Bond, James Bond in all his many forms
Bond recently turned 50 years
old on the screen and it’s time to look back at the ultimate secret agent leading up to the 23rd film in the Bond franchise Skyfall. Let’s
begin the countdown to Skyfall with the positives, the Best bond films to ever reach
the big screen. There is only one real rule to this list, it has to be an
official Bond film (sorry Never Say Never Again even though you wouldn’t have
made this list anyways). So whether it’s Connery, Lazenby, Moore, Dalton,
Bronsnan, or Craig here are the top 5 Bond films of all time.
5. Dr. No
#5 was a tough one because there are a few B+ level Bond
films that can be interchanged in this spot. Goldeneye and For Your Eyes Only
could have easily taken this spot, but when in doubt go with Connery (that just
has to be a rule). Plus Dr. No is the first Bond film, the one that brought the
super spy to the big screen, the one that made Sean Connery famous! Sure he’s
not as great as in his later attempts nor were the producers used to the format
of the films yet, but Dr. No still manages to be an entertaining, very old
fashioned Bond film that is still a joy to watch 50 years later.
4. On Her Majesty’s Secret Service
Sure George Lezenby is the worst Bond of all time and
that makes this film lower on this list, but other than that On Her Majesty’s
Secret Service is a near perfect James Bond film. The action, intriguing plot,
and Bond falling in love all made this film one of the greats. Now if only
Connery was in it…
3. From Russia with Love
If the first Bond brought the franchise to the big
screen then From Russia with Love proved that it could be great. Everything in
this film outdid its predecessor from Connery getting used to the character to
the plot being more intriguing to the action having more of a punch etc. From
Russia with Love is just fantastic and still is to this day one of the best of
the best.
2. Goldfinger
It was hard to place From Russia with Love and Goldfinger
in their respective spots because they are so equal in almost every way.
Goldfinger ultimately wins because of one reason, the villain. Goldfinger (and
his pesky sidekick Oddjob) is one of the most memorable villains in Bond
history and thus elevates the film that extra inch. Also Goldfinger seems to
have most of my favorite Bond moments, whether it’s the amazing song sung by
Shirley Bassey , the Odjob taking the statues head off with his hat, or the
great exchange of “Do you expect me to talk?”, “No Mr. Bond I expect you to
die.” Goldfinger is fantastic in every way and represents (along with the
previous entry) the best of Connery.
1. Casino Royale
Controversial choice? Yes. Right choice? Also yes.
Casino Royale is the riskiest Bond film of all time and it’s also the best. For
the first time James Bond bleeds and feels pain, also for the second time in
history Bond falls in love. The way this film is structured is genius. From the
electric opening sequence, to one of the best Bond songs ever, to Craig being
the best Bond since Connery, to the great poker game in the second act, to the
heartbreaking third act, to the best use of the line “The name’s Bond, James
Bond” ever at the end of the film (and arguably the best use of “The James Bond
theme” ever), everything about Casino Royale is about as perfect as you can get.
If I could have only one Bond film until Skyfall that film would easily be the
fantastic Casino Royale.
So that’s only what I think.
What do you think? Sound off in the comments
Next up: The Worst of the
worst, and there are some really bad ones... Stay Tuned!
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