Oh this movie, how mixed of a reception you (still) seem to get. That's rather unfortunate, too. The plot once again follow James Bond on the trail of SPECTRE head Ernst Stavro Blofeld. This time around Blofeld has developed quite a strong interest in genealogy and is using that as something legitimate, as well as for
a bit of a cover up for a plan to take over the world via germ warfare, to be done using sleeper agents (of sorts). Yeah, it is once again global domination, but overall the film feels far more grounded in reality than most of these types of movies. The film also apparently sticks really close to the novel, and strives for a sense of greater realism, with little to no gadgets being used, as well as greater focus on a strong plot as well as wonderful character development, with Bond legitimately falling in love. What makes this film notable is that is marks George Lazenby's sole outing as Bond. Here's the deal: he's not THAT bad. He's mostly just a little stiff, underwhelming, and a tad bland. It also doesn't help that he didn't seem to have his heart in it, and that he mimics Connery too often, somethiong future Bonds pretty well avoided. Had he stayed on for more films, I think that Lazenby could have been a pretty decent Bond and made it his own. As it stands he's just so-so. Fortunately though, his presence is really the only major issue with this film. Granted that's no small thing, but still. I will give him some credit and say that he does good with the action elements and does manage to pull off the final scene nicely, which would be a challenge for anyone, not just him.I loved the cinematography, enjoyed the fact that they tried to do some different things this time around, including having the touching love story and the ballsy final scene. The love plot is well done and believable, and the plot doesn't seem all that silly or outlandish. Also, the action's pretty well done, and the bulk of the third act is filled with several chase scenes, fights, and shootouts. The music is probably the real highlight though, and John Barry once again puts in some terrific work, especially with the main title theme. Louis Armstrong's performance of "We Have All the Time in thew World" isn't too bad either. I do have some minor gripes, but unlike Lazenby, they aren't quite as big an issue. Those are the sometimes choppy editing (mostly during close up fights), the occasional speeding up of the film (noticeable during some fights) which comes off as a bit silly and distracting, and the fact that the end credits shoulsd have either featured somber music or none at all. As is, the Bond Theme, no matter how classic, is jarring compared to the emotional impact of what preceds it. Overall ,I think this is a wonderful film that deserves more attention, and that Lazenby deserves a bit of a break. I do think that the film would be less maligned had Connery done it, but I don't know if the love story and the ending would have worked as well as they do. His Bond was more superhuman, whereas Lazenby's is a bit more human amd vulnerable. You should give it a chance, because it is quite well done and does a lot of great things. It would be better had Lazenby had more time to make the role his own. I will say that you should probably pass on this if you don't like the idea of Bond growing and changing by falling in love instead of being just a suave ladies man. The film is one of the longest in the series, so yeah, if you can't get into the many scenes where the film takes a break to let the plot and characters develop gradually, then again, give it a pass, otherwise, sit back, relax and enjoy one of the strongest entries in the series.
May 18, 2011
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