james bond

James Bond Ultimate Edition - Vol. 4 (Dr. No / You Only Live Twice / Octopussy / Tomorrow Never Dies / Moonraker)
$59.98
As I watch these movies, I'll give them a review so, first thing's first:

Dr. No- Probably one of the best Bond films, next to OHMSS, FYEO & LTK, that doesn't use an excess of gadgets. CR (2006) was good but used too much flash & bang. Same thing goes for QOS, way too much bang and not enough story. Anyway, Connery's debut as the suave secret agent is a better outing for him than some of his later ones. His portrayal is tough yet sophisticated whereas Craig is just tough with little to no sophistication. An excellent Bond villain in Dr. No, who is not afraid to get into a fight if his plans go bad. Honey Ryder is your typical Bond girl but at least they don't make her to be an "equal" of Bond or cast the then unknown Andress as something outrageous like a nuclear physicist. The story of toppling missiles is good and doesn't seem dated. I wish they had hired John Barry for the music because that is department where this movie is lacking. 4 stars.

You Only Live Twice- From an action point of view, this is one of the better Bonds. The Little Nellie fight sequence is one of the most thrilling aerial assaults in cinema history along with the ninja attack as the climax. The casting is also to be commended, as this is probably one of the few films that I own with a large Japanese cast. Tanaka is a likeable character, played amiably by Tetsuro Tamba (and also one of the few foreign allies in a Bond film who doesn't get killed off). I do wish though that Aki's part was bigger and didn't get killed off compared to Kissy's. Bond had more time to develop a relationship with her before she was poisoned whereas, at first, Kissy doesn't want to be involved with Bond, stating their feigned marriage is "just business" and then all of a sudden she's all over him. Karin Dor's Helga Brandt is very reminiscent, though probably more the writer's trying to clone Fiona Volpe from the previous film, but Dor does the best that she can with a role that is pretty much a copy. Donald Pleascence does a good job as Blofeld but doesn't, to me anyway, come off as a real intimidating threat like Telly Savalas does in the next one. Maybe they should've held off the big reveal of Bond's arch-enemy until OHMSS. Japan is a beautiful setting, getting to see some of the local culture like sumo wrestling and, I'm not entirely sure on this one, a Japanese wedding. Contrary to many others saying this is one of his best (OHMSS being the best), I don't like John Barry's score for this one, nor is the title song one of my particular favorites, though some of my favorite bits are during the outer space sequences and the big attack on Blofeld's volcano. 3 stars.

Moonraker- James Bond in space! Despite this, like TMWTGG, being "rather silly" and not a favorite among fans, this is one of my favorites. Its just pure fun escapism. And its a little more believeable than an invisible car. Lois Chiles is a step up from Barbara Bach in the acting department (and better than most of the women Brosnan would deal with), but when it comes to showing emotion or a sense of urgency in a situation, she falls flat (which what her acting is in some scenes). Her character does handle the action very well, and like Back, doesn't try to steal the limelight from Moore (unlike Halle Berry, who I just plain don't like). Michael Lonsdale is more interesting a villain than Stromberg, despite both characters having the same goal of creating a master race/new world. Lonsdale just seems like a more legitimate threat in how he handles things and how he plans on disposing Bond. Richard Kiel has more of a comedic role in this one but is nonetheless threatening (like when he's walking down the alley dressed as the clown in Rio). Unfortunately, this is Bernand Lee's final film as M (he would die just before filming began on FYEO) and we do not get a decent actor in the role until Dame Judi Dench. The action sequences continue to get better (such as the opening free fall sequence and the gondola chase). Stated earlier, this is pretty much a rehash of TSWLM but at least goes about it in a different way. At least Drax comes closer to his goal than Stromberg did. And thank goodness they went with an original story for this one instead of the plot of the book (it was an interesting story, it just plodded along too slowly). John Barry gives us more strings in his score and his 007 theme is played for (for now at least) the last time in a more slower arrangement. And Shirely Bassey returns for her third title song, which like the movie, is one of my favorite themes; a beautifully sung ballad and not some piece of trash (here's lookin' at you Madonna). 5 stars.

Octopussy- A risque title. But nonetheless, one of my favorites. People tend to not like the Moore films because they're not as "serious" as some of the Connery, Brosnan and especially Dalton and Craig but like I've said before, movies, especially action movies, a form of escapism and not to be taken (too) seriously). Again, using a short story title and utilizing the basic plot of them; the Faberge Egg (Property of a Lady) and the backstory of Maj. Dexter Smythe (Octopussy), the main plot is original and very good. Moore is showing a little age in this one but loses none of his charm and grace and can still handle the action and love scenes. Maud Adams returns to the series as the titular character, and she is one of the more interesting Bond girls as she is a good yet bad girl and you can tell her morals collide during the circus scene whether she chooses to believe Bond about the bomb or listen to Magda. Louis Jourdan is suave as Khan and oozes evil but a kind of aristotic evil previously seen in Scaramanga, Blofeld and Dr. No. Unfortunately, Kabir Bedi's Gobinda is just a poor knockoff of Oddjob, right down to squeezing the dice into dust. But he does talk more and involved more in Khan's plans than Oddjob was with Goldfinger. The action scenes feature more great ones from the series. The pre-title Acrostar jet sequence is suspenseful and you can hardly tell that Moore is in front of a projection screen (which I must also commend on NSNA's scenes featuring the missiles and Connery and Casey in the jet-propulsion vehicles and the flying scenes in Superman III). John Barry returns to the franchise, giving a lush, exotic score. And despite what people say, I enjoy Rita Coolidge's title song (because lets face it, you could never get Octopussy into a lyric.) 5 stars.

Tomorrow Never Dies- 1997 was obviously the year for sinking ships. This is definitely more action packed than GoldenEye but the story in this is actually intriguing. A media mogul plans to manipulate two governments into a war just for ratings? Hm, sounds like a plan concocted by the diabolical CNN or Fox News, doesn't it? Not really, I'm giving those networks far too much credit. Brosnan is back as Bond and we get a little emotional glimpse into his past with his relationship with Paris Carver (played by Teri Hatcher of Lois & Clark fame at the time and was still looking very attractive). You can tell how pained Bond is when he finds her dead in his hotel room. Jonathan Pryce is one of my favorite Bond villains as you can clearly tell that he doesn't care who he ruins just as long as he gets the story first. My favorite scene with Carver is when he's showing off his headlines to Bond and says about his favorite; "I rather like the last one. It isn't even mine." Michelle Yeoh is a good Bond girl and, like the female agents of TSWLM, MR and LTK, Wai Lin doesn't completely overshadow Bond but still makes an impact as a character. Most of Carver's subordinates are bland, like Stamper (who's pretty much an acting block of wood) and Gupta (very, very bland and woodlike) but Vincent Schiavelli's Dr. Kaufman is a brilliant, evil but very humorous character. David Arnold becomes the regular Bond composer with this film and he does an admirable job but I have two complaints; one, he uses the Bond theme a little too much when compared to previous films and two, he doesn't know when to stop playing the music. I think I can count the scenes on one hand when there isn't any music. Sheryl Crowe's title song is one of my least favorite while k.d. Lang's version is far superior though regulated to the end credits and surprisingly used as orchestration when compared to the title song. 4 stars.

James Bond Ultimate Edition - Vol. 3 (GoldenEye / Live and Let Die / For Your Eyes Only / From Russia With Love / On Her Majesty's Secret Service)
$59.98
As with the other sets, I'll review them as I watch them:

From Russia with Love: Arguably Connery's best outing as 007, giving, in my opinion, his best performance. The cast is astounding in this picture; Pedro Armendariz gives the best performances as one of Bond's allies. Lotte Lenya and Robert Shaw are icy cool as the villains (Grant is one of the best villain-henchmen). Of course making his debut amoung the regular Bond characters is the incomprable Desmond Llewelyn as Q. The plot is one of the best out of the Bond series, coming very close to the original novel with only slight alterations like SMERSH to SPECTRE and the name of the Lektor (which is actually the Spektor). Some of the best action sequences are to be found in this film, such as the attack on the gypsy camp and Bond's fight with Grant. This is John Barry's first film in which he provides the music, though some cues are lifted from the previous film. The rousing instrumental theme used during the titles is very effective as a romantic theme for Bond and the girl. Barry's own theme, 007, is introduced as well. The title song, though, is one of my least favorites (but definately not as bad as Another Way to Die). 5 stars.

On Her Majesty's Secret Service- People like to make fun of this one because of one-timer Lazenby, but I'm probably one of the few who actually enjoy his performance (except for when he's in Piz Gloria and his voice is dubbed by George Baker). I don't think he's copying off of Connery. Diana Rigg is one of my favorites, of course seeing her as Mrs. Emma Peel. She can do the same things, almost, as Bond, again like fellow Avengers alum Honor Blackman, and she doesn't eat up screen time (Halle Berry and Denise Richards can't compare to these two). Telly Savalas is my personal favorite as Blofeld. He just seems menacing, especially with that deep voice of his. One of my favorite lines is when he tells Bond that:
"I mean what I say, and I'll do what I claim."
I'd take him seriously.
The story is almost verbatim of the book except in a few places because the book comes before YOLT, which is how it should've been with the films. People complain that Blofeld doesn't recognize Bond when he's undercover but here's my explanation: Blofeld KNOWS its Bond. He recognizes him when when they're discussing his title as the Count. He just doesn't want to spoil the moment, he wants to toy with him until Bond slips up, which he does. A true villain who recognizes their oppenent would want to play with him until the moment comes to spring the trap. This Barry's best score for any of his Bonds. The theme is the best out of any of the others and is used perfectly during the two ski sequences. And Louis Armstrong's song, his last actually, is the best out of the vocal songs. It's touching and romantic and serves as great underscore for Bond and Tracy. My personal best and the best of the franchise. 5 stars.

Live and Let Die- Moore's first outing, it's not good but it's not bad either. Of course the plot is changed from Mr. Big being a Russian agent of SMERSH, but as the very popular (of the 70s) drug dealer. Moore does a great job in all seven of his films but his Bond did deserve a better introduction than just lying in bed with a woman. Yaphet Kotto is great as Mr. Big/Kananga, though many, from what I've read in some fan sites, complain he smiles too much for a villain. Well duh, villains smile, especially when they think everything's going their way. Jane Seymour plays Solitaire as an innocent young woman, who wants to be with Bond but doesn't want to make her boss angery, especially after she loses her powers (and becoming, to me anyway, more of a sex maniac than Bond). Geoffery Holder, next to Jaws and Oddjob, is one of the more intimidating henchmen. His stature, the mysticism of the character and especially that laugh is what makes this character great. They should bring him back or do a character like him but isn't a knockoff (like Gobinda in Octopussy). I hate when they do locations, except for Vegas in DAF, in America. It just looks bland but being an American, that is just my opinion. Since this is shown to different countries, they probably think its exotic. George Martin's score, like the film, can feel dated due to the 70s style funk that is used, especially in the reorchestrated Bond theme. And its a good thing Paul McCartney (though the Fab Four had broken up by this time) didn't sing the theme to Goldfinger (put earmuffs on), but in all seriousness it is one of the better songs in the canon. 3 stars.

For Your Eyes Only- Along with TSWLM, this is tied as Moore's finest. The plot incorporates the story of two short tales; Risico (Kristatos and Columbo) and For Your Eyes Only (The Havelocks). Though the inclusion of the ATAC system seems to tie the two completely different stories into one. Carole Bouquet continues the line of strong Bond women and probably the first since Jane Seymour to be a stunningly beautiful woman and can act (Bach and Chiles just never seemed to show any emotion when delivering their lines). Julian Glover (General Veers from The Empire Strikes Back) is, like Bouquet, plays a better villain than the previous two. He is not out to destroy the world but is a double agent playing the British. And Topol is absolutely charming as Columbo, who in many ways, reminds me of Pedro Armendariz's Kerim Bay. In fact, many parts of this remind me of FRWL, such as; the raid on Kristatos' headquarters, the Cold War story, etc. The music, though with influenced with some disco, doesn't seem dated compared to George Martin and Marvin Hamlisch's scores for their respective films. Some of my favorite pieces of music are the gunbarrel, Bond's attack on a familiar bald-headed, cat stroking villain, the car chase in Madrid, the ski chase, the underwater scenes, the romantic moments between Bond and Melina (wow, I didn't realize there were so many). And those with a keen ear will be able to pick up a snippet of John Williams' Jaws theme right before Bond and Melina are attacked underwater. And Sheena Easton's romantic title song remains a favorite of mine within the Bond canon. 5 stars.

GoldenEye- After six years of legal entanglement, James Bond returned to theatres in 1995. Dalton has left the role and is now played by Pierce Brosnan (Broccoli's original choice for The Living Daylights) of Remington Steele fame. Brosnan is/was a very good choice for the role, ably playing aspects of both Sean Connery and Roger Moore. The idea of a rogue Mi6 agent is a twist from previous villains as 006 would know everything that Bond can throw at him. In the opening, Sean Bean plays Trevalyn as a close friend of Bond's, willing to die for Queen and country. But once it's revealed that he is the mastermind behind everything, he's more than willing to kill his former friend and destroy the British government. Isabella Scorupco plays Natalya with a very realistic innocence and naivet��� towards the espionage world after finding out that Boris is still alive. Famke Janssen is definitely one of the more memorable Bond girls as Xenia Onatopp, and gets a sexual kick out of putting the squeeze on her victims (and using a machine gun but I think that innuendo goes without saying). Desmond Llewelyn returns as Q, and is joined by Samantha Bond as Miss Moneypenny (who I enjoyed playing on 90s PC aspect on Bond's flirting) and Dame Judi Dench as M (my favorite actor to play the part). The title of the movie derives from Ian Fleming's Jamaican home while the rest of the story is original and is the only one of Brosnan's, in my opinion, to actually feel like a classic Bond film. Eric Serra provides a less than memorable score but the title song by Tina Turner is a favorite of mine. 5 stars.

James Bond Blu-ray Collection Three-Pack, Vol. 1 (Dr. No / Die Another Day / Live and Let Die) [Blu-ray]
$69.99
It is unfortunate that such poor packing can potentially damage DVDs. It almost falls apart when you even look at it. You should not send DVDs/CDs this way, and it's not Amazon's fault, they did their best.

James Bond Ultimate Edition - Vol. 1 (The Man with the Golden Gun / Goldfinger / The World Is Not Enough / Diamonds Are Forever / The Living Daylights)
$59.98
All of these movies are great except none of us liked "The Man with the Golden Gun". If they took this movie out of the set it would be a 5 star.