We're off to the races with Bond Films now!
This is From Russia with Love, the first Bond Sequel. It is actually the 5th Book.
Thankfully, I'm not insane enough to do these Reviews in BOOK Release Order.
(I might do an alternate compilation of it later)
In any event, Bond is back and now he's fully targeted by SPECTRE, who he made an enemy of by killing Dr. No. This differentiates itself from the Book's Plot, which is actually about SMERSH and connected to Russia.
This is similar to how Marvel made the first Captain America Film about him fighting Hydra, as opposed to, well, you know.
Will this Film give us the final Bond Tropes we need? Is this really the best one?
To find out, read on...
In a Cold (War) Open, Bond is wandering around a Maze when he's attacked by an enemy agent (played by Robert Shaw).
This turns out to be a double, as this is a SPECTRE training mission.
After the Credits, we learn that Bond is targeted by SPECTRE and its #1- Blofeld.
He's actually played by the same Actor who was Dr. No's Henchman last Film, but we don't see his face and he's dubbed, so whatever.
The plan involves luring Bond to meet with a Russian Agent who wants to break away to the West with their codes and a decoder.
This is a lie, of course...and also he knows it.
In spite of that, he's as sure to go as this Film is to cut all but the most subtle of lesbian subtext from the Book...
Our first Q Scene!
He gives Bond all of his Gadgets (his briefcase, a folding rifle and other gadgets) for the mission and then peaces out.
I've missed you.
Right after that, we get the first Bond and Moneypenny Flirt Scene.
There was a hint last Film, but it is here for us to enjoy in full now.
Bond goes on his mission and meets up with the woman.
This is the last Film to feature Bond's Girlfriend (in his first Scene).
It's a good thing, since...
Throughout the Film, Shaw keeps an eye on Bond, even killing a guy to save him earlier.
This is all about getting Bond to the intel and THEN besting him.
He gets close to him by pretending to be Bond's contact, but ends up being choked out by his own petard...I mean, garotte.
Bond and his lady escape the Orient Express (which literally changed it route in 1962) and danger follows.
He has to take out a chasing helicopter (an homage to how
Cary Grant nearly played Bond!) and then a bunch of SPECTRE boats in pursuit.
They go to Venice (conveniently where Blofeld also is) and all seems well...until the Russian Agent takes one last shot.
She tries to shoot Bond and then kill him with his poison-bladed shoe.
In the Book, his possible death is teased.
In the Film, he survives to totally stay with his new girlfriend.
The End.
A really good Bond Film that ups the ante!
This one has a stronger Spy Plot, a great Villain, a great Henchman, a fresh location and great action.
Connery is great here as well, with his presence truly shining here.
The Plot is just complicated enough to work here, without quite getting convoluted. The real Locales help out.
That said, we get some odd filler, a pointless catfight and a dated gag involving a Bob Hope Movie Poster.
Not everything is solid gold.
Getting past the little things, Shaw and Bond's face-off and the final Action Scenes make it totally worth it. The fights and explosions- so good!
Dated aspects taken in stride, this one works so good. Now if only I could explain why Bond chose NOT to shoot this one bad guy (before and after shooting around a dozen folks).
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| Boop. |
Next up, Goldfinger makes his debut. Will we get the final form of a Classic Bond Film now? Stay tuned...
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