“Never Say Never Again?” Actually, Please Say “NEVER AGAIN!“
Oh, what a tough review this is for me. Sean Connery as James Bond 007? Yes, yes yes!
OH WAIT: OH NO!
As a very young boy, my sisters took me to a second-run double bill of two James Bond films – both starring Sean Connery – and he has been my favorite 007 ever since!
For those following along, I am reviewing all of the James Bond films in order, beginning with “Dr. No” in 1962.
I recently reviewed the 13th official film in the Bond franchise – 1983’s “Octopussy”, and I explained that it was actually one of TWO movies starring the British Secret Agent with a “license to kill” released that year – because Sean Connery was back as Bond as well!
I just reviewed “Octopussy” and the link to that review is below – it was a smash hit – the 4th terrifically entertaining 007 film in a row starring Roger Moore, who was really in a groove…so how would Connery do returning to the role he abandoned 12 years earlier? And how was it possible for someone else to make a James Bond film?
The Origin Of “Never Say Never Again!”
So how was another movie studio able to make a film starring James Bond?
You see, Producer Kevin McClory had the rights to the original “Thunderball” story – that was the 4th Bond film from 1965 – and it was one of Connery’s best efforts, a great Bond film!
This is the ONLY James Bond film that McClory was involved in – he developed the story with Author Ian Fleming, and because of that McClory exercised his right to re-make “Thunderall” 17 years later, and he offered a ton of money to Connery to don the tuxedo again – hence the tongue in cheek title of the film, as Connery had walked away from eh role before!
007 has many of the same mannerisms, and they surrounded him with a strong supporting cast including Kim Basinger, Max Von Sydow and Barbara Carrera, but did we NEED a remake of “Thunderball?”
Watch the trailer – filled with so many warning signs:
Ouch. Something just feels “off “to be sure. As for the plot, it’s exactly the same as “Thunderball” – except they use the device that Bond is older – and under ongoing attack by his boss M – to try and drive tension: an aging Bond makes an uncharacteristic mistake during a routine training mission, leading M to believe that the legendary British Intelligence spy is past his prime. M indefinitely suspends Bond from active duty.
However, when SPECTRE member Fatima Bush (Barbara Carrera) and her fellow terrorists successfully steal two nuclear missiles from the U.S. military, M must reinstate Bond.
Now, the first off-putting thing about the film is that there is NO official Bond music used, and no traditional opening rifle scope following him across the screen – and it makes you realize this isn’t a “real” Bond film – and it’s also not helped at all by a lazy opening credits sequence with one of the worst “Bond themes” as well:
The film feels very “deja vu” as we’ve seen he story before, but it’s a joy to first see Sean Connery again in the role. There are fun moments to be had in the film, like when Bond is cleansing at the health spa – but in his room he has a suitcase filled with caviar, vodka and foie gras – and the best moment happens when the nurse, standing across the room, holds up a beaker and tells him he must give her a urine sample!
007 quips: “from here?”
He delivers the line with all of the confidence and “wink to the audience” that we always loved about Connery.
That’s the 007 I loved: Connery’s quips were effortless, something Roger Moore just wasn’t as adept at – and we get Rowan Atkinson, prior to become “Mr. Bean”, entertaining as an inept agent helping 007 in the Bahamas….there is also one fight sequence in the spa that is well done, but the pacing is slow, and Kim Basinger is just too young for the relationship they try to force upon us:
Kim Basinger doesn’t have much to do except be the bad guy’s girlfriend and fall for 007 – one of the least convincing “Bond Girls” ever…
The action sequences for the most part are serviceable, but after seeing Moore knock it out of the park again in “Octopussy”, this just felt unnecessary – for all of the charms of Sean Connery, it doesn’t have the “wrapping of Bond” and it’s noticeable…and a scene where they are in a casino and all of the rich people are playing video games is shameful product placement by Warner Brothers to plug Atari…and finally, the massive fight sequence underwater is very slow, nowhere near as exciting as what was in “Thunderball”.
It depressed me being so disappointed by this: I LOVE Sean Connery’s 007 – but while he seemed to be having fun, the overall tone of this was a money grab by all involved…especially after Roger Moore delivered a very entertaining Bond film earlier in the year – except it could have been James Brolin!
Yes, Brolin was going to be the new James Bond until Producers panicked over Connery’s renegade version, so they enticed Moore to come back for another outing!
See just how fun the “other” 007 film from 1983 was by reading my review here:
As I said, “Never Say Never Again” was a remake of “Thunderball” – a film that was top-notch Bond – and supposed to be the first one in the series! Click here for that story and my review:
Instead, “Dr. NO” was the birth of 007 – and no one was as immediately iconic in a movie role as Sean Connery – here is that review:
So as noted, Producer Kevin McClory held rights to the “Thunderball” story – and “Never Say Never Again” was the “remake” of a much better James Bond movie…but it wasn’t Connery’s first time lured back to the role…
Sean Connery left the series once before…see why he returned in 1971 as 007 – instead of Burt Reynolds!
Here’s that story:
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Categories: Action Films, British Cinema, Cult Movies, Film Fight Club, Movies, Pop Culture, Talent/Celebrities
johnrieber 
HI John, the films that you review less positively, are always the ones I can’t remember anything about which supports your lessor review.
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Robbie, there are always a few passionate defenders of the “lesser” Bond films and that makes this kind of fun!
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👍
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I enjoyed your review, John, and feel much the same way. While Connery will always be my favorite Bond, this Thunderball remake was not the best.
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Not sure if my post went through, hope you can join….
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I did get that and have started to research to look for something a bit “off the beaten path” for him…met him once at his mid-Wilshire office and he had a Butler in full uniform serve us drinks from a silver tray!
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Wow that sounds an amazing experience – do add that to your post. Love to know more – unless you are sworn to secrecy!
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Will do with more detail!
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If you want to make that your post for the blogathon, I would be happy to add this sterling claim to fame…
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Yes, just requested “Mr. Mom” for his sterling EP work!
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Just got that, remember to add your claim to fame – unless that’s a separate post. Your call.
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I’m going to add it, as it ties into him doing EP work on a lot of projects – and that’s what I was meeting with him about!
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Excellent – so shall I add you with Mr Mom and Meeting Mr Spelling?
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Yes perfect!
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Looking forward to this post – coincidentally watching Teri Garr in a movie atm! How bizarre is that…
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I didn’t bother to watch this, John. I felt it shouldn’t have been made, to be honest. Shared on Twitter for you.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Pete, thanks as always for sharing…while Connery was a pleasure to watch, the films was slow and frustrating!
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yes, he missed the mark on this one, and didn’t hit the sweet spot. always good to bow out when you’re still on top of your game. bond knows that.
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Great point the character would have! Thanks for reading!
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I’m curious: if you could choose any actor, past or present, to play James Bond, who would you pick?
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Thanks for the great question! In my previous rev news I have pointed out that both Burt Reynolds and James Brolin were close to taking over…don’t think either were what the role needs. Idris Elba was mentioned but that time has passed…he would have been perfect at one time: cool as a cucumber with the edge needed – and possibly Michael Caine at the point he went from down and dirty to suave and sophisticated in his acting roles because you need a bit of both and CONFIDENCE that exudes from the screen. My biggest complaint with Daniel Craig is that he is SO dour! Pierce Brosnan had it perfect, they just got him too late to give him a run…oops those reviews beginning soon!
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I agree…Connery should have past on this one. chuq
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You nailed it. I didn’t know all the details, but it always came across to me as a money grab. I’ve always loved Sean Connery but the whole movie felt lazy to me. Kind of sad. Josh Brolin as a bond . . . I can’t even imagine that. I’ve liked him in some roles, but that I think that one might have killed the whole series. Ha, ha.
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Great point..the perfect blend os slight menace and suave coolness is key and that’s tough mix to nail.
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Suave and coolness — yes, once you get past Moore, I’m definitely interested in your perspective on Dalton (a short history) and then Brosnan and Craig!
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One more idea for you … for your final piece in the series you should do one on all the actors who’ve been rumored to be up for 007 and who you think should be the next bond. Just an idea 💡
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That is indeed a great one because I do keep uncovering casting stories that are fascinating – appreciate it!
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