For me TMWTGG , LALD and DAF are three of the most underated yet consistantly critisied Bond movies, why?
They represent (along with
Moonraker) the most self-parodying and "wet" humor Bonds available. It's basically, "we know this is silly, so let's have fun with it" rather than "let's tell you a great spy story" and that turns off a significant portion of Bond fandom.
In some ways, I think they feel "lower budget" than many other Bond entries (even if they are not, looking that their bottom lines). But they seem to have gotten somewhat away from the "epic" set pieces and more sophisticated glamour of many other entries. From the opening credits to the casino set pieces, these flicks are steeped in 70's leisure suit casualness, which only makes Bond in his tailored suit
stand out (when of course, if he was trying to be competent, he should want to blend in...)
For me, TMWTGG turns me off because they make Bond so freaking incompetent throughout. And the script is so transparently lazy, it just frustrates. I still like it, but it's second rate compared to what they could have done.
For example, Bond carelessly discarding his nipple disguise right outside Hi Fat's home after their meeting, so that anyone watching (and indeed he is being watched) sees him blow his cover
immediately. What kind of spy does that?
Or all the waggly, blinking mannequins. Sheesh, they can't reshoot or stage those shots so that I can't tell they are people? If I can tell, why can't James Bond? Isn't he supposed to have observational skills and be trained to expect the unexpected?
And of course, the slide whistle. And Goodnight getting captured rediculously. And pushing the button with her ass. And Moore's typically awkward faux martial arts. And the sheer number of times TMWTGG goes out of its way to make Bond the "butt" of the joke, so to speak, from Bond pointlessly grabbing the sumo ass (thought the twisting of the thong was less ludicrous) to NicNik kicking Bond's ass multiple times, literally and figuratively.
This movie is just frustrating for those who prefer a more serious take on Bond. Which is why DAF and most of Moore's entries get a bad rap.
That all said, I still like TMWTGG. But people who prefer, say
From Russia with Love or Craig's
Casino Royale do have actual reasons and might not merely be bandwagon jumping and cat got your tongue time.
To me, the Bond franchise tends to do this (devolve into self-parody)
whenever they feel they've earned and audience and don't want to lose it so they start pandering to it. Whereas, Bond hits its higher notes when they feel they must earn an audience (or win an audience back after a down note). Which is why, in general...Dr. No, FRWL, Goldfinger, OHMSS, TSWLM, Goldeneye, Casino Royale, tend to be the critical darlings of the lot. The producers were feeling desparate and pulled out stops so to speak.
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