...I still have not seen these movies...was a big fan of Connery...Liked G Lazenby in OHMSS...hated Roger Moore...never saw T Dalten or PB...

Moved to a more appropriate forum.

He is quite good, but the whole series is being treated different.

Not better than Connery, about the same as Brosnan. Much better than any of the others.

Good actor, but the new Bond character has too much Jack Bauer in him and not enough James Bond.

I'm partial to Connery and Brosnan, and I was very surprised how good a Bond Brosnan was. Craig just looks like he has to have a cut man in his corner, He also doesn't look right in a Tux and I'm sorry a Bond who doesn't look right in tux just isn't Bond.

Each actor has had his pros and cons. Each actor is very good. My favorite is Connery but some of the most entertaining Bonds have been the Moore films, "The Man With the Golden Gun" notwithstanding. (That one was merely okay, being too much of a retread of the far superior "Live and Let Die.") The best Bond films are the ones with the best villians.

Craig is just fine in my book. His Bond is the closest to Ian Fleming's Bond.

"Casino Royale" is one of the best Bond films and Craig is surprisingly good as Bond.
"Quantum of Solace" was a disappointment for me after "Casino" so we'll see what the next one is like as there was certainly enough criticism about how it was more like a Bourne than a Bond film

If he can put together another performance or two like "Casino Royale" I'd put Craig at the top of the list. If I were to rank them at this point;

Connery (only because of the complete body of work)
Craig
Dalton
Moore
Brosnan

Connery.....was.....and IS.....James Bond.
Sorry, but I'll have to agree with some of the comments about Craig.
He'd look more comfortable in Fight Club, and without a Tux.


Steve

I liked Roger Moore, especially in "Live and Let Die", "The Man with the Golden Gun," and "The Spy Who Loved Me."

Clive Owen would be a better Bond, IMO.

Of course, Sean was the best.

Ken

I think he is too whiney and moody to be James Bond. I think he was one of the worst picks ever.

I think Craig is excellent. The franchise had gotten so cheesy that something had to change. I like the Craig is imperfect, that he doesn't necessarily look like he lives in a tux, and that it's not always a given that he's going to pull off an escape cleanly. I think Casino Royale was the best bond film, hands down, and I walked into the theater wanting to hate it. I rewatched some of the Connery films after seeing Casino Royale, and even they seemed cheesy to me now. Connery's the man, but Craig is Bond! (as I duck for cover).

I really like Craig. I think he does Bond well. My complaint would be the films' writing as of late.

I agree completely with Wolverine's synopsis of the previous Bond ranking!!

Has anyone read any of the original Ian Fleming stories? It has been a long, long time for me but my recollection is that Craig played the part close to the original writing in 'Casino Royale'. (With updating to be sure.) Same for Connery in 'From Russia w/ Love'. Bond was rough & tumble w/ enough sophistication (& plenty street smarts) to function in many different situations. A street-fighter, almost a thug, that knows a wine list (& baccarat table) in other words.

That said, I enjoyed 'Casino Royale' immensely and thought Craig hit a home run with his portrayal. He is not Sean Connery's Bond and cannot replace him as the iconic incarnation of the role. He is however something fresh and I was very happy to see the reset on the franchise. That is matched by my equal disappointment w/ 'Quantum of Solace'. Besides the spectacular opening car chase & a hotel prop destroyed at the end, I cannot recall much about the film at all. 'Casino Royale' the other hand I can recount nearly verbatim.

Dalton could have been a great Bond but it seemed that the films put him in as a replacement Connery (& Connery is the One). He never really owned the role. I like Brosnan too and thought I saw a glimmer of a future Bond in 'The Fourth Protocol' but it never materialized when he actually played Bond. I can't recall George Lazenby's single outing. That leaves Roger Moore.

I can't call him 'Bond' but that doesn't mean his films weren't a blast. Moore always seemed to be breaking the 4th wall and standing aside of the role. It almost seemed as if he played it as an inside joke shared with the viewers. 'Man with the Golden Gun' is definitely my favorite as well as any of them w/ Richard Kiel. You take them for what they are, a global romp with some spy stuff thrown in & quite entertaining. That said, I believe in time Craig will own the role of the new, not Connery, Bond. He is a very capable actor and seems to fit the template best IIRC from Fleming's writing.

My $0.02........

Each actor has had his pros and cons. Each actor is very good. My favorite is Connery but some of the most entertaining Bonds have been the Moore films, "The Man With the Golden Gun" notwithstanding. (That one was merely okay, being too much of a retread of the far superior "Live and Let Die.") The best Bond films are the ones with the best villians.

Craig is just fine in my book. His Bond is the closest to Ian Fleming's Bond.

I'm in agreement with you. I do find myself to be something of a Bond oddity though, as I put Lazenby close to, if not on par with, Connery. It might have been helped out by the fact that OHMSS was, IMHO, the best and most realistic script of any "classic" Bond film after FRWL. Maybe the best.

I think Craig is excellent. The franchise had gotten so cheesy that something had to change. I like the Craig is imperfect, that he doesn't necessarily look like he lives in a tux, and that it's not always a given that he's going to pull off an escape cleanly. I think Casino Royale was the best bond film, hands down, and I walked into the theater wanting to hate it. I rewatched some of the Connery films after seeing Casino Royale, and even they seemed cheesy to me now. Connery's the man, but Craig is Bond! (as I duck for cover).

Agreed, except that I wasn't wanting to hate CR. From the previews and reviews I'd seen before watching it, I thought that it was exactly what the franchise needed.

Has anyone read any of the original Ian Fleming stories?

Read them all in Jr. High and High School (so it's been a while for me, too).

While Fleming's Bond was brutish like Craig, Fleming's Bond was also modeled after Cary Grant. Connery nailed this tension between heartless killer and suave playboy.

Roger Moore always was more like "The Saint," both the novels and the TC series (he starred as the Saint).

Lazenby was too wooden and had no chemistry with the beautiful Diana Rigg.

Ken

Read them all in Jr. High and High School (so it's been a while for me, too).

While Fleming's Bond was brutish like Craig, Fleming's Bond was also modeled after Cary Grant. Connery nailed this tension between heartless killer and suave playboy.

Roger Moore always was more like "The Saint," both the novels and the TC series (he starred as the Saint).

Lazenby was too wooden and had no chemistry with the beautiful Diana Rigg.

Ken

I did not recall the suave aspect of Bond via Fleming. I should reread the few books I still have as I enjoyed them.

'The Saint', well that's a whole 'nother thread.

http://copeland.id.au/saintsmall.png

007 without Sean Connery is like Genesis without Peter Gabriel or Queen without Freddy Mercury.

I know, I know, I´m too damn limited.:D

007 without Sean Connery is like Genesis without Peter Gabriel or Queen without Freddy Mercury.

I know, I know, I´m too damn limited.:D

Well that is probably my problem...I actually like Genesis post-Gabriel (though I still like the Gabriel line-up) up until "Invisible Touch"......... :yes:

ABTD. Anybody but Timothy Dalton!

I like Craig as Bond.

I remember reading that Ian fleming considered Roger Moore to be more like the Bond Character he had envisioned for his books. He did not take himself too seriously was one of the comments fleming made.

I think Brosnan also carried this on as well.

I think the current series is taking a bit from "Her Majesty's Secret Service", where Bond's wife is killed. The new Bond has suffered the same loss with Vesper. Where I think the new movies differ from the old is, they have a more serious tone to them.

I enjoyed Pierce Brosnan quite a bit, but I think Craig did an excellent job. If I never see any of the old Bond movies again, I wont miss em, especially Roger Moore's or even Brosnan's....What puts me off is the unrealistic (to my eyes) of way too many of the action scenes. I like realism at all levels, unless its a comedy or spoof.

I enjoyed Pierce Brosnan quite a bit, but I think Craig did an excellent job. If I never see any of the old Bond movies again, I wont miss em, especially Roger Moore's or even Brosnan's....What puts me off is the unrealistic (to my eyes) of way too many of the action scenes. I like realism at all levels, unless its a comedy or spoof.

Well looking back, what puts me off, is the unrealistic plot lines of so many of the movies. This goes all the way back to movies with Connery.

I think Moore's best movie was, "Live and Let Die", Goldeneye for Brosnan. Dr. No was probably the best of the Connery lead series.

The James Bond series has much of it's roots firmly planted in the Sci-Fi genre.
Consider anything resembling a realistic plot.....as a bonus.


Steve

When Moore took over the The Bond franchise it became campy in the same vein Batman did when Schumaker took over. Connery is the best imo but if Craig can put together a couple more solid performances it will be neck and neck. No doubt when it comes to one on one Craig is more viscereal having to do with the way the camera gets real real tight in on the action its hard to comprehend. Everything is speeded up,going so fast you can't take it all in. Connery was sauve and a complete ladies man he was never out of his element ,in fact he makes the guy who does the dos xx comercials look like a nerd.

(as I duck for cover). Stay covered!

Read all the Fleming books way back. Connery IMHO is number one. The Moore films a little too much comedy. Lazenby too stiff and I don't think Brosnan or Dalton quite got it right. Daniel Craigs was a bit different but I think he's going to be second to Connery, but not a close second. Connery just nailed it each and every time.

When Moore took over the The Bond franchise it became campy in the same vein Batman did when Schumaker took over.



The "campyness" started with "You Only Live Twice". That was a ridiculous story line.

Daniel Craig is certainly a brutish sort of chap, eh? I think he works well in the role. As far as previous Bonds go, Connery's easily the one & only...I always enjoyed Brosnan...thought Dalton looked the part...and must agree that Roger Moore was just doing it for the check. Still think Connery should do one more Bond flick. Scenario: 007's retired to some South Pacific island where he does nothing other than drink & fish...accompanied by the retired Bond girl of your choice. (Ursula Andress, hmm?) A particulary-nasty Osama-like dude needs to be eliminated. Miss Moneypenny (RIP:() is the ONLY person in the world who knows 007's whereabouts. She makes her way to the island and convinces 007 to put down the surfcasting rod, sober up, and get down to the business of terrorist elimination. 007's entire ardurous process of getting back into shape, catching up on new tech, etc. is a big part of the story. Creaky Bond can't hack the physical part...so he needs to rely on his wits to get the job done. A sharp eye with a Beretta helps a lot.

There will never be another Sean Connery "James Bond" character but I thought Daniel Craig has done a pretty good job. His portrayal certainly does not exhibit the suave demeanor or sophistication of Connery or Brosnan but I do like the toughness he brings to the character.

I have to agree with soundmotor !00% +.I'd read all of Flemings books and Connery was James Bond before they got silly but that's only 2,Dr.No & From Russia W/Love.
The current Bond is more in line with Flemings character.

Connery was best.. All others are plenty good enough :) I like Dalton, Craig, Brosnan, Moore and so on very much! I have never seen a Bond movie and had the time to to anything else than enjoy the action.. (Action was all I ever expected I guess)

James Bond = 100% ACTION all the way. If you want to see a "deep" movie.. watch something ELSE :)
:thmbsp:

I've read all the Fleming books, and the only movie that came closest to the book without major deviation was "From Russia with Love" . I think all the rest were campy and borderline sci-fi (especially the Moore years), nothing like what Fleming started.
But that doesn't make them less enjoyable to watch.

James Bond = 100% ACTION all the way. If you want to see a "deep" movie.. watch something ELSE :)
:thmbsp:

Nothing wrong with making action movies that aren't stupid, though. There are some great action films that are pretty intelligent - Cameron's two "Terminator" films, the completed (not theatrical) version of "The Abyss," "Blade Runner," etc.

Bourne has all these guys whipped!

Connery.....was.....and IS.....James Bond.
Sorry, but I'll have to agree with some of the comments about Craig.
He'd look more comfortable in Fight Club, and without a Tux.


Steve

I agree, he does look funny in a tux. But, as Bond, he doesn't do a bad job. A lot more entertaining than Timothy Dalton (who is awesome in Hot Fuzz BTW, but that suits him better than Bond). He's the best Bond since Brosnan. I grew up with Roger Moore, but I need to watch those movies again as an adult to give an honest opinion. Hands down, Connery is quintessential as Bond. He had it all, looks, charm, style, you name it. No one since, no matter how good, has been able to pull off James Bond quite as well as Connery. Craig is good, but no Connery.:smoke:

Bourne has all these guys whipped!

True, but Bourne is not as pimp as JB.:D