Search - Michel Legrand :: Never Say Never Again

James Bond Revisited

Terry R. Hiller | Seattle, WA | 12/01/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

""Never Say Never Again" was Sean Connery's last and perhaps best interpretation of James Bond-- older, wiser, a bit more wry and self deprecating, yet still an action hero and a man's man. A reworking of Connery's 1965 (has it really been THAT long?) "Thunderball," it explores Bond as an ageing spy having to prove himself in a world where he's regarded almost as a dinosaur.



Because the movie was not produced by EON and the Broccoli people, it received mixed and sometimes shrill reviews by the media and the fans, especially those who preferred the "formula" Bond with its well-worn stock of characters and known personalities.



All that changed with "Never" -- different actors, different attitudes and, yes, even a different(read "mature")007.This Bond was more vulnerable and accessible than previous (and most subsequent) episodes in the franchise, full of sly references to the past and the character's well-known personna. I found it a refreshing rethinking of who James Bond might grow up to be.



The soundtrack was also a refreshing departure, written by Michele Legrand rather than John Berry who, at eleven films, has almost a lock on the musical side of the franchise. Among Legrand's better known scores was the original "Thomas Crown Affair," so his reputation as a soundtrack composer is definitely secure. This score gets in the spirit of the film -- witty, sophisticated and subtle in keeping with the attitude of the film and its star's interpretation of his character. Gone is the swaggering brass, replaced by guitar, piano and strings, a far more intimate and human musical take on the Bond character.



I found the score a pleasant surprise, and the first Bond score I could actually remember anything more than the theme to. Yes, I love the Barry scores, but this musical interpretation, like the movie, is well worth the time and trouble to find. If you saw and liked the movie, by all means get the score!"

"It Certainly does need it"

E -Man | Panama | 08/04/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I was sitting down eating some lunch and a friend called and said he was watching one of the Connery Bond Films I asked which one? He said Never Say Never Again, I had never heard of it, so I found the DVD and bought it. I loved it, even lacking the classics, Connery pulled off a great film. I also noticed the music, but it did not contain the Bond theme(couldn't get the rights to it), I love the Bond Theme, and this was like listening to the Moonraker soundtrack, it just wasn't right. How ever it was an enjoyable CD, it would have been great if it just had the Bond theme. If you could stand listening to the Moonraker soundtrack(how ever playing the Bond theme alot in the film!), then by all means pick this up(if you can find the damn thing!), you might like it."