From Dr. No to Skyfall, James Bond has spanned twenty three films (excluding non-Eon pictures) over the course of fifty years. It is an incredible franchise that has contributed some of cinemas most iconic movie moments. With the release of the exceptional Skyfall last year, Bond shows little sign of slowing up and audiences can hopefully look forward to another fifty years of rip roaring 007 action.
To mark last years fiftieth anniversary, I proceeded to watch each of the twenty three films in glorious high definition. Upon doing so, I compiled this list, showing my five favourite ever Bond films. My choices are bound to spark some controversy among 007 aficionados, but I personally believe these are Bonds finest outings.
Honorable Mentions:
Casino Royale
The first outing for Daniel Craig sees us return to the beginning of the Bond saga. A terrific film that mixes high tension with jaw dropping action sequences. Narrowly misses out.
Live and Let Die
By far Moore's best 007 entry. While not as dark and gritty as the later Bonds, nor as cleverly scripted as the originals, Live and Let Die is a highly enjoyable film that delivers thrills throughout.
5. Goldeneye (1995)
If this list was complied based on which Bond film I had viewed most, Goldeneye would be top of the tree. It is a film I can best describe as so immediately watchable. It has action, romance, multiple villains and seems to never stand still. Couple that with some stellar performances, a great soundtrack and one of the sexiest villains Bond has ever faced and the viewer is left with an absolute treat.
4. Goldfinger (1964)
Goldfinger was the first Bond film I ever watched with a critical eye. To this day, I watch it and rarely find fault. As usual, Connery is terrific and his enemy, Goldfinger, has become one of the franchises most iconic villains. The plot is simplistic but is well supported by a phenomenal script and some of the most tense scenes Bond has been involved in.
3. Skyfall (2012)
Picking the order of this top three was painstaking. Each one has qualities the the others don't possess. But, a decision had to be made and in third place is Skyfall. Easily the best Daniel Craig entry and by far the greatest Bond I've personally seen in a cinema. The visuals and action sequences here are breathtaking, but the narrative is so incredibly strong that it holds everything together. Never has a Bond film reached such levels of destruction all the while keeping the story and plot so exact and central. Awesome.
2. Dr. No (1962)
Let me start off by saying that I absolutely love Dr. No. It does not have the franchises greatest action sequences nor the best Bond villain, but it does have a certain charm and originality about it that makes it, for me, mesmerising. It has nothing to live up to, no ridiculous pre-assumptions about the secret agent, it is just raw James Bond, something we will never witness in any entry again.
1. Thunderball (1965)
So, here it is, my favourite ever Bond film. Thunderball may be a controversial choice but there is no doubt this film marks a quality entry into the 007 saga. It is beautifully directed with an awesome score. The first time I watched this, I found myself humming the films recurring musical segments for days afterwards. The theme song is fantastic too. The action sequences are all tensely played out but it's one of the few Bond films, along with Skyfall, which has a particularly strong and important narrative. Thunderball is gorgeous to watch yet gritty and intellectual enough to make it tense and gripping. It is a film I've fallen in love with and on that note, I think I'll go and watch it right now.
