New Review Posted: From Russia with Love

Daniel Weissenberger · 02-22-2006, 11:50 PM

I played From Russia with Love recently, and was not disappointed by what I found:

"So long as they're framed as action adventures, there's never going to be a game that captures the spirit of the James Bond franchise. Mostly this is because when it comes right down to it, a Bond movie isn't about the action or the explosions, or the cars (well, it's a little about the cars)—it's about the way all of those elements combine to create a very specific feel. James Bond is effortlessly cool. Methodically gunning down hundreds of repetitive enemies? Less so."

I really did like it though, as you'll see here.

Hypatia93 · 02-23-2006, 12:09 PM

Oh Daniel, how dismaying. Besides the two HUGE integral parts of the film you mentioned that were taken out of the game, I'd also heard the train sequence was taken out. Please aleviate my fears, and tell me that's not true too.

Oh, and about your beginning paragraph: Bond movies are all about the dames (and a wee bit about the cars). But you forgot the women. Are you gay? Just asking, s'okay, you know.

Daniel Weissenberger · 02-23-2006, 02:41 PM

Sorry, not gay. Although I am clearly Canadian, as I apparently felt the need to apologize for not being gay

There was originally going to be a section in the review about the bond girls, especially the tacked-on new ones, but at that point the review was pushing the six-page mark, and a lot had to go. I in no way meant to insinuate that the Bond Girls weren't instrumental to the success of the series.

Except for Halle Berry.

David Stone · 02-23-2006, 03:07 PM

TOTALLY OT:

Her boobs were seriously overrated. I was taken to see "Swordfish" because my (now former) buddy said, "OMG you get to see Halle Berry's breasts in this movie!" and I asked "Who is Halle Berry?"

Most disappointing lead in to a movie ever, though receiving oral sex while trying to crack code still ranks as one of the top geeky wet dreams of all time.

Hypatia93 · 02-23-2006, 03:30 PM

That's b/c Halle Berry is NOT a Bond grrl. No way, no how. Bond grrl's don't get that length of time in a Bond film. Nope. She was something else. And personally I do appreciate her assets, and her acting skills even.

But it's okay your not gay; some of my best friends aren't even queer. Boo-yah! I'm still on a roll!

David Stone · 02-23-2006, 03:36 PM

She was supposed to get her own spinoff series of movies, and they were gauging adience reaction. Evidently, it wasn't very high.

technomancy · 02-23-2006, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hypatia93

That's b/c Halle Berry is NOT a Bond grrl. No way, no how. Bond grrl's don't get that length of time in a Bond film. Nope. She was something else. And personally I do appreciate her assets, and her acting skills even.

Rosamund Pike was the far better female character in "Die Another Day" and Michelle Yeoh was the best Bond girl of them all, but that's for another discussion.

QXZ · 02-23-2006, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Hypatia93 wrote:
...Oh, and about your beginning paragraph: Bond movies are all about the dames (and a wee bit about the cars). But you forgot the women.

You dare neglect the almighty Q?! BLASPHEMER!

Sure, Bond Babes (TM) are a staple, but the modern girls are disposable. But Q's concocted contraptions make for the most entertaining Bond moments.

Vince · 02-23-2006, 10:14 PM

"Oh Bond, why don't you take my whirly-gig for a ride over a smoking volcano and tell us what you see."

"By the way, if you happen to get caught in a repeating sequence of over-used stock helicopter footage, you can launch a rocket to escape by blowing up the projector."

I love Bond and ALL of its cheesy moments

*More OT, I'd like a BJ while playing vg. I think it would be cooler than while coding, only because coding is work and its difficult enough to stick to it for 8 hours a day. There's (one of) this geek's fantasy . . .

Hypatia93 · 02-24-2006, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vince

*More OT, I'd like a BJ while playing vg. I think it would be cooler than while coding, only because coding is work and its difficult enough to stick to it for 8 hours a day. There's (one of) this geek's fantasy . . .

Maybe.. /maybe/.. while a person was ts'ing. Is that you mean?

QXZ -- While Q is indeed fabulous in the movies, he is not at all part of what was taken from Ian Fleming's novels. The grrls and the cars (to a wee extent), yes. Oh, and John Cleese has done a magnificent job taking up the mantle.

About the Bond grrls: Techo, I have no idea of whom you're talking. I really stepped off the Bond track after Roger Moore. When they said in the 80s (b/c of the AIDS scare) that Bond needed to be monogamous, I thought it was yet another sign of the Apocalypse and simply stopped caring about them. So really I haven't paid attention since.

As for me, Jane Seymour, hands-down, is THE BEST BOND GRRL EVAR!!!

(You all must know I've had a huge crush on her for a long time, and personally, I don't even consider that she ever did Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman -- never saw, never will -- the Mercy Factor (TM) ate it for me.

)

QXZ · 02-24-2006, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Hypatia93 wrote:
QXZ -- While Q is indeed fabulous in the movies, he is not at all part of what was taken from Ian Fleming's novels. The grrls and the cars (to a wee extent), yes.

Q is only screen filler?

I was not aware of that (I've never read the novels).

But you all have to admit: As filler, Q is some of the best damn filler you can find.

Quote:

Oh, and John Cleese has done a magnificent job taking up the mantle.

No argument here.

EnduroGamer · 02-24-2006, 07:16 PM

Oddly enough, I went to one of the shopping centers I frequent every now and then and they have a "european deli" opening up next month. What's it called?

"From Russia With Love"

No kidding.

Hypatia93 · 02-27-2006, 12:20 PM

Now hold on a bit there, QXZ, where did I say Q was "filler"? Nowhere. *harumph* I simply said he wasn't in Fleming's original works. There's a HUGE difference there, big guy. Bond wasn't a gadget man in the books. He was simply different. If he didn't use gadgets; he didn't need a gadgetnator. Got it? So don't get your bundies in an undle.

"From Russia With Love," The Deli. Christ, even delicatessens can't find original names; how're we supposed to expect Hollywood to come up with original IP.

You know, of course, a new "The Hills Have Eyes" will be out soon." I remember that one scarring the bejesus outta me.

QXZ · 02-27-2006, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Hypatia93 wrote:
Now hold on a bit there, QXZ, where did I say Q was "filler"? Nowhere. *harumph* I simply said he wasn't in Fleming's original works. There's a HUGE difference there, big guy. Bond wasn't a gadget man in the books. He was simply different. If he didn't use gadgets; he didn't need a gadgetnator. Got it? So don't get your bundies in an undle.

OK -- you got it.