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.
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