Ahira's Hangar

I'm ever so slowly collecting only those Bond films that I have any vestige of enthusiasm for. I'm very ambivalent about James Bond: some days I think he's the coolest action hero, other days I can't stand the guy. It depends a lot on who's playing him.

So, on the weekend, I bought and watched the remastered edition of Live and Let Die. This was one of the first Bond films I ever saw as a kid on TV, and for its time it blew me away. Roger Moore was the kind of dashing, debonair "gentleman" Bond I liked best. Moore could have it that way, and yet still play the ruthless "licence to kill" Bond when he needed to.

Live and Let Die remains a favorite Bond movie for a number of reasons. It is a refreshing change from the constant Cold War feel of the Connery years; instead, Live and Let Die gives us a sense of 70's black culture in America. For a Bond film, that's extraordinary. It's the fish-out-of-water scenario with Moore's Bond being the wet, white fish. What I like is how Moore remains unflappable through it all.

Then there's that memorable, classic speedboat chase through the waterways of New Orleans. I love the sustained duration of this sequence - it's not some big loud stunt that lasts for just a couple of minutes. Also, how about Clifton James as the redneck sheriff? Unquestionably the most hilarious character ever to appear in a Bond film!

But the thing that really pushes Bond into new territory (some might say over the top) is that he goes up against the forces of the occult. I wonder if hardcore Connery fans were displeased by this direction of the "franchise." Me, I loved it: Bond vs. Voodoo Magic! I thought the character of Baron Samedi (Geoffrey Holder) was awesome, even though as a "villain" he was rather useless. And Yaphet Kotto was a powerhouse as Kananga - he played the role with such great verve.

The only character I didn't have much feeling for was Solitaire (Jane Seymour). The Connery films occasionally featured some strong women (particularly in Thunderball, IMO) but for the start of the Moore era, we're given a female lead who seems entirely too submissive. Granted, her character was at the mercy of some pretty powerful men, and yes, I understand that she was meant to have a kind of "virginal" quality. I have nothing against Seymour, of course. It's just that after Solitaire is "bereft" of her powers of foretelling, she's kind of useless...um, like Samedi.

But overall, I'd say Live and Let Die is one of the best Bond films ever.

I really like Live and Let Die - the jazz funeral scene always cracks me up (yes, I have a twiested sense of humor!) and I like Jane Seymour, an actually talented actress, better than many of the Bond Girls.

My favorites tend to be split between Sean Connery and Roger Moore. Some of the Connery ones such as Goldfinger and the one with the volcano base (I am drawing a blank on its title, but it was spoofed in one of the Austin Powers movies) have stood the test of time. Some of the Moore ones have as well - especially Live and Let Die and The Spy Who Loved Me. On the other hand, the special effects of Moonraker look so bad now that they almost look like a something you'd see on Mystery Science Theater.

I never got to see Moonraker when it was new, just in reruns on TV...so there is no nostalgia factor for me the way there is for some other Bond movies.

When I was a kid I liked Roger Moore the best and I still have a soft spot for his turn as Bond though the last two I can barely watch.

The only Bond film I've never seen (which includes Never Say Never Again) is Her Majesty's Secret Service. Some people say they liked George Lasenby others, not so much. I don't freaking know and I want to. Seems the usual stores don't believe that Bond film is worth stocking. If I want the thing I'm going to have to buy it from Amazon.

I'll find out soon enough.

By the way, Daniel Craig is my favorite Bond...today anyway.

If your talk to some of the old purists they'll even say that even the original Casino Royale is a Bond movie-I'm sorry, I agree that David Niven is a very talented actor, but he isn't James Bond. Thank goodness Craig's Royale sank that little ship. I saw From Russia with Love in the movie theater when I was 12-that's how old I am, so Sean's still my main man and I'll forgive him for Diamonds Are Forever. I'm so old (how old is that Johnny?) that I grew up with Roger Moore as The Saint on TV, who I dug more than Bond, anyway...

my rankings:
Craig
Dalton
Connery
Moore
Brosnan
Lazenby

No No No! There can be only one...Connery is for ever Bond. Craig does a decent turn as a more hard-edged character but Lord Connery of the Isles is the uber Bond.
Can we ever forgive Moore's safari-suits? Oh I think not.

I thought the book Live and let die was much better than the movie. At the time though, I believed that Moore was the best Bond...as I matured, I realised that I'd been wrong and Connery was by far the best. Yes, the movies are often cheesy, but I must admit that they hold a special little place in my heart as part of my growing up.

--A