From IMDb: In 1965 producer Kevin McLory -who owns a part of the Bond cinematic rights- associate with EON Productions (Harry Saltzman and Albert Broccoli) for making "Thunderball", the fourth film of the 007 franchise. The star is Sean Connery, of course. In 1982 McLory wins a legal battle and can produce an "independent" Bond film. "Never say never again" (NSNA) is one of the two "unofficial" 007 films made outside EON (the other is the 1967 comedy spoof "Casino Royale"). NSNA is a remake of "Thunderball" and stars the original Bond, Sean Connery -who comes back to the role after many years of absence. The film is released some months after "Octopussy" with Roger Moore, the 13th episode of the EON series. At the time press calls it "War of the Bonds"... Both films are a big success in 1983, even if "Octopussy" earns more money at the box office. NSNA is a luxurious film made by excellent technicians -director Irvin Kershner who led "The Empire strikes back", Douglas Slocombe -cinematographer of "Raiders of the lost Ark"-, and screenwriter Lorenzo Semple Jr -who wrote "The three days of the Condor"- among others... The cast is excellent with Connery, a then relatively unknown Kim Basinger, Barbara Carrera, Klaus Maria Brandauer, Max Von Sydow, Edward Fox... Although all that the film remains inferior to the original "Thunderball". It lacks many fundamental ingredients for being a real Bond movie: there's not the traditional gun barrel sequence, there's not the "James Bond theme", M and Q are not played by the traditional actors... It's a copyright reason: EON only is allowed to use these elements. Briefly, NSNA lacks the classic cinematic 007 atmosphere. On the other hand the film is exciting and enjoyable. Brandauer is a very good villain and the women (Basinger and Carrera) are sensual and gorgeous. But the main highlight is Sean Connery! He's once again wonderful in the role, he's older but looks fitter and nicer here than in "Diamonds are forever", his last performance in the role of the British super-spy before NSNA.

This review boils down to just how much Siskel and Ebert were such fan boys of Connery.

If forced to compare, by virtue of it's big "splashy" underwater battle, Barry's music, and Connery being in his prime, I would have to give "Thunderball" the edge. However, "Never Say Never Again" is still a pretty good Bond movie thanks to some good action sequences (directed by Irvin Kershner no less!), a welcome absence of the silly puns so often featured in the "official" Bond movies, and a surprising frankness to some of the sexuality than we're accustomed to seeing in this series. Also, a fair bit of humour is mined from the fact that Connery is a bit long in the tooth at this point and I find that admirable and endearing.

This is a good film. What I like the most about it is they outright let people know that Bond is getting older. He’s not pretending to be in his 30’s like Roger Moore. He uses his experience and age as an asset. I saw it in the theater when in first came out as a teenager and I liked it a lot.

Nice edit! Everything is crisp and clear and well cut! Sethflix should work with you. His full re-cut is good. I really enjoyed this Siskel & Ebert review update a lot! Well done!

The people picked their favorite bond that year. It was Moore versus Connery: head to head.

I've always liked this movie... Not perfect, but very entertaining.

nice to actually hear Siskel and Ebert doing the commentary for this excellent film

I think their love for Connery had blinded them. There were plenty of average Connery Bond films (FRWL and Goldfinger were the only masterpieces imo) and great post Connery Bond films eg For Your Eyes Only, Goldeneye, OHMSS, etc. I think each Bond actor brought something new to the table. Sadly, Siskel didn't live to see the Craig films.

1983 the year of the double Bond movie's. Octopussy and Never Say Never Again. I have say out of the two I like this one better. Octopussy was more sillier. But it's not bad james bond movie octopussy it's just a little less serious then some of other Bond pictures. This Bond movie is not perfect, but it had two very sexy Bond woman Kim Basinger and Barbara Carrera and some great action scenes. And of course Sean Connery who I'm big fan of. Well direct it. Great cinema photography. Good story and enjoyed very much.

Each Bond actor brought something different to their films. Connery was right when he said “It’s not a matter of who is better (as Bond) but of appetite”. I enjoyed Roger Moore and all the actors .

A severely underrated Bond film (probably the most underrated ever). Its always so great to hear Siskel and Ebert geeking about it.

"Never Say Never Again." Never Again! James Bond's Grandpa. With an adult diaper, walker, and catheter!😂😂😂

Siskel could never stop hating on Roger Moore. It got silly and needless. But then Siskel never showed any objectivity.

I disagree with Gene in terms of his love of this film, but obviously, if you grew up with Connery, anything with him in it is going to be instantly better than something without him. And I share his appreciation for the original 007 but I'm also a fan of Robin Williams, and while he was in some fantastic films and was a great actor, he was in some really bad movies, too. And while there are some things I like about this, I can't say it's a good movie overall. It was dated 3 years before the film was released in most ways, except for the goofy video game fight. I did like Max Von Sydow as Blofeld, though. He's probably the best where we've seen his face, though Telly Savalas was cool.

One of the many factors this review completely overlooks is that Connery's performance here is notably gentler and more gentlemanly than in his official incarnation. It's obvious in the intervening years that he was influenced by Roger Moore's interpretation.

I've only arts of this one. RIP Sean Connery.

Forgot to mention Kim Basinger and Rowan Atkinson. Also dig the music. Hás a cool 1980s vibe. The kind of music a romantic couple would play while making love

I enjoyed this film more then Thunderball. Sean Connery is still great as 007 and really admire watching Barbara Carrera. She's a babe. I wish Steven Spielberg directed this movie since he is a master at filming dangerous sharks underwater

So Gene gave thumbs up to Never Say Never Again but thumbs down to Apocalypse Now.

The film is not very good but Klaus Maria Brandauer was a phenomenal villain.

I think that people dismiss this movie because it isn't canon and exists because of a legal dispute but I personally like this movie more than the film and novel it is a remake of "Thunderball" as that movie despite being iconic and having many great elements that became tropes of the franchise has a boring and over drawn out 3rd act with all the underwater fighting and NSNA has a overall better cast for the principals with Carrera, Bassinger, Casey, Brandauer and Von Sydow. The argument about the missing Eon elements McClory couldn't incorporate is pointless, Kershner did a good job with the direction and the age quips are hilarious. The film isn't without its issues but I think it is highly underrated and enjoyable.

‘You wouldn’t cast another actor as John Wayne in a John Ford western.’ Alright, John Wayne might of played himself, but none of the characters he played were called John Wayne. Like James Bond is played by Connery. Did Siskel think that the Bond series should of ended when Connery left?

1983: Octopussy vs Never Say Never!!! Supposedly Pam Grier was wanted for Octopussy. I like Never Say Never Again, although it’s not quite terrific. I like Octpussy too.

If the left hand controls the missiles and the right the shields ,how do you control the lasers?...

1983 had Sean Connery, George Lazenby and Roger Moore playing Bond in three different films (Lazenby played Bond again in a tv movie The Return Of The Man From Uncle and he later played Bond again in an episode of Alfred Hitchcock Presents). All three of these stars were getting too old for the part (Roger Moore played Bond till he was nearly sixty!) but whatever.

connery will always be the best james bond

Not totally great since its not in the official canon and the music is generic. Maybe Sean Connery looks better with age here, i dont know. But ultimately, its got four of its compensations: Brandauer, Casey, Basinger and Carrera.

Geez, they really hated Roger Moore. I liked this Bond movie too.

Middling Bond outing that relies on Sean Connery Nostalgia The Villain is Weak Sauce

Though not official to the series, NSNA is still an entertaining Bond film mainly because of Connery (RIP)!

They're right that the Roger Moore movies devolved into cartoons. Moonraker and The Man with the Golden Gun are particularly bad. Never Say Never Again is better by default because it is at least somewhat grounded in reality. No giants in space shooting laser guns.

This is just a sample of the positive reviews given to “Never Say Never Again,” rather than “Octopussy.” Janet Maslin in The New York Times, Gary Arnold in The Washington Post, and so many other reviewers were in agreement. They were pretty tired of what the Eon films had become! I was, too!

Fatima Blush? Me no get it. Me penile no get it. Roger Moore is still my favorite because he can romance and kickass like the rest of them and, unlike the rest, him using a joystick wouldn't be out of character. Connery using a joystick is the devil incarnate.

I can't believe Roger thought this was such a good film, it was mediocre at best and arguably one of the worst Bond movies.

He's wrong he wasn't the original bond The original James bond was played by Barry Nelson in casino royal 1954 part of a TV series, So Connery wasn't first actor to play bond. Just first actor in cinema to play bond ,

Not only I refuse to consider this a James Bond 007 movie but this is a terrible movie. I can’t recomend this movie to anybody. Just because you have Connery playing 007 doesn’t mean you can make a good bond movie. Leaf it to the professionals how know how to make the Bond movies. McLory is a idiot. He was so jealous of Ian Fleming.

No offence to siskel and ebert, but I can't stand this film, unlike many people, I actually prefer moore over connery because i actually prefer his films. This film is the worst bond movie ever made (haven't seen casino royale starring David niven) I know it has it fans, but i dont like this film, if you are watching the bond films for the first time, just skip this one.

Connery was too old 😊by this time.