Division I regional track finals
Fenwick graduation 2012
Ponitz graduation 2012
Home > Blogs > Sir Critic on Cinema > Archives > 2006 > November > 13 > Entry
Bond - James Bond, 1962-1967
“I admire your luck, Mr. ….?”
(Cue cool guitar theme)
“Critic. Sir Critic.”
OK, so it doesn’t have the quite the same ring as the real name, and I’m no Sean Connery. Heck, I’m not much of a George Lazenby.
But that will hardly stop this 007 fan from celebrating as I greet Friday’s arrival of the new James Bond film, “Casino Royale,” by reviewing all the movies throughout the week on the blog. Then I will review “Casino Royale” on Friday. Early buzz is quite encouraging.
Today I cover what is probably still the series’ greatest period, the early years.
Dr. No (1962): It’s a little rough around the edges compared to the later films, but this is great rough and tumble fun. Connery’s first appearance and Ursula Andress’ rising from the sea rank as two of the best male and female movie star entrances of all time. Trivial note: The man playing Bond in the gun barrel logo is not Connery, but stuntman Bob Simmons, making Simmons the first actual big-screen Bond. GRADE: A
From Russia With Love (1963) : One of the very best Bond films never steps wrong, from its opening teaser to that brutal fight on the train between Bond and Red Grant (Robert Shaw) to the final toe-tapping skirmish with Rosa Klebb. Classic exchange: Bond: “Red wine with fish. Well, that should have told me something.” Grant: “You may know the right wines, but you’re the one on your knees.” GRADE: A+
Goldfinger (1964): The gold standard indeed. All other Bond movies must be measured against this one, with its perfect mix of action and the outlandish gadgetry that would later overwhelm the series. Features the first great theme song, the coolest movie car of all time, the Aston Martin DBV, the classic reaction to a certain suggestive name (“I must be dreaming”) and the perfect villainous put-down: “No, Mr. Bond, I expect you to die.” He never will as long as this movie is around. GRADE: A+
Thunderball (1965): For the first time, bloat begins to creep into the series. The action is still quite solid, and the main ingredients, particularly the luscious Claudine Auger as Domino, have a lot of spice, but the pacing is off, and the movie turns sluggish at several points. Even the theme song, though well sung by Tom Jones, is rather silly. What does “She fights like Thunderball” mean, anyway? GRADE: B+
You Only Live Twice (1967): James Bond’s first clunker. Connery looks bored enough to make one suspect he knew how the movie would turn out. Donald Pleasance makes a rather laughable Blofeld. Maybe Roald Dahl wasn’t the best choice for a Bond writer. Saving graces: John Barry’s lush score and the title tune sung by Nancy Sinatra, plus Ken Adam’s incredible sets, especially the impregnable fortress in the volcano. Those should have gotten an Oscar nomination at least. GRADE: C+
Check back tomorrow when I review the films from Bond’s problematic middle period, which began well with “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service” but ended rather shakily with Roger Moore’s first films.
Permalink | Comments (1) | Categories: Reviews
Comments
By Allie D.
November 14, 2006 11:36 AM | Link to this
Well, I am really going to appreciate this series you’re doing, Eric, because I am the chump in the room whose first real foray into Bond-world will be this Friday. Now, I have seen Never Say Never Again, but I have to believe that one is not the gold standard. lol