Goldfinger had been such a success in its original release
that everyone and their dog went to see it. It literally kept theater chains
open 24/7, made the Bond series the cream of the crop, and the film even won an
Oscar, one of only three Bond films to do so. The creators were on top of the
world. Their next follow up had some serious potential. With just the right
amount of hard work, this could even best Goldfinger. What could possibly go
wr-OH, COME ON! You had to return to the SPECTRE storyline?!
Yep. Turns out Thunderball isn’t the anticipated follow up
it should be, serving as more of a disappointment to its predecessor.
Sean Connery returns to play James Bond for the fourth time,
sent on a mission to the Bahamas. He’s searching for two atomic bombs held ransom
by SPECTRE, who are demanding a large payment in diamonds, or else a major city
will be wiped off the face of the planet. With the help of the CIA’s Felix
Leiter, and new Bond girl Domino Vitali, Bond attempts to take down SPECTRE’s
number two, Emilio Largo.
I give kudos to this movie for attempting to try something
different with this series. A lot of focus is spent on underwater sequences,
which toy with us in their suspense. However, trying something different for
this film is both a blessing, and a curse. Some of the differences are creative
and thrilling, while other times it’s jumbled and weak. There are some really
great set pieces, but not so great ones as well.
And, of course, I have to address the elephant in the room.
I’ve never cared for the SPECTRE storyline. I think the baddies are BORING.
Coming off of the last movie with Auric Goldfinger, I can’t be the only one
disappointed by this. I guess Largo is not as bad as Dr. No or Rosa Klebb, and
he does give it some bounce, but that may be more to thank for the eye patch,
or the fact that he has pet killer sharks. As for the rest of the cast, I think
the talent is hit or miss here and there.
But, this movie still has some good qualities to it.
Connery’s good, if a bit redundant. The Bond girls here are good. The title
song performed by Tom Jones is incredible, and some of the early visual effects
shots in this movie still hold up very well. That jetpack bit is super good. In
the end, it just fails to become what it could have been, and should have been.
***1/2 / *****
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