Product Description: Agent 007 fights the SPECTRE organization once again to save Washington, D.C. from a nuclear attack. Genre: Feature Film-Action/Adventure Rating: PG Release Date: 4-SEP-2001 Media Type: DVD
Amazon.com: After years of enduring Roger Moore in the role of James Bond, it was good to have Sean Connery back in this 1983 film for a one-time-only trip down 007's memory lane. Connery's Bond, a bit of a dinosaur in the British secret service at (then) 52, is still in demand during times of crisis. Sadly, the film is not very good. In this rehash of Thunderball, Bond is pitted against a worthy underwater villain (Klaus Maria Brandauer); and while the requisite Bond Girls include beauties Kim Basinger and Barbara Carrera, they can't save the movie. The script has several truly dumb passages, among them a (gasp) video-game duel between 007 and his nemesis that now looks utterly anachronistic. For Connery fans, however, this widescreen print of the Irvin Kershner (The Empire Strikes Back) film is a chance to say a final goodbye to a perfect marriage of actor and character. --Tom Keogh
Everyone's a critic You know, I saw NSNA in theatres as a young teen, and having been brought up in the Moore era, I really did not see it as a bad or good movie, just an action movie. In later years, I kept hearing this was the orphan James Bond movie, that it really wasn't very good, and that when the Bond films were being released on VHS in the early 1990's, it was not worth looking for. I promptly forgot about the movie's existence.
Then something happened. Over the two successive DVD releases of Bond films over the last decade, I started remembering mysterious, hazy scenes of a chess game that caused the players to feel the pain of their decisions, with a round-faced bad guy who loved the water. Sean Connery played the lead role. Ooooh! And then there was that really, sexy bad lady in (what was for 1980) a very brief bathing suit. But what movie were these scenes from? Oh yeah! Never Say Never Again. The power of negative reviews! I decided to watch it again and yes, it did have some bizarre production values for a Bond film. The opening music is truly awful for the scenes shown. (Irving, my Empire Strikes Back friend, what were you thinking?)
But by the end of the movie, the good plot points outweighed the bad. There were some moments of humor...perhaps too many for a Bond film...but I didn't feel as if I wasted 2 hours of my life. I enjoyed it. And while I prefer the Broccoli/Salzman productions, I think seeing an alternative like this is rewarding. Even if you don't like it as much, it's a different take. Mind you, after many years of being a habitual fuddy-duddy, I now now enjoy trying new things and looking at different perspectives. You may not.
As a true Bond fan, it's almost a must own anyways, especially at Amazon's price. Extras? Well, yes, that would be nice. A commentary or two? Redux? Digital restoration? Sure, but think about it...if you owned the rights to this movie, after reading about so many low ratings over the years, would you invest $5 million in a redo? Well, I hope the owners/studio will consider it, because I think the film is worth it.
It's good to have Connery back, but the film has little else to recommend it... For many Bond fans, the return of Sean Connery in this "unofficial" Bond entry, was an exciting opportunity to experience the Connery magic and charisma before the earlier pre-Roger Moore years. Released in 1983, the film competed head-to-head against Moore's entry, "Octopussy" which, to some critics of note, one of the better Roger Moore efforts. Obviously, this production had a more engaging cast, an entertaining story, and some good actors: Maude Adams and Lois Jourdan as Bond's nemesis than "Never Say Never Again."
While it's good to have Connery back, looking actually fitter than he did in "Diamond Are Forever" in 1971, and wearing a faultless toupee, the film manages to fall short on a number of levels. Viewers should note, it is a different film; for instance, no gun barrel logo in the pre-credits sequence, or the familiar incidental Bond theme music we all recognize.
Bear in mind this film, in actuality, is simply a remake of Terrence Young's "Thunderball" (1965), that represented the apogee of the James Bond franchise. Some of the other leads turn in a respectable performance, Bernie Casey, as an African-American Felix Leiter, is adequate as is Klaus Maria Bandauer in the role of "Maximillian Largo," a change from "Emilio Largo" from the '65 film, originally played by Adolfo Celi. But he is simply not menacing enough. The sequence at the casino between Largo and Bond is rather odd; they play a silly tabletop video game called "World Domination" rather than baccarat or chemin-de-fer. Not really effective, nor does this really belong in a Bond film.
Barbara Carrera as Fatima Blush, reprises the role of Fiona Volope(Lucianna Paluzzi in "Thunderball") the film's femme fatale, in what could be considered an over-the-top-performance that borders on the hysterical with her outlandish costumes, hats and formal evening attire. Kim Basinger, as Domino, although lovely to look at, comes off as rather dull and uninspired. We long for an actress like the lovely former Miss. France, Claudine Auger, who, although not an actress by a long shot in the original "Thunderball," managed to bring an aura of sophistication, beauty, and unavailability shared by most Bond heroines before they succumb to the charms of 007.
"M" played by Edward Fox, is competent and irascible, but too young for the role--only illustrating how much we truly miss Bernard Lee and Lois Maxwell (Moneypenny) from the original series. In all, the film has a distinct look and pace that strikes one of a lavish made-for-tv production; not a quality Bond feature despite some exotic locations and interiors.
Despite Bond's rocket powered motorcycle, and an explosive fountain pen, the gadgets are few (thankfully), and the film is really an opportunity for Connery to prove, once again, HE is the James Bond everyone recognizes, knows, and respects above all others in the franchise's forty-five plus year history.
Good remake and a welcome return for Connery I know many fellow Bond fans disagree, but I always thought "Thunderball" was the weakest of Connery's Bond movies. So, it was the perfect candidate for a remake, and for copyright reasons, that's just what Never Say Never Again is. And it's a welcome return for Connery as Bond.
Being made by different producers, the movie doesn't have the classic gun barrel sequence or the Maurice Binder opening credits, but it still feels like a bona fide James Bond movie, much thanks to great locations, fun gadgets and Klaus Maria Brandauer's great villain.
My main problem with Thunderball is the sleep inducing underwater sequences. Even though this movie is just as long as Thunderball, the underwater sequences are shorter, and there's more excitement before the climactic scenes (I actually enjoyed the admittedly very dated video game scene).
So I'm going to be blasphemous and say I actually enjoy this movie more than Thunderball. It's a fun movie, and a must see for all Bond fans.
Mr. Bond is older but just as good! Sean Connery is such a rugged and convincing agent that his obvious "advancing years" only serve to enhance his performance as the greatest superspy on the big screen! Excellent!
Embarassing This is a poorly done kidnapping of the Bond franchise with an aging Sean Connery performing a shameless and unoriginal rip-off of the Thunderball plot. I would be embarassed to have this in my collection.
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