Tony Scott (1944–2012)
Yesterday morning brought the new of the tragic suicide of Director Tony Scott. His motivations are still being speculated upon, but one thing is for certain, it’s a sad and unfortunate event.
Scott had his share of lesser works, and with them, his share of detractors. “The Taking of Pelham 123″ wasn’t very well received, and “Unstoppable”, though serviceable, wasn’t quelling the derision.
But I prefer to reflect on all the very good movies he gave us, along with a couple of greats.
Whether it was cheesy action flicks such as “Top Gun”, “Days of Thunder” or “The Last Boy Scout”, or thrillers such as “Crimson Tide” and “Enemy of the State”, Scott had a flair for creating entertaining films. “Revenge” is a solid revenge movie, and “Man on Fire” may as well be about one of the horseman of the Apocalypse. “Beverly Hills Cop II” is a decent, worthy sequel, considering the original was so classic.
And of course, the Quentin Tarantino scripted, supercharged “True Romance”. A titan in the “Low Level Crime Drama” genre.
Which was your favorite movie of his? Were you a fan of his work? I thought, out of respect, that his movies should be our topic of conversation today…
Unfortunately, I’ve only seen two of the films he’s directed, though many have been sitting on my “to see” list for a while. Spy Game was decent, but I’m going to have to go with Top Gun, which I’m sure is not a controversial decision.
Not at all.
Talk to me, Goose.
The Hunger. First, it’s cheesy horror. Second-Catherine Deneuve and Susan Sarandon together.
I swear I’ve seen it and I just dont remember it….
Crimson Tide. In fact, it’s the only Tony Scott movie I like well enough to own.
I guess I’ll be the contrarian today, and I’ll just say I pretty much despise Top Gun, Days of Thunder, True Romance, and (especially) The Last Boy Scout. I saw Spy Game and thought it fairly boring. I thought Beverly Hills Cop 2 was the best of the series, but I really don’t like the series so that isn’t saying much. I have not been compelled to sample Scott’s other offerings.
Whoa.
Lottttttts of badmouthin’ going on up there. LOL. Dangerously close to blaspheming.
What’s your beef with True Romance? You “despise” it?
Yes. A horrible waste of a very good cast. It’s too cool for it’s own good, and there’s nothing really there. Pretty much like every Tarantino film.
Yeah, I said it. *puts up Captain America shield to deflect*
[Inigo Montoya disbelieving voice]
Who are you?
[/Inigo Montoya disbelieving voice]
Although I don’t agree, I was indulging your disdain for Top Gun, True Romance and The Last boy Scout but, Beverly Hills Cop 2 as “the best of the series”? Come on, man. That is madness.
I love and own Crimson Tide myself! (but I also love and enjoy several others of his too)
I… don’t think I have a favourite.
Way to commit. LOL
We should do him in memorium for our directors talks.
Never seen any of his films. (His works don’t really interest me).
Huh.
Well, I’ll probably see Top Gun and Days of Thunder because of Tom Cruise. And I’ll probably see True Romance because, well, Tarantino and Gary Oldman. Most of his works don’t interest me much though.
Why don’t you check one or two out and see if you don’t change your mind…
Difficult question, Fog. Tony Scott’s films came into my life at a young age in the form of Top Gun which, the young ‘uns may not appreciate now, was a massively influential film of its time. People now fixate on the corny dialogue and blundering jingoism of the piece but its the technical aesthetic that really ought to be considered.
At a push, I might say True Romance is my favourite Tony Scott film but I love Crimson Tide and The Last Boy Scout (the latter being an underrated classic of the Buddy Cop sub-genre) and I will happily sit through repeated viewings of Top Gun for nostalgia reasons.
Later Tony Scott films I can’t really get behind. I appreciate that he seemed to be searching for a new kind of form of action cinema but films like the popular Man on Fire, for example, felt abundantly over-directed to me. A good story drowned in a torrent of hyper-kinetic visual effects.
You had me til “Man on Fire”, Dave, I really like that one. In fairness to you, I haven’t watched it since I started blogging, so I may see it differently if I wind up rewatching.
TOTALLY with you on the rest.
I’m wondering if Top Gun holds up. Gonna watch it this week and if it does, I’m gonna write it up.
I know True Romance does. I watched it not too long ago and it was as great as ever.
I understand that my opinion of Man on Fire is not widely shared.
Not sure what people have said yet….all I can say is TRUE ROMANCE….just a great film…if you don’t like it fine….but as far as I’m concerned, the Walken / Hopper scene is easily one of the finest scenes in modern pulp cinema…hands down!
Oh yeah. Total agreement. Awesome movie, awesome scene. Look at the supporting cast in that movie! Gary Oldman, Brad Pitt, James Gandolifini, Chris Penn, Hopper, Walken… That movie is incredible man. Incredible.
Man on Fire, Top Gun, Crimson Tide, Enemy of the State…those remain my top 4 (not in that particular order).
I started to be annoyed by his shaky cam film style later on in his career though. Fine question/tribute today, Fogs!
(how u bn by the way?)
Been good. Busy as hell with all this stuff, but pretty good. I’ll try to catch up on the FF later today, myself.
I dont necessarily blame him for the “Shaky Cam”, I mean, I’m not the biggest fan either, but it’s kind of the style of the day… I suppose he could have stood his ground a bit better though.
Despite it being critically-panned and generally reviled, I have the sudden desire to see Scott’s Domino. Call it morbid curiosity in the wake of his tragic death.
That said, I actually turned Déjà Vu off halfway through as I found it unbearably shite.
Easy. The True Romance love continues–I think it is his masterpiece. All the pieces work–script, actors, cinematography, direction, editing, music–all of it…brilliant.
Man on Fire is second–that movie is tight! So intense and heartbreaking! Little Dakota Fanning and Denzel sell that friendship and it anchors the whole film. (PS my husband says Man on Fire is the REAL “Punisher” film, we have yet to see…)
In all this sadness I found a wonderful clip of Tony Scott talking about directing…it’s pretty cool. I posted it on my site.
Yeah, it’s heartbreaking, isn’t it? Still having trouble wrapping my head around it….
Agreed though. You nailed my top two favorites, in order. Crimson Tide and Top Gun can fight it out for third and fourth.
Dakota and Denzel were awesome together, weren’t they? Anchored that whole movie.
I really liked Man on Fire, The Hunger, True Romance and Spy Game but some of his films, like Domino were a mess. For me Man on Fire is the best one.
Man on Fire is sick, there’s no doubt.
I’m surprised you didnt go with True Romance, though, seems like it would be your cup of tea (not that Man on Fire is any slouch, that’s #2 for me…)
I have only seen two of his films — True Romance and The Fan. Loved both, though it has been many, many years since I saw the latter. By default, I will go with True Romance, one of my favorites from the 90s.
Not a big Fan of “The Fan”
LOL.
True Romance is awesome, though, for certain. That cast, the characters, the Tarantino dialogue, Scott adding his flair for action… Hell yeah. Great great movie.
True Romance would have to be my choice with Crimson Tide coming in with a strong second.
Fogs just wanted to mention that is a great Pic of Tony Scott! Although, now I want a cigar.
HA!
Yeah, I got that urge the other day looking at it. Apparently he was a big afficianado.
I’ve layed off them for a couple of years myself now, but still… MMMMMMM…. LOL
Couldn’t pass up the pic once I saw it. Thanks for the props on it!
I do like a few of his movies (mostly for being OTT action / drama pieces). True Romance is probably my favourite, although I’d say that The Good Wife is one of the most dramatic and accomplished shows on telly – definitely my favourite project he’s done.
I haven’t seen that. The TV show, right? Yeah… I’ve heard good things, but never checked it out. Maybe I should one day…
True Romance is one of my favorites of all-time. It is easily the best Romance I’ve ever seen. Oh yeah, and you can’t forget the violence.
Yeah, just a dash of violence makes the romance go down smoother, doesn’t it? LOL.
I just watched “RockY” last night, which is like that as well.
I find it funny how adding just a hint of action can turn a romance into a movie that no man would dare watch into one of the greatest “dude flicks”of all time.
Heh. Or sports!
“Bull Durham” and “For Love of teh Game” immediately come to mind.
I think Tony Scott has made a lot of three-star movies. Solid entertainment but not the type that would be in my favorites. The best one for me is Crimson Tide, which takes a silly premise and makes it work because of great acting from the two leads. I also really like Enemy of the State and think it’s a great “innocent man on the run” thriller.
That it is, that it is.
I think they’re three star movie that Scott was able to elevate into four star range for me, at least. With the exception of “True Romance” none of his films crack my top 100, either… but he still created a number of highly enjoyable movies!