Finally someone says it! This was my first Bond film in the theatre and everything you pointed out is what made it so memorable and impactful. This follows the Bond recipe without feeling like any other film, walks the perfect line of action, serious and not so serious moments perfectly. I also find that visually/aesthetically it doesn’t feel nearly as old as other 1997 films. A very re-watchable instalment with an excellent cast and soundtrack! It’s always been in my Top 5, I hope your video sways many to give it another go!
For me 'Tomorrow Never Dies' and 'The World is Not Enough' are both in my top 5. They have almost oddly current plot lines (in TND 'Murdoch' plans a 'situation' in South China Sea to obtain publication rights in China. In 'TWINE' an oligarch (Elektra King) decides to blow up oil line infrastructure to control Europe/world. The writers on these movies were working overtime and had read history too. What I love about these movies is that they are unapologetic Bond-movies with good plot, storyline, adaptation to screen and action sequences.
Some of the best set pieces in Bond history. The Opening sequence….The Office Escape…The Car Park Chase….The Bike Ride and helicopter Jump. Add the fact that the Miniatures were all on point and the dramatic editing and score of the sinking of the ship. Has got to be up there knocking on the door of First Place. You have a given a very good argument for that door to be opened.
Certainly helps having Elliot Carver rather than Onatopp who is... Well, a bit too much imho.Having Paris Carver and Wait Lin helps too. Jinx and Christmas Jones... eeekkk.
Tomorrow Never Dies is my absolute favorite Brosnan Bond film. It is in my top 10 Bond rankings. TND really entertains, Michelle Yeoh is AWESOME, Mr. Brosnan has many fine moments, played with elegance, panache and more confidence than his first outing. He has a few good dramatic moments as well. The story is relevant for today. I think the film will age very well through the decades.
It may be the ulitmate 'air punching' James Bond film of all time perhaps. It's my personal favourite of the Brosnan era. If it wasn't for Casino Royale it may be my number one. Absolutely love it.
Thanks so much for this take David. I grew up with Bond, became an intelligence officer, and years after leaving that life and having some time away from Bond and similar movies, rewatched this and found it to be one of my favorites.
I’ve always LOVED Tomorrow Never Dies. I grew up with Brosnan as 007, so I’ll always have a soft spot for his Bond despite how well those movies may or may not age. But also having worked in the media for 10+ years this one really hits home for me! It’s a great movie, and it hits all the right notes.
My first James Bond movie. One of my all time favourites; glad to see you showing it some love and encouraging others to revisit the movie. I feel like this one has aged very well - just needed a bit of time to settle (much like Quantum of Solace).
This movie will always hold a special place in my heart (third on my Bond rankings, after CR and FRWL). It was the first "new" Bond film I saw, and it remains my favorite one to just sit down and watch at any time. Of Brosnan's films, I'd say this one has aged the best, especially given the state of the media in the last decade. Whoever they get for Bond next, I'd love to see them go back to movies like this. Just Bond on a fun adventure, not a dark, moody action film that delves into Bond's personal drama. I think we've had enough gritty Bond, and it's time to get back to fun Bond.
The First 10 Minutes are great.... than the Bad Guys get their Move in the Next 10 Minutes... THAN IT DRAGS ON TERRIBLY for the next 40 Minutes. IT IS SO DULL. BAD! How is this his best? Golden Eye I couldn't stop watching!
I was loving this video. Agreed with so much of it. I just wish we could have maintained the focus on the positive without having to knock NTTD… again! Every video seems to have to include a derisive reference to the ending.
Tomorrow Never Dies was my first James Bond movie experience, and I was blown away by it. It is number one on my list of Bond films to this day (The Spy Who Loved Me and From Russia With Love are the others on the podium). Besides the reasons you listed, which I agree with, the amount and quality of explosions in this film are astounding.
I would agree that TND is the last best modern Bond film that follows the Goldfinger formula to the T. Its a solid film that I've enjoyed more and more over the years. A perfect blueprint for where the series could pick up from and continue the legacy of the tried and true formula
Absolutley Bondbastic piece of Bond brilliance! I’ve always said if I were to make a Bond film it would be a mix of TND + TSWLM, formula perfection (Elliott Carver fan here)
Tomorrow never dies will always be On my top 10 easy. The ost is crazy. Jonathan Pryce is lovable the car chase, the bike chase, the beginning in the snow mountains. And Pierce .... what a class... The scene in his hotel's room... Love it!
It's a fun ride. I do find the Dr Kaufman scene jarringly uneven, though. Also, there's an over-reliance on gunplay, which makes the climax a bit tedious. Otherwise, yes, a nice palate cleanser. Brisk pacing, and doesn't outstay its welcome. Ideal Bond quickie.
Tomorrow never dies excited classic bond movie adventure greatness tomorrow never dies entertaining joyful action pack excitement escapism classic bond movie adventure love this movie so much everything about is classic Bond as kid I love years I always loved it amazing Bond movie 😊😊😊
My James Bond favorite is “The Spy Who Loved Me”. Two hours of great story and action, incredible gadgets and gizmos, amazing music and world-class actors.
Tomorrow Never Dies has always been my favorite Pierce Brosnan Bond film and one of my favorite films of the series. I agree about the score. One of Arnold`s best including the gunbarrel music. Also , I think Pierce looked his best in this movie. And we also get , not one but 2 great Bond songs. I think the K.D. Lang song - Surrender - was good enough to be the main opening song. By the way , film critics Siskel & Ebert loved Tomorrow Never Dies. It`s the ONLY non - Connery Bond film they both gave thumbs up to.
I have a soft spot for Tomorrow Never Dies. It was my introduction to Bond. I think I saw it around 2000 when I was a 10 or 11. I was hooked, and I've been a huge fan ever since.
Connery and Moore had directors and scriptwriters who really helped them find their own particular interpretation of Bond. I always felt Brosnan did not have this. It was almost as if he was told 'You look the part, get on with it.' The focus was on other stuff like action. Maybe they needed to make his Bond more like Remington Steele, the way they turned Moore's Bond into Lord Brett Sinclair. Still, he remains extremely popular with the generation who had Brosnan as their Bond growing up.
Interesting. I've always called Brosnan the generic Bond for similar reasons. Have you never seen Moore as the Saint? Roger's Templar was the template for Sinclair and his Bond.
Brosnan is the only Bond who's films had a different director each time. Brosnan himself said he very much based his Bond on the 'cinematic' Bond. He has said in recent years he wanted to go into a 'darker' direction [which they flirt with at times such as in TWINE] but he seemed to be type casted as the 'fun' Bond.
I totally agree with you on this movie. This one is the one I've watched more than many. The other 2 are Thunderball and For Your eyes only. I have many favorites but these 3 I can watch anytime and If I need a fun pick-me-up movie, it's Tomorrow Never Dies!! You feel great and excited at the end of this movie. It has all of the great Bond elements!!!
You don't have to convince me David, I've always considered Tomorrow Never Dies to be one of my absolute favorites, it's up there with Goldfinger, Quantum of Solace, Casino Royale and GoldenEye.
It’s always been one of my favourites. And have to admit that Elliott Carver is one of my favourite villains. I love those banners hanging from everything. He is literally omnipresent. I love this movie
Tomorrow never dies is one my second favorite childhood life personal favorite James Bond of my childhood life in my favorite James bond era saga the pierce brosnan James Bond era tomorrow never dies got everything you want as James Bond movie excited action amazing James Bond villain the interesting plot pierce brosnan coolest Best James Bond Michelle yeoh Wal Lin amazing sidekick agent Teri Hatcher Paris Carver Bond meets real flame from the past that he had history with pierce brosnan and Teri Hatcher underrated chemistry David Arnold soundtrack music score 🎵 Jonathan Pryce Elliott Carver one my favorite fun villains David Zaritsky I love your opinion tomorrow never dies and I agree with you tomorrow never dies greatness of Bond movie adventure 😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊
I had to concede recently that TND is actually my favorite Brosnan entry. It's fun and endlessly rewatchable. I just wish it took its time a little bit; it always feels like it's in a hurry to finish up.
Tomorrow never dies was my first bond movie watched in the cinema, the first movie I watched with my first love... and the SMP is my first luxury watch. I loved it and still do. BTW: it took me until 2 months ago to find an original Gerber MK I. ;)
I just watched it again on foot of your video. What's really interesting is that I must have been 25 when it came out and only watched it occasionally since but now at 51 and watching it attentively I now really recognise and appreciate how great a Bond movie it is. ALL the essential ingredients are there and Pierce was terrific 👏👊😎
Special place in my heart too Dave… goldeneye were the first cinematic bond for me that my father had taken me to so when we went to see this it didn’t disappoint and expectations were very high.. personally I think carver is great in a scene chewing kind of way 😂
Well thought out analysis. I always loved Goldeneye but this is probably that other Brosnan Bond film I enjoyed. A straightforward story, great chemistry with M, all characters doing their part, no rogue-is, and what I believe is a great villain in Elliot Carter. He was perfect for that time of the rise of computers and the Rupert Murdoch style journalism. A villain with a plan. Let us not forget Terri Hatcher, a short but very memorable part.
I've often argued that, from a technical and narrative point of view, TND is the perfect Bond movie. Except instead of just him and Wai Lin rushing the stealth boat at the end, it should have been a plucky crew of British commandos a la The Spy Who Loved Me. It was also the first Bond movie I got excited for when I decided that I was going to be a dedicated Bond fan. Brilliant video, David!
I do wonder if they felt that having loads of extra's around Bond cluttered things up two much so reduced it to Bond and Wei Lin [they do a similar thing in NTTD where it's just Bond and Nomi storming the base].
I recently added up 19 Bond variables rated on a 5 point scale and Tomorrow Never Dies ended up as #5 overall. It makes sense, the film ticks so many boxes. The highest scores (action, pre-title and runtime) and lowest scores (climax and a lack of uniqueness.) Also, I prefer Crow's song to Lang.
I love this film, probably my second favourite of the franchise. Love the gadgets, the action and Bond’s attitude in the film. Every time I watch TND I feel like I am a kid again seeing it for the first time and being amazed by the car sequence in the car park. An incredible feel good Bond adventure.
I agree with you, TND is one of the most loyal and fun bond movies ever, it has all of the needed bond factors, I love this movie its always ranked in my top 10 , great video
It's a shame Brosnan's 007 ended on Die Another Day. If he had a proper film to send him off, his tenure as Bond would be viewed a lot differently. He was an incredible Bond.
Plot twist - DAD is actually a top-ten Bond movie - a brilliant homage to the classic era of Moonraker/Octopussy Bond films - and you've just been hypnotized by die-hard Daniel Craig stans to think its bad.
@@arthurlongshanks No, DAD really is dogshit. Don't compare it to those great Moore-films, please! It could have been better, but then you'd have to delete every word Jinx says from the movie.
@@iancoop4537 well, personal preferences are exactly that - personal. There is no objective standard of measurement, there is just consensus. The current consensus is that Casino Royale is the Best Bond film and Die Another Die is the worst Bond film. But that wasn't always the case. I'm old enough to remember the consensus that On Her Majesty's Service was the very worst Bond film of all. And then later there was a consensus was that Licence to Kill was the worst Bond film of all. The current consensus will change and I'm just ahead of the times. (I also despise Daniel Craig's films and think they're over-rated and terrible) As for your request of my top-ten - here it is. As you can see - I love Brosnan's Bonds. All 4 of them are just excellent IMO. I also love Connery and Moore and Dalton. The other 2 actors were miscast. 10: The World Is Not Enough 9: Die Another Day 8: Goldeneye 7: Octopussy 6: For Your Eyes Only 5: Dr. No 4. From Russia With Love 3: Tomorrow Never Dies 2: The Living Daylights 1: Thunderball
You've got the point, it's definitely a blue print in the series. I watched in cinemas back in 1997. I enjoyed it back then and still like it. Not in my top 5, but maybe I could squeeze it into my top 10.
Great job at the 02! Loved the concert and the great interviews. Nice to see so many top people from the RUclips world of Bondi attendance. Laughed at your great comebacks for the fool who just couldn't keep quiet!
You are absolutely right, at least as far as my experience with this Bond film.. it is one that stands out as a true Bond formulaic hit... I not only consider this Pierce Brosnans best but my number 2 of all Bond films ever... love it (Casino Royale is my personal top choice for no. 1)
TND(1997): So many good stuff: Pre-title sequence, Bond and Q scene, Bond vs. Dr. Kaufman scene and of course BMW 750 iL car chase! *** However, the movie has a very weak/boring climax! As soon as Bond and Wai Lin board that Carver's Stealth Ship... the movie is over for me! And such an unglamorous ending: Bond and Wai Lin on a miserable liferaft, dark cold sea all around! And they don't want to be saved! WTF!? *** TSWLM(1977) had such a nice sexy ending! TND: no way! *** David! Do you want to know the ulmtimate truth? THE BEST JAMES BOND FILM EVER IS: "The Living Daylights"(1987)!!!
No but it's definitely the most rewatchable - you can throw on TND at any time and always get that same instant enjoyment factor every time. I think David described it best previously as the "gooey pizza" movie of the franchise and I totally agree.
bold statement and im loving it! TND has all the elements the franchise is known for and is a perfect standalone to showcase to a newbie. Its the franchise finding its sweet spot in the action-blockbuster era. legit top5 worthy
I can't understand people hating Carver. I think he is an excellent Bond villain. He is certainly over the top and melodramatic but that fits his character as a media mogul who craves attention. I certainly prefer that over a bland and boring villain like Stromberg,
Thank you for doing this video. This film is definitely in my top five Bond films. GoldenEye was such a breath of fresh air, but there were a couple of things it didn't get right. By Tomorrow Never Dies, Brosnan had found his groove, was comfortable in the role, and even put on a little bit of muscle. For me, this is the last film that felt like a classic Bond picture. Yes, Casino Royale is a great movie, but it's a little bit too serious for its own good. This film doesn't take itself seriously, has a megomaniacal Bond villain with an outrageous plan, some great action sequences, and the music hadn't sounded this great in years. I miss David Arnold, he really understood the music of the Bond series and was the best successor to John Barry. Good times. I remember this film also had the difficulty of opening the same day as Titanic. Yet both films helped each other at the box office. December 19 was a pretty tight opening weekend with both films having sold out showings. I read an analysis that stated if people couldn't get into one film they would go see the other. I don't think the franchise has been the same since. Bond films are supposed to be about escapism. The subsequent Brosnan features got a little too silly. The Craig era is too serious and often depressing. I don't need to see James Bond deconstructed, to know what makes him tick or what dark secrets he has. Not in a feature film anyway. I'll leave that for a different medium which is the printed word, literature. I'm just looking for an adventure where I can escape my problems for two hours. This was the last Bond film where I walked out thinking, "man, that was so much fun!"
It's a lot of fun. Just easy watching super enjoyable Bond. PTS and soundtrack very good, nice wardrobe. Brosnan at his peak. Oh, and the DB5 parked up in Oxford👌😍
I was 8 when I saw this film. I had YOLT on video and loved it but had no access to the other films, I just knew there was at least one more because of the "James Bond will return". Goldeneye came out on video a friend loaned me it and I watched it not realising it was the same character but figured it out and considered myself a super-fan now. Anyway, I was on a 3 day mini cruise to Hamburg with my mum and in my boredom after exhausting what little money I had in the arcade I went to see what films were on at the onboard cinema (the idea of seeing a film on a boat had me extra pumped as it was) and saw that TND was one of only 2 films they were showing and it was rated PG for some reason (I knew it was meant to be a 12 and wondered whether it was a territorial thing or just someones fantastic mistake but I wasn't going to mention this to my mum and blow it). Mum was poorly and couldn't see it with me but let me watch it while she chilled and explained the craic to the man on the door to not let me wander off, like that was gonna happen during Bond haha I was the ONLY person in the screen, sat smack in the middle at the front, absolutely glued, mind blown, in complete awe, all the synonyms you can muster. What's more, the boat was headed to Hamburg so watching this film set there knowing where I was going I just couldn't believe it and was past myself with fanfare appreciation. I made it my business to find the hotel used as the location for where Bond stayed. Went on to watch it again on the journey back, buy the video at Christmas when it was released as that's all I could afford. I still vividly remember the shop I was in, the video costing £11.99 and my mum giving me the difference or 1.99 to get it since I just had £10. Fond memories of this film, loved and appreciated the relevance of the plot at the time with the whole media thing and still love it for its time in cultural history now and always will. The opening song I also liked cause it sounded modern and cool which is how I perceived the film to be. The bombastic song at the end just made it end on an even better and more badass high for me. I could talk at length about this film myself and its impact on me and the series as a whole, it holds a solid place in my heart. As if I was on a boat too haha the coincidences of this given the naval stuff and Elliot's lair being the stealth boat. I felt very much like I was along for the ride when watching this and love being transported back to that with every viewing. Unquestionable top 5 for me, all of the Bond elements are there and Brosnan really embodies the character here. Great pitch, David! I'm with you
This was the first DVD I ever bought. I used to watch the extras over and over. My fav was the storyboard comparisons. It's also one of my fav soundtracks, and a great home theater movie. The scene with the missle in the intro rivals Top Gun. Having been exposed to Kung Fu movies by my Chinese brother from another mother, I was introduced to Michelle thru Supercop and Crouching Tiger, so she was in her USA prime here.
Much more satisfying film than NTTD. Appreciate the review. On 26, Variety just noted Barbara once again boasting she is not anywhere near starting the search for Bond. We have to keep watching the great ones of the past, nothing new anytime soon. Last night I watched Skyfall. Also much better than NTTD.
Certainly my favourite of the 90s 007 movies, Remember I like them all equally. That's the plus of being a Bond fan. My only nitpick I love both songs but Surrender as opening title song.....👍🏽 And also shame Wade had little time in movie. Otherwise no complaints for this underrated jem.. 🍸🍻🇬🇧
One of my favorites, I always like to watch it again. All Brosnan movies are so entertaining. Maybe I am biased because he was the 007 when I started getting into Bond movies when I was a kid.
I totally agree with your thoughts about this film. Tomorrow Never Dies has always been my favorite Brosnan Bond film. Although, I’m that guy who holds Quantum of Solace as the best of the Craig films, and ranks Licence to Kill as the all time best of the franchise…
This Bond movie is what makes me a James Bond fan... It's my favourite Brosnan movie and it's always *stationaired* in my top 3 Bond movies (alongside Goldfinger at 1st and The Spy Who Loved Me at 3rd)
Out of all Brosnan's Bond movies, GoldenEye is still my favorite, it's got everything I want from a Bond movie: 1. Pierce Brosnan as Bond: checked 2. One of the best villains in the franchise: checked 3. Memorable henchmen/henchwoman (General Ourumov, Boris Grishenko and Xenia Onatopp): checked 4. Cool actions: checked 5. One of the best and most beautiful Bond girls (Natalya Simonova is in my personal top 5 Bond girls): checked 6. Aston Martin DB5: checked 7. Gadget and Q scenes: checked 8. One of the best opening pre-title sequences: checked 9. One of the best opening title songs (RIP Tina Turner): checked 10. One of the best scores: checked 11. Exotic locations: checked 12. MI6 gang presents: checked 13. Some of the best Bond allies in Valentino Zukovsky and Jack Wade: checked 14. One of the best villain's lairs: checked 15. Nice title for a Bond movie: checked 16. Some of the best directions directed by Martin Campbell: checked 17. A macguffin that's actually relevant to the overall plot: checked 18. One of the best/happiest/funniest endings: checked 19. Some of the most memorable death scenes in all of the franchises' history: checked
David, First of all thank you for another great post. I understand what you mean about this being the best Bond film. I don't know what it is about this one but it is possibly one of the best to watch again, sometimes I start watching a Bond film and switch off part way through and maybe come back to it later. This one is one of those Bond films that you can re-watch and you realise how good it is more and more. So maybe it is the best one to watch again.. Keep up the great work David, we all appreciate it. Oh yes and by the way, the omega from Goldeneye was the first really expensive watch I bought, £900 back in 1996. Still got it and still love it. All the best and take care 👍🙂
I'm with you all the way here, David. In terms of the art of filmmaking (for whatever that's supposed to mean) this is not it. But in terms of pulpy entertainment, a pure BOND experience, this is up near the top. If you want a serious drama go watch Skyfall, that movie is great, if you want fun then this and Octopussy are two of my favourites.
You are right about everything you said David. That's the Bond we want. And indeed TND has all that we miss and need for the next Bond. It is a really great and an underrated Bond movie that should be a lot higher on the ranking lists. But it surely cannot be number one. My top 3 Bond movies are 1) Thunderball, 2) From Russia With Love 3) Goldfinger. And i would like to explain why i put Thunderball no 1 on my list: 1) CONNERY'S PERFORMANCE:: In Dr No, Connery is still experimenting with the role and he is great but yet a bit stiff. In FRWL he explores more the "dark" side of the character. In Goldfinger he adds more charm and "witticism" and completes the formula. But in Thunderball he IS James Bond and the formula is perfected. Connery's performance on this is truly unique. He shows the greatest confidence ever. His style, his movements, the way he speaks, his one-liners, his demeanor and even the way he looks, everything that was built in the previous 3 films, reach perfection. He is "dark" and gritty and at the same time charming and stylish. He looks tough and ruthless which at the same time combines with a dark dry witt coated with venure sophistication and style. And he obviously enjoys playing the character more than ever, either before or after. 2) PLOT AND VILAIN: I hear often some saying that it is annoying that the plot is revealed from the beggining. But this movie tends on focusing on Bond for the first time and not the vilain. It is a celebration of Bond himself as a character. The plot is smart and realistically believable. It has some great twists: It is not just the first reveal that SPECTRE wants to steal two atomic bombs. It is how they do it. The whole idea of seducing and killing a flying officer (Major Dervall) and replacing him with another pilot after a plastic surgery and how Bond finds out about it, is intriguing and it is revealed to us progressively and not from the start. As for the vilains: I always liked most the "invisible Blofeld" which we have only in FRWL and in this. As for Largo, he is not "just a boring vilain with an eye patch" as some say. He is stylish, resourcefull and smart. He is dangerous and twisted. And most of all he is not relying on his henchmen to do the job (as Goldfinger for instance). He fights himself, he dives himself, he leads his men into battle. As for Fiona Volpe, what can i say! She is the icon of every "femme fatale" of the franchise. 3) THE SPY ELEMENTS: I cannot understand some people who say that it is hust a... "vacation movie". Nothing could be less correct that that. He is doing an amazing spy work and seems unstopable: -He first gets in contact with the sister of Dervall. -Then through her he discovers Largo. -Then he is spying into his house. -Then he is diving under his boat to find out where the bombs are, he takes pictures, he fights, he gets attacked with grenades. -Then he tries to seduce Fiona and find out more. -He is captured and manages resoursefully to escape but gets wounded. -He gets surrounded but manages to escape again by killing her. -Then he disguise him self as an enemy diver and finds out where the bombs are hidden underwater. -He gets attacked again and escapes. -He notifies where the bombs are to the Parachute Special Forces. -He then enters into the underwater battle him self. -He heroically stops Largo to escape by fighting till the end inside the boat. This is a far better spy work than in Goldfinger where in the second half of the movie he is a prisoner οf the vilain. 4) ACTION, UNDERWΑTER SCENES AND FINAL BATTLE: The action scenes are great. The first fight with Jack Bouvar in the beginning is gritty and violent. So is the final battle with Largo (even if the bad projector scene behind it is an unfortunate momentt). The gadjets are believable, smart (geiger counter, breathing machine, underwater camera) and not rediculous. Even the jet-pack was a real thing and a revolutionary invention. I cannot understand people who say that the underwater scenes are "boring" or "confusing". The underwater shooting was a revolutionary achievement for the time and especially the final underwater battle was a unique sample of cinematography for 1965! The crisp underwater photography is excellently choreographing so many divers under the water at the same time in a full scale battle of epic proportions with some very gritty and violent moments. Such a complicated action scene has never been replicated in any other movie since! 5) THE "ESCAPISM" ELEMENT: It is also the ultimate "escapism" movie. Beautiful exotic places, wonderful scenery and landscapes, incomparable lifestyle, amazing women (Fiona Volpe is an amazing femme fatale and Domino one of the hottest Bondgirls). some of the greatest one-liners in the franchise, while it is even considered alongside with Goldfinger a "fashion icon" movie! 6) HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Thunderball is also historically extremely significant for the franchise that we love: It broke the smashing box office records. It is to this date the highest grossing Bond movie of all time (inflation counted). If Goldifinger created the "Bondmania", then Thunderball turned it into a high fever. The flms remarkable achievements transformed James Bond from a popular fictional hero, into a phenomenon in cinema history. 7) FINAL THOUGHTS: If Goldfinger found the "classsic formula" of Bond movies, then Thunderball perfected it. It is the timeless epitome of the classic Bond movies, before Connery got tired of the role in You Only Live Twice and before the production turned the franchise to a more comical version of Bond, with Diamonds Are Forever and the Roger Moore era. If FRWL is the "Hitckokian" spy thriller and Goldfinger the cementation of tteh Bond "formula", in Thunderball, Connery's Bond combines the previous two films and reaches perfection, as he becomes at the same time tough and refined, stylish and ruthless, a real killer with a sense of humor, who lives on the edge and therefore enjoys every minute of his life as if it were his last. My Best Regards, deep admiration and many thanks for everything you are doing for the Bond community dear David.
My older brother had the cassette of this film when i was a child, i wore that thing out, even had Q doing an advertisement for the tomorrow never dies PlayStation game as an advertisement before the movie started.
A video I'd love to see from TBE: David discussing the films that Bond movies took inspiration from. Ex. Bruce Lee movies inspiring The Man with the Golden Gun. Jackie Chan movies and Tomorrow never dies. Batman begins/Dark night for some of the Craigs. Bourn films and Quantum. I even think No Time to Die has lots of John Wick inspiration.
![Quando Rondo - Grow Up [Official Music Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/8zFnCg3BO4Q/mqdefault.jpg)
Finally someone says it! This was my first Bond film in the theatre and everything you pointed out is what made it so memorable and impactful. This follows the Bond recipe without feeling like any other film, walks the perfect line of action, serious and not so serious moments perfectly. I also find that visually/aesthetically it doesn’t feel nearly as old as other 1997 films. A very re-watchable instalment with an excellent cast and soundtrack! It’s always been in my Top 5, I hope your video sways many to give it another go!
Brosnan's 90's films are all fantastic and I wouldn't argue against any of them occupying someone's #1 spot.
The 2nd half of Die Another Day (unfairly) really damaged his otherwise good tenure.
@@jambler15 I do like most of the antics in Iceland but the finale on Graves' airplane is atrocious!
Except for Die Another Day, that was just terrible.
@@sonnyblack0870 That's why I specifically stated his 90's films
For me 'Tomorrow Never Dies' and 'The World is Not Enough' are both in my top 5. They have almost oddly current plot lines (in TND 'Murdoch' plans a 'situation' in South China Sea to obtain publication rights in China. In 'TWINE' an oligarch (Elektra King) decides to blow up oil line infrastructure to control Europe/world. The writers on these movies were working overtime and had read history too.
What I love about these movies is that they are unapologetic Bond-movies with good plot, storyline, adaptation to screen and action sequences.
Some of the best set pieces in Bond history. The Opening sequence….The Office Escape…The Car Park Chase….The Bike Ride and helicopter Jump. Add the fact that the Miniatures were all on point and the dramatic editing and score of the sinking of the ship. Has got to be up there knocking on the door of First Place. You have a given a very good argument for that door to be opened.
Personally I think Elliott Carver is one of the best villains and Jonathan Pryce in this film is awesome
Agree
Not even close.
Too much of a pantomime villain. Being OTT doesn't make a villain great.
@@treadstone1970 Yes, he is hammy, but he does a great job of making you hate him. Certainly more enjoyable than the dreadful Craig era Blofeld.
@@sandersson2813 exactly 100%. He's slimey af. He also has quiet moments where it's not being hammed up. I wouldn't say it's over the top either.
Certainly helps having Elliot Carver rather than Onatopp who is... Well, a bit too much imho.Having Paris Carver and Wait Lin helps too. Jinx and Christmas Jones... eeekkk.
Tomorrow Never Dies is my absolute favorite Brosnan Bond film. It is in my top 10 Bond rankings. TND really entertains, Michelle Yeoh is AWESOME, Mr. Brosnan has many fine moments, played with elegance, panache and more confidence than his first outing. He has a few good dramatic moments as well. The story is relevant for today. I think the film will age very well through the decades.
It may be the ulitmate 'air punching' James Bond film of all time perhaps.
It's my personal favourite of the Brosnan era.
If it wasn't for Casino Royale it may be my number one.
Absolutely love it.
I named my son Pierce. There’s a reason why. My favorite Bond.
Thanks so much for this take David. I grew up with Bond, became an intelligence officer, and years after leaving that life and having some time away from Bond and similar movies, rewatched this and found it to be one of my favorites.
I’ve always LOVED Tomorrow Never Dies. I grew up with Brosnan as 007, so I’ll always have a soft spot for his Bond despite how well those movies may or may not age. But also having worked in the media for 10+ years this one really hits home for me! It’s a great movie, and it hits all the right notes.
Oooooo I'm smelling a 2023 ranking? ❤
My first James Bond movie. One of my all time favourites; glad to see you showing it some love and encouraging others to revisit the movie. I feel like this one has aged very well - just needed a bit of time to settle (much like Quantum of Solace).
Dear David. You made me love the James Bond Franchise. I thank you for this.
David wakes up and is like… “Good morning my golden retrievers! What kind of havoc shall The Bond Experience create in the world today?!”
Delicious!
This movie will always hold a special place in my heart (third on my Bond rankings, after CR and FRWL). It was the first "new" Bond film I saw, and it remains my favorite one to just sit down and watch at any time. Of Brosnan's films, I'd say this one has aged the best, especially given the state of the media in the last decade.
Whoever they get for Bond next, I'd love to see them go back to movies like this. Just Bond on a fun adventure, not a dark, moody action film that delves into Bond's personal drama. I think we've had enough gritty Bond, and it's time to get back to fun Bond.
TND is Brosnan’s best.
The First 10 Minutes are great.... than the Bad Guys get their Move in the Next 10 Minutes... THAN IT DRAGS ON TERRIBLY for the next 40 Minutes. IT IS SO DULL.
BAD! How is this his best? Golden Eye I couldn't stop watching!
I was loving this video. Agreed with so much of it. I just wish we could have maintained the focus on the positive without having to knock NTTD… again! Every video seems to have to include a derisive reference to the ending.
Agreed. Time to move on from the NTTD ending as it's been two years and the discussion on it has got quite stale at this point.
Tomorrow Never Dies was my first James Bond movie experience, and I was blown away by it. It is number one on my list of Bond films to this day (The Spy Who Loved Me and From Russia With Love are the others on the podium).
Besides the reasons you listed, which I agree with, the amount and quality of explosions in this film are astounding.
"His job!" (it's such a fun movie!). Good video David.
You are right - Brosnan is close to Fleming’s Bond in places. Suave. Detached. Cold blooded.
I watched Tomorrow Never Dies the most as a kid, more than any other Bond film. It's such a fun ride!
I would agree that TND is the last best modern Bond film that follows the Goldfinger formula to the T. Its a solid film that I've enjoyed more and more over the years. A perfect blueprint for where the series could pick up from and continue the legacy of the tried and true formula
Watched two days ago. And it is incredible.
Absolutley Bondbastic piece of Bond brilliance! I’ve always said if I were to make a Bond film it would be a mix of TND + TSWLM, formula perfection (Elliott Carver fan here)
Tomorrow never dies will always be On my top 10 easy.
The ost is crazy. Jonathan Pryce is lovable the car chase, the bike chase, the beginning in the snow mountains. And Pierce .... what a class... The scene in his hotel's room... Love it!
It's a fun ride. I do find the Dr Kaufman scene jarringly uneven, though. Also, there's an over-reliance on gunplay, which makes the climax a bit tedious. Otherwise, yes, a nice palate cleanser. Brisk pacing, and doesn't outstay its welcome. Ideal Bond quickie.
Tomorrow never dies excited classic bond movie adventure greatness tomorrow never dies entertaining joyful action pack excitement escapism classic bond movie adventure love this movie so much everything about is classic Bond as kid I love years I always loved it amazing Bond movie 😊😊😊
My James Bond favorite is “The Spy Who Loved Me”. Two hours of great story and action, incredible gadgets and gizmos, amazing music and world-class actors.
Tomorrow Never Dies has always been my favorite Pierce Brosnan Bond film and one of my favorite films of the series. I agree about the score. One of Arnold`s best including the gunbarrel music. Also , I think Pierce looked his best in this movie. And we also get , not one but 2 great Bond songs. I think the K.D. Lang song - Surrender - was good enough to be the main opening song. By the way , film critics Siskel & Ebert loved Tomorrow Never Dies. It`s the ONLY non - Connery Bond film they both gave thumbs up to.
This film was my introduction to Bond. It remains one of my all time favorites. Likely a top 2. Thank you for showing it the love it deserves
I have a soft spot for Tomorrow Never Dies. It was my introduction to Bond. I think I saw it around 2000 when I was a 10 or 11. I was hooked, and I've been a huge fan ever since.
Connery and Moore had directors and scriptwriters who really helped them find their own particular interpretation of Bond. I always felt Brosnan did not have this. It was almost as if he was told 'You look the part, get on with it.' The focus was on other stuff like action. Maybe they needed to make his Bond more like Remington Steele, the way they turned Moore's Bond into Lord Brett Sinclair. Still, he remains extremely popular with the generation who had Brosnan as their Bond growing up.
Interesting. I've always called Brosnan the generic Bond for similar reasons. Have you never seen Moore as the Saint? Roger's Templar was the template for Sinclair and his Bond.
Agreed. Brosnan had the potential to be a great Bond, as he showed in Goldeneye, but they gave him lousy material to work with.
Brosnan is the only Bond who's films had a different director each time. Brosnan himself said he very much based his Bond on the 'cinematic' Bond. He has said in recent years he wanted to go into a 'darker' direction [which they flirt with at times such as in TWINE] but he seemed to be type casted as the 'fun' Bond.
I totally agree with you on this movie. This one is the one I've watched more than many. The other 2 are Thunderball and For Your eyes only. I have many favorites but these 3 I can watch anytime and If I need a fun pick-me-up movie, it's Tomorrow Never Dies!! You feel great and excited at the end of this movie. It has all of the great Bond elements!!!
You don't have to convince me David, I've always considered Tomorrow Never Dies to be one of my absolute favorites, it's up there with Goldfinger, Quantum of Solace, Casino Royale and GoldenEye.
I agree! When I first saw it I was not too impressed but over the years it has grown on me considerably, it just ticks all the Bond boxes!
It could be 👍🏻 Always enjoyed it. I think the pinnacle of the David Arnold scores, and the BMW sequence was brilliant 👍🏻
This was the first bond movie I got to see in the theater. And my love for 007 was born
It’s always been one of my favourites. And have to admit that Elliott Carver is one of my favourite villains. I love those banners hanging from everything. He is literally omnipresent. I love this movie
I love Michelle Yeoh in this! She plays off of Pierce well. Same way she played off of Jackie Chan well in Police Story 3: Supercop
Tomorrow never dies is one my second favorite childhood life personal favorite James Bond of my childhood life in my favorite James bond era saga the pierce brosnan James Bond era tomorrow never dies got everything you want as James Bond movie excited action amazing James Bond villain the interesting plot pierce brosnan coolest Best James Bond Michelle yeoh Wal Lin amazing sidekick agent Teri Hatcher Paris Carver Bond meets real flame from the past that he had history with pierce brosnan and Teri Hatcher underrated chemistry David Arnold soundtrack music score 🎵 Jonathan Pryce Elliott Carver one my favorite fun villains David Zaritsky I love your opinion tomorrow never dies and I agree with you tomorrow never dies greatness of Bond movie adventure 😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊
Quite possibly yes! My go to watch…
Tomorrow Never Dies is probably my most rewatched Bond movie.
It's a bit dated but not so much where it feels out of time.
I had to concede recently that TND is actually my favorite Brosnan entry. It's fun and endlessly rewatchable. I just wish it took its time a little bit; it always feels like it's in a hurry to finish up.
Tomorrow Never Dies is up there in my Top 5 Bond movies. I have always had fun watching it. I will certainly be watching it again soon.
On her Majesty's.... is the best in terms of script and maturity imho. 😊
Tomorrow never dies was my first bond movie watched in the cinema, the first movie I watched with my first love... and the SMP is my first luxury watch. I loved it and still do.
BTW: it took me until 2 months ago to find an original Gerber MK I. ;)
You make some great points David. TND is certainly a lot of fun and one of the most rewatchable Bond films.
My 2nd Favorite Movie 🎥 after “Live and Let Die”!
“Tomorrow Never Dies” is great!
I just watched it again on foot of your video. What's really interesting is that I must have been 25 when it came out and only watched it occasionally since but now at 51 and watching it attentively I now really recognise and appreciate how great a Bond movie it is. ALL the essential ingredients are there and Pierce was terrific 👏👊😎
Absolutely!!
Special place in my heart too Dave… goldeneye were the first cinematic bond for me that my father had taken me to so when we went to see this it didn’t disappoint and expectations were very high.. personally I think carver is great in a scene chewing kind of way 😂
Well thought out analysis. I always loved Goldeneye but this is probably that other Brosnan Bond film I enjoyed. A straightforward story, great chemistry with M, all characters doing their part, no rogue-is, and what I believe is a great villain in Elliot Carter. He was perfect for that time of the rise of computers and the Rupert Murdoch style journalism. A villain with a plan. Let us not forget Terri Hatcher, a short but very memorable part.
This is, and always will be my #1 Bond film. Thank you for bringing this one back into focus!
I've often argued that, from a technical and narrative point of view, TND is the perfect Bond movie. Except instead of just him and Wai Lin rushing the stealth boat at the end, it should have been a plucky crew of British commandos a la The Spy Who Loved Me.
It was also the first Bond movie I got excited for when I decided that I was going to be a dedicated Bond fan.
Brilliant video, David!
I do wonder if they felt that having loads of extra's around Bond cluttered things up two much so reduced it to Bond and Wei Lin [they do a similar thing in NTTD where it's just Bond and Nomi storming the base].
I always think of the briefing scene without fail whenever I'm in the back of a cab
Couldn’t Agree More, and let’s bring this formula back for the next Bond!!🎉
Tomorow Never Dies was the first Bond Movie I saw at the Cinema and it does have a special place for me.
I recently added up 19 Bond variables rated on a 5 point scale and Tomorrow Never Dies ended up as #5 overall. It makes sense, the film ticks so many boxes. The highest scores (action, pre-title and runtime) and lowest scores (climax and a lack of uniqueness.) Also, I prefer Crow's song to Lang.
I love this film, probably my second favourite of the franchise. Love the gadgets, the action and Bond’s attitude in the film. Every time I watch TND I feel like I am a kid again seeing it for the first time and being amazed by the car sequence in the car park. An incredible feel good Bond adventure.
Elliot Carver was a sick genius! LOL 😂!
I used to hate this movie at first but over the years it’s grew on me and is now probably my favourite Brosnan Bond.
Totally agree with you
It's definitely in my top 10. I saw it in the theater and thoroughly enjoyed it.
I agree with you,
TND is one of the most loyal and fun bond movies ever, it has all of the needed bond factors, I love this movie its always ranked in my top 10 , great video
It's a shame Brosnan's 007 ended on Die Another Day. If he had a proper film to send him off, his tenure as Bond would be viewed a lot differently. He was an incredible Bond.
Plot twist - DAD is actually a top-ten Bond movie - a brilliant homage to the classic era of Moonraker/Octopussy Bond films - and you've just been hypnotized by die-hard Daniel Craig stans to think its bad.
@@arthurlongshanks No, DAD really is dogshit. Don't compare it to those great Moore-films, please!
It could have been better, but then you'd have to delete every word Jinx says from the movie.
@@arthurlongshanks Not even close, I saw that movie in theaters when it released and walked away thinking that it was bad.
@@arthurlongshanks While you're at it - send over this top 10 list of yours. If DAD is top 10, can't imagine what else you think is good
@@iancoop4537 well, personal preferences are exactly that - personal. There is no objective standard of measurement, there is just consensus. The current consensus is that Casino Royale is the Best Bond film and Die Another Die is the worst Bond film. But that wasn't always the case. I'm old enough to remember the consensus that On Her Majesty's Service was the very worst Bond film of all. And then later there was a consensus was that Licence to Kill was the worst Bond film of all. The current consensus will change and I'm just ahead of the times. (I also despise Daniel Craig's films and think they're over-rated and terrible)
As for your request of my top-ten - here it is. As you can see - I love Brosnan's Bonds. All 4 of them are just excellent IMO. I also love Connery and Moore and Dalton. The other 2 actors were miscast.
10: The World Is Not Enough
9: Die Another Day
8: Goldeneye
7: Octopussy
6: For Your Eyes Only
5: Dr. No
4. From Russia With Love
3: Tomorrow Never Dies
2: The Living Daylights
1: Thunderball
You've got the point, it's definitely a blue print in the series. I watched in cinemas back in 1997. I enjoyed it back then and still like it. Not in my top 5, but maybe I could squeeze it into my top 10.
Probably my No. 1 go to PB bond film. It’s the most fun from start to finish!
Great job at the 02! Loved the concert and the great interviews. Nice to see so many top people from the RUclips world of Bondi attendance. Laughed at your great comebacks for the fool who just couldn't keep quiet!
I love TND. I was turned on to it by Calvin Dyson's enthusiasm for it. It's a fun movie from beginning to end.
You are absolutely right, at least as far as my experience with this Bond film.. it is one that stands out as a true Bond formulaic hit... I not only consider this Pierce Brosnans best but my number 2 of all Bond films ever... love it (Casino Royale is my personal top choice for no. 1)
TND(1997): So many good stuff: Pre-title sequence, Bond and Q scene, Bond vs. Dr. Kaufman scene and of course BMW 750 iL car chase! *** However, the movie has a very weak/boring climax! As soon as Bond and Wai Lin board that Carver's Stealth Ship... the movie is over for me! And such an unglamorous ending: Bond and Wai Lin on a miserable liferaft, dark cold sea all around! And they don't want to be saved! WTF!? *** TSWLM(1977) had such a nice sexy ending! TND: no way! *** David! Do you want to know the ulmtimate truth? THE BEST JAMES BOND FILM EVER IS: "The Living Daylights"(1987)!!!
No but it's definitely the most rewatchable - you can throw on TND at any time and always get that same instant enjoyment factor every time. I think David described it best previously as the "gooey pizza" movie of the franchise and I totally agree.
bold statement and im loving it! TND has all the elements the franchise is known for and is a perfect standalone to showcase to a newbie. Its the franchise finding its sweet spot in the action-blockbuster era. legit top5 worthy
I can't understand people hating Carver. I think he is an excellent Bond villain. He is certainly over the top and melodramatic but that fits his character as a media mogul who craves attention. I certainly prefer that over a bland and boring villain like Stromberg,
Was amazing too have watched you on the stage at the 02 me and my fiancé had such a great time
Always been my favourite - one of the most realistic and got to love Stamper!
Thank you for doing this video. This film is definitely in my top five Bond films. GoldenEye was such a breath of fresh air, but there were a couple of things it didn't get right. By Tomorrow Never Dies, Brosnan had found his groove, was comfortable in the role, and even put on a little bit of muscle. For me, this is the last film that felt like a classic Bond picture. Yes, Casino Royale is a great movie, but it's a little bit too serious for its own good. This film doesn't take itself seriously, has a megomaniacal Bond villain with an outrageous plan, some great action sequences, and the music hadn't sounded this great in years. I miss David Arnold, he really understood the music of the Bond series and was the best successor to John Barry. Good times. I remember this film also had the difficulty of opening the same day as Titanic. Yet both films helped each other at the box office. December 19 was a pretty tight opening weekend with both films having sold out showings. I read an analysis that stated if people couldn't get into one film they would go see the other. I don't think the franchise has been the same since. Bond films are supposed to be about escapism. The subsequent Brosnan features got a little too silly. The Craig era is too serious and often depressing. I don't need to see James Bond deconstructed, to know what makes him tick or what dark secrets he has. Not in a feature film anyway. I'll leave that for a different medium which is the printed word, literature. I'm just looking for an adventure where I can escape my problems for two hours. This was the last Bond film where I walked out thinking, "man, that was so much fun!"
Watched it last night. Still holds up. Was also the last time Bond was seen in uniform too.
It's a lot of fun. Just easy watching super enjoyable Bond. PTS and soundtrack very good, nice wardrobe. Brosnan at his peak. Oh, and the DB5 parked up in Oxford👌😍
I was 8 when I saw this film. I had YOLT on video and loved it but had no access to the other films, I just knew there was at least one more because of the "James Bond will return".
Goldeneye came out on video a friend loaned me it and I watched it not realising it was the same character but figured it out and considered myself a super-fan now.
Anyway, I was on a 3 day mini cruise to Hamburg with my mum and in my boredom after exhausting what little money I had in the arcade I went to see what films were on at the onboard cinema (the idea of seeing a film on a boat had me extra pumped as it was) and saw that TND was one of only 2 films they were showing and it was rated PG for some reason (I knew it was meant to be a 12 and wondered whether it was a territorial thing or just someones fantastic mistake but I wasn't going to mention this to my mum and blow it). Mum was poorly and couldn't see it with me but let me watch it while she chilled and explained the craic to the man on the door to not let me wander off, like that was gonna happen during Bond haha I was the ONLY person in the screen, sat smack in the middle at the front, absolutely glued, mind blown, in complete awe, all the synonyms you can muster. What's more, the boat was headed to Hamburg so watching this film set there knowing where I was going I just couldn't believe it and was past myself with fanfare appreciation. I made it my business to find the hotel used as the location for where Bond stayed. Went on to watch it again on the journey back, buy the video at Christmas when it was released as that's all I could afford. I still vividly remember the shop I was in, the video costing £11.99 and my mum giving me the difference or 1.99 to get it since I just had £10. Fond memories of this film, loved and appreciated the relevance of the plot at the time with the whole media thing and still love it for its time in cultural history now and always will. The opening song I also liked cause it sounded modern and cool which is how I perceived the film to be. The bombastic song at the end just made it end on an even better and more badass high for me.
I could talk at length about this film myself and its impact on me and the series as a whole, it holds a solid place in my heart. As if I was on a boat too haha the coincidences of this given the naval stuff and Elliot's lair being the stealth boat. I felt very much like I was along for the ride when watching this and love being transported back to that with every viewing.
Unquestionable top 5 for me, all of the Bond elements are there and Brosnan really embodies the character here.
Great pitch, David! I'm with you
This was the first DVD I ever bought. I used to watch the extras over and over. My fav was the storyboard comparisons. It's also one of my fav soundtracks, and a great home theater movie. The scene with the missle in the intro rivals Top Gun. Having been exposed to Kung Fu movies by my Chinese brother from another mother, I was introduced to Michelle thru Supercop and Crouching Tiger, so she was in her USA prime here.
Pierce Bronson is very debonair! ❤😊❤
YES!!! I'm so here for the TND love 🙌🙌 it's long been one of my favourites for all the reasons you mention and more!
Much more satisfying film than NTTD. Appreciate the review.
On 26, Variety just noted Barbara once again boasting she is not anywhere near starting the search for Bond. We have to keep watching the great ones of the past, nothing new anytime soon. Last night I watched Skyfall. Also much better than NTTD.
Certainly my favourite of the 90s 007 movies,
Remember I like them all equally.
That's the plus of being a Bond fan.
My only nitpick I love both songs but Surrender as opening title song.....👍🏽
And also shame Wade had little time in movie.
Otherwise no complaints for this underrated jem..
🍸🍻🇬🇧
One of my favorites, I always like to watch it again. All Brosnan movies are so entertaining. Maybe I am biased because he was the 007 when I started getting into Bond movies when I was a kid.
I should have left you my toy cuffs at the last Gatherall-they were much easier to get out of 👋🏻
I totally agree with your thoughts about this film. Tomorrow Never Dies has always been my favorite Brosnan Bond film.
Although, I’m that guy who holds Quantum of Solace as the best of the Craig films, and ranks Licence to Kill as the all time best of the franchise…
Growing up in the 2000s brosnan was and remains my favourite bond
This Bond movie is what makes me a James Bond fan...
It's my favourite Brosnan movie and it's always *stationaired* in my top 3 Bond movies (alongside Goldfinger at 1st and The Spy Who Loved Me at 3rd)
Elliot Carver is one of my favourite Bond villains. I love the way Jonathan Pryce delivers every line. He's so entertaining
Out of all Brosnan's Bond movies, GoldenEye is still my favorite, it's got everything I want from a Bond movie:
1. Pierce Brosnan as Bond: checked
2. One of the best villains in the franchise: checked
3. Memorable henchmen/henchwoman (General Ourumov, Boris Grishenko and Xenia Onatopp): checked
4. Cool actions: checked
5. One of the best and most beautiful Bond girls (Natalya Simonova is in my personal top 5 Bond girls): checked
6. Aston Martin DB5: checked
7. Gadget and Q scenes: checked
8. One of the best opening pre-title sequences: checked
9. One of the best opening title songs (RIP Tina Turner): checked
10. One of the best scores: checked
11. Exotic locations: checked
12. MI6 gang presents: checked
13. Some of the best Bond allies in Valentino Zukovsky and Jack Wade: checked
14. One of the best villain's lairs: checked
15. Nice title for a Bond movie: checked
16. Some of the best directions directed by Martin Campbell: checked
17. A macguffin that's actually relevant to the overall plot: checked
18. One of the best/happiest/funniest endings: checked
19. Some of the most memorable death scenes in all of the franchises' history: checked
It is ranked as my number one bond film, and that will never change.
David,
First of all thank you for another great post.
I understand what you mean about this being the best Bond film.
I don't know what it is about this one but it is possibly one of the best to watch again, sometimes I start watching a Bond film and switch off part way through and maybe come back to it later.
This one is one of those Bond films that you can re-watch and you realise how good it is more and more.
So maybe it is the best one to watch again..
Keep up the great work David, we all appreciate it.
Oh yes and by the way, the omega from Goldeneye was the first really expensive watch I bought, £900 back in 1996. Still got it and still love it.
All the best and take care 👍🙂
I'm with you all the way here, David. In terms of the art of filmmaking (for whatever that's supposed to mean) this is not it. But in terms of pulpy entertainment, a pure BOND experience, this is up near the top. If you want a serious drama go watch Skyfall, that movie is great, if you want fun then this and Octopussy are two of my favourites.
You are right about everything you said David. That's the Bond we want. And indeed TND has all that we miss and need for the next Bond. It is a really great and an underrated Bond movie that should be a lot higher on the ranking lists. But it surely cannot be number one. My top 3 Bond movies are 1) Thunderball, 2) From Russia With Love 3) Goldfinger. And i would like to explain why i put Thunderball no 1 on my list:
1) CONNERY'S PERFORMANCE:: In Dr No, Connery is still experimenting with the role and he is great but yet a bit stiff. In FRWL he explores more the "dark" side of the character. In Goldfinger he adds more charm and "witticism" and completes the formula. But in Thunderball he IS James Bond and the formula is perfected. Connery's performance on this is truly unique. He shows the greatest confidence ever. His style, his movements, the way he speaks, his one-liners, his demeanor and even the way he looks, everything that was built in the previous 3 films, reach perfection. He is "dark" and gritty and at the same time charming and stylish. He looks tough and ruthless which at the same time combines with a dark dry witt coated with venure sophistication and style. And he obviously enjoys playing the character more than ever, either before or after.
2) PLOT AND VILAIN: I hear often some saying that it is annoying that the plot is revealed from the beggining. But this movie tends on focusing on Bond for the first time and not the vilain. It is a celebration of Bond himself as a character. The plot is smart and realistically believable. It has some great twists: It is not just the first reveal that SPECTRE wants to steal two atomic bombs. It is how they do it. The whole idea of seducing and killing a flying officer (Major Dervall) and replacing him with another pilot after a plastic surgery and how Bond finds out about it, is intriguing and it is revealed to us progressively and not from the start. As for the vilains: I always liked most the "invisible Blofeld" which we have only in FRWL and in this. As for Largo, he is not "just a boring vilain with an eye patch" as some say. He is stylish, resourcefull and smart. He is dangerous and twisted. And most of all he is not relying on his henchmen to do the job (as Goldfinger for instance). He fights himself, he dives himself, he leads his men into battle. As for Fiona Volpe, what can i say! She is the icon of every "femme fatale" of the franchise.
3) THE SPY ELEMENTS: I cannot understand some people who say that it is hust a... "vacation movie". Nothing could be less correct that that. He is doing an amazing spy work and seems unstopable:
-He first gets in contact with the sister of Dervall. -Then through her he discovers Largo. -Then he is spying into his house. -Then he is diving under his boat to find out where the bombs are, he takes pictures, he fights, he gets attacked with grenades. -Then he tries to seduce Fiona and find out more. -He is captured and manages resoursefully to escape but gets wounded. -He gets surrounded but manages to escape again by killing her. -Then he disguise him self as an enemy diver and finds out where the bombs are hidden underwater. -He gets attacked again and escapes. -He notifies where the bombs are to the Parachute Special Forces. -He then enters into the underwater battle him self. -He heroically stops Largo to escape by fighting till the end inside the boat.
This is a far better spy work than in Goldfinger where in the second half of the movie he is a prisoner οf the vilain.
4) ACTION, UNDERWΑTER SCENES AND FINAL BATTLE: The action scenes are great. The first fight with Jack Bouvar in the beginning is gritty and violent. So is the final battle with Largo (even if the bad projector scene behind it is an unfortunate momentt). The gadjets are believable, smart (geiger counter, breathing machine, underwater camera) and not rediculous. Even the jet-pack was a real thing and a revolutionary invention. I cannot understand people who say that the underwater scenes are "boring" or "confusing". The underwater shooting was a revolutionary achievement for the time and especially the final underwater battle was a unique sample of cinematography for 1965! The crisp underwater photography is excellently choreographing so many divers under the water at the same time in a full scale battle of epic proportions with some very gritty and violent moments. Such a complicated action scene has never been replicated in any other movie since!
5) THE "ESCAPISM" ELEMENT: It is also the ultimate "escapism" movie. Beautiful exotic places, wonderful scenery and landscapes, incomparable lifestyle, amazing women (Fiona Volpe is an amazing femme fatale and Domino one of the hottest Bondgirls). some of the greatest one-liners in the franchise, while it is even considered alongside with Goldfinger a "fashion icon" movie!
6) HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Thunderball is also historically extremely significant for the franchise that we love: It broke the smashing box office records. It is to this date the highest grossing Bond movie of all time (inflation counted). If Goldifinger created the "Bondmania", then Thunderball turned it into a high fever. The flms remarkable achievements transformed James Bond from a popular fictional hero, into a phenomenon in cinema history.
7) FINAL THOUGHTS: If Goldfinger found the "classsic formula" of Bond movies, then Thunderball perfected it. It is the timeless epitome of the classic Bond movies, before Connery got tired of the role in You Only Live Twice and before the production turned the franchise to a more comical version of Bond, with Diamonds Are Forever and the Roger Moore era. If FRWL is the "Hitckokian" spy thriller and Goldfinger the cementation of tteh Bond "formula", in Thunderball, Connery's Bond combines the previous two films and reaches perfection, as he becomes at the same time tough and refined, stylish and ruthless, a real killer with a sense of humor, who lives on the edge and therefore enjoys every minute of his life as if it were his last.
My Best Regards, deep admiration and many thanks for everything you are doing for the Bond community dear David.
"In a word, yes"
My older brother had the cassette of this film when i was a child, i wore that thing out, even had Q doing an advertisement for the tomorrow never dies PlayStation game as an advertisement before the movie started.
A video I'd love to see from TBE: David discussing the films that Bond movies took inspiration from. Ex. Bruce Lee movies inspiring The Man with the Golden Gun. Jackie Chan movies and Tomorrow never dies. Batman begins/Dark night for some of the Craigs. Bourn films and Quantum. I even think No Time to Die has lots of John Wick inspiration.
One of the most re-watchable entries in the entire franchise! FUN