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Best James Bond?

I

it's just me

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A long time ago I read one of the James Bond novels on the mid watch but haven't picked up another one until recently. I have seen a fair amount of the movies but not all of them. In search of something different to read I started reading the Ian Fleming James Bond books. You may have heard that any resemblance between the books and the movies is purely coincidental (Goldfinger being one of the exceptions) but having been caught up fairly well with both books and movies I have decided on a best James Bond characterization list.

1. Daniel Craig, period. This is not even close. The Sean Connery movies were really what started it all but Daniel Craig has taken the Bond character to the next level.

2. Sean Connery. As I said, the man who started it all, who was in some of the more faithful portrayals of the books.

3. Timothy Dalton. Although some of the Dalton Bond movies were silly, you'd have to go a ways to be sillier than the Roger Moore Bond movies.

4. Roger Moore/Pierce Brosnan. The bottom of the barrel Bond portrayals. Although I have enjoyed Roger Moores other performances in TV shows he was just a little too flip in the Bond movies, like he didn't take them seriously. I didn't even think Pierce Brosnan was that good of an actor in the Bond movies.

Honorable mention: George Lazenby, although the movie I saw him in wasn't that good of a movie. Barry Nelson, for his performance in a fairly decent version of Casino Royale. I missed the David Niven Bond movie.
 
Dalton was the closest to the books. He made only two movies, though; the excellent "Living Daylights" and the absurd "Licence to Kill."

"Goldeneye" was written for him, and being a good Bond movie, I think he would have made it better than Brosnan did.
 
Sean Connery is still the best for me- he was tough, could turn on the charm and was also funny.

Daniel Craig is probably the most realistic since he looked like a killer.

Moore's portrayal I had respect for because he knew Bond had become a joke by the 70's so in a way he saved the franchise by playing it lightheartedly.

Brosnan was closest to Connery imo, but the movies he was in was terrible- except for Goldeneye, which was somewhat passable.

Dalton and Lazenby were the worst- they lacked any charisma or charm. Lazenby especially was a zombie.
 
PoS said:
Sean Connery is still the best for me- he was tough, could turn on the charm and was also funny.

Daniel Craig is probably the most realistic since he looked like a killer.

Moore's portrayal I had respect for because he knew Bond had become a joke by the 70's so in a way he saved the franchise by playing it lightheartedly.

Brosnan was closest to Connery imo, but the movies he was in was terrible- except for Goldeneye, which was somewhat passable.

Dalton and Lazenby were the worst- they lacked any charisma or charm. Lazenby especially was a zombie.
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I don't know if any of the Daniel Craig movies were actually from the books. Quantum Of Solace was not, it was originally a short story.
 
it's just me said:
I don't know if any of the Daniel Craig movies were actually from the books. Quantum Of Solace was not, it was originally a short story.
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None of them were I think. Most of the books are very different- they just used the titles. I think the only two movies that were faithful to the books plotwise was From Russia with Love and Dr. No- and those are my top two Bond movies.
 
it's just me said:
A long time ago I read one of the James Bond novels on the mid watch but haven't picked up another one until recently. I have seen a fair amount of the movies but not all of them. In search of something different to read I started reading the Ian Fleming James Bond books. You may have heard that any resemblance between the books and the movies is purely coincidental (Goldfinger being one of the exceptions) but having been caught up fairly well with both books and movies I have decided on a best James Bond characterization list.

1. Daniel Craig, period. This is not even close. The Sean Connery movies were really what started it all but Daniel Craig has taken the Bond character to the next level.

2. Sean Connery. As I said, the man who started it all, who was in some of the more faithful portrayals of the books.

3. Timothy Dalton. Although some of the Dalton Bond movies were silly, you'd have to go a ways to be sillier than the Roger Moore Bond movies.

4. Roger Moore/Pierce Brosnan. The bottom of the barrel Bond portrayals. Although I have enjoyed Roger Moores other performances in TV shows he was just a little too flip in the Bond movies, like he didn't take them seriously. I didn't even think Pierce Brosnan was that good of an actor in the Bond movies.

Honorable mention: George Lazenby, although the movie I saw him in wasn't that good of a movie. Barry Nelson, for his performance in a fairly decent version of Casino Royale. I missed the David Niven Bond movie.
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I agree that Sean Connery was the best hands down. Although I did like Roger Moore, but he will always be the Saint, the TV series. As for the rest, I began to lose interest as I suppose, for me anyway, there was no replacing the original. Perhaps I liked Roger Moore's James Bond for more of the comic effect.
 
PoS said:
None of them were I think. Most of the books are very different- they just used the titles. I think the only two movies that were faithful to the books plotwise was From Russia with Love and Dr. No- and those are my top two Bond movies.
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Goldfinger was pretty close, although the movie updated the technology. JB was originally strapped to a table saw to be cut in half lengthwise, in the movie it was a laser.

The Spy Who Loved Me was not even close to the original story, although I think the original story would make a decent crime drama, if not a sexy spy movie.
 
it's just me said:
Goldfinger was pretty close, although the movie updated the technology. JB was originally strapped to a table saw to be cut in half lengthwise, in the movie it was a laser.

The Spy Who Loved Me was not even close to the original story, although I think the original story would make a decent crime drama, if not a sexy spy movie.
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Oh I forgot to mention On Her Majesty's Secret Service, that was pretty close to the book too.
 
Perotista said:
I agree that Sean Connery was the best hands down. Although I did like Roger Moore, but he will always be the Saint, the TV series. As for the rest, I began to lose interest as I suppose, for me anyway, there was no replacing the original. Perhaps I liked Roger Moore's James Bond for more of the comic effect.
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I haven't gotten into the Live And Let Die book, but the movie was probably the worst of the Bond movies and it's too bad Roger Moore was in it. As you said, he will always be the Saint, and if you are old enough, Beau Maverick.

Personally, I think Sean Connery's finest hour was Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade.
 
From best to worst:
1. Sean Connery
2. ROger Moore
3. Pierce Brosnan
4. Daniel Craig
5. Timothy Dalton
6. George Lazenby
 
it's just me said:
I haven't gotten into the Live And Let Die book, but the movie was probably the worst of the Bond movies and it's too bad Roger Moore was in it. As you said, he will always be the Saint, and if you are old enough, Beau Maverick.

Personally, I think Sean Connery's finest hour was Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade.
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Yes, I am. James Garner will always be Maverick in my book. Jack Kelly and Roger Moore were basically add on's. Although James Garner fit perfectly in The Rockford Files. I too liked Connery in the Last crusade. Perhaps it has something to do with whoever replaces the original actor just doesn't seems as good.
 
I opt for Sean Connery
 
Daniel Craig, hands down. It was clear after things like XXX (Xander Cage) and Jason Bourne that Bond had to change. Brosnan and Dalton nearly killed the franchise but Craig brought it back - not being "real to the books" is no bad thing either.
Funny though, Xander Cage and Bourne didn't last as franchises...
 
I would cast my vote for Sean Connery.

For some reason Craig has never cut it for me. I just do not see him as Bond in the way that Connery or Moore or Dalton or even Brosnan was. He just lacks a certain style and panache.
 
it's just me said:
A long time ago I read one of the James Bond novels on the mid watch but haven't picked up another one until recently. I have seen a fair amount of the movies but not all of them. In search of something different to read I started reading the Ian Fleming James Bond books. You may have heard that any resemblance between the books and the movies is purely coincidental (Goldfinger being one of the exceptions) but having been caught up fairly well with both books and movies I have decided on a best James Bond characterization list.

1. Daniel Craig, period. This is not even close. The Sean Connery movies were really what started it all but Daniel Craig has taken the Bond character to the next level.

2. Sean Connery. As I said, the man who started it all, who was in some of the more faithful portrayals of the books.

3. Timothy Dalton. Although some of the Dalton Bond movies were silly, you'd have to go a ways to be sillier than the Roger Moore Bond movies.

4. Roger Moore/Pierce Brosnan. The bottom of the barrel Bond portrayals. Although I have enjoyed Roger Moores other performances in TV shows he was just a little too flip in the Bond movies, like he didn't take them seriously. I didn't even think Pierce Brosnan was that good of an actor in the Bond movies.

Honorable mention: George Lazenby, although the movie I saw him in wasn't that good of a movie. Barry Nelson, for his performance in a fairly decent version of Casino Royale. I missed the David Niven Bond movie.
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Lazenby was good, much better than most think. He was even offered a second film, but he was kind of a dick to other actors and he turned it down IIRC, and they said "he will never work in this business again", which pretty much is what happened.

My favorite Bond film is the first Casino Royale, what a mess! 6 different directors, a plot that just bounces around without much coherence, and so many great stars, Peter Sellers, David Niven, Woody Allen, Orson Wells, George Raft, Ursula Andress, Johanna Pettit, William Holden, Charles Boyet, John Huston, Jean Paul Belmondo, a very young "Jacky" Bissett. Best of all is the amazing soundtrack by Herb Alpert with Dusty Springfield doing "The Look of Love"

Make no mistake, its a terrible film, but I love it because it is such a mess. Its much like the giant all star mess of a film "Skidoo" but that is another story for another day.
 
Infinite Chaos said:
Daniel Craig, hands down. It was clear after things like XXX (Xander Cage) and Jason Bourne that Bond had to change. Brosnan and Dalton nearly killed the franchise but Craig brought it back - not being "real to the books" is no bad thing either.
Funny though, Xander Cage and Bourne didn't last as franchises...
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Somebody already said Daniel Craig looks like a killer, which is what James Bond is - an assassin.
 
it's just me said:
Somebody already said Daniel Craig looks like a killer, which is what James Bond is - an assassin.
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For my money Daniel Craig looks like a Hollywood version of a 1930's football player. I never saw him as the James Bond type.
 
it's just me said:
Somebody already said Daniel Craig looks like a killer, which is what James Bond is - an assassin.
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Bond isn't an assassin. He's a spy. He's never sent to kill anyone. He has a license to kill if necessary, but it's never his mission.
 
beefheart said:
Lazenby was good, much better than most think. He was even offered a second film, but he was kind of a dick to other actors and he turned it down IIRC, and they said "he will never work in this business again", which pretty much is what happened.

My favorite Bond film is the first Casino Royale, what a mess! 6 different directors, a plot that just bounces around without much coherence, and so many great stars, Peter Sellers, David Niven, Woody Allen, Orson Wells, George Raft, Ursula Andress, Johanna Pettit, William Holden, Charles Boyet, John Huston, Jean Paul Belmondo, a very young "Jacky" Bissett. Best of all is the amazing soundtrack by Herb Alpert with Dusty Springfield doing "The Look of Love"

Make no mistake, its a terrible film, but I love it because it is such a mess. Its much like the giant all star mess of a film "Skidoo" but that is another story for another day.
Click to expand...

Actually, that was the second Casino Royale, the first one was in black and white and was a made for TV movie made in the 50s.
 
Harshaw said:
Bond isn't an assassin. He's a spy. He's never sent to kill anyone. He has a license to kill if necessary, but it's never his mission.
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In one of the Timothy Dalton movies he is sent to kill a girl cellist who they think is a spy for the wrong side. In Spectre he is sent to kill a Spectre operative at the beginning of the movie, although he's not able to pull it off.
 
it's just me said:
In one of the Timothy Dalton movies he is sent to kill a girl cellist who they think is a spy for the wrong side. In Spectre he is sent to kill a Spectre operative at the beginning of the movie, although he's not able to pull it off.
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No, in The Living Daylights, he's sent to help a Soviet general defect; he's only ordered to kill the cellist because she's the assassin sent to stop the defection. He ignores the orders and shoots her sniper rifle instead of her. In Spectre he's acting against orders, following up on something the previous, now dead, M asked him to look into. His mission to Mexico City wasn't authorized.
 
PoS said:
Sean Connery is still the best for me- he was tough, could turn on the charm and was also funny.

Daniel Craig is probably the most realistic since he looked like a killer.

Moore's portrayal I had respect for because he knew Bond had become a joke by the 70's so in a way he saved the franchise by playing it lightheartedly.

Brosnan was closest to Connery imo, but the movies he was in was terrible- except for Goldeneye, which was somewhat passable.

Dalton and Lazenby were the worst- they lacked any charisma or charm. Lazenby especially was a zombie.
Click to expand...

Dalton had a perpetual angry thing going, which is most certainly not Bond.
 
Cardinal said:
Dalton had a perpetual angry thing going, which is most certainly not Bond.
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Dalton certainly has got acting chops since he was a Shakesperean actor but there are some people who just dont look good wearing a suit- Dalton is one of them.

Harshaw said:
Bond isn't an assassin. He's a spy. He's never sent to kill anyone. He has a license to kill if necessary, but it's never his mission.
Click to expand...

For all intents and purposes Bond is an assassin- he succeeds in his missions by killing the bad guy.
 
PoS said:
For all intents and purposes Bond is an assassin- he succeeds in his missions by killing the bad guy.
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It's often the result, but it's never his mission.
 
it's just me said:
Somebody already said Daniel Craig looks like a killer, which is what James Bond is - an assassin.
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I was just agreeing. Moore's Bond (if I recall correctly) was a commodore in the Navy whereas Craig's Bond appears to be ex-special services.
 
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