SPECTRE Review Thread

[Todd Tomorrow]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

Actually, I was being sincere.

Honey Rider (Ursula Andress), P-ssy Galore (Honor Blackman), Judy Havelock (Carole Bouquet), Fiona Volpe (Luciana Paluzzi), and, especially, Teresa di Vicenzo (Diana Rigg), are the strongest examples. There's some outdated sexism, for sure, but even the most fluff Bond girls (mentioned by SymbioticFunction in a previous post) have been capable characters.

Honor Blackman and Diana Rigg were the two Connery era Bond girls who were strong characters and Daniella Bianchi had her one moment. Luciana Paluzzi played a villain, not a main Bond girl (those always were fun) and Ursula Andress is only in the Dr No for the last third and does't really get much to do apart from look great in a bikini. The rest of the Connery Bond girls and the early Roger Moore ones have little to do, are frequently not that bright and were mainly there to get saved and for decoration. The strong Bond girls really started with Barbara Bach in The Spy Who Loved Me, a Russian agent who was Bond's equal in every way. That's when "women's lib" made it's way into the Bond films and from then on the Bond girls became a lot more capable, with the odd throwback here and there.

I'm not sure how anybody could argue that the likes of Britt Ekland or Jill St John played capable characters. They got in the way of Bond more often than not and endangered him and themselves by their sheer stupidity.

[Xenia]

Obviously Britt Ekland's character wasn't a "capable" one, but I disagree that the strong Bond girls started with TSWLM.

Most of the Connery Bond girls were "strong female characters." As Great Owl said, there's some outdated sexism throughout, but they were complex, well written, and capable. Not all "capable" Bond girls have to be physically capable. They just have to be capable.

Although there have been the "bimbo Bond girls" in the series I think many people today have misconceptions that almost all of the early Bond girls fit that persona. They didn't. In fact, most of the earlier Bond girls were better written, and therefore "stronger," characters than their modern counterparts. Look at Jinx, she's a horrible character. Just because she can fight doesn't make her a "strong female character." She's clearly an idiot and spews some of the most idiotic dialogue I've ever heard. Christmas Jones is another. She's a horribly weak character but since she's a Nuclear Physicist she's a "strong female character." False. The Craig films have been a bit better at it (aside from killing off almost every Bond girl during this era). Vesper is taken from the book, and she was a great character then. Camille I hate but she's at least given a bit of development. Severine was superbly written but killed off way too quickly.

Sorry to ramble on like that. Obviously there is some sexism throughout the films of the 60's and 70's. I'm not denying it. What I am denying is the notion that many early Bond girls were weak or poor characters. They weren't - which is why they're some of my favorites. Honey Ryder, Tatiana, ***** Galore (still for 1964 the funniest thing ever), Domino Derval, Aki (Kissy not so much) from YOLT, Melina Havelock, Octopussy, Andrea Anders.... the list goes on

[BladeRunner2007]

http://www.sneakpeek.ca/2015/03/spec...a-seydoux.html

[ejm69]

Sorry, but I can't see anyone being the smartest, sexiest, or Frenchiest Bond girl over Eva Green.

[i007spectre]

I do love me some Eva Green.

[Wireduck1]

Originally Posted by Xenia

Sorry to ramble on like that. Obviously there is some sexism throughout the films of the 60's and 70's. I'm not denying it. What I am denying is the notion that many early Bond girls were weak or poor characters. They weren't - which is why they're some of my favorites. Honey Ryder, Tatiana, ***** Galore (still for 1964 the funniest thing ever), Domino Derval, Aki (Kissy not so much) from YOLT, Melina Havelock, Octopussy, Andrea Anders.... the list goes on

Sounds good, but who is this character Asterisk Galore? Wasn't he some kind of French cartoon character who fought Romans?

[Mandalorian]

Originally Posted by ejm69

Sorry, but I can't see anyone being the smartest, sexiest, or Frenchiest Bond girl over Eva Green.

Originally Posted by i007spectre

I do love me some Eva Green.

[Ben_UK]

Eva Green totally nailed it. Great casting and a great performance.

[spectre08]

frenchiest? now that's an adjective I can get behind

[Monterey Jack]

Originally Posted by Mandalorian

"I'm the money."

"Every penny of it."

[baheidstu]

Originally Posted by the great owl

actually, i was being sincere.

Honey rider (ursula andress), p-ssy galore (honor blackman), melina havelock (carole bouquet), fiona volpe (luciana paluzzi), and, especially, teresa di vicenzo (diana rigg), are the strongest examples. There's some outdated sexism, for sure, but even the most fluff bond girls (mentioned by symbioticfunction in a previous post) have been capable characters.

ftfy

[tigertron]

Originally Posted by ejm69

Sorry, but I can't see anyone being the smartest, sexiest, or Frenchiest Bond girl over Eva Green.

I can.

[Todd Tomorrow]

Originally Posted by Ben_UK

Eva Green totally nailed it. Great casting and a great performance.

Count me in with Team Green. She is my favourite Bond girl ever. A genuinely complex character played by a great actress (and of course stunningly beautiful).

That said, Lea Seydoux has the potential to be great too if they write her a good role.

[BladeRunner2007]

Originally Posted by Todd Tomorrow

Count me in with Team Green. She is my favourite Bond girl ever. A genuinely complex character played by a great actress (and of course stunningly beautiful).

That said, Lea Seydoux has the potential to be great too if they write her a good role.

100000000000000000000000% agreed

[Xenia]

Originally Posted by Monterey Jack

"I'm the money."

"Every penny of it."

Such a horrible two lines considering it's such a "serious" Bond film.

[Todd Tomorrow]

Originally Posted by Xenia

Such a horrible two lines considering it's such a "serious" Bond film.

I like that they kept some of the cheese. Bond wouldn't be Bond without some groan inducing one liners.

[BladeRunner2007]

Originally Posted by Todd Tomorrow

I like that they kept some of the cheese. Bond wouldn't be Bond without some groan inducing one liners.

This is classic Bond.

[Xenia]

Originally Posted by Todd Tomorrow

I like that they kept some of the cheese. Bond wouldn't be Bond without some groan inducing one liners.

It's the way they set it up there though. The earlier films' "cheesy" lines were, for the most part, set it up with a lot of wit and felt organic.

Purvis & Wade one-liners are always gratuitous.

Don't get me wrong, I like some of the humor and levity in Casino Royale but that was one that made me roll my eyes. That's coming from someone who smiles ear to ear at most of the one-liners and quips in the series (with several notable exceptions, of course).

[Darth Marcus]

Per the James Bond FB Page:

We are pleased to announce that Stephanie Sigman has joined the cast of SPECTRE as Estrella. The Mexican actress was the lead in the Academy Awards nominated Miss Bala (2011) and also starred in Norway’s submission for Best Film at this year’s Oscars®, Pioneer (2013). Her recent TV appearances include, The Bridge (2013) and Narcos (2015).

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by Darth Marcus

[Show spoiler]Per the James Bond FB Page: