Im not sure why they did this, but its a very interesting mix.
So how does this 007 adventure stand the test of time?
But watching it again highlighted strange tonal inconstancies that Id previously not been so aware.
In fact that sequence is so heavily pastiche it actually makes Austin Powers a feather light satire in comparison.
From the grim demise of the Havelocks to the 2CV car chase.
Bond kills people for a living, but usually while theyre trying to kill him.
Had he done that wed have being saved from some of the worst excesses that came later.
In retrospect, maybe he should have stopped with this one.
Another slight anachronism is the music.
He keeps inserting what sounds like electro-pop jingles from an entirely different era.
That was cool, some of the rest arrives like an end-of-the-pier Hammond organ recital.
In performance terms its a mixed bag.
But he resists the temptation to sing or dance for once, thankfully.
For before-they-were-famous spotters, Charles Dance is one of the heavies in the alpine chase.
So how does this look on Blu-ray?
Very nice, in fact well beyond nice.
Where it really shines is in the location work, especially those sequences set in Greece and the Alps.
This discord is brought into fine focus by an underwater sequence where Bond and Melinda are in scuba gear.
But whatever the reason, the exceptional quality of this transfer has its downsides, Ive concluded.
In terms of the extras this shows the same dedication presented in the other Blu-ray Bond releases.
Its got no less than three commentaries, including one with just Sir Roger Moore giving his perspective.
Shame they couldnt convince Connery to be so forthcoming for his movies.
Movie:
Rating:
4 out of 5
