Thunderball was the perfect film to follow Goldfinger, it had the same epic story and appearance as it's predecessor. Thunderball marked one of the last times that a Bond movie would resemble its Fleming roots in anything but name.

Thunderball was made on a budget of 5.6 million dollars. This was one of the most successful Bond films and was released while the James Bond craze was at it's peak. If released today it would've grossed just over $400 million. The movie possess an amazingly large scope and runs two hours and twelve minutes. My only complaint of the film is that the underwater scenes last longer than they should.

Sean Connery was concerned about being typecast as Bond and his displeasure with what he was doing is at times evident. He does however give his usual great performance as 007. Adolfo Celi gives one of the best performances of the series as Emilio Largo the vicious, sadistic, and friendly number two man of SPECTRE. Celi adds a depth to the character who is very temperamental if he loses at baccarat, kills a man for failing a single time (it is obvious why he is Blofeld's second in command), and yet has a passion for fishing. Largo shows contempt for all around him, even harassing Vargas his chief lieutenant. Claudine Auger is Domino. She is strong-willed but held a virtual prisoner by Largo, it is out of the hatred she has toward him for her lack of freedom,and love for her late brother that she shows a futile bravery against a man she could not possibly defeat on her own.

Luciana Paruzzi is Fiona Volpi, the female henchman of the film. She is intelligent, efficient, and does not allow Largo to dominant her(even calling his actions hasteless at one point). Fiona unlike many other Bond girls does not succumb to 007 and dies as a result of her loyalty to SPECTRE. Rick Van Nutter is an adequate Felix Leiter but no more than that, and is just there to kiss Bond's ass. M is very defensive of Bond in Thunderball which is somewhat unexpected, because at this point in the series a friendship has not arisen between he and Bond. Ken Adam is at his best for Thunderball and creates some extremely imaginative underwater transports. The conference room at M.I.6 is an oversized and cold set, which is perfect for the atmosphere. The underwater battle choreography was incredible, especially considering that underwater communication was limited to hand signals. Aside from the underwater scenes, Thunderball is a breathtaking and a captivating film.