Plot: What’s it about?
James Bond (Sean Connery) has been through a lot of close calls, but even he needs down time now and then. After he took down one of SPECTRE’s prime agents, he has to take some time off to build his strength back up. He was able to bring down his target and escape with his life, but the road to do so was quite rough. But his relaxation time is brief and soon enough, Bond is back in action and the fate of the world lies in his hands. Not one, but two atomic bombs have been stolen and those in possession of the weapons intend to hold the world for ransom. If the world’s leaders don’t hand over hundreds of millions of dollars, the threat of global destruction looms. Bond investigates and his path leads him to the beautiful Domino (Claudine Auger), who happens to be the arm candy of Emilio Largo (Adolfo Celi), one of SPECTRE’s high ranking officials. Can Bond manage to defeat SPECTRE once again, or will the world have to ante up to ensure the population remains safe?
I was thrilled when Thunderball was announced in the first wave of James Bond films to hit Blu-ray, as it is hands down my personal favorite of the series. This movie is what Bond is all about, a lavish tour de force of beautiful women, exotic cars, stunt set pieces, and of course, Sean Connery. I do think the film’s critics are right in that it seems too busy at times and spends too much time underwater, but Thunderball is still a blast. The film runs over two hours, but never slows down or fails to maintain interest, there is always something to keep you glued to the screen. Connery is awesome as usual, while Luciana Paluzzi’s femme fatale and Claudine Auger’s unbelievable good looks ensure the Bond girl quotient is achieved. The action is brisk and while over the top, still within the range of what 007 should be capable of. Thunderball is simply a great movie that remains great fun and one of Bon’d most memorable adventures. This Blu-ray disc exceeds all expectations and delivers a presentation that fans will be thrilled with, so you can lose those antique DVDs without hesitation.
Video: How does it look?
is presented in 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen. I hoped for the best with this transfer and MGM has delivered, as this is a masterful visual presentation. I knew the movie would look good, but the restoration work done has yielded an image that surpassed all of my expectations. The print looks clean, with the inherent grain intact and a pleasant film-like texture, which is great news. I was floored by the detail and depth at times, as I never expected this level of subtle visible detail. I noticed so many small touches that I had never seen before, which is impressive. The colors are bright and bold, while contrast is dead on and never disappoints. This is a dynamic, impressive transfer that should thrill fans to no end.
Audio: How does it sound?
This DTS HD 5.1 option is impressive, adding some welcome depth to the audio, but not at the expense of a natural overall presence. The surrounds are used often, to enhance both action driven scenes and more reserved ones. So the explosions sound loud, chases come to life, and atmospheric touches abound. This helps draw us into the movie’s world and adds a lot to the experience, so the mix succeeds there. The music sounds quite good also, while dialogue is rich and clear at all times. This disc also includes the original mono soundtrack, French and Spanish language tracks, and subtitles in English and Spanish.
Supplements: What are the extras?
This DTS HD 5.1 option is impressive, adding some welcome depth to the audio, but not at the expense of a natural overall presence. The surrounds are used often, to enhance both action driven scenes and more reserved ones. So the explosions sound loud, chases come to life, and atmospheric touches abound. This helps draw us into the movie’s world and adds a lot to the experience, so the mix succeeds there. The music sounds quite good also, while dialogue is rich and clear at all times. This disc also includes the original mono soundtrack, French and Spanish language tracks, and subtitles in English and Spanish.
