Wednesday, August 26, 2015

My Top 10 Favorite James Bond Movies


Here we go, all throughout August 2015 I’ve been doing nothing but James Bond related posts, and now we finally come to the big one ... here are my top 10 personal favorite Bond films. Now the James Bond series has always been one of my favorite film franchises ever, and is one of the longest lasting franchises of all time, with a total of 26 theatrical movies. It goes without saying that this is a very personal list, not a countdown of the best reviewed or most iconic Bond films of all time ... in fact, you may even notice some lesser regarded 007 outings among my personal favorites. Well, I have to be honest don’t I, and if I say it’s a personal favorite then so be it, no one has to agree with me. So, agree or disagree here are my own personal top 10 favorite Bond movies. 


#10. Live and Let Die (1973)


Roger Moore to date is the longest running actor to play James Bond, he was the actor who initially introduced me to the character, and this is the movie that started it all for him. In this adventure, 007 finds himself battling his most frightening enemies ever, a Voodoo clan that aims to take over the Western Hemisphere by converting everyone into heroin addicts. These are some of the most unique villains in the series, creating an atmosphere in which Bond can’t trust anyone, and every road leads to a deeply thrilling death trap scenario that 007 must avoid. The film also boasts a colorful cast of memorable supporting characters, including the goofy redneck Sheriff Pepper who always gets tangled in 007’s wildest chases, the beautiful Solitaire who can read the past, present and future with her tarot cards, and a supporting villain with a metal claw for a hand. Throw in a classic theme song, a riveting boat chase, and you get a criminally underrated classic in the Roger Moore era.  



#9. Die Another Day (2002)

After spending 14 months in a North Korean prison, James Bond ditches the agency and circles the world on a personal quest to unmask a traitor, and prevent a war of catastrophic proportions. Most fans would call “GoldenEye” the best of the Pierce Brosnan Bond films … and objectively yes, it is … but personally, “Die Another Day” was a childhood favorite, and the movie that introduced me to Pierce Brosnan’s 007 in the first place. Universally regarded as the most outlandish and non-sensical Bond movie, I’ve always found it one of the most entertaining Bond outings as a result. With a villain that has a diamond scared face, Halle Berry as the seductive agent nicknamed Jinx, a palace built entirely out of ice, an invisible car, and the most over the top, yet extremely entertaining action scenes of the whole franchise … “Die Another Day” just stands out to me as a memorable and enjoyable piece of popcorn fun.      



8. Sky fall (2012)

Daniel Craig hits it out of the park again with another smart, character driven, action thriller. The plot is less of a spy flick, and more of a redemption story, as Bond battles a former agent seeking revenge. Along the way, Judi Dench is given a layered story arc, as she deals with this rouge. For her final portrayal of M, she hits it out of the park, and it makes for a satisfying sendoff to one of the franchises best characters. Throw in some lavish locations, a slick direction, dazzling set pieces, subtle nods to classic Bond outings, a catchy theme song, and an exciting cat and mouse climax, it’s enough to make “Skyfall” a winning entry in the series, and one that 007 fans can be very pleased with.






7. The Man with the Golden Gun (1974)

This is perhaps the only Bond film to make my list purely and simply for nostalgic reasons. To be perfectly honest, this was the very first 007 movie I ever saw in my lifetime, and it’s the one that got me watching the series. This is where my fan base all started, and it’s still a fun entry in the Bond canon. Besides, you just can’t go wrong with a villain played by Christopher Lee … who is personally my favorite of all the Bond villains. Christopher Lee is the master of playing classy bad guys, which makes this one of the most memorable Bond villains of all time. Plus, you’ve got to love his midget accomplice named Nick Nack. This is also the one Bond film that really banks on some colorful eye candy, with lots of exotic locations, a villain lair full of bright colors, unique designs, lots of cool set pieces … and an attractive Bond girl who spends the entire third act of the movie running around in a blue bikini. Agree or disagree, this one will always stand out for me as a minor-classic entry in the series.  


6. You Only Live Twice (1967)

James Bonds most elusive enemy SPECTRE is up to no good again, and is secretly plotting in Japan. Now Bond must go undercover, and find out what his arch nemeses Blofeld is planning. To make sure his deception is full proof, he fakes his own death to throw off his enemies. This is easily one of Sean Connery’s best Bond films, as it’s fast passed, the effects are quite impressive for the time, and it put Bond face to face with one of his most iconic villains. Blofeld had been present in previous Bond films, but he was always in the shadows, and identified only by his signature pet cat. This was the movie that changed the game by putting him in the spot-light, and in my view, no-one tops Donald Pleasence in the role. I especially love the films setting of Japan, because it provides the movie with beautiful locations, armies of ninjas that will follow 007 into the most bombastic of fire fights, and there’s no shortage of sexy Asian girls.


5. Licence to Kill (1989)

Timothy Dalton is easily the most underrated actor to play 007, giving the character a less jokey, and more intense tone. His second (and only other Bond picture) titled “License to Kill” is also one of the more underrated gems in the 007 cannon. It still has the silly charms, explosive chase scenes, and attractive woman that make the series so fun to watch, but this was one of the first to add a darker layer to both the story and tone. Bond this time is out for revenge and has even abandoned his organization, which makes things a little more exciting than the usual Bond fair. Seeing Bond go rouge is such an intriguing concept, I'm surprised it wasn't utilized earlier, but better late then never ... and the concept is executed masterfully in this underrated Bond film. 





4. Goldfinger (1964)


People often associate Sean Connery as the absolute best actor to play James Bond, and while I certainly wouldn’t call him my personal favorite, he is unmistakably the most iconic. No-one else is quiet as sly, witty and charming as him. Admittedly, I never cared for Sean Connery’s overall film series, as I honestly find them to be boring and dated … all with the exception of some select films. “Goldfinger” in particular absolutely deserves its status as one of the franchises greatest. While I described “The Man with the Golden” as something that felt classic, “Goldfinger” absolutely is “the classic” 007 movie that brought all of his famous trademarks, and phrases to the screen. This is the one that exploited all of his fancy gadgets, this is the one with the most memorable imagery (like the naked gold girl on the bed), this is the film that Bound coined his famous line “A Martini, Shaken, not stirred”, and this is the film with the all around most famous leading villain … as well as an equally memorable supporting villain. Even though “Dr. No” was the first Bond film, I feel that this one will last till the end of time as a great classic in film history. Having said that, there are still three others that I personally enjoy more.


3. Tomorrow Never Dies (1997)


On this exciting adventure, Bond finds himself trying to prevent “World War III”, and has to stop a mad man who’s corrupting the media, and deceiving the British Government to go into battle against China. This is personally my favorite of Pierce Brosnan’s Bond films by far. It’s all about the thrill of the chase as 007 finds himself constantly on the run with an especially attractive Asian spy on his side, and a remote-control BMW at his command. The action scenes in this film are some of Bonds best ever, including my two favorite car chase’s in the entire series. It may not be as much of a covert spy movie, but seeing Bond prevent a Global War is a thrilling experience, and Pierce Bronsnan has never looked better in the role. 





2. Casino Royale (2006)

Taking place at the beginning of Bond's career as Agent 007, he is earning his license to kill and is on an assignment to bankrupt terrorist financier Le Chiffre in a high-stakes poker game at the Casino Royale. Along the way, Bond falls in love with femme fatale Vesper Lynd, who's a treasury employee assigned to provide the money he needs for the game. This film may not have the same silly charm, or over the top gadgetry that usually makes 007 so much fun, but the writing, tone, a compelling center romance, and especially Daniel Craig’s performance in the leading role are a lot more mature, intense and smarter than every single Bond movie that proceeded it. The film still provides some exhilarating action scenes, but with competent storytelling, and intriguing characters to boot, it makes this the first consistently serious, and dark Bond outing. Beyond being a winning entry in the series, I’d go even further and call “Casino Royal” one of my all-time favorite crime thrillers.


Before I reveal my #1 Favorite Bond Movie, here are some honorable mentions ...


Diamonds are Forever (1971)


The World is Not Enough (1999)


Octopussy (1983)


Quantum of Solace (2008)


Moonraker (1979)






1. The Spy Who Loved Me (1977)

When a mad man threatens to destroy life on Earth in order to build an underwater Kingdome for humanity to inhabit, British agent James Bond must form an alliance with a female Russian KGB operative named Agent xXx. Right off the bat, this movie features my favorite Bond girl of the whole gallery. Having a British Agent work with a Russian operative is already a great setup, but their relationship is actually more complicated, and far more interesting. While this Russian agent obviously falls in love with 007, she also hates his guts because Bond was responsible for her late husband’s death. This built conflict between the two, and it puts Bond in a more personal situation. As for agent xXx, she has no choice but to work with him, and has to decide between vengeance or a new lover. Aside from that, this film offers all the good stuff … terrific locations, a stylish direction, thrilling action scenes, lots of sly wit, a car that can transform into a submarine, and a memorable villain named Jaws who’s got a mouth full iron teeth. Over the years, “The Spy Who Loved Me” has often been described as the best of the Roger Moore era, which it certainly is, and it’s my personal favorite of all the James Bond movies.                                                                                                                               

 And James Bond will return ... someday ... with another winning adventure.   



No comments:

Post a Comment