Thunderball
United Artists | Release Date: December 22, 1965
6.8
USER SCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 84 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
51
Mixed:
31
Negative:
2
Watch Now
Stream On
Buy on
Stream On
Stream On
Stream On
Stream On
Stream On
Expand
Review this movie
VOTE NOW
 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Check box if your review contains spoilers 0 characters (5000 max)

User Reviews

User scoreBy dateMost helpful
6
kheasFeb 26, 2019
Overall it is a very solid entry into the Bond Mythos (minus the rapey bits), and probably one of the best in terms of cinematography and script. It is one that I still enjoy time and again, even though I use some of the lengthy underwaterOverall it is a very solid entry into the Bond Mythos (minus the rapey bits), and probably one of the best in terms of cinematography and script. It is one that I still enjoy time and again, even though I use some of the lengthy underwater segments as a time to grab a snack.https://latetothegame.blog/2019/01/24/key-movies-of-my-life-james-bond-edition-thunderball-1965/… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
5
TyranianApr 11, 2019
A very average Bond film, especially last half hour which is a messy affair.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
6
Kai82Dec 10, 2020
The fourth James Bond movie. While it is by no standard a bad movie in the franchise I find it a bit underwhelming especially after Golfinger raised the bar for James Bond movies. Maybe it is the curse of being the follow up movie to one ofThe fourth James Bond movie. While it is by no standard a bad movie in the franchise I find it a bit underwhelming especially after Golfinger raised the bar for James Bond movies. Maybe it is the curse of being the follow up movie to one of the best and most acclaimed entry in the franchise.
The story is enjoyable as SPECTRE sets up their biggest coup (Wont go into details as it pretty much spoils half of the movie). It is however also nothing special or original enough to raise my rating while I admit that it has its moments. I always return to comparing it with other James Bond movies and it lacks an interesting villain like Goldfinger, Scaramanga, Jaws or Blofeld (More screentime / main villain as he is in the movie). Later I learned that this was planned as episode of a TV series and expanded to a movie. This explained a lot. Other than the story we get some cool gadgets from Q and some solid action. For the actors there are no missteps. Sean Connery is good as always, Claudia Auger does a good performance and while I don't have Emilio Largo on my top villains list I think he did a good job. I think I finish my review here with my conclusion. It is an enjoyable James Bond movie but nothing in it will be remembered well or land on a top 10 list easily. Worth watching but fast forgotten. It was the curse of being in the middle of 2 better James Bond movies.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
4
amheretojudgeMay 7, 2019
Third time's not the charm, Young fails and Connery takes the blame, while the banner might still be happy with the result.

Thunderball Young is in charge again. And the vacation he took seems like, it was definitely an unaffordable one.Third time's not the charm, Young fails and Connery takes the blame, while the banner might still be happy with the result.

Thunderball

Young is in charge again. And the vacation he took seems like, it was definitely an unaffordable one. The price this franchise faces, this time, is that it is the first upset of so many to come. But what's ironical is that while this film was pitched or presented with spectacular suggestions, it frankly would have seemed like the best of all. Using their budget to its best, what the creators have tried to pull off in such a scale is surely admirable. But tested with time, and it unfortunately doesn't hold up to the promises it has to offer. And mind you, it is not the inadequacy on technology or creativity, it is the execution itself.

With a narration so ambiguous and execution so precarious, there was always very little chance for it to ever make it into the big leagues. The director Terence Young is giving his all, from brimming his scenes with catchy one liners to levity and from brutal action to more fire blazing in the background, but while doing so, he left out a key ingredient: romance. The romance between Sean Connery and whoever the antagonist is this time, there is no dance between them for us to care about, frankly, either of them.

Connery playing this character for the fourth time, seems natural by now, flirting shamelessly and drinking carelessly, his unbiasedness towards his likes and dislikes has gone habitual to us. This longest chapter of the franchise, up till then, seems like a literal waste of time, for as far as brain is concerned, it doesn't have the ability to provoke us in using it. This Thunderball won't let you have a ball, it may not be even considered as an entertaining one, let alone a gritty thriller which so it blatantly claims to be.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
5
Onlyclassicvg1Jul 29, 2022
hunderball isn't necessarily a bad film but it is one that desperately needed a trip to the editing room. All of these underwater sequences were so overly long and boring. There were put in to do nothing but pad the runtime and they simply
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
6
liamexeNov 11, 2022
Compared to the other Bonds I have seen, I have a much tougher time believing this one. Particularly in the final moment where he has virtually run out of air. His tiny tube's maximum capacity of 4 minutes would not allow him to continueCompared to the other Bonds I have seen, I have a much tougher time believing this one. Particularly in the final moment where he has virtually run out of air. His tiny tube's maximum capacity of 4 minutes would not allow him to continue fighting continuously for more than 10 minutes. But since it's Bond, everything makes sense. Overall, the plot was uncomplicated and not really enjoyable to try and follow as some are. Additionally, it violated a number of Bond formula conventions. This might be interpreted both ways. Although this Bond was fine, it wasn't really enjoyable.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
All this user's reviews
More From This Movie

64 Critic Reviews

6.8 User Reviews

Details & Credits|Trailers

Current Movie Releases
By MetascoreBy User Score
1 81 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple
2 77 Project Hail Mary
3 75 Send Help
4 73 Hoppers
5 72 The Sheep Detectives
SEE ALL
Essential Links
New on Amazon Prime Video
New on Netflix
Coming Soon to DVD/Blu-ray
SEE ALL