I used to really dislike Thunderball, but watched it tonight trying to be more open-minded and really enjoyed it. I still find it flawed, but it's packed with some really great bits too.
Terence Young returns for one last engagement with Thunderball, his last word on the Bond universe, or if you will, his version of the Goldfinger model. While it has some excellent set pieces, everything seems to go on just a little bit too long, and the whole comes off as padded and indulgent (one of the two commentaries features interviews with the editor talking about how the producers made him extend the iconic underwater fight scene and other bits he would have lopped off for pacing reasons). It's not so bad when you watch a number of these back to back, mind you, because each location (including the teasers) become like shorter episodes, some related to a larger story, some not, though it means I can't always quite tell which bit was in which movie sometimes. Thunderball is clearly trying to top Goldfinger in every way and I can't say it doesn't succeed. It's just trying way too hard and forgets itself sometimes.
Fourth in the series. Watched the Blu Ray edition. Movie looks and sound better than ever. Connery is in top form, his best performance as Bond yet. Cast is very good, locations gorgeous and plenty of action. But still this remains my least favorite Sean Connery James Bond. Movie drags too much, some serious plot holes and continuity errors. Still great fun!!!!!
Not quite a joke - still has good solid plot elements and not too much emphasis on gadgets. Bond is ruthless as are many other characters in it. I love the moody, atmospheric score which works so well it bleeds into the visuals, like it's supposed to, really. I don't feel that way about too many films.
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Comments 1 - 10 of 10
alexbergmans
The underwater battle at the end is truly a sight to beholdchryzsh
So boringbadblokebob
I used to really dislike Thunderball, but watched it tonight trying to be more open-minded and really enjoyed it. I still find it flawed, but it's packed with some really great bits too.Siskoid
Terence Young returns for one last engagement with Thunderball, his last word on the Bond universe, or if you will, his version of the Goldfinger model. While it has some excellent set pieces, everything seems to go on just a little bit too long, and the whole comes off as padded and indulgent (one of the two commentaries features interviews with the editor talking about how the producers made him extend the iconic underwater fight scene and other bits he would have lopped off for pacing reasons). It's not so bad when you watch a number of these back to back, mind you, because each location (including the teasers) become like shorter episodes, some related to a larger story, some not, though it means I can't always quite tell which bit was in which movie sometimes. Thunderball is clearly trying to top Goldfinger in every way and I can't say it doesn't succeed. It's just trying way too hard and forgets itself sometimes.Adamov10
Boring! 4/10Earring72
Fourth in the series. Watched the Blu Ray edition. Movie looks and sound better than ever. Connery is in top form, his best performance as Bond yet. Cast is very good, locations gorgeous and plenty of action. But still this remains my least favorite Sean Connery James Bond. Movie drags too much, some serious plot holes and continuity errors. Still great fun!!!!!rowanda380
SPOILER. I just can't get over that they left that dude in the ocean to die at the end./SPOILER.aussieflickfan
Not quite a joke - still has good solid plot elements and not too much emphasis on gadgets. Bond is ruthless as are many other characters in it. I love the moody, atmospheric score which works so well it bleeds into the visuals, like it's supposed to, really. I don't feel that way about too many films.Dieguito
Very good Bond! Much more realistic than the newer ones.. Quite hard quest, but not impossible!Amuda
Fav Bond film ever!!!