With Spectre coming out in theatres soon, it seems fitting to recap the best Bond films to date. Here are some of the most iconic movies that are not only incredible on their own, but also have a significant impact on the entire franchise.
5. License to Kill (1989)
License to Kill is the most underrated Bond movie. This was Timothy Dalton’s best and final appearance as Bond. License to Kill follows Bond as he goes off on his own, seeking to fulfill a personal vendetta against a drug lord who attacked his friend, and killed his wife. This movie took a sharp turn from the tone of the preceding Bond movies. Dalton portrays Bond as a wounded hero who has lost his friends, rank, and even his licence to kill. This portrayal of Bond as a dark, cold, and tormented individual was an important point for the franchise, and was the forerunner to Daniel Craig’s Bond. Despite the intensity, it still had all the elements of a classic Bond film—gadgetry, girls, thrilling chase and fight scenes—which assisted in securing its place as one of the best Bond movies.
4. Goldeneye (1995)
Goldeneye was directed by Martin Campbell, and was supposed to star Timothy Dalton before his resignation from the role of Bond in 1994. The result of this was not only the first appearance of Pierce Brosnan as James Bond, but also that of Judi Dench as M. Although older fans may not consider this movie worthy of being in a list of definitive Bond films, it was an undeniable milestone for the franchise. Goldeneye has terrific direction, incredibly cool stunts, and was one of the most action riddled Bond films of its time. It should come as hardly any surprise that the best Bond movies are the ones with the best villains. Goldeneye features Sean Bean as Alec Trevelyan, the main antagonist, who did a phenomenal job as a man determined to avenge the death of his parents. The scenes in which Bond can be found jumping off a cliff to catch up to an airplane or driving a tank through buildings really set a benchmark for future Bond action sequences.
3. Skyfall (2012)
Skyfall helped cleanse the world’s palate of the bitter taste of Quantum of Solace. Sam Mendes and Roger Deakins joined forces to weave together the most visually stunning Bond film in history. Skyfall is one of the best films in the series because it has a visceral feel to it. The movie shows Bond as an aging secret agent. He isn’t portrayed as an invincible superhero, but rather as a mortal who the audience can empathize with. Javier Bardem’s portrayal of Silva also gave us a villain who was relatable, making it easy to appreciate the intricacies of the character. Overall, Skyfall is an emotional Bond movie that showcased some of the most breathtaking cinematography the franchise had ever seen, along with fantastic theatrical performances all round.
2. Goldfinger (1964)
Goldfinger is a roller coaster ride. From the title song to the dialogue, this movie has audiences roaring with laughter and witnessing nail biting action simultaneously. Featuring Sean Connery, arguably the best James Bond, Goldfinger captures everything people love about the secret agent. Some consider this the epitome of a Bond film. It has the classic charm of Connery, two gorgeous Bond girls with ridiculous names, the famous gadgets, his Aston Martin and unforgettable dialogue. Some of the most iconic lines of James Bond come from this movie, such as the Auric Goldfinger saying, “No, Mr. Bond. I expect you to die!” and 007 asking for his martinis to be “shaken, not stirred.” What makes Goldfinger stand out was the way in which it seamlessly integrated comedy into an action film. There is never a stale moment; from Shirley Bassey’s chilling rendition of the theme song to the final scene, it is the film that made James Bond into the spy we know today.
1. Casino Royale (2006)
Casino Royale reinvented Bond. It discarded all the fluff that had been holding back Brosnan’s latest portrayals of Bond, and crafted a James Bond true to Ian Fleming’s vision. This was Daniel Craig’s first appearance as the beloved spy, and his depiction of an intense, brooding and abrasive Bond makes this movie strangely addictive. Casino Royale was also directed by Martin Campbell, who directed Goldeneye. Like Skyfall, this film put forward a humanized villain in Le Chiffre, who is desperate to recover the money he has lost. Casino Royale has some of the most riveting scenes of the series, despite them being at a poker table. The superb performances by Craig, Mads Mikkelsen, and Eva Green, combined with a the intensity of a thrilling plot make Casino Royale the best Bond movie of all time.