“Mission accomplished!” - Ethan Hunt (2011, Ghost Protocol”).

Stephen & Paul continue their not-impossible mission of critiquing and ranking Tom Cruise’s ‘Mission : Impossible’ movies. The successful film series which has grossed over $4B USD at the global box office.

Movies 1 - 3 were discussed in the previous show. In this, the concluding episode:

- Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol (2011)

- Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation (2015)

- Mission Impossible: Fallout (2018)

- Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part One (2023)

Look out for movie information, box office grosses, critical and audience reception, budgets, facts and more. 

Which of the seven movies will be ranked top? Which do we wish never existed? Listen/Watch to find out.

Come back next month for our look at the two Timothy Dalton James Bond movies (The Living Daylights & License To Kill).

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“Sanchez - "Problem solver?"
Bond - "More of a problem eliminator." - License to Kill.”

Timothy Dalton took on the unenviable task of succeeding Roger Moore as James Bond in the mid-1980s. Moving away from the light-comedy of the Moore-years, Dalton’s take on the character returned Bond to his darker, literary roots nearly 20 years before Daniel Craig’s similar portrayal in Casino Royale (2006).

Dalton’s Bond tenure is hotly debated. Was he the right Bond, wrong time? Did he have the comedic chops to pull off the Bond quips? Is he underrated? Were you glad to see the back of him (for Pierce Brosnan)?

What is not in doubt is that he left the franchise under a cloud due to A/ License to Kill’s underperformance at the box office B/ Not getting a third movie due to behind-the-scenes legal issues.

With all that said, TTMF hosts Stephen & Paul (HUGE Bond fans) sat down to rewatch The Living Daylights (1987) and License to Kill (1989) to give their thoughts on them, and Dalton’s portrayal. They’ll also provide relevant movie information like box office grosses, critical and audience reception, budgets, facts and more. 

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“Bond: I am sorry for your loss.

Lucia: You knew my husband?

Bond: All too briefly.

Lucia: What do you do?

Bond: Life insurance.”

James Bond will return. And so have podcast hosts Stephen & Paul, plus their guests Paul & Davie Melon, for a deep dive into two hugely divisive Bond movies - ‘Spectre’ (2015) & ‘No Time To Die’ (2021).

Join the boys as they rewatch, critique and rank the 2 movies. They’ll also provide relevant movie information like box office grosses, critical and audience reception, budgets, facts and more. 

And stick around until the end when the guys rank all 5 of Daniel Craig’s Bond’s.

Come back next month for more espionage action as we start looking at the Mission Impossible movies.

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“Your mission, should you choose to accept it…”

In 1996, Paramount took a chance on Tom Cruise & his big screen version of the popular sixties TV show ‘Mission : Impossible’. A gamble that paid off handsomely to the tune of over $4B USD in global box office receipts.

Are all of the movies (7 to date) impossibly good? No (we’re looking at you M:I2). Are some better better than others? Yes. Do they get better as the series progresses? A topic worthy of debate. So…

Podcast hosts & M:I fans Stephen & Paul Nicholson accept the (not) impossible mission to rewatch, critique and rank all the movies, whilst also providing relevant movie information, box office grosses, critical and audience reception, budgets, facts and more. 

The movies covered in this episode are:

- Mission : Impossible (1996)

- Mission : Impossible 2 (2000)

- Mission : Impossible 3 (2006)

Come back next month for the concluding episode which looks at Ghost Protocol (2011), Rogue Nation (2015), Fallout (2018) & Dead Reckoning Part One (2023).

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"How could you get this so wrong?"

Summary

In this episode of Trimming The Movie Fat, host Stephen and his brother Paul discuss the 1967 film Casino Royale, an unofficial James Bond spoof.

They explore the film's convoluted plot, the involvement of multiple directors, and the overall poor reception from both critics and audiences. The conversation delves into the film's legacy, its impact on the Bond franchise, and how it compares to the official Bond movies, particularly the successful 2006 adaptation starring Daniel Craig.

The hosts share their thoughts on the film's music, performances, and the absurdity of its humor, ultimately concluding that the film is a forgettable entry in the Bond universe.

"It tries to be funny but it's not."

Chapters

00:58 Introduction to Casino Royale (1967)

01:23 Casino Royale Trailer

03:43 John Huston Interview

04:15 Casino Royale Facts

06:57 Initial Impressions and Reception

09:18 The Film's Structure and Humor

12:06 Legacy and Impact on the Bond Franchise

14:50 Final Thoughts and Comparisons to Other Bond Films

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"This film is a hot mess."

"It's a middle of the pack Bond movie."

Summary

In this episode of 'Trimming The Movie Fat', host Stephen & his guests discuss 'Diamonds Are Forever', Sean Connery's final official Bond film. They explore the film's plot, box office success, and initial impressions, while analyzing Connery's performance, the portrayal of Blofeld, and the representation of women in the film. The conversation also delves into the unique Las Vegas setting, memorable action sequences, the theme song, and the villains Wint & Kidd. The hosts conclude with their ratings and final thoughts on the film's place in the Bond franchise.

"It's a fun movie”

Chapters

00:35 Introduction to Diamonds Are Forever

05:08 Tale of the Tape: Diamonds Are Forever

07:15 First Impressions of the Film

09:38 Sean Connery's Performance

15:33 The Evolution of Bond's Style

17:48 Blofeld's Portrayal and Villainy

20:40 Women in Diamonds Are Forever

23:13 Las Vegas as a Bond Setting

24:00 Action Sequences and Highlights

26:23 Theme Song and Soundtrack

28:41 Wint and Kidd and Representation

31:38 Final Thoughts and Ratings

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"Connery just had enough"

Summary

In this episode of Trimming the Movie Fat, host Stephen and his guests Paul Melon and Paul Nicholson, delve into the 1967 James Bond 007 film 'You Only Live Twice,' exploring its plot, cultural representation, and the evolution of their opinions over time.

They discuss the film's iconic moments, memorable gadgets, and the impact of its soundtrack, while also reflecting on the portrayal of characters and the film's reception.

The conversation culminates in personal ratings and anticipation for future Bond discussions.

"It's one of my favourites"

Chapters

00:31 Introduction to You Only Live Twice

05:20 Plot Overview and Context

07:31 Initial Impressions and Changing Opinions

13:44 Cultural Representation and Cinematography

16:40 Humour and One-Liners

19:31 Villains and Bond Girls

23:24 Iconic Villain Hideouts

25:40 Gadgets and Their Appeal

27:33 Confusion in Plot Setup

28:42 Cultural Sensitivity in Bond

30:52 Music and Soundtrack Impact

36:13 Final Ratings and Franchise Discussion

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"It's a product of its time, isn't it?"

Summary

In this episode of 'Trimming the Movie Fat', host Stephen and his guests, the 2 Pauls, discuss the 1965 James Bond adventure 'Thunderball', exploring its plot, characters, and cultural significance.

They reflect on the film's humor, action scenes, and music, while also paying tribute to the late Gene Hackman. The conversation delves into the film's place within the Bond franchise, its reception during the Cold War era, and the portrayal of female characters.

The hosts share their rankings and thoughts on potential changes for a modern remake, ultimately agreeing on the film's entertainment value and its importance in the Bond series.

"The underwater scenes slow the film down."

Chapters

00:32 Introduction to Thunderball and Bond's Legacy

00:56 Thunderball Trailer

04:38 Tale of the Tape: Thunderball

06:54 Remembering Gene Hackman: A Tribute

08:54 First Impressions of Thunderball

12:50 Bond's Humor and Character Development

14:14 The Film's Pacing and Underwater Scenes

19:25 Ranking Thunderball Among Bond Films

21:16 Plot Relevance and Continuity Errors

23:41 Villains and Bond Girls: A Deeper Look

28:33 Memorable Action Scenes

32:55 The Power of Music in Bond Films

37:44 Modernizing Thunderball

39:16 Final Thoughts and Ratings

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"Rogue One draws deep on Star Wars mythology."

Summary

In this episode of Trimming The Movie Fat, host Stephen and guest Paul Melon delve into 'Rogue One: A Star Wars Story,' exploring its narrative, character arcs, visual effects, and musical score.

They discuss personal connections to the film, favorite scenes, and the emotional weight of the story, particularly its darker ending. The conversation also touches on how 'Rogue One' bridges the gap between the prequel and original trilogies, the portrayal of the Rebel Alliance, and the film's impact on the Star Wars franchise.

The hosts conclude with their ratings and thoughts on future Star Wars projects.

Chapters

01:19 Introduction to Rogue One

01:31 Trailer / Interview / Kermode Review

05:20 Tale of the Tape: Rogue One

07:37 Personal Connections and Initial Reactions

12:29 Character Arcs and Emotional Impact

21:28 The Rebel Alliance: Morality and Complexity

24:10 Visual Effects and CGI Innovations

27:50 Musical Score and Emotional Tone

30:40 Influence on the Star Wars Franchise

35:02 Final Thoughts and Ratings

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"I loved the ending."

Summary

In this episode, host Stephen and his guest Paul Melon delve into Christopher Nolan's final instalment of The Dark Knight trilogy, The Dark Knight Rises (2012).

They discuss the film's plot, character arcs, and the impact of Bane as a villain. The conversation explores Bruce Wayne's journey, Gotham's moral complexities, and the film's conclusion. They also touch on the score by Hans Zimmer and the role of Selina Kyle, ultimately rating the film and comparing it to its predecessors.

"I think it's far more realistic."

Chapters

00:00 Anne Hathaway Interview

00:49 Introduction to The Dark Knight Rises

01:19 The Dark Knight Rises Trailer (2012)

03:27 Christopher Nolan Interview (2012)

03:57 Mark Kermode Review The Dark Knight Rises (2012)

04:31 Tale of the Tape: The Dark Knight Rises

06:20 Initial Impressions and Expectations

08:13 Memorable Scenes and Character Dynamics

11:30 Bane as a Villain: Strengths and Weaknesses

14:55 Bruce Wayne's Journey: A Human Perspective

19:18 Gotham's Struggles: Moral Choices and Consequences

22:26 Political Parallels and Social Commentary

25:22 The Impact of Hans Zimmer's Score

27:58 Selina Kyle's Role and Contribution

31:32 Conclusion of the Trilogy: Fitting Endings

34:34 Final Ratings and Rankings

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