Review of Never Say Never Again (1983) - The Lone Rogue
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- Опубликовано: 4 сен 2024
- 1983 was the year of the duel between the titans of James Bond: Sean Connery and Roger Moore. For Connery's seventh outing, we have a different production team, a more low-key adventure, the return of SPECTRE, a fine cast, a new version of one of the most iconic 007 stories, accompanied by a unique score, and directed by the man who brought us one of the greatest films ever made. Is Kevin McClory's version of these elements enough to triumph over the official film featuring the one man who gave Connery a run for his money and successfully relaunched the series in the 70s?
...Would it help if this film featured no clowns?
Next in the Series: A View to A Kill
Note - Some of the footage is from a Spike TV marathon, and I hope you'll understand why by the end.
Ohh that Dalton tease at the end!! Excited to start his era.
I've enjoyed covering the Moore era, but I'm stupidly excited to tackle Dalton and Brosnan.
I know it's not saying much, but this is the one Bond movie I remember never being able to sit through when I used to watch these as a kid. I still have never seen the entire thing.
I always found the production of this movie far more interesting than the film itself.
You make me feel happy to be an analytical subject nerd. You make critical analysis freaking cool and without gimmicks. I need more people like you in the world using critical thinking and not just complaining without reason. Did you ever hear someone opine on RUclips and find yourself punching the air and exclaiming, "YES!" That's what most of your videos do for me, including this one.
Thank you.
You are far too kind, and it makes my day to know there are a small group that really wants to hear these things. It gets me energized for the next one, which is actually already in the can and just running through the copyright checks.
I have fun with all Bonds and watched all of them multiple times with much enjoyment.
Well, apart from the last one, No Time to Die, I only watched this once and even then it was a struggle. Definitly won't rewatch this. Luckily I never bought it (unlike all the others.)
Even the less good Bonds bring me more joy than most other movies and I just like to rewatch them from scratch every few years.
For the size of its budget and talent within, it’s absolutely criminal that this film is as boring as it is. It’s a cheaper looking and classless Thunderball. The only part I like is the spa fight, the video game battle scene actually defies belief.
I think there was too much confidence in Connery. They thought that's all they needed.
The film is poorly paced in the 2nd and 3rd acts. I don't think it's as bad as other people but the production problems are clear as day in the finished film.
''It’s a cheaper looking and classless Thunderball.'' Wow your insight on this blows my mind.
On paper, especially with many actors I like, I want to enjoy this film. I think your analysis is spot on to why I don’t.
Funnily enough, Barbara Carrera, and “Octopussy” stars Maud Adams and Kristina Wayborn turn up in an episode of That 70’s Show as Tanya Roberts’ bridesmaids.
Strange coincidence, there.
Regarding that missing scene: lots of discs had an authoring/mastering error (it was on the layer switch if I remember correctly) that just skipped a chunk of the movie.
MGM had a replacement program, but I don't even know if they recalled them. I think they just quietly sent out fixed discs when any restocks were requested.
And people thought disagreeing with movie critics was a new thing.
You’re so right about it being boring. It might be the only thing a Bond movie can’t afford to be. The series can survive silliness, weak scripts, bad acting, etc. but boring? Nope. That’s why The World is Not Enough doesn’t hold up so well despite a pretty good script. Cool review.
Anyone else notice the actor from A View To A Kill who played Bob Connelly is in this abomination, too? I just recognized this from your clips. I'm really surprised Cubby would have allowed that, even 2 years later.
Yep, I know. I sincerely doubt Cubby even remembered Seeing the same actor in NSNA.
Back in the 80s I was a kid and my dad was a Bond fan so we watched some of them at the theater, some of them we rented. Funnily enough I don't remember ever having a problem with who was playing the character. I knew it was Bond and somehow it just made sense. May be as a kid it actually makes more sense that a different actor plays Bond in each movie. What I do remember is that every time there was a new Bond movie I said to myself "alright, may be this is the one they're going to finally show a boob"
I've still never seen NSNA. I've think im going to keep it as a schrodingers cat of Bond films, from what I've heard and the little bits I've seen its awful, but it might be brilliant. It doesn't help that it's based on a film I'm not particularly fond of either.
It’s a painfully and confoundingly boring film.
It has a better Bond and villain than Octopussy but unfortunately, the movie earns it's dismal reputation.
don't waste your time.
Andy Sidaris features a LOT of motorocycles in his sexy action flicks. I'll always remember when he compared his films to the Bond films in an interview. He said: "Our girls are prettier-- and they show their stuff!"
😆
There was a nice reversal of roles in the scene with Q. This time Q was the unruly schoolboy and Bond was the teacher having his temper tested.
The megalomanic tycoon on a yacht is a cliche in this genre of movies, but Klaus Maria Brandauer performs the role splendidly. Largo has a mad obsession with the woman he intends to destroy, and not many actors could have brought that out the way Brandauer did.
The making of this Bond movie was clearly an act of rebellion against the producers of the Bond series. I think many of the films that could be called the official Bonds would have looked like Never Say Never Again if the artists doing their work had been given even a bit of creative freedom by the bosses. They would have been better movies.
I'm fond of this film. I even like the music. Although I must admit the computer game segment hasn't aged well.
I saw this in the theater and thought it was, not great, but pretty good. On re-watches since then, my opinion has dropped quite a bit. It's now closer to the bottom my my best-to-worst list. Barbara Carrera was the best part of the film.
7:50 What you say here is the same thing I could say about the first quarter of Die Another Day. Just starting off pretty good with amazing potential and then crashing down so fast and hard.
Never Say Never Again is more like Never Watch It Ever Again. This is one that I don't like, don't want to watch, and have trouble watching in a single sitting. It's at the bottom of the bottom of the bottom for me.
Now, the next film is my least favorite in the official series. At least I can actually finish it on a viewing.
A man after my own heart.
The only thing I remember from watching this movie as a kid was how much I liked Felix, and how much I disliked Domino compared to her Thunderball incarnation (a personal favourite Bond woman of mine).
I grew up on the Roger Moore movies so when I see this as a 7 year not knowing about Sean Connery I'm asking myself "who the hell is this guy? that's not James Bond" that I was expecting Roger Moore to pop up later in the movie and that was only cemented with Octopussy coming out the same year.
14 and a half minutes into this... did you use a cover of the Last Tango in Paris theme?
As for NSNA... it has grown on me over the years, but a lot of it is due to Connery's charmingly autumnal performance and Douglas Slocombe's handsomely hazy cinematography.
... wait, no motorbikes in the series???
Did we forget about
Tomorrow Never Dies?
None that are Q enhanced. Also, Tomorrow Never Dies was after Cubby was actively producing the films, so the opposing force was gone.
@@stephenjarvis534 oh, I didn't hear all those qualifiers
One positive is that he looks the part here, even more than in Diamonds are Forever!
A combination of a better rug, tan, and trimmed eyebrows.
Shame that the Connery movie that got a remake is Thunderball!
Problem is it's not a tight movie. The entire run you never feel like you're watching a final cut, just unnecessary scenes one after another. Feels like they thought the audience would love Connery's presence alone and kept the film running as long as possible to please that desire.
There are good things sprinkled throughout, and I think there's a good movie in NSNA. Just didn't chop it down as they should've.
Never Say Never Again, Never
Never Say Never Again, Never
Never Say Never Again, Never
Never Say Never Again, Never
Never Say Never Again, Never
Never Say Never Again, Never
Never Say Never Again, Never
Never Say Never Again, Never
[Are you annoyed yet? Good. Now you know how viewers of this dreck feel.]
Okay, they don't say it that much! 😂
I think this movie was superb it shouldn't matter how old the actor is as long as the actor can still keep up the brilliant performance in every aspect? This is where the producers are now making huge mistakes?
When I watch all the James Bond movies I’m OK to skip this one. one I don’t have a copy of it and two. It’s just a remake of Thunderball.
Frankly, I think considering this alongside the main films does the rest a disservice. This isn't worthy of being thought of in the same category.
I loved your analysis of this film and get why you dislike the film as much as you do after taking it all in. I am personally of the less popular camp that prefers this film to the original. Even with acknowledging all the flaws you masterfully point out, I still like this film better because of 1) the way the film is self aware enough to acknowledge and make fun of Connery's age at this point, which is better than Eon ignoring how old Moore was getting, 2) the quips and fun byplay of the dialogue is amusing...I like that Connery is allowing himself to have fun with the character and observations of what is happening around him, more like Moore did during his tenure, 3) the actors are more capable in this film but are many times under utilized and 3) this film didn't overdo the underwater sequences like Thunderball did. Both films suffer from weak and badly paced 3rd acts. Saying all that, I think you are correct in observing the flaws in pacing, characterization and motivation plus the lack of suitable substitutes for signature Eon tropes they weren’t allowed to use. Both films, I think are good until we approach the final confrontation with the antagonists so IOW need to have had the 3rd act tightened up a bit. Despite my different preference, I still loved ypur analysis. Spot on!
Funny enough, I think I can agree to all four points. I always enjoy hearing other's defenses of movies I don't much care for, and if nothing else, it makes me appreciate that everything about this series has its sincere fans.
This movie is so bad that it's shocking. Severely disappointing as well. Barbara Carrera is hot in it though, as well as young Kim Basinger. Great cast overall too. What a shame.
Positively shocking.
😟🤔...even less personally favored than Casino Royale (1967)?
Yep. That film is way more messy, but I get more enjoyment from it. I do think it's a worse film, but I try to make a distinction between quality and preference. Quality wise, it's worse. Preference wise, I'd rather watch it than NSNA.
This may be Barbara Carrerra's best role. (And I did see this in a theatre when it came out.)
Meanwhile... my favorite Sean Connery film is WRONG IS RIGHT (1982). I highly reccomend it. It somehow managed to predict the 2nd invasion of Iraq 20 years before-the-fact... and then, 20 years later.. predict the Biden administration.
Largo is a great villain, which View ripped off with Zorin
I doubt it. I can't imagine EON plucking from NSNA but I do agree that Largo is better than Zorin.
'Ian La- Fren-AY'😉
Fun fact, I failed phonics in elementary school, so I cringe hard when I mispronounce anything, even with seeking out video confirmation of the pronunciation. It's all good; mistakes happen.
@@stephenjarvis534probably more of an American thing. Like how nobody there can say Michael Gough😂
I've heard it as both like Cough and Go.
Connery should never have made this film. He clearly looked uncool and wore some terrible outfits. Barbara Carera was the only saving grace of the film.
I think you’re being a little harsh. Connery is in better shape than diamonds by a mile and he’s putting a realistic take on older gritty bond. Yes EON’s production sheen is missing and the score and music are awful and it’s dated badly, but it’s Sean!
Yes, he is in better shape, but simply having Sean isn't enough, especially when it feels like a different, less interesting take than what he did before. Believe me, I love being the champion of overlooked/underrated movies, but I've lived with this film for almost 20 years, watching it every few years (watched it twice in rapid succession for this review), and it's not growing on me.
@@stephenjarvis534 I do like Connery here but yes, Sean is not enough. You need a good script, a good producer, great music, Never Say Never Again had none of those things.
@@stephenjarvis534 I hear ya and respect your opinion. I heard a rumor at one point years ago that it was going to be re-edited and re-scored but not sure if that was ever true. I guess we also know why Sean never did another one.
@@ShelterCats I heard about that re-edit as well! I think a rescore would help but me thinks that whatever ended up on the cutting room floor would not have improved this movie.
I always forget how bad this movie is.
Why is there SO MUCH Dancing?
I can't explain regarding the Domino scenes but the Tango one was inserted because Irvin Kershner thought it was amusing to see Bond dance. I will give him this much, I cracked up when Bond coldly stated, "Your brother's dead! Keep dancing!"😂
@@ricardocantoral7672 it is hilarious, but probably not in the way Bond intended.
My friends and I invented a drinking game for the movie that involves drinking every time they dance. And it’s… it’s a lot. There’s more dancing than you remember
It might be the worst song I’ve ever heard and I do my best to not be hyperbolic.
Yeah, it's awful. I thought the rejected theme was much better.
@@ricardocantoral7672 *NEVER SAY NEVER AGAIN, NEVER! NEVER SAY NEVER AGAIN, NEVER! NEVER SAY NEVER AGAIN, NEVER! NEVER SAY NEVER AGAIN, NEVER!*
@@NebLleb WHY GOD! WHY? 🥺
@@ricardocantoral7672 >:D
@@ricardocantoral7672 I aim to misbehave, baby. :D
Oh boy, I was with you, for the most part, until you trashed my man Max Largo. Dems fightin' words! Seriously, I think you miss the value of such a rich character. Klaus Maria injected a much needed human dimension in this pedestrian film.For the first time in nearly twenty years, a Bond villain went beyond the mere dimensions of movie villainy. He had a genuine sense of sophistication and even a sort of pathetic human quality. He came off as a power hungry maniac that has the discipline of an experienced man, dictating this grand scheme, yet a sort of pathetic childish quality and a kind of innocence. I think Domino saw that in him hence her attraction to him. When they first meet, he seems quite human and warm with her and then he delivers a chilling warning if she ever leaves him. I saw a disturbing shift of emotions, he is playful and then alarmingly sinister. I think another great scene is, yes, the infamous gaming scene. Does that whole concept fall flat ? Yeah, but My goodness is Klaus selling that scene with his sadistic glee when he beats Bond the first time. That look he gives when he is about to help James up is more interesting than 95 percent of the EON villains. When he discovers Domino and Bond kissing, it's fantastic. He actually goes mental. I think dropping that picture frame was such a well written scene of an alarming temper. Then the use of the axe to smash a mirror implies, I think, a moment of self-hatred. Then last is the chef's kiss. When Largo forces Domino to hold that statue and delights in such a simple torment. That was the only time I ever felt uncomfortable watching a Bond villain. Again, there's so much going with Max. He was a sick man and when he dies, I think it's somewhat sad. I agree that we could have used more scenes with him and Domino but at the very least, Klaus Maria Brandauer transmitted a a great deal of mental illness like no other Bond villain before!
Love hearing someone defend him, and perhaps I need more time with him. Truth be told, there have been a few Bond villains that made me nervous, most notably Silva.
@@stephenjarvis534 I never felt any discomfort watching Silva but I think he is even more damaged than Largo was.
Yep. A very good summation of a pretty dreadful Bond film. I, like you, have really tried to like it but to no avail. It´s the only Bond I never revisit and yes, I´m including Die Another Day and Quantum. Oh and of course unlike Octopussy my girlfriend doesn´t appear in the title sequence : - )
Ok, I've got to ask. Do you have a still shot or a time stamp I can see so that I have a face to go with your awesome brag?
Yeah, Never Say Never Again is the Bond movie so bad, I refuse to watch it. And Really? Your girlfriend was one of the models in the title sequence to Octopussy?
@@stephenjarvis534 She´s the girl at 9.30 in Octopussy. Oh, she´s also on the cover of Laurent Bouzereau´s excellent 2006 book, The Art of Bond.
@@NebLleb Yep, it´s my claim to fame.
@@moose6509 The one holding the gun? Plus, the edition I'm seeing have an image from the Diamonds titles. Was she in two Bond films? Freaking jealous, here.
First time I saw this movie, I had a feeling of everything seeming so off. Like even during the good parts of the movie, the pacing felt slow like it needed some extra time in the editing room because how rushed the movie was. Thunderball was also rushed and plenty slow too but there I felt like that was what the producers wanted. Plus I felt like that instead on finding a different voice off making a Bond movie, they just aped the Eon movies as much as they could. And the results made it feel like a low budget version of those movies, even this movie had a higher budget then Octopussy.
Jack Swartzman was, by all accounts, a lousy producer. The production ran out of money at one point.