WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE BOND?

Who Is Your Favorite Bond?

This is the fiftieth anniversary of the first James Bond movie. There’s been a lot written about which Bond actor is the best one and which film is the best. I thought I’d weigh in with my own favorite Bond. Before I reveal him, let’s talk the Bond franchise.

The twenty-third Bond film, “Skyfall,” has just been released and it’s already the best-reviewed of all the Bond movies. Some critics believe Daniel Craig is the best Bond ever. I tend to disagree. Maybe that’s because I hated, hated, “Quantum of Solace” so much that it soured me on Craig as Bond.

However, I’ve recently seen “Skyfall,” and liked it. It’s entertaining, bloody, violent, with touches of humor. I didn’t love it, but I enjoyed it and look forward to the next one. I like Craig better in this one than in the two other Bond films he did. But he’s not my favorite.

I’ve seen all the movies. When the first one, “Doctor No,” was released in 1962, it was amazing. We were still a sexually repressed society, so seeing Ursula Andress emerging from the ocean in that bikini was shocking and naughty. So was her name, Honey Ryder. The coolest moment in that film was when Bond was asked his name for the first time and he said, “Bond. James Bond.”

Who could forget the gold-plated body in “Goldfinger?” Or Oddjob’s hat?

We all know Sean Connery was the original Bond. He made five films before George Lazenby played Bond in “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.” That didn’t work out too well, and Connery was back in 1971’s “Diamonds Are Forever.”

Roger Moore took over in 1973 with “Live and Let Die.” Paul McCartney’s theme song for that film is, in the opinion of many, the best theme song ever. I agree. But Adele’s title song in “Skyfall” is a close second.

Moore made Bond films over the next twelve years, with Connery coming back for his last stint in 1983’s “Never Say Never Again.” The last of Moore’s films was 1985’s “A View To a Kill.” I remember not liking that one much.

Timothy Dalton starred in two movies and that was the end of him. Pierce Brosnan became Bond with 1995’s “Goldeneye.” He starred in four movies before Craig took over in 2006’s “Casino Royale.”

There you have it: a short Bond history. Just as each of our romance heroes puts his own stamp on our books, each one of these actors brought his own brand to the Bond part. Connery was sexy and suave and very sure of himself. Moore played it tongue-in-cheek, winking at the audience and letting us in on the joke.  Apparently Lazenby and Dalton didn’t bring much because they’re just blips on the Bond screen. Brosnan was more modern and likeable, not quite as suave as Connery or as amused by it all as Moore. Craig is very dark and serious.

 

So, who’s my favorite? It’s Roger Moore. I love the humor he brings to the franchise. Who doesn’t love a guy with a sense of humor? I think Moore as Bond is sexy, daring, and lots of fun. He’s a hero I’d like to spend time with.

Who is your favorite Bond and why?