RIP James Bond

[DoubleRBar]

I definitely agree that Sean Connery was the James Bond GOAT. The first James Bond film I ever saw was "Goldfinger" and I saw it in the very early 1960's at the Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood. What an amazing experience in a beautiful, historic theatre. It still ranks as my number one Bond movie.

[Per Andersen]

There was only one James Bond. Sean Connery was James Bond. End of argument. All the others were only pretenders.

Could not agree more!!!!

[tandfman]

I'll join that chorus.

[Atticus]

"Goldfinger" . . . It still ranks as my number one Bond movie.

And virtually everyone else's also. Skyfall was great, but Goldfinger was the Gold Standard of spy movies, and the template for virtually all that followed. Even the theme song, expertly woven into the whole movie's soundtrack, was the GOAT.

[Conor Dary]

And virtually everyone else's also. Skyfall was great, but Goldfinger was the Gold Standard of spy movies, and the template for virtually all that followed. Even the theme song, expertly woven into the whole movie's soundtrack, was the GOAT.

Nothing like Goldfinger...

[Halfmiler2]

Which movie did he first say “Shaken, not stirred.” ?

I was a little too young for the Bond movies in the 1960s and only saw any years later on cable. I did see him in the Theatre in a Sci-Fi flick in the early 1980s in which he is in space.

R.I.P.

[jeremyp]

Zardoz anyone??


zardoz.jpg

Bet he had to live that down in Edinburgh.

[gh]

my "up close and personal" w/ Mr. Connery: the IAAF's first Gala (one where Primo pulled out all the stops) was in Monaco in '86. I was in the Hotel de Paris, which is on the square with the Casino Royale. They have a spectacular luxury dining room, and there I was one evening (in my pre-shorts & aloha shirts all the time days) in my 3-piece suit. The place is full of tuxedoed waiters and every guy in the joint is wearing a tie.

So I'm sipping a glass of fine bubbly and I look out the window and can see the casino a hundred meters away, and I say to myself, "All that's missing is James Bond."

I swear, it wasn't more than another 2-3 minutes when this rather large gentleman gets up at the table next to me and makes a trip to the WC. Twas Sean, of course.

After a couple more glasses of champagne I said to myself, "If he gets up again, I think I'll follow him in and accidentally pee on his shoe as a conversation starter."

Fortunately, he didn't get up and I didn't risk a grim fate.

[Conor Dary]

Recent review of a little seen Connery film.

https://allgoodmovies.com/2020/07/07...n-the-offence/

[Atticus]

Speaking of Bond, we saw the new one tonight . . .

If you've ever seen one and enjoyed even one of them, this one will be a MUST see . . . no spoilers . . .

[gh]

SF Chronicle critic:

<<If it wasn’t obvious before, it is now. We have been living through a great era for James Bond movies — and that era ends spectacularly with “No Time to Die.” . The new movie takes its place among the best of the entire series.

What makes it especially satisfying is that this is a Bond film specifically tailored to Daniel Craig and all that he’s brought to the role. Give the same script to another actor, and you’d still have a good movie. But with Craig, you have a movie informed by 15 years of history, by the other Craig films working the same ideas and emotions, all about the need for love and the difficulty of trusting someone......>>

[18.99s]

IMDB.com has No Time to Die rated as 7.6 (out of 10), which would put it #4 on the list of all James Bond films according to IMDB rating. For those who don't know, IMDB ratings are based on user voting, so expect that 7.6 to change a bit as more people view it and rate it.

https://www.imdb.com/list/ls078535153/
1. Casino Royale (2006): 8.0
2. Skyfall (2012): 7.8
3. Goldfinger (1964): 7.7
4. No Time to Die (2021): 7.6
5. From Russia with Love (1963): 7.4
...
25. Die Another Day (2002): 6.1

Pierce Brosnan has 3 of the bottom 5!

[Atticus]

But with Craig, you have a movie informed by 15 years of history, by the other Craig films working the same ideas and emotions, all about the need for love and the difficulty of trusting someone......>>

The movie is full of visual allusions to iconic Bond moments and it certainly did seem like it was a proper send-off to Craig's contribution to the franchise.
Some of it even seemed a little formulaic, like a sit-com in its series finale, paying homage to all that's gone before. There is much 'tying up' involved.

[bambam1729]

SF Chronicle critic:

<<If it wasn’t obvious before, it is now. We have been living through a great era for James Bond movies — and that era ends spectacularly with “No Time to Die.” . The new movie takes its place among the best of the entire series.

What makes it especially satisfying is that this is a Bond film specifically tailored to Daniel Craig and all that he’s brought to the role. Give the same script to another actor, and you’d still have a good movie. But with Craig, you have a movie informed by 15 years of history, by the other Craig films working the same ideas and emotions, all about the need for love and the difficulty of trusting someone......>>

Le sigh. This is not a Bond film. Sean Connery is not in it. Sean Connery is James Bond.

[Atticus]

Le sigh. This is not a Bond film. Sean Connery is not in it. Sean Connery is James Bond.

You've managed to deny yourself some good cinematic entertainment!
Given that Goldfinger will always be the (Gold) Standard by which a Bond movie must be measured, Casino Royale and Skyfall are easily the #2 and #3 Bond movies ever.
This one is in the top 8 of the 25. The Connery (not incl the regretable Diamonds are Forever) and Craig ones (even Quantum of Solace - his mediocre one) are head and shoulders above all the rest.