'Dr. No' - High-Def Digest Review

[Attebery]

Josh has reviewed 'Dr. No.' He says the movie remains an entertaining start to the legendary series. This Blu-ray has incredible video and excellent bonus features. Highly recommended.

Full review here:
http://bluray.highdefdigest.com/1581/drno.html

[FourToedStatue]

I did not know about the DR. No laser disc commentary. What was said that caused it to be recalled?

[Josh Z]

Originally Posted by JackBauer24

I did not know about the DR. No laser disc commentary. What was said that caused it to be recalled?

It's been a long time since I listened to the Criterion commentaries. All things considered, they're pretty tame. There is no single moment when you'd say, "Oh my god, I can't believe he just said that!" or anything.

Criterion released the first three Bond films. Between the three, there were a lot of politically incorrect comments about the Jamaican locals, about the supporting actresses, and about Sean Connery's off-camera womanizing (which was reportedly just as aggressive as Bond on-camera). More to the point were several remarks about Harry Saltzman being a tremendous pain in the ass to work with, which I believe upset him greatly (true to form) and led to the demands that Criterion recall the discs.

[utl768]

having never seen a james bond film before these blu ray releases i thought this movie was terrible luckily from russia with love and thunderball saved me from giving up on the franchise tho

[ModernTenshi04]

Are you kidding me? Dr. No was essentially like Casino Royale in the way it presents everything.

And while Thunderball was good, and I'd only seen bits of it before I picked it up on Blu, I knew where things were going after the intro. Kick ass fight, but then he runs out onto the terrace, and there's a fucking jet pack waiting for him? The fuck kind of shit is this?!

[ben1080p]

It was somewhat of a Bore..I always thought From Russia With Love to be the true start of the franchise.

[resevilfan86]

Good review. Can't wait to hear about the other Bond titles that have yet to be reviewed.

[Josh Z]

Originally Posted by ModernTenshi04

And while Thunderball was good, and I'd only seen bits of it before I picked it up on Blu, I knew where things were going after the intro. Kick ass fight, but then he runs out onto the terrace, and there's a fucking jet pack waiting for him? The fuck kind of shit is this?!

Bond planted the jet pack there in advance so that he'd have an escape route after he killed the target.

[project-blu]

Originally Posted by Josh Z

It's been a long time since I listened to the Criterion commentaries. All things considered, they're pretty tame. There is no single moment when you'd say, "Oh my god, I can't believe he just said that!" or anything.

Criterion released the first three Bond films. Between the three, there were a lot of politically incorrect comments about the Jamaican locals, about the supporting actresses, and about Sean Connery's off-camera womanizing (which was reportedly just as aggressive as Bond on-camera). More to the point were several remarks about Harry Saltzman being a tremendous pain in the ass to work with, which I believe upset him greatly (true to form) and led to the demands that Criterion recall the discs.

...now i want to hear these tracks, dammit! no fair!

and great review. these bond flicks are tip-top, video wise, for certain

[Sarge in PA]

Great movie.
Great transfer.

[Godstar]

Josh, I'm kind of curious, why did they use a 1.66:1? Was that standard for theatres at the time? I like the first two Bonds alot, simply because it's one of the rare instances where Connery's rich Scottish accent really comes out.

Which he will do just as soon as he explains the whole diabolical plot to our hero. Unless, of course, Bond can stop him.

That part drove me nuts, I was thinking kill him already you idiot.' I don't know how Spectre can get these criminal geniuses in their organzation who always end up dying because they're ultimatley stupid. I don't know why they were so sad about losing him in From Russia with Love. I liked the part where they show why he uses a Walther PPK, I had forgotten about it till I watched the movie again.

[Super-VHS]

Originally Posted by Godstar

I'm kind of curious, why did they use a 1.66:1? Was that standard for theatres at the time?

1.66:1 was the theatrical ratio for Europe. In the US it was cropped and projected @ 1.85.

They elected to go with the original European framing for the blu-rays.

[Josh Z]

Originally Posted by Godstar

Josh, I'm kind of curious, why did they use a 1.66:1? Was that standard for theatres at the time?

As Super-VHS says, 1.66:1 was the European theatrical ratio.

That part drove me nuts, I was thinking kill him already you idiot.' I don't know how Spectre can get these criminal geniuses in their organzation who always end up dying because they're ultimatley stupid. I don't know why they were so sad about losing him in From Russia with Love.

You have to keep in mind that the "Talking Villain" wasn't really a cliche until the Bond movies made it one.

In terms of character, Dr. No is quite arrogant and wants to rub his (presumed) victory in Bond's face, which is why he takes the time to explain the full extent of his brilliant plan.

[project-blu]

yeah, honestly, that is one thing i didn't like, and don't like, about most Bonds. when a villain gets the drop on him, they never shoot. ever. even if they're SPECTRE (Klebb has Bond at gunpoint, and lets go of that opportunity).

just like how he's such a great marksman, and no one's bullets can ever hit him. it is what it is, though. it's action cliche.

[-zombie-]

Dr. No, Goldfinger, and Goldeneye are my favorite Bond films. I'll be watching Dr. No this weekend with even higher expectations than I already had after viewing For Your Eyes Only and From Russia With Love this past weekend.