I've seen every Bond movie since The Spy Who Loved Me as a first run in the theater. The Spy Who Loved Me was also my first date with a girl. Sean Connery is still the Bond King, but each actor has had moments that are amazing. I really feel Dalton was underrated and basically Craig is reaping the benefits of Dalton's performance 30 years later.
James Bond/Daniel Craig
- Thread starter Davidkimberly
- Start date
he had a great cameo role in Spice World.
Why is Craig reaping the benefits of Dalton's performance? Dalton was pretty polished and carried on the tradition of a buttoned up extremely level headed Bond. Craig has brought the "brooding" and emotionality to Bond on his own. I guess I just think Craig's Bond stands on it's own. I too have been watching Bond since The Spy Who Loved Me. That's the same year that Star Wars came out which is why I remember them both. I know everyone seems to want to rate each one against one another but I'm less concerned with comparisons because there is so much more to it than just how they approached the roles. Movie making techniques have changed along with technology. And then there's just the time the movie was made. Each actor was directed and the entire approach reflected those times. I liked Connery a lot. I also liked Moore as well. I do think he did bring a touch more of a comedic element to it which can sometimes detract from the seriousness of the movie. But those were brief moments rather than the entire performance. Dalton seemed to me to be a little too young for the role at the time. However, I've seen him in later movies where I think he might have fit the role better if he were just a bit older, or should I say mature. I really didn't like Lazenby. I know he has some fans but there was something about his look that didn't work. Obviously someone on the Fleming team agreed. And I really like what Craig brings to the character. I think he'll be missed and I am very curious to see what direction the Bond organization takes with the next iteration.
Dalton definitely brought the brooding, more complex bond particularly in Licence to Kill. It wasn't popular at the time. I thought it was a highlight of the series. Craig isn't a carbon of Dalton, but he seems to get the credit for what Dalton started.
I saw what you are talking about with Dalton. I just didn't think he was all that effective at it. Not sure why. Maybe it was his pretty boy looks that didn't quite match the brooding demeanor.
Chandu
I Waxed The Badger.
I think that might be why I liked Roger Moore. He was less serious in many ways. I would like to see a return to a slightly more cerebral Bond. I liked the action that the younger Craig was able to give the role, but I don't think of James Bond as a tough guy action hero. I don't like the role being turned into a Jason Statham role, not that it was, but I fear it's headed that way.
I have to go back and watch a couple of the Dalton movies I barely remember them. Didn't care for them at the time.
I also think we're somewhat molded by the bond we saw first. In my case that was Roger Moore and I saw him several times before I ever saw a Sean Connery version. Finally saw Sean when VCRs and renting movies became a thing.
The rumour mill has had Idris Elba or a woman for a while now - either would be a bad choice. Elba is a good actor, but as noted, he's probably too old now and he is best as a gritty, Luther type role, and I just don't think he would be slick enough. Keep to what he is best at. As for a woman 007, why?? Why can't Hollywood write a decent script for a woman with her own character instead of trying to change a winning formula?
My pick would be Tom Hardy, or Henry Cavill.
I would love to see Idris, but due to his age he would have a short run like Dalton (underrated IMHO, License to Kill was very good).
Craig is an okay Bond, but the reality of it is his movies are the least 'Bond' like.
I've read several of the Bond novels, and they are a product of their time. But even after he passed, the franchise still stayed pretty true to the character of Bond..
But with the chance of societal mores, the character of Bond has changed, and Craig's bond is watered down 'action hero', instead of the suave, debonair ladies man.
It's also a lot less campy, and has over the top SJW messaging, especially in Quantum of Solace.
My top Bond actors are Connery, Moore, and Brosnan, and Craig. Didn't bother with Dalton, as I find him a poor choice for Bond, and I don't remember if I've seen Lazenby.
And David Niven as James Bond, in the original parody Casino Royal, was great.
Of course, the music of the movies matters too, and I don't think the later Bond movies, especially the Craig movies, hold up to the older ones. The Moore movies had the best music, IMO, followed by Connery and Brosnan.
I've read several of the Bond novels, and they are a product of their time. But even after he passed, the franchise still stayed pretty true to the character of Bond..
But with the chance of societal mores, the character of Bond has changed, and Craig's bond is watered down 'action hero', instead of the suave, debonair ladies man.
It's also a lot less campy, and has over the top SJW messaging, especially in Quantum of Solace.
My top Bond actors are Connery, Moore, and Brosnan, and Craig. Didn't bother with Dalton, as I find him a poor choice for Bond, and I don't remember if I've seen Lazenby.
And David Niven as James Bond, in the original parody Casino Royal, was great.
Of course, the music of the movies matters too, and I don't think the later Bond movies, especially the Craig movies, hold up to the older ones. The Moore movies had the best music, IMO, followed by Connery and Brosnan.
Chandu
I Waxed The Badger.
I didn't put it nearly as well, but yes, that is the direction I see it going and not one I'm particularly liking. There needs to be a little more John Steed and a little less Steven Seagal.
You aren't lying there. "For You Eye's Only" pops out even now as soon as you mentioned the music.
That was the first Bond movie I saw, and I had a schoolboy crush on Sheena Easton....
And then View to a Kill with Duran Duran doing the theme song...
Chandu and Hydguy are both spot on, although most of Craig's films are good (except QoS of course), they could easily be Jason Bourne films. QoS is a pile of dung, but the worst crime was not having the iconic line "Bond. James Bond." closely followed by not having a shaken, not stirred Martini.
The music in the older films was also better: Shirley Bassey knocks spots off pretty much all the later attempts.
The music in the older films was also better: Shirley Bassey knocks spots off pretty much all the later attempts.
I agree with all of the above. QoS definitely is one big fat rotten tomato. I didn't notice (shame on me) that not once does he say "Bond. James Bond." And not having a shaken, not stirred martini is sacrilege. Especially since my drink this summer has been the Vesper Martini. And I have to say that the music has been sorely lacking. But that's not Craig's fault. We'll see what they do with the final installment. Then anything is possible I suppose.
It's hard to beat a good Vesper Martini. A bar here makes one such version. I may need one on the way home...
I will likely be in the minority, but shaking a martini is sacrilege, whether Bond likes it or not. 
Timothy Dalton has incredible screen presence. I actually discovered him later in life, in the TV show Penny Dreadful.
I think, looks-wise, that Henry Cavill would be a good Bond. He has the right kind of classically handsome face and muscular build. He's British. I've seen him dressed well and I think he could pull it off. I don't know about his acting ability though. I really don't follow his career.
I think, looks-wise, that Henry Cavill would be a good Bond. He has the right kind of classically handsome face and muscular build. He's British. I've seen him dressed well and I think he could pull it off. I don't know about his acting ability though. I really don't follow his career.
I will likely be in the minority, but shaking a martini is sacrilege, whether Bond likes it or not.
I agree that the music hasn't been great the last few films with one exception. I really like Chris Cornell's opening theme song for Casino Royale (fourteen years ago?).
I guess I agree with a Bond villain.
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