Rewatching And Reviewing All 25 Bond Films – My 007 Odyssey Ends…

As some of you know, I began re-watching and reviewing each and every Bond film last year: I made it through 22 official films and the one “renegade” Bond film before I needed a break. I will share links to them all at the end of this last post in the series:

That shows all of them, although is show “Bond 24” instead of the official “Spectre” poster and “No Time To Die” is the 25th Bond…I will get to the last three films in the series with this caveat:

When I shared my review of “Quantum Of Solace”, I wanted to be as positive as I could: I really do believe that ALL Bonds are GREAT Bonds, as each Actor brought a certain style and substance to the role.

BUT…

The “OG 007” Is My Bond…

This was the Bond I grew up with. My older sisters were forced to drag me to a revival house for a double bill of “Goldfinger” and “From Russia With Love” when I was very young and as soon as I saw just how cool Connery was I was hooked! I went back and found “Dr. NO”, and have seen every single film since then in order.

Like many, I was upset when Connery walked away, but in hindsight I know why, and I also know that “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service” is one of the greatest Bond films of all time.

Then, it was to Connery for one of the goofier entries in the series before we got the longest running Bond of them all:

Roger Moore took over with a gritty 007, but over the course of his 7 films, he made it clear that his Bond was a lover more than a fighter…

That led to Timothy Dalton’s two films, when they took the character to a very dark place:

One of the lowest grossing 007 films of all-time left them rebuilding, and this time out it was Pierce Brosnan given the chance to don the tuxedo…

His run started on some very high notes before crashing with one of the worst of them all…which led to a break in the series for a few years before Daniel Craig re-started the entire franchise…

“Casino Royale” opened with Bond earning his “Double O” status, a great way to kickstart the franchise…but it also led to a painful realization on my part:

“He’s Not My 007”

The reason I am taking you through the last three films in one post is that I realized after “Quantum Of Solace” that Craig’s Bond was just too dour for me.

In “Skyfall”, Bond’s loyalty to M is tested as her past comes back to haunt her. As MI6 comes under attack, 007 must track down and destroy the threat, no matter how personal the cost.

Here is the trailer:

“Skyfall” has a incredible title track from Adele, and the film is big, bold and emotional as well…a great Bond film.

But he was just SO serious, which led to a film I really didn’t like at all:

“Spectre” is 007 at his least interesting to me…here is the trailer:

James Bond (Daniel Craig) embarks on a rogue mission to uncover a global criminal syndicate after receiving a posthumous message from the previous M.

In the film, Bond goes on a rogue mission to uncover a global crime syndicate: SPECTRE.

This is the first time we’ve seen the group in a Bond film in decades – and Blofed returns as well…however, the plot twists infuriated me and I really didn’t enjoy anything about this film!

Which led to the finale: the 25th Bond film, the one where he become a christ-like Martyr..

In “No Time To Die”, Bond has left active service and is enjoying a tranquil life in Jamaica. His peace is short-lived when his old friend Felix Leiter from the CIA turns up asking for help. The mission to rescue a kidnapped scientist turns out to be far more treacherous than expected, leading Bond onto the trail of a mysterious villain armed with dangerous new technology.

Here is the trailer;

“The world’s moved on, Mr. Bond.”

Well, it did for me. This isn’t my Bond. I know it is for so many. But he has become so dour, so pretentious, and so unlikable that I had to stop reviewing the film. Until now.

I know there are so many who love this Bond, but as I said at the beginning: this is not my 007.

After watching the final three Bond films, I had to be honest: I liked 007 to be more fun, have a smirk and a quip at the ready, and have some fun. Here are quick thoughts on each film!

“Dr. NO”: a great introduction to the character with a smoldering Connery.

Here’s the entire review:

“From Russia With Love”: tough as nails 007. Great fight scenes and tight story.

Here’s the entire review:

“Goldfinger” made Bond a cultural phenomenon, and for good reason – one of the best!

Here’s the entire review:

Some felt that “Thunderbolt” was a bit of a letdown after “Goldfinger”, but I loved how big, brash and globetrotting it was – I love this one, top 5 for me.

Here’s the entire review:

“You Only Live Twice” is a great film with lots of action, as Bond goes undercover in Japan. Many don’t like it but I love it.

Here’s the entire review:

Connery leaves, and the “one and done 007” makes the great James Bond film of all!

Here’s the entire review:

So Connery comes back and walks through the role a bit…fun moments but a softer entry for sure.

Here’s the entire review:

Roger Moore takes over and he does a great job in the tuxedo – lots of great set pieces and the great Bond theme song of all time.

Here’s the entire review:

Oops. The Producers tried to make 007 hard-edged, and it didn’t fit Moore at all!

Here’s the entire review:

Roger Moore said that his Bond was a lover, not a fighter, and he proved it in “The Spy Who Loved Me” – this is one of the great Bond films and a return to form indeed!

Here’s the entire review:

The “out of order” Bond film is too goofy for many but I found it lighthearted and fun.

Here’s the entire review:

Moore was on a roll in the part at this time. Bond films were big, bold and not too serious…a very strong entry in the series indeed.

Here’s the entire review:

A bit of a strange one. Moore wa ready to leave the part, and it feels like a bit too much effort to make him relevant here, but a fine film regardless.

Here’s the entire review:

OH MY.

Connery’s ill-fated return in a knockoff/remake of “thunderbolt”…ouch.

Here’s the entire review:

Moore’s last entry is actually much better than I remembered. Fun, suspenseful and more stunt men clearly playing 007 than any other film in the series by a mile!

Here’s the entire review:

Timothy Dalton’s first outing is fine: serviceable but not much more.

Here’s the entire review:

When the wheels fell off. Way too dour and gritty…this was not my 007.

Here’s the entire review:

Brosnan takes over the role after several years dark and the return is exciting and explosive.

Here’s the entire review:

Better than I remember, “Tomorrow Never Dies” my be Brosnan’s best Bond…and Michelle Yeoh kicks ass!

Here’s the entire review:

Brosnan being made a bit too serious in this one.

Here’s the entire review:

And the wheels came off the invisible car. One of the 3 worst Bond films and not the way to see Brosnan off.

Here’s the entire review:

An explosive new Bond arrives in a really strong film…

Here’s the entire review:

Confusing and pointless. This is the worst 007 film perhaps….

Here’s the entire review:

And as you know, two of the last three I hated, so my time with James Bond has come to an end…the same for Barbara Broccoli, who was ousted when Amazon took over ownership of the franchise this year…here is that story:

Here’s the entire review:

We will see who plays Bond when the series is rebooted – which they say is several years away…will we car after so man-years? We shall see – it may all come down to who says this immortal movie line:

If you like these stories, why not sign up to receive emails whenever I post? It’s easy to do, I do NOT collect any information about you at all, there are absolutely NO ads of any kind, just stories about movies, music, food, travel and pop culture…

You can sign up by clicking on my blog here and see the note on the right!

https://johnrieber.com

Let me know your thoughts on what’s going on with 007 and if you like this story, please share on social media!

Categories: 70's Cinema, Action Films, Art, British Cinema, Cult Movies, Film Fight Club, Great Films, Movies, Pop Culture, Revenge Movies, Talent/Celebrities

Tags: 007, 007 film reviews, cult movies, Daniel Craig, Daniel Craig as James Bond, Daniel Craig James Bond 007, Dario Argento, David Niven, Diamonds Are Forever, Diana Rigg, Die Another Day, Dr. No, Dr. No anniversary, Dr. No premiere, Dr. NO review, Dr.. NO film review, film, Film Fight Club, Film Fight Club blog, film fight club website, filmfightclub, From Russia With Love, George Lazenby, George Lazenby as James Bond, George Lazenby performance, GoldenEye, Goldfinger, ian-fleming, James Bond, James Bond 007, James Bond birthday, James Bond censored theme songs, James Bond girls, last house on the left, legendary hollywood sex kittens, License To Kill, Live and Let Die, London, lots of nudity, Miss Moneypenny, Moneypenny, Moonraker, movie sex shocker, movies, obscure movies, octopus baby art, On Her Majesty's Secret Service, Origin of James Bond, Pierce Brosnan, Pierce Brosnan as James Bond, Quantum Of Solace, reviewing all James Bond films, Roger Moore, Roger Moore as James Bond, Sean Connery, Sean Connery 007, Sean Connery as James Bond, Sean Connery as James Bond 007, Sean Connery cast as James Bond, Secret Agent 007, Secret Agent James Bond, sex, Sex kitten, sex kittens, sex shocker, sex symbols, sexiest bond girls, sexiest james bond stars, Sexploitation, sexploitation films, sexploitation movies, sexy Bond girls, Skyfall, Skyfall reviews, the best James Bond movie ever, The Man With The Golden Gun, The Spy Who Loved Me, The World Is Not Enough, the worst James Bond 007, Timothy Dalton, Timothy Dalton James Bond 007, Tomorrow Never KNows, Tropic Thunder, worst films ever, worst James Bond films, You Only Live Twice