete with the submarine sequence with TWINE. A very STRANGE looking interior too and the whole piece didn't even seem to fit in with the rest of the film. Even Graves' death, although completely different, reminded me of the whole scene when Bond killed Renard.. that whole "i'm too weak to get up, oh look there's an idea", *does something last minute that causes villian to die* They don't set it up very good. And, no matter how many times I watch it and think of it as a "homage", I can't get over that part when they eject out of the back of the plane... I felt cheated of some originality there.

Oh and the whole Graves/General Moon thing was VERY much like Gladiator. Maybe that was the inspiration for that scene.

And, after seeing all those scenes that were cut out, I feel cheated once again!

I guess it sounds like I have more pet peves with this film than positive remarks, but truth is, I love the movie. I've seen it 5 times (soon to be 6 and I'm hoping to make it to 7) and still enjoy it. The first half is pure classic Bond whereas I feel the second half is them trying to shed out of their old "Brosnan's kinda Bond" skin and going back to the way it should be. I enjoy the car chase (especially when it goes into the Ice Palace) and love when he escapes the biodomes and the Ice Dragster/Icarus sequence. Anyway... I still rate the film 9/10. Fix those little flaws and you've got a perfect Bond movie.

[Blue Eyes]

And here was me thinking this was a postive thread

[Morton Slumber]

Originally posted by Blue Eyes
And here was me thinking this was a postive thread

I positively hated DAD.

[Blue Eyes]

Good for you. This thread isn't obviously for you.

[Morton Slumber]

Originally posted by Blue Eyes
Good for you. This thread isn't obviously for you.

But it's called "scenes DAD-haters DID like!" , so I assumed that it was.

[Tim007]

I liked the Hong Kong hotel scenes and Bond meeting Raoul. Also the London Calling part (Graves arriving at the press conference).

[Blue Eyes]

But it's called "scenes DAD-haters DID like!" , so I assumed that it was.

Well then perhaps you need to read the thread title. "scenes DAD-haters DID like!" which means you can participate in this thread if you're willing to discuss the scenes in the film entitled Die Another Day that you did like.

[Morton Slumber]

The "London Calling" bit and the way the song blended into Arnold's score as the parachute glided above London was excellent. The press conference stuff was good too, thought Graves was going to be a great villain, particularly with the wonderful fencing stuff straight afterwards. Pity they had to ruin it all with that nonsense about him really being Moon.

I have no problem with him having a secret identity, they just should have shown that it had taken longer to set up and establish. Like the character of Drax in the Moonraker novel. P&W seem to have had a copy of said book with them throughout the writing proses. It's a shame the didn't pick up a few story telling tips from it.

[Morton Slumber]

Originally posted by Blue Eyes


Well then perhaps you need to read the thread title. "scenes DAD-haters DID like!" which means you can participate in this thread if you're willing to discuss the scenes in the film entitled Die Another Day that you did like.

Perhaps you need to read the thread you are commenting on, look at a NUMBER of my posts above.

[Blue Eyes]

I have read them. And about 10% are actually positive.

[Morton Slumber]

Well the subject is intended to attract DAD haters, to discuas aspects of the film that they like. That I have tried to do. If you find that 10% of my comments are "actually positive" then I am sorry. I would have said something more like 9%.

[Se]

What !!!

All I ment with this thread is to try to let people who comment on DAD (like me) say something positive. The are ENOUGH threads in which you can discuss things you hate about it.

[Morton Slumber]

[quote]Originally posted by Se