30 replies to this topic

[zerozeroseven]

I started a NSNA versus AVTAK thread recently, and every single person said they liked AVTAK better. Now, I've seen NSNA a few times and never thought it was all that bad. Yes, the music gives me a headache. And Connery looks and even walks like he belongs in an old folks home. But, I never realized how much NSNA was disliked by so many Bond fans. There must be a lot of reasons to like it. After all, Mr. Bean was in it. I just want to hear some positive statements about the movie. Tell me why I should watch it again.

[Blue Eyes]

Why I like NSNA? The dance sequence, and Bond's like during it "You're brothers dead, keep dancing". I also quite like the "do you lose an gracefully as you win?" quipp.

[Mister Asterix]

Never Say Never Again—in my humble opinion—is the best overall job of casting of all of the Bond films. Barbara Carrera perfectly blends sex and danger. Klaus Maria Brandauer's Largo holds command the screen whenever he is present. Max von Sydow's Blofeld is brilliant. Alec McCowen's Algy's scene is one of the great classic 'Q' scenes. Edward Fox's M is a very nice change of pace and played to perfection. I'm even quite fond of Bernie Casey's Felix.

The movie has many problems, but none of the blame can be put on the truly amazing cast.

[mattbowyer]

Excellent point. I think basinger is good too. Algy Q was different, but the sinus gag was very funny - though couldn't have been done by Desmond's.

Black Felix. Hmmm...

Connery is great. His last two bonds (this and DAF) are made because of his fun performances.

[Loomis]

NEVER SAY NEVER AGAIN is great.

The chief reason for that is Sean Connery, giving a masterclass in growing old gracefully.

NSNA's script did make reference to Bond's advancing years, but not in a Danny Glover "I'm-too-old-for-this-****" way. Instead, it scored major points (IMHO) by portraying Bond as an old school spy who's still, as he himself points out, "in pretty good shape". The script did not require Bond to perform outrageous stunts or superhuman physical feats (by the standards of the series, at any rate). We were able to believe that a Bond nearing 60 was just as tough and assured a character as he'd been in his early 30s.

We'd followed this Bond on many earlier adventures, knew what he could do and what he'd been through. Connery's age made the character seem all the more a wily survivor, almost indestructible (surely the single most important aspect of the cinematic 007). This Bond was more confident than he'd ever been, with a worldliness, a seen-it-all charisma. The NSNA Bond's irresistibility to women was far more plausible than that of the DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER Bond.

Some great points about NSNA's casting, Mister Asterix (and, BTW, whatever DID happen to Klaus Maria Brandauer?).

NSNA also boasts fine locations, decent action scenes (the training mission is a superb opening) and, last but by no means least, a witty script. Overall, an excellent Bond adventure.

[RITZ]

Sean Connery's sexy Scottish burr

Fight between him and the big dude at Shrublands

Teaser sequence is highly enjoyable

007's motorbike

[ChandlerBing]

I certainly hope we're going to be treated to some gratuitous sex and violence.

I hope so, too!

[ray t]

the one thing that would TRULY have made it a great 007 pic would have been the addition of the james bond theme (which, because it was a non-EON pic, it was NEVER gonna have)

in fact, john barry was asked to liberally use the theme in OCTOPUSSY to differentiate it from NSNA. this, among other factors, helped octopussy to out-gross NSNA at the us box office.

[Jriv71]

Let's see, good things about NSNA...oooh, I know. It won't be part of the Bond box set, like DAF!!!

[ChandlerBing]

Kim Basinger. I used to have the hots for her before I found out she was nuts.
Barbara Careera is pretty hot. She and Connery have a really hot love scene that was one of the steamiest ones around before they made a big deal out of the ones in Die Another Day. It's the only Bond movie where you get to see Bond actually getting laid. The scene where Fatima Blush blows up the wrong hotel room while Bond is getting laid is classic Connery.
I like the masseuse scene a lot. The music alone brings a smile to my face when I hear it. The chance to runs my hands over Kim Basinger in 1983.....Ahhhhhhh, ok, you get the point.

******
However, the score sucks. Irvin Kirshner is a terrible director, the writer is a hack. It proved one thing for this movie, and something else for another. Sean Connery saved this movie. Despite Irvin Kirshner, the Empire Strikes Back was a terrific movie.

[Simon]

While there are certainly many laudable things for this movie, the casting as stated above for one, there are elements that make it a rogue Bond movie as opposed to an official one.

For me, outside of the 007 logo, the pre credits and the score, these elements are almost intangible. Why doesn't it feel like an official series movie? What is it that sets it apart? These, I admit, are rhetorical questions as I long ago gave up trying to quantify these elusive elements.

My point is that outside of the occasional gripes that are beset the official series, Eon have done an extremely good job of remaining faithful to the "feel" of the series over it's 40 year period. If a newcomer can't get it right in one movie, god forbid any other studio(?) or production company getting hold of the series.

[Double-Oh-Zero]

Ironically, NSNA was one of my first Bond movies. The things that I like about it are the deadpan humour (Bond and felix walking around- with Connery singing- in their underwear amidst the chaos seemed pretty funny), the casting of Rowan Atkinson as a bumbling agent wasn't too bad of a misstep, the motorbike chase was done well, the fight at Shrublands was great, and that tubby fellow who was convinced by Bond that his cigarette case was a bomb was hilarious. And Mr. Asterix is dead-on about the casting (especially barbara Carrera as Fatima Blush- even Blush's name is cool!). My only complaints were that the scenes near the end with Klaus Maria Brandauer as Largo were a wee bit goofy IMO, and Kim Basinger was kinda blah as Domino.

[OOSe7en]

I totally agree with Loomis' comment regarding Bond's disposition in NSNA (his comment being the following):

"Connery's age made the character seem all the more a wily survivor, almost indestructible (surely the single most important aspect of the cinematic 007). This Bond was more confident than he'd ever been, with a worldliness, a seen-it-all charisma. The NSNA Bond's irresistibility to women was far more plausible than that of the DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER Bond."

For me, the highlight of the film was when he snuck up on Domino and gave her that message. When the real masseuse approaching Connery his nonchalance was dead-on perfect. The setting aboard the yacht with Domino (Basinger) working out in tights was great as well.

I agree the score was really bad. The only point I thought it was good was when Bond approached and found the dead woman's body. The ensuing motorcycle chase was terrific.

[OOSe7en]

Originally posted by OOSe7en
I totally agree with Loomis' previous comment regarding Bond's disposition in NSNA (see below).

For me, the highlight of the film was when he snuck up on Domino and gave her that message. When the real masseuse approaching Connery his nonchalance was dead-on perfect. The setting aboard the yacht with Domino (Basinger) working out in tights was great as well.

I agree the score was really bad. The only point I thought it was good was when Bond approached and found the dead woman's body. The ensuing motorcycle chase was terrific.

Connery's age made the character seem all the more a wily survivor, almost indestructible (surely the single most important aspect of the cinematic 007). This Bond was more confident than he'd ever been, with a worldliness, a seen-it-all charisma. The NSNA Bond's irresistibility to women was far more plausible than that of the DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER Bond.

[homerjbond]

Originally posted by Loomis
NEVER SAY NEVER AGAIN is great.


Some great points about NSNA's casting, Mister Asterix (and, BTW, whatever DID happen to Klaus Maria Brandauer?).  

NSNA also boasts fine locations, decent action scenes (the training mission is a superb opening) and, last but by no means least, a witty script. Overall, an excellent Bond adventure.

Klaus Maria Brandauer - He was nominated for Best Supporting Actor for "Out of Africa" (1985). Lately, he's been acting in European films.

[kevrichardson]

Klaus Maria Brandeur , the best actor as a Bond Villian . Young Kim Bassinger as Domino . Bernie Casey as a Black Felix Leiter . Barbara Carrara as Fatima Blush . Last but not least Connery's hairpiece . Gives a not definition to World-weary . But then it was 1983.

[Doubleshot]

I think one thing that has been neglected to be mentioned was the wonderful location use of Monaco. Some great camera set-ups and location photography. It's certainly a location made for Bond.

[DLibrasnow]

I actually rank NSNA quite highly on my list of Bond movies.
I think the movie has quite a few good things going for it. Firstly, Sean Connery looks in much better shape than the chubby actor who played 007 in DAF, and, in NSNA he acts his age - and does so admirably.

Next is the wonderful Barbara Carrera, she virtually oozes sexuality and danger. I think Fatima is probably my favorite femme fatale of the entire series. "Going down, one should always be relaxed."
Kim Basinger turned in a truly remarkable performance and is one of the most breathtaking women to play the female lead in a Bond movie.
Klaus Maria Brandeur was a wonderful Largo (much better than Adolpho Celi in TB).
All three of these supporting actors turned in impassioned performances in NSNA.

I also liked Edward Fox as M. I think he did a much better job than weak pretender Robert Brown in the competing film OP. I also liked the Q scene "Now that you are on the case I hope we are going to get some gratuitous sex and violence."

Rowan Atkinson was also a nice addition to the cast as was the always great Bernie Casey.

The sets were well deigned and there were a number of well designed action sequences sprinkled throughout the movie.
As people who read these forums know, I think David Arnold has ruined the specialness of the James Bond theme by using it too much in the last three films. As such I think the music score in NSNA is leagues better than Arnolds compositions.

All in all, NSNA is a better movie than TND, TWINE and DAD.

[Coop]

Good things: the motorbike scene, the exploding girl, the bouncer holding a pen that he thinks will explode, the punch-up with Pat Roach and that's about it really.

[Dr Noah]

Good things :-

Connery IS Bond
Possibly the best supporting cast of any Bond movie
A good influence on Goldeneye
The "Algy scene"
Bond drives a Bentley for the firts time since "Casino Royale"

Bad things :-

The musical score
Forgetable locations
Familiar storyline
The stress of working on it meant the Connery had a 3 year break from movies.

On the whole, NSA is one of the 2 best Bond movies from the '80s.

[Mr. Kidd]

My favorite scene is the hi-tech take on the "casino scene"
with Bond against Largo in that video game "for the whole world" and
actually feeling pain as they lose. Brandauer is great in that scene,
especially at the end when he loses.

[Solex Agitator]

I watched this film last night again for the first time in a long time. This movie is quite enjoyable. There are only a handful of things wring with it. Anytime Kim Basinger is heard or seen is problematic. Especially if she is doing a dance routine or workout. Anytime the action shifts to underwater expostion, a desire to snooze sets in. But anytime Barabara Carerra is onscreen, you know it is going to be fun! The health clinic stuff is great! The first half is really quite good, really enjoyable, and funny in a good way. The balance of humor actually holds up well. Even Mr. Bean is good. This film has gotten better with time. Odd...

[Jeff007]

I just rewatched NSNA last night so that I could imagine that I was in the Bahamas instead of up in Canada. Sean Connery is amazing in this picture. I know he looks tired and out of shape but he looked like that in DAF anyways. One particular line that cracked me up last night, though I've heard it a hundred times, was when Fatima Blush wants Bond to write that she was the greatest pleasure of his life. Of course Sean had to say something funny in that tense situation. "I just remebered that it is against government policy for agents to give out endorcements." Classic Sean!
Kim Basinger is stunning and I wish that she would have been an EON bond girl. Wow!
Fun movie to watch and I do like the musical score.

[JBond007]

It's a good movie, it would probably rank up as one of the good Bond films if the music was better.

And it needs more gadgets in the motorbike.

And the lack of the Bond theme is alarming. (though there's nothing they could do about it)

[DLibrasnow]

Whats with the Bond theme obsession of 007 fans...??
I like NSNA because it doesn't feature the Bond theme or the gun barrel..it's something different and I like it for that very reason.
I think (present composer) David Arnold has spoiled the Bond theme for me personally, by using it too much instead of saving it for something truly Bondian - a guideline that John Barry NEVER forgot.

[JBond007]

Ah!

[Doubleshot]

Originally posted by DLibrasnow
Whats with the Bond theme obsession of 007 fans...??
I like NSNA because it doesn't feature the Bond theme or the gun barrel..it's something different and I like it for that very reason.
I think (present composer) David Arnold has spoiled the Bond theme for me personally, by using it too much instead of saving it for something truly Bondian - a guideline that John Barry NEVER forgot.

I think - especially in his later scores - Barry abused the priveledge of being able to use the Bond theme; not by using it too much but by using it too less.

[DLibrasnow]

I think Barry got it right. The Bond theme should be saved for the very Bondian moments of the series. It shouldn't be sprinked liberally throughout a movie because then it loses that very special element status and it becomes a parody. The problem with Arnold is he uses it too much so it means absolutely nothing now, its just another throwaway groan-inducing piece of music.

[rafterman]

this movie feels like the Batman TV series, which isn't a surprise since it's the same writer...there is a definite similarity between Bond and the series...

[DLibrasnow]

Originally posted by rafterman
this movie feels like the Batman TV series, which isn't a surprise since it's the same writer...there is a definite similarity between Bond and the series...

I'd say "Octopussy" feels more like the Batman TV series (than NSNA) in it's very cheap humor and slapstick gags.