I saw this movie when it came out in 1983 and basically hated it. I recently got a chance to watch it again and was quite surprised that I actually enjoyed it. When the movie came out originally, a lot was made of the fact that it was not an "official" Bond film. Being a Bond fan, I bought into that thinking and didn't give this film a chance. On viewing it 20 years later, I am struck by many things:
1) It is GREAT to see Sean Connery as Bond again, even if he is now in his 50s. He is in terrific shape and really very good in the action sequences and fast on the quips. 2) Barbara Carrera is very enjoyable as an over-the-top femme-fatale. 3) The story moves at a good clip with some terrific exotic locations. I especially liked all the South of France sequences. 4) The action sequences are solid. The motorcycle chase is actually very well done and builds in tension. 5) Bernie Casey is the second best Felix Leiter after David Hedison (Live and Let Die, Licence to Kill). He is a great help to James. 6) The title song is weak and the rest of the score is less than memorable. 7) We have Rowan Atkinson(Mr. Bean)in a funny supporting role hamming it up in his two scenes. 8) Most of the other supporting cast is fine(especially Kim Basinger and Klaus Maria Brandaur)
When you look at all the Bond films that followed, you realize that this was actually much better than we give it credit for. I can't understand why people put this down so much. Yes it is not an "official" Bond film but so what, it delivers in almost every department: Action, a solid hero, beautiful women, exotic locations, a tense story and several crazy villains. Only the music is weak. So many people have complained that it is missing the gunbarrel opening and the James Bond theme. Well these things are protected by copyright so they never could have used them in the first place. Get over it and enjoy Sean Connery as smooth as ever.
1) It is GREAT to see Sean Connery as Bond again, even if he is now in his 50s. He is in terrific shape and really very good in the action sequences and fast on the quips. 2) Barbara Carrera is very enjoyable as an over-the-top femme-fatale. 3) The story moves at a good clip with some terrific exotic locations. I especially liked all the South of France sequences. 4) The action sequences are solid. The motorcycle chase is actually very well done and builds in tension. 5) Bernie Casey is the second best Felix Leiter after David Hedison (Live and Let Die, Licence to Kill). He is a great help to James. 6) The title song is weak and the rest of the score is less than memorable. 7) We have Rowan Atkinson(Mr. Bean)in a funny supporting role hamming it up in his two scenes. 8) Most of the other supporting cast is fine(especially Kim Basinger and Klaus Maria Brandaur)
When you look at all the Bond films that followed, you realize that this was actually much better than we give it credit for. I can't understand why people put this down so much. Yes it is not an "official" Bond film but so what, it delivers in almost every department: Action, a solid hero, beautiful women, exotic locations, a tense story and several crazy villains. Only the music is weak. So many people have complained that it is missing the gunbarrel opening and the James Bond theme. Well these things are protected by copyright so they never could have used them in the first place. Get over it and enjoy Sean Connery as smooth as ever.