A
reader who wishes to remain anonymous (but who is one of my offline friends) asks me: “who is your
favorite James Bond,” and “which
movie is your favorite Bond outing?”
I
hate to cop-out on this one, but I don’t know that I can actually name one James Bond film
that I enjoy the most, or even a single actor whom I prefer because the film series is so
long-lived at this point, and I enjoy and admire so many of the performances and films.
I
grew up with Roger Moore as James Bond, so I have real affection for that actor and his
films, even if they aren't, objectively "the best" of the series. I know the purists don't like Roger Moore very much -- and I understand why -- but I still think his movies are a hell of a lot of fun.
Furthermore, I encountered the Timothy Dalton Bond just as I was reading
all the Ian Fleming novels in high school. Thus I enjoyed his very faithful interpretation of the character because it came at the right time for me, personally.
Specifically, I remember reading all the Fleming novels and short stories, as well as the Gardner books, and being truly thrilled by the prospect of a new Bond in 1987. It felt like the start of an exciting new era.
Not coincidentally, that was also the year I got my driver's license, and I remember tooling around my hometown in my 1973 American Motors Hornet listening to The Living Daylights soundtrack (featuring A-Ha...) while I did so. So...good memories there.
But
then, of course, Sean Connery was the first cinematic Bond, and I've always loved his
interpretation. He is definitely the most iconic Bond.
And I should add, Daniel Craig is doing a terrific job as a twenty-first
century 007.
So I’ll
modify the question this way. Which film represents my favorite for each
era? That seems a little easier to vet.
My
favorite in the Sean Connery era is From Russia with Love (1963).
My
favorite in the Roger Moore era is For Your Eyes Only (1981).
My
favorite of the Timothy Dalton era is The Living Daylights (1987)
My
favorite of the Pierce Brosnan era is GoldenEye (1995).
My
favorite of the Daniel Craig era, so far, is Casino Royale (2006).
And
if I had to name my top five Bonds overall -- as of this moment -- they would be:
1. From
Russia with Love
(1963)
2. Goldfinger
(1964)
3. On
Her Majesty’s Secret Service
(1969)
4. The
Living Daylights
(1987)
5. Casino
Royale
(2006)
My
least favorite James Bond film is Die Another Day (2002),
which, honestly, I find virtually un-watchable.
I realize some folks would select Diamonds Are Forever (1970), The
Man with the Golden Gun (1974), Moonraker (1979), or A
View to a Kill (1985) for the dubious honor of "worst Bond film," but those movies do boast some entertainment value. For instance, Walken's performance as Zorin in A View to A Kill. I love the insane chuckle he utters as he slips off the Golden Gate Bridge.
By contrast, Die
Another Day is visually incoherent, ridiculous in terms of story-line, and therefore almost impossible for me to endure. It's a terrible way to end the Brosnan era, though honestly, The World is Not Enough (1999) isn't so terrific, either.
My dirty little Bond secret, I suppose, is that I actually prefer George Lazenby to Pierce Brosnan. Brosnan is just so arch and...blow dried.
Additionally, I often wished Timothy Dalton had made two or three more Bond films, because I really enjoyed his take on the role, and feel that, in some ways, it pointed to the future (and, specifically, Daniel Craig's take on 007).
Now, one of these days, someone should ask me about my favorite Bond Women...
Don't forget to send me your questions at Muirbusiness@yahoo.com. After Thursday, I'm all caught up!
Dalton was my first 'new' Bond, I had seen the Roger Moore and Sean Connery movies on television. I always wished Dalton had done several more and have hated the disdain some heap on those two movies. I love that they've come in for critical reappraisal since Craig took over and are now seen as being somewhat ahead of their day. I love the romanticism of The Living Daylights and yet there's something about the tough, violent quality of Licence to Kill that I find hard to turn away from as well. Damn, I would have loved to have seen two more movies at least with him as Bond. Anytime I read the Fleming novels, I always have him in my head.
ReplyDeleteSo, to sum up, big Dalton fan here.
Eamon,
DeleteWe share very much the same point of view regarding Dalton. His films pointed directly to Craig's interpretation, and I wish we had seen Dalton's Bond in further films. I very much admire both The Living Daylights and Licence to Kill. Two very strong Bond films in my opinion.
When I read the books, I also see Dalton.
Nice list, thanks! I agree that Lazenby's performance doesn't look that bad in light of Brosnan's weakest efforts--I'd also argue that he's no worse than Moore in the role. My overall favorite is still "On Her Majesty's Secret Service," mainly because I think it's the best directed of the Bonds. The pacing and action and style of it are just about flawless. By contrast, even the best of the Connery Bonds have their draggy parts. I liked Dalton too but wish his movies had a better director. "The Spy Who Loved Me" always struck me as the best directed of the Moore Bonds, and Martin Campbell did an excellent job with both "Goldeneye" and "Casino Royale." Among the Connery Bonds, Terrence Young did fantastic work in "Dr. No" and "From Russia with Love," but fell off with "Thunderball." The look and style of Guy Hamilton's "Goldfinger" are amazing and really define the series to a large extent, but the pacing is off in places.
ReplyDeleteSteveW:
DeleteOn Her Majesty's Secret Service is a great Bond film, and I think you are right that it is the best-directed of the Bond films. It's brilliant. I need to review it here. That said, it would have been much better with Connery as Bond. Or Dalton.
The Spy Who Loved Me is good, but draggy in spots. It could have used some judicious cutting, I think...
Goldfinger was, is, and always will be iconic, and frigging awesome. A great Bond film.
Wonderful selections, John. You should see what my blogging friend Ruth has going on over at her site with regard to all things Bond, my friend. There's always some great discussion on this subject. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteHi Michael,
DeleteI will check out that link! I'm getting excited about a new Bond film in a few months...
I used to ride around town with my 'Living Daylights' soundtrack when I first got my driver's license, as well. 'The Living Daylights' was a vast improvement over 'A View To A Kill,' Teenaged Me thought, and it's only too bad Bond's producer's couldn't keep him AND John Barry immediately busy after the fall of the Iron Curtain.
ReplyDeleteHi Rockie Bee,
DeleteThat is so awesome that we both drove around to "The Living Daylights." And I agree, it stinks royally that Dalton didn't have a chance to make two or three more Bond films. I feel we lost what could have been the best Bond era...
John extremely entertaining analysis of James Bond 007. I agree with the bulk of your thoughts. I too think that George Lazenby was a good Bond in "On Her Majesty's Secret Service", however I will always wonder how Sean Connery would have been in that film opposite Diana Rigg. Diana Rigg was my first extremely young boyhood crush when I saw her in reruns of the AVENGERS in the mid-’70s. I too saw Roger Moore as the current Bond in the theaters in the ‘70s as a boy, but fortunately the ABC network ran Sean Connery Bond films that I watched with my family simultaneously. I also agree that Timothy Dalton’s Bond needed more films because I think he played it tough like Connery and now Daniel Craig. I did have a problem with Quantum of Solace lacking the signature 007 music. I loved the space plot of Diamonds Are Forever and especially Moonraker that nicely depicted the space shuttle orbiters two years before the real N.A.S.A. one would launch.
ReplyDeleteSGB
SGB:
DeleteYou and I are so much alike, my friend. I also crush big time on Diana Rigg. She's gorgeous and smart and witty and classy. She is my all-time favorite Bond "girl" (or woman, more accurately).
She's a tough one to top, in my opinion.
How could you brother!? My immediate emotional connection goes to Roger Moore every time. ; ) of course you bring a great discussion here and like the faces of doctor who there are so many good ones, but I still love Moore. And where is your love for The Spy Who Loved Me? That one, For Your Eyes Only are all time for me. Moon raker of course too but there I go again showing my true colors. Another fun one friend.
ReplyDeleteSFF:
DeleteDon't worry: I LOVE the Roger Moore Bonds, and Roger Moore. I grew up with those films and I love them irrationally and exuberantly. They are so very entertaining, even if occasionally ridiculous. I like The Spy Who Loved Me, but it I find the last third poorly paced. The shoot-out in the tanker goes on FOREVER. I would count it as second of the Moore Bonds (after For Your Eyes Only.).
John, your list reads almost exactly like my list! I also have the same issue when someone asks me to pick a favorite Bond actor or favorite Bond film. I appreciate all the actors for what they brought to the part. If I had to pick one, I think I'd go with Dalton. But I think Brosnan had the most potential in the part. Both he and Dalton got some really poor scripts to work with, and I think that ended up hurting their legacy a bit. Glad to see "For Your Eyes Only" on your list. Easily my favorite of Moore's flicks (and I honestly think, it should have been his final one). For some reason, that movie is the forgotten Bond flick. Most folks (outside of us James Bond fans) can't remember much about that film. For me the weakest of the Bond flicks would have to be the trio in the early '70s. Those three films are so poorly paced, and feels so flat that it is very hard to enjoy them. "The Spy Who Loved Me" provided just the right kick at the right time to bring out the best in Moore and bring the series back.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, tell us about those Bond girls! :)
Roman:
DeleteIt is really tough to pick a "favorite" Bond (actor OR film) because there is a pretty high level of quality in the franchise.
Very rarely is an actor incompetent or a film downright bad (Die Another Day is the only one that leaps to my mind.)
I liked The Living Daylights a lot, and felt it was a return to the franchise's best era (Connery) up until that point. I like The Spy Who Loved Me, but just wish it could have been a little...shorter.
I will do a Bond girl post next week! :)
Nice list, JKM! I know what you mean about how hard it is to pick THE best Bond and Bond film. For me...
ReplyDeleteMy favorite in the Sean Connery era is THUNDERBALL.
My favorite in the Roger Moore era is FOR YOUR EYES ONLY.
My favorite of the Timothy Dalton era is LICENSE TO KILL
My favorite of the Pierce Brosnan era is GOLDEN EYE.
My favorite of the Daniel Craig era is CASINO ROYALE.
My Top 5 Bond films as of right now:
1. THUNDERBALL
2. GOLDFINGER
3. CASINO ROYALE
4. ON HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE
5. LICENSE TO KILL
J.D.
DeleteGreat list! We agree on several Best Bonds of Era (For Your Eyes Only, Golden Eye and Casino Royale), but differ on Connery and Dalton. I have a friend who swears by Thunderball, but I always find it overlong and messily edited. I prefer From Russia with Love and Goldfinger. As far as Licence to Kill, I love the film, but probably have nostalgic reasons for picking Living Daylights. First Timothy Dalton film, and I felt like he was MY Bond, so-to-speak. Such a change from Roger Moore: young, wolfish...and dangerous as hell. He brought those qualities to Licence, but I just have very fond memories of Living Daylights...
For me, THUNDERBALL has one of THE best Bond songs (sung with gusto no less) and one of THE best Bond girls as well. Wow. I also really love the epic underwater battle towards the end of the film.
DeleteAs for LICENCE TO KILL.. I just love the edginess of it. A revenge movie with Bond in it. Plus, you've got a sleazy Wayne Newton, baddie Robert Davi, the always unpredictable Benicio del Toro in an early role and the sexy, pre-LAW & ORDER Carey Lowell.
"For me, THUNDERBALL has one of THE best Bond songs (sung with gusto no less) and one of THE best Bond girls as well."
DeleteHow very true, J.D. And LICENCE TO KILL has to be, in my book, one of the most underrated (and overly criticized) Bond films. It remains my favorite of the Dalton OO7s.