Will Sean Connery's instant classic Goldfinger win out over Daniel Craig's revolutionary Casino Royale? Or will the Pierce Brosnan entry GoldenEye sneak in to take the top prize?
Read on to find out!
Goldfinger
Year: 1964
Synopsis: Investigating a gold magnate's smuggling, James Bond uncovers a plot to contaminate the Fort Knox gold reserve. (via IMDB) Why We Like This: Arguably the best of the franchise, Sean Connery cements his standing as the best Bond. Honor Blackman's Pussy Galore is perfectly cast, while Gert Frobe turns in one of the best lines of the series ("No, Mr. Bond - I expect you to die!"). Connery's cool but sarcastic style still resonates today, making us wonder who might win in a throwdown between he and newcomer Daniel Craig, who many want to anoint as Best Bond Ever. Wouldn't that be a sight.
Casino Royale
Year: 2006 Synopsis:
In his first mission, James Bond must stop Le Chiffre, a banker to the world's terrorist organizations, from winning a high-stakes poker tournament at Casino Royale in Montenegro. (via IMDB). Why We Like This: In a move probably motivated by the gritty and successful Bourne Identity, James Bond returns in an origin story that's bruising and brutal yet incredibly sad as Bond falls in love with Vesper Lyn (Eva Green), only to be used by the shadowy organization Quantum. The shower scene is one of my favorites, with a terrific opening performance by Daniel Craig. This franchise needed a wakeup call, and Craig certainly delivered as the gruff yet charming agent provocateur.
Skyfall
Year: 2012
Synopsis: 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. (via IMDB) Why We Like This: One of the best of the series and perhaps as good as Goldfinger, Craig shines in Sam Mendes' gut-wretching spy thriller. Javier Bardem is a delicious villain and Ben Whishaw's Q is a welcome addition, providing several comical moments without getting lost in Bond punditry. Craig plays Bond with a damaged and dangerous persona that resonates throughout the film, culminating in one of the best final acts in the history of the genre. Judi Dench returns, while Ralph Fiennes makes his first appearance.
GoldenEye
Year: 1995
Synopsis: James Bond teams up with the lone survivor of a destroyed Russian research center to stop the hijacking of a nuclear space weapon by a fellow agent believed to be dead. (via IMDB) Why We Like This: After suffering under the Timothy Dalton era (or, The Era That Shall Not Be Named), we get a refined and ultimately 'finished' version of Bond, played Pierce Brosnan. This movie is the first time in which Bonds' exploits are beginning to wear upon him, where the gentleman spy and cold killer begin to confllct. Judy Dench takes over as M, providing an elegant but suitably tough boss. Brosnan is terrific, Famke Jansen is stellar as the sexy Xenia, and Sean Bean's former-MI6 character provides just the right bad guy for 007.
Moonraker
Year: 1979
Synopsis: James Bond investigates the mid-air theft of a space shuttle and discovers a plot to commit global genocide. (via IMDB) Why We Like This: One of the least appreciated of the franchise, its excellent soundtrack by John Barry (the best of his Bond career) and great one-liners all lead up to a great space shoot out. Roger Moore's elegance is on full display here, along with performances by Lois Chiles as a competing CIA agent and the massive Richard Keil returning as the henchman Jaws. I love a lot of this film, even though it's full on cheese throughout.
Die Another Day
Year: 2002
Synopsis: James Bond is sent to investigate the connection between a North Korean terrorist and a diamond mogul who is funding the development of an international space weapon. (via IMDb) Why We Like This: In a surprising twist, 007 is captured, held for months, tortured, and finally traded for another POW in a style that shocked audiences. To see a character who for so long had defied death, then placed in this position, added a new and needed dimension to the universe. For the first time, we see Bond as a true patriot warrior, who realizes his life really is worth sacrificing for Queen and country. It's too bad Brosnan couldn't keep that ship going past Act 1 - this is also the last time Brosnan would appear as Bond. Check out Madonna's corset during the fencing scene.
Honorable Mention
The Spy Who Loved Me
Year: 1977 Synopsis: James Bond investigates the hijacking of British and Russian submarines carrying nuclear warheads with the help of a KGB agent whose lover he killed. (via IMDB)
Tomorrow Never Dies
Year: 1997
Synopsis: James Bond heads to stop a media mogul's plan to induce war between China and the UK in order to obtain exclusive global media coverage. (via IMDB)
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