Best 007 outing to show a friend
Sir_Hugo_Drax
Beneath the Flat Stone Posts: 40MI6 Agent
So, like most of us, I have been a lifelong Bond fan, and this is well know by my friends, but through some error of my own my best friend has never seen a James Bond film all the way through (perhaps disjointed snippets when we were young). 
I know right?! So I've finally taken it upon myself to expose him to the glorious world of Bond for the first time. That being said, I have no idea where to begin. Naturally, you would suggest I should go from Dr No and work my way through, right? That'd be great but I know my friend and he doesn't quite 'get into' older films (but I SWEAR ON MY LIFE he's a great guy despite this 
). I could still go ahead and show him them anyway but I really want him to like them as I do, so I want to show him a quintessential, newer (about late 80s onward) Bond film to really knock his socks off.
In particular (although I want any suggestions you think suitable) I have been drawn to Goldeneye (for that classic yet newer feel) or Casino Royale (for that gritty, modern feel). That being said Goldeneye has an awful, not very Bond-esque, soundtrack that I could see detracting from a first encounter with the world of Bond - gotta have that Bond music. And Casino Royale, although brilliant, doesn't have all the classic 007 elements in it. Surely I'm not the only one here that's had to introduce his or her best friend to Bond for the first time. Your opinions and suggestions would be greatly appreciated. -{
I know right?! So I've finally taken it upon myself to expose him to the glorious world of Bond for the first time. That being said, I have no idea where to begin. Naturally, you would suggest I should go from Dr No and work my way through, right? That'd be great but I know my friend and he doesn't quite 'get into' older films (but I SWEAR ON MY LIFE he's a great guy despite this ). I could still go ahead and show him them anyway but I really want him to like them as I do, so I want to show him a quintessential, newer (about late 80s onward) Bond film to really knock his socks off.In particular (although I want any suggestions you think suitable) I have been drawn to Goldeneye (for that classic yet newer feel) or Casino Royale (for that gritty, modern feel). That being said Goldeneye has an awful, not very Bond-esque, soundtrack that I could see detracting from a first encounter with the world of Bond - gotta have that Bond music. And Casino Royale, although brilliant, doesn't have all the classic 007 elements in it. Surely I'm not the only one here that's had to introduce his or her best friend to Bond for the first time. Your opinions and suggestions would be greatly appreciated. -{
Then he looked again at Bond and spoke very quietly, the red moustache lifting slowly from the splayed upper teeth.
"I should spend the money quickly, Commander Bond," he said.
Then he turn away from the table and walked swiftly out of the room.
"I should spend the money quickly, Commander Bond," he said.
Then he turn away from the table and walked swiftly out of the room.
Comments
Roger Moore 1927-2017
Classic elements are overrated.
However so much of it is exactly what makes a good Bond Film special.
^ This.
It also depends on the type of person they are and what you think they like. Do they like gritty thrillers (in which case, they have no excuse for at least trying a Bond film), or overblown Hollywood actioners, or clever interpersonal films?
If I were to go back in time and impress me, I'd look for something as well shot and with a great soundtrack. Something with some level of intellectual stimulation, but grounded and taut: From Russia With Love.
In truth though, you can't go far wrong with Craig's Casino Royale
Face it. All the Bond films are basically crap.
Roger Moore 1927-2017
Agreed that when looked at as a whole there are very few complete gems. FRWL stands out. As a fan I love them for their faults and many have scenes and elements that outweigh the slip ups and lapses in Judgement. CR is also one of the most coherent and consistent. The only proviso is that DC although very good here is a deviation from the majority of incarnations in terms of look of what had preceded him.
Roger Moore 1927-2017
Failing that - Goldeneye would be a very good choice.
http://apbateman.com
Why would I be here if they were any good ... I wouldn't be able to drag myself from their perfection!
If your not a Bond fan from the start then I would say it rules out basically the whole Roger Moore films. I mean cheesy camp humour, over the top stunts, pulling birds that are a third his age lol. Even the Moore classics such as The Spy Who Loved Me would come across as cheesy, especially the lair and villain. Us Bond fans prob look ridiculous from the outside
Daltons films maybe worth a shot though some parts look dated also and the films can be slow moving forward, could bore him a little.
Brosnan - hmm Goldeneye would prob be the only option!
I honestly think your best bet is to go for Casino Royale as it will be easy for him to watch since he is used to modern films (regardless how people view Craig as Bond it will always be a classic Bond film down the years due to the fantastic script/plot and great ruthless DC).
Either that go straight into the deep end for a Classic Connery Bond movie with all the elements of Bond such as the cars, villains, birds and gadgets. In this case I would go for Goldfinger, not too serious but has everything!
Personally I would start with Casino Royale (it is the first Bond story anyhow) and if he enjoys that then maybe introduce him to how it all started with the Connery classics such as Dr No, From Russia With Love, Thunderball or Goldfinger.
Once you get him hooked on a relevant one, he will both want to see Skyfall in theaters and will be more receptive to seeing Brosnan and then maybe the occasionally Connery. I think Casino Royale is the easiest place to start because it doesn't show age yet.
Otherwise, I'd go for a Brosnan film.
Especially like you say getting into the latest films one after another would be an option.
But since it's newer movies he likes I would suggest TWINE. A unsuspecting Villain (Electra), a crazy henchman (Renard) and good plot. Some cool action sequences to.
I'm seeing quite a lot of CR, GE, TWINE and even TLD. Thanks these are great suggestion from this era. As for some of the older ones, I know it's a shame I can't start there but I'll try to get around to showing him them after (perhaps in glorious BluRay to distract him from their age :P ). And although I'd love to show him OHMSS as zaphod said, I feel it's a bit of a dark horse. Great standalone film, but within the Bond series (considering the majority around it) a bit strange, especially if you're coming into it. We Bond fans truly appreciate it because of it's accuracy to the novel and that element would be lost on my friend.
Yeah I know he should have seen one by now, and he has seen bits (the closest I ever got was snippets of DAD I think it was - no wonder he never came back :P ) but that was a lifetime ago it would seem. He is interested, I should have explained. I hate to cram things down peoples throats, including my interest in Bond, so I guess I never attempted to get him into it back in the day. I would make reference, he would play along from what he knew about the series (the cliche sorta stuff lol) and it worked somehow. We were talking recently and he said "you know, I wouldn't mind actually seeing a Bond film one day". My mouth watered at this subtle hint and here we are. So he is interested more or less, I won't be binding him to a wicker chair and forcing him to watch.
I'm gonna have to consider these options, he's down south with family and gets back in about a week, so I've got some time. -{
Thanks man, you have an interesting reply. Love the analysis. Greatly appreciated.
lol
"I should spend the money quickly, Commander Bond," he said.
Then he turn away from the table and walked swiftly out of the room.
Casino Royale has been mentioned, and that would be good. goldeneye, TLD, but as mentioned a bit slow moving. Twine, or maybe even FYEO, I know a bit old, but that one is a personal fav, and I know a guy who sounds like your guy, who enjoyed it.
-Casino Royale, Ian Fleming
I guess the daunting thing about this, despite it being my best friend's first real impressions of 007 of course, is having to weigh up and scrutinise elements in all the films that I'm so accustomed to so that they don't appear odd or tarnishing to fresh eyes. I remember I showed him a well cut fan-trailer for TMWTGG with some intense Bond music and he got a completely different idea of the film suggesting that a gritty, adrenaline-pumped showdown between Bond and 'the Man with the Golden Gun' is what it seemed to be aiming for. Imagine if I showed him. I think any way I end up going with this his overall reaction will be quite interesting.
"I should spend the money quickly, Commander Bond," he said.
Then he turn away from the table and walked swiftly out of the room.
I like the bond films and books but wouldnt consider myself a "mega fan" like most on this site. I have a few Bond films in my collection but not all of them as I consider myself a Film fan first and a bond fan second and there is no way i could bring myself to spend money on likes of Moonraker (its precence alone in my collection would make the other films throw up!).
Anyhow back to the point. My wife had only seen bits of Bond films until recently when we sat down and watched Casino Royale which she loved!! Once I told her there was a sequal of sorts she couldnt wait to see QOS which she also liked. From there I decided on Thunderball as although its old, it doesnt look it. She enjoyed that one too so i think we are moving onto LALD next. She even asked why CR and QOS had no gadgets!
That is a good order. Thunderball is fantastic of the classics. If he is really opposed then just go with more recent Brosnan, but Thunderball is an excellent Connery choice.
I agree, great location and THOSE DAMN WOMEN!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aT8lJEgEuTk
8-)
EDIT: Beware, this video contains bad language.
Roger Moore 1927-2017
-Casino Royale, Ian Fleming
lol I love that song.
As for my decision, I'm not 100% and I still have time before he gets back into town next week, but I think you're right. I'm starting to lean towards Casino Royale. It seems to be one of the most agreed upon suggestions and Vandrell, I think your story about showing your wife is good proof of this method. Again, it's not definite but I think I'll go CR, QoS and if those interest him (I don't wanna blitz him with Bond if it doesn't interest him - I think it might though
"I should spend the money quickly, Commander Bond," he said.
Then he turn away from the table and walked swiftly out of the room.
In my film class, the teacher asked who hadn't ever seen Star Wars. He was shocked by how many and changed the curriculum so that we could watch Star Wars instead of Jaws. I'm beginning to think he should have asked about Bond, too!
Yeah I know it's shameful lol. If nothing else at least he'll be educated by the experience.
And I feel dirty for saying this but I don't know if Goldfinger or From Russia With Love will have enough 'pull' to get him into it for his first time (forgive me for saying such a thing). But you're right, they're quality Bond films and should be considered. Any excuse to whip out the DVDs.
That'd make my job a lot easier.
And can I just say, being new here, you guys have been a great help and even if my best mate doesn't get into Bond like I do, at least I've found a fantastic place to Bond-out every now and then. -{
"I should spend the money quickly, Commander Bond," he said.
Then he turn away from the table and walked swiftly out of the room.
I joined ajb during the making of DAD, still here, never torn myself away.
Roger Moore 1927-2017