Roger Moore has died

[Kingu Kurimuzon]

Sir Roger Moore, James Bond actor, dies aged 89 - BBC News

Roger Moore, Actor Of James Bond Fame, Dies At 89 : The Two-Way : NPR

A View To A Kill is the first Bond film I saw, so Moore was as definitive to me as Connery was to many. Sometime his films verged on the cheesy side and overplayed the humor, but he deserves credit for bringing his own take to the role and I think he just as much influenced the Brosnan take on the role as Connery did--also led to the toning down of the comedy and casting of the best Bond, Dalton. He was often criticized for being a wooden actor, but when he wanted to, he could slay. Check out For Your Eyes Only, or the part in Moonraker after he climbs out of the centrifuge; he even turns in a decent performance in Octopussy, if a bit old for the role at that point. In the very least, he kept that franchise alive (whether that is good or bad is debatable.)



I'll drink a martini for my homey.

 

[Totenkindly]

oh bloody hell.

I mean, he was 89. So that's a pretty good long life.

But yeah, when I started watching Bond as a young teen, he was the first that really stuck with me and was the "Bond" that stuck in my head. Heck, I saw him on the Muppet Show. So yeah, definitive in his own way although as I aged, I grew to like other Bonds better.

Solitaire: Is there time before we leave for lesson number 3?

Bond: Of course. There’s no sense going out half-cocked.

 

[Kingu Kurimuzon]

oh bloody hell.

I mean, he was 89. So that's a pretty good long life.

But yeah, when I started watching Bond as a young teen, he was the first that really stuck with me and was the "Bond" that stuck in my head. Heck, I saw him on the Muppet Show. So yeah, definitive in his own way although as I aged, I grew to like other Bonds better.

My thoughts too. I knew he was probably close and maybe this is morbid but he's one of those people I "check on" every once in a while to see if they're still alive. I was reading a different article and saw a link with an iconic picture of him holding a gun...I knew before I even read the text below it.

He seems to be the definitive Bond for a lot of people who grew up in the 70s and 80s, whereas Connery was the definitive to our parents' generation and Brosnan I suppose is to younger millennials.

There was a certain aura to films like Moonraker that isn't in the other actors' films...campy, yet also a certain dreamlike quality...hard to explain. More than any other Bond actor, he seemed to have no problem poking fun at himself and never took himself too seriously, i.e. the Muppets appearance and role in Cannonball Run as an exaggerated version of 007.

 

[Lark]

Connary was the better Bond, better actor generally I'd say.

 

[Kingu Kurimuzon]

Connary was the better Bond, better actor generally I'd say.

I don't think there's much debate on that, most agree he defined the role (although I argue Dalton was the most accurate to the literary Bond and had he done another 2 films, would be more highly regarded today and not just considered a footnote or placeholder between Moore and Brosnan--Dalton is also a more versatile actor in non-007 roles than Connery, if you really want to get into that territory).

This comment seems kind or irrelevant and trollish; maybe an interesting topic for a separate thread with a poll on Best Bond Actor though.

 

[Totenkindly]

Yeah, Connery grew on me in my adulthood, and he was definitive for the Boomers. Of course, I've talked about my affinity for Craig before.

I am not into Brosnan at all; when he was selected, I basically tuned out for four movies.

Dalton was okay (2 movies), and Lazenby was not around long enough to really leave an impression.

outside of Craig's performances, I only own a few Bond movies (Goldfinger, On Her Majesty's Secret Service, and Moonraker). Moonraker also actually has a tense scene with the dog chase, it sets a precedent for Game of Thrones decades later. But yeah, I know what you mean.

I don't think there's much debate on that, most agree he defined the role (although I argue Dalton was the most accurate to the literary Bond and had he done another 2 films, would be more highly regarded today and not just considered a footnote or placeholder between Moore and Brosnan--Dalton is also a more versatile actor in non-007 roles than Connery, if you really want to get into that territory).

Yeah, definitely on Dalton, he's pretty well established out of all of them (and didn't he do theater too, Shakespeare and the like?)

This comment seems kind or irrelevant and trollish; maybe an interesting topic for a separate thread with a poll on Best Bond Actor though.

I can troll back and say, "How much can you like a guy whose name you cannot even spell?"

But yeah. I'd be surprised if we did not already have a thread of favorite Bond actor, I know we've discussed it before.

 

[Kingu Kurimuzon]

Yeah, Connery grew on me in my adulthood, and he was definitive for the Boomers. Of course, I've talked about my affinity for Craig before.

I am not into Brosnan at all; when he was selected, I basically tuned out for four movies.

Dalton was okay, and Lazenby was not around long enough to really leave an impression.

outside of Craig's performances, I only own a few Bond movies (Goldfinger, On Her Majesty's Secret Service, and Moonraker). Moonraker also actually has a tense scene with the dog chase, it sets a precedent for Game of Thrones decades later. But yeah, I know what you mean.

Moonraker's an odd duck of a movie. The first third or so feels like a really tense mystery film and that death by Dog scene is brutal (despite not actually showing it; it implies a cold and brutal death), then it goes off the rails around the Venice boat chase scene

 

[Population: 1]

Connery was of course the original but I too grew up with Moore as 007. I also remember watching him as the Saint on TV in reruns when I was a kid. And yes his Muppet Show appearance. I raise a martini, shaken, not stirred. Fare thee well on your final mission Sir Roger Moore.

 

[Totenkindly]

Moonraker's an odd duck of a movie. The first third or so feels like a really tense mystery film and that death by Dog scene is brutal (despite not actually showing it; it implies a cold and brutal death), then it goes off the rails around the Venice boat chase scene

That's what I really liked about the dog scene -- so restrained! It's all just implied, and it makes it even worse somehow.

I admit it, I have a soft spot in my heart for Jaws. I was a kid. he was campy but funny-cool. And then finding true love on the cable car. It's definitely not Craig-era serious Bond, it's so goofy, but it still makes me melt.

 

[Kingu Kurimuzon]

I guess the comparisons of Bond actors was inevitable

I like both Craig and Brosnan, I just think they made mostly mediocre films. Goldeneye and Casino Royale were pretty good. Spectre is OKAY--I'll grant it is a visually striking film. Die Another Day, like Moonraker, has a strong beginning, then goes off the rails into absurdity.

 

[Kingu Kurimuzon]

That's what I really liked about the dog scene -- so restrained! It's all just implied, and it makes it even worse somehow.

I admit it, I have a soft spot in my heart for Jaws. I was a kid. he was campy but funny-cool. And then finding true love on the cable car. It's definitely not Craig-era serious Bond, it's so goofy, but it still makes me melt.

I always feel a little bad for Jaws. When the baddie is announcing his ethnic cleansing plan, Jaws looks really pained when he realizes he and his girlfriend won't be part of the new world order.

 

[Kingu Kurimuzon]

Yeah, definitely on Dalton, he's pretty well established out of all of them (and didn't he do theater too, Shakespeare and the like?)

Yeah, he wasn't an unknown (well, kind of in the US) when they hired him like the other actors were. Wait, I guess Moore was already a TV star though. I dunno. And Brosnan too, so nevermind

Connery is a pretty good actor, but he still usually plays Connery in whatever role he's in. He's sort of like Bruce Willis in that regard.

I can troll back and say, "How much can you like a guy whose name you cannot even spell?"

But yeah. I'd be surprised if we did not already have a thread of favorite Bond actor, I know we've discussed it before.

it's never a tired topic for me

 

[Lord Lavender]

When I read this I actually shed a little tear as he has a special place in my heart as he was my first James Bond ever so to speak and I loved his movies . May he enjoy martinis and chasing after Bond Villains in heaven.

 

[Kingu Kurimuzon]

Speaking of the dog scene, pretty good music from John Barry during that part

 

[Kingu Kurimuzon]

When I read this I actually shed a little tear as he has a special place in my heart as he was my first James Bond ever so to speak and I loved his movies . May he enjoy martinis and chasing after Bond Villains in heaven.

It's actually kind of amazing all of the actors have survived to this point (minus Moore, obviously). I know Connery is getting up there in age and Lazenby probably isn't too far behind Connery.

Do you remember the first 007 film you saw, off the top of your head? People I speak to generally tend to hold a special place in their hearts for their first Bonds.

 

[Lord Lavender]

It's actually kind of amazing all of the actors have survived to this point (minus Moore, obviously). I know Connery is getting up there in age and Lazenby probably isn't too far behind Connery.

Do you remember the first 007 film you saw, off the top of your head? People I speak to generally tend to hold a special place in their hearts for their first Bonds.

Oh god dont get me talking on it . It was Let Live and Die and the moment I saw the intro I was hooked from start till end. I loved the music a lot at the start and I also hold Octopussy and Moonraker in my heart as well. Speaking of other bond actors I for some reason while Craig is good he just doesnt have that charm that I found from Moore and I like hte fact it wasnt super serious and that Moore didnt take himself seriously. Connery is also good and my 2nd fave after Moore as while he did posses his own charm he just didnt have the fun gimmiky side I seek to films.

Lazenby gets a bad rep but I think he wasnt given enough time to prove himself and i think he had potential as I found him to be a very classical spy yet with his own take to it. Dalton I havent watched much off and Pierce I am meh to.

 

[Kingu Kurimuzon]

Oh god dont get me talking on it . It was Let Live and Die and the moment I saw the intro I was hooked from start till end. I loved the music a lot at the start and I also hold Octopussy and Moonraker in my heart as well. Speaking of other bond actors I for some reason while Craig is good he just doesnt have that charm that I found from Moore and I like hte fact it wasnt super serious and that Moore didnt take himself seriously. Connery is also good and my 2nd fave after Moore as while he did posses his own charm he just didnt have the fun gimmiky side I seek to films.

Lazenby gets a bad rep but I think he wasnt given enough time to prove himself and i think he had potential as I found him to be a very classical spy yet with his own take to it. Dalton I havent watched much off and Pierce I am meh to.

That's how I feel about Lazenby. He probably would've grown into the role with more films. He barely had any prior acting experience but was very convincing in the fight scenes.

 

[Kingu Kurimuzon]

Moore's Bond was basically his Persuaders character with a license to kill

 

[Kingu Kurimuzon]

"Had no head for heights" (after kicking henchman's car off a cliff)

"He had to fly" (after sending Drax out an airlock)

Zorin: "You slept well?"
Bond: "A little restless, but I got off eventually" (after sleeping with Zorin's amazon henchwoman)

 

[Totenkindly]

I always feel a little bad for Jaws. When the baddie is announcing his ethnic cleansing plan, Jaws looks really pained when he realizes he and his girlfriend won't be part of the new world order.

Gosh, isn't it a shock when you realize that a personable megalomaniac with crazy hair who you've been supporting all this time doesn't actually have your back in his new reforged society?

Connery is a pretty good actor, but he still usually plays Connery in whatever role he's in. He's sort of like Bruce Willis in that regard.

Oh the Michael J Fox Syndrome.
Or Keanu Reeves Syndrome.
Or Arnold Swartzenegger Syndrome.

... anyway, yeah, some people can get away with that, if they are likable/charistmatic enough.

Oh god dont get me talking on it . It was Let Live and Die...

Yaphet Kotto
Plus the great theme song.

I also hold Octopussy

Shitty theme song.

and Moonraker

great theme song.

I don't expect Craig to have charm (and I got all charmed out by Brosnan and Moore... yeesh, let's show the guy is tough again plz). In the books Bond could be a thug at times, and that's the facet that Craig captures really well.

Lazenby gets a bad rep but I think he wasnt given enough time to prove himself and i think he had potential as I found him to be a very classical spy yet with his own take to it.

It's possible. I think he didn't want to get pigeonholed so he bailed expecting a lot of other offers, and his career fizzled. He jumped too early and should have taken a bit more time to establish/anchor himself. Alas.