Thunderball as if the name itself wasn't ridiculous enough, they had to go and make a movie. And although I guess it probably pleases the hardcore James Bond fanbase after all, it's one of the ones with Connery for me it is a near-complete bore. I'm not a fan of the films in general but I can sit through most of the Connery ones and a few of the Moore ones and have a good time. This movie just gets tired really fast. There's absolutely nothing new or original going on
same type of bad guys steal a nuke and "hold the world for ransom", Bond can find said supervillains hanging out at a resort in some exotic place, and good looking women who will probably betray James Bond (who never seems too surprised, nor should he). As in all James Bond films, the action peaks at the appropriate time but the movie goes on for another 30 minutes to make sure the audience has seen enough exploding boats and airplanes to feel they got their money's worth.
There's some very lovely ladies, of course. Martine Beswick (who I saw earlier this week in an Italian Western, incidentally) is the most fun to me because her character is sort of sneaky and unpredictable (relatively speaking). Luciana Paluzzi is really lovely but it was hard to buy her as a tough gal.
Based on the huge and seemingly undiminished popularity of the franchise I guess this movie probably supplies everything necessary for a good night at the movies, but for me this one is particularly dull even compared to the average James Bond film. People rave about Ricou Browning's underwater photography but for me these long slow motion underwater fights are basically water torture. What can you say about a movie where the audience applauds because a boat split itself in half? I think I can understand why people like these movies all the girls, action, gadgets, etc. For the ladies, there's always Connery's hairy torso, which also drew applause from the audience last night. In the best of cases these things are enough to distract and entertain the audience for a few hours. But "Thunderball", being a bit sub-par and a bit tired-out, really shows up the essential weaknesses in the formula for me anyway. James Bond is the most dull character in the movies he never changes his character. Heck he never even changes what drink he likes or what clothes he wears or what card games he plays. Maybe in this "ever changing world in which we're livin'" that provides some comfort. But it's far from compelling for this movie fan.
There's some very lovely ladies, of course. Martine Beswick (who I saw earlier this week in an Italian Western, incidentally) is the most fun to me because her character is sort of sneaky and unpredictable (relatively speaking). Luciana Paluzzi is really lovely but it was hard to buy her as a tough gal.
Based on the huge and seemingly undiminished popularity of the franchise I guess this movie probably supplies everything necessary for a good night at the movies, but for me this one is particularly dull even compared to the average James Bond film. People rave about Ricou Browning's underwater photography but for me these long slow motion underwater fights are basically water torture. What can you say about a movie where the audience applauds because a boat split itself in half? I think I can understand why people like these movies all the girls, action, gadgets, etc. For the ladies, there's always Connery's hairy torso, which also drew applause from the audience last night. In the best of cases these things are enough to distract and entertain the audience for a few hours. But "Thunderball", being a bit sub-par and a bit tired-out, really shows up the essential weaknesses in the formula for me anyway. James Bond is the most dull character in the movies he never changes his character. Heck he never even changes what drink he likes or what clothes he wears or what card games he plays. Maybe in this "ever changing world in which we're livin'" that provides some comfort. But it's far from compelling for this movie fan.