A 25th Celebration Of Bond!
With the worldwide release of the 25th chapter in the James Bond 007 franchise, it’s time to look at this icon movie franchise!
“No Time To Die” is not only the 25th film in the series, it is the fifth and last outing for Daniel Craig as 007, and audiences are loving it!
The opening weekend box office is huge, and let’s be honest, we’ve all missed the guy, right?
Here’s the trailer for “No Time To Die”:
Now, time for the debate: what’s the best Bond film of all time?
The terrific pop culture website, Vulture, has ranked them in order – more on that in a moment!
Here are my top five, shown through their posters:
Roger Moore takes the franchise into a new, glossy, 80’s drenched era: it’s playful, funny when needed, and the opening chase sequence may be the best ever!
Daniel Craig’s first outing has gorgeous locations, a 007 still sporting a hint of humor (long since lost for Craig’s Bond) and a fitting candidate as well for the greatest fight/chase opening ever – using the new parkour technique!
I grew up on Sean Connery as 007, and I actually saw this double bill – it was my first exposure to James Bond – as a young kid, I was hooked! Both films have great stunts, beautiful exotic locations, and Sean Connery!
A pop culture phenomenon when released, this was Sean Connery completely “becoming” James Bond 007 – and c’mon, she was painted gold!
It also has the funniest dialogue exchange of the series – you know, when 007 and the “bad guy” square off and exchange insults – but this one is the best:
As 007 is strapped down to a table, Goldfinger turns on a laser bean, which begins to slowly sear through the table, directly on a path toward Bond’s crotch:
007, trying to stay cool, says this: “Do you expect me to talk?”
Goldfinger, in a matter-of-fact chuckling voice: “No, Mr. Bond. I expect you to die.”
Classic.
Now, without further delay, the greatest James Bond film of them all!
“Far Up! Far Out Far More” Indeed!
Yes, the “one and done” James Bond, George Lazenby, just happened to have taken over for a “tired of the role” Sean Connery when they gave 007 his most dramatic and emotional story of all!
First, Diana Rigg was the greatest, most empowered “Bond girl” of them all – and that’s not a sexist line, that’s what the female co-stars have always been referred to as – it’s a compliment that perhaps has seen better days…
This is the ONLY Bond film that had 007 getting married; it has the most shocking ending of any film in the series, and it has an emotional heft that is powerful, while also offering up spectacular action sequences!
As for the “one and done” Bond:
You really need to know the whole story of George Lazenby, and it’s easy – just watch this fascinating documentary to see how this used car salesman who never acted a day in his life got the most coveted part in the world, and why he walked away from it – because he tells the entire story himself!
Click here to see the trailer:
And as for Diana Rigg, she sadly passed away, but left an incredible body of work, which you can see here:
New York Magazine has a pop culture/all things entertainment website called Vulture which is terrific, and they always have great “lists”, like this new one counting down all of the 25 Bond films.
Is this the worst 007 film ever? Or is it this one?
Check out Vulture’s list – which, aside from a slight disagreement in the order of the top ten, is really spot on!
https://www.vulture.com/article/best-james-bond-movies-ranked-worst-best.html
Oh, and both of those film above vie for worst film of the series. Now, as for the “best and worst” Bond theme songs:
This chart’s not far off, but I have some a much more shocking #1 on the “all time worst”!
Billie Eilish sang the most recent theme song, but here are my best and worst, plus a great mashup of them all!
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Categories: 70's Cinema, 70's Music, Action Films, Art, British Cinema, Classic Rock, Cult Movies, Film Fight Club, Great Films, Movies, Music, Pop Culture, Talent/Celebrities
johnrieber 
It will be interesting to see if present generations have a different idea about who makes the best Bond. I’m guessing it has something to do with when the movies came out. Maybe younger people today will say Daniel Craig. I’m more of a Sean Connery or Roger Moore guy because I saw most of those Bond movies.
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Sean Connery is my favourite Bond although Daniel Craig has grown on me…I can’t wait to see who will be the next Bond I have written my top three let’s see how close I am or NOT…and Shirley Bassey is my favourite for theme songs,,,Great post John 🙂 x
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The top 3 most popular are Sean Connery, I rest my case with the best James Bond. I remember going to my first James Bond movie like it was yesterday – Goldfinger. Super post, John!
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I’ve always enjoyed Bond films growing up and found them to be really exciting and intriguing. I haven’t actually watched any of the more modern ones and I’m not really sure why as I would consider myself a fan. I think I’m going to have to catch up on them!
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Sean was my favorite, but I do love most all of the films and can’t wait to see the new one –
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I loved Sean Connery and Roger Moore and I did like George Lazenby probably because I liked that particular Bond film. I haven’t taken to any of the more recent Bonds and prefer to remember them with Connery and Moore.
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I am the same way Robbie! The ones I grew up with! Thanks for commenting!
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Yes, exactly.
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As you may recall, I am famously not a fan of the JB films. I find them repetitive and just pointlessly glossy. But I did go to see ‘Goldfinger’ at the cinema on release, and I read quite a lot of the early books, which I enjoyed more than the films. Not liking James Bond films is as good as treason in the UK, so I had better find a safe house! 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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When I first got my iPad, apple had a special on Ian Fleming Bond novels so I downloaded a bunch at 99 cents each! I agree the books are more fun than many of the films – I am a Sean Connery fan and love all of his 007 work, but after that it’s very very spotty – still hugely popular however! And just to rub it in Pete, Paul McCartney wrote the best Bond theme!
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But Axel Rose sung it better! 🙂
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