 "BOND. JAMES BOND."
Over forty years after making his big screen debut on movie screens Ian Fleming’s
James Bond became an iconic character who epitomizes style, class and toughness,
who along with these traits has a license to kill.
Since Dr. No in 1962 the film series has become one of the most popular
and successful in film history. With its unique blend of violence, sex,
action and witty humor, each Bond film would become a worldwide
event upon its release. Agent 007 would face off against sinister villain’s,
bed beautiful women travel to the most exotic locations and have the coolest
toys and shiniest cars at his fingertips, all the while never getting a wrinkle in his
elegant suit.
After getting a gritty and more realistic start in his films with Dr. No and From Russia With Love, 1964’s Goldfinger would
be the turning point in the series and establish James Bond’s world as one that was truly larger than life. Budgets went up,
even more movie tickets were sold (along with profits in cross merchandising) and audiences would anxiously await for the
next Bond film. In the meantime, little boys and men would sneak to the mirror and say those immortal words:
“Bond….James Bond”.
By 1967’s You Only Live Twice, Sean Connery stepped down from his role as Bond. This would be the start of an ever
lengthening chain of actors who would step into the role. Each actor would leave their own unique mark on their portrayal
of the character. With differing balances of humor, seriousness, sophistication and lethalness it would open the never-ending
debate as to who was the best Bond.
 In 1969, former Austrailian model with little acting experience was cast as 007 in On Her Majesty’s
Secret Service. The massive scope of the film included all the Bond earmarks (but no earlobes)
that fans had come to expect – a powerful villain, extravagant locations, huge set pieces, beautiful
women and plenty of action. The film would also present Bond’s most personal journey as he falls
in love and gets married.
Despite being one of the highest grossing films that year, Majesty’s has mainly become a trivia question
to general movie audiences as Lazenby’s one-shot at portraying 007 before Connery was coerced into
returning for one more film.
With Connery out for good producers cast Roger Moore, an already established star, as Bond in 1973’s Live and Let Die.
This time out filmmakers tried to distance Moore’s Bond from Connery’s (whereas Lazenby had broken the fourth wall
in the opening minutes of the film to acknowledge he was the new guy). The film departs from the standard opening of
Bond arriving at M’s office for his assignment. This time M knock’s on Bond’s door.
 With Connery out for good producers cast Roger Moore, an already established star,
as Bond in1973’s Live and Let Die. This time out filmmakers tried to distance Moore’s
Bond from Connery’s (whereas Lazenby had broken the fourth wall in the opening
minutes of the film to acknowledge he was the new guy). The film departs from the
standard opening of Bond arriving at M’s office for his assignment. This time M knock’s
on Bond’s door.
With Spy Broccoli (who now was sole producer) gave Moore a huge canvas to play his
Bond on. No longer feeling hindered by Connery’s peformance Moore’s portrayal
became more light hearted and humorous. Situations were more fantastical, villians more
cartoonish and Moore was surrounded by fantastical villians, fighting cartoonish henchmen
and showcasing even more outrageous gadgets.
And audiences loved it.
By the time Moonraker premiered in 1979 (the notorious ‘James Bond in Space film) Moore had endeared himself to audiences
and would play 007 for seven films. 1983 Would see the release of a competing Bond film that heralded the return of Sean Connery.
Despite a twelve-year hiatus from the role, Moore’s film ‘Octopussy’ would come out on top.
 By 1985 Moore had had enough. He announced his retirement from the role at age 58, the oldest actor to
have portrayed Bond. Filmmakers would select a new Bond and try to take the series back to its roots.
An attempt would be made to get the character back to the tough spy Ian Fleming had created. Losing the
jokes and the absurd nature of Moore’s films, Timothy Dalton would take the character back to basics
in stories with more intrigue and drama than the whimsy the series had shown in the past twelve years.
Dalton was true to his word. The Living Daylights would be an interpretation of the character true to
Fleming’s original character. Changes were made within the format of the film however. With the
increasing attitude of casual sex being irresponsible Bond was given one leading lady to make time with.
A disclaimer of the dangers of cigarette smoking was added to the credits. The film would be a critical
success and gross more than Moore’s last two Bond outings.
However, after the disappoinment of 1989’s License to Kill and a six year gap between films, Dalton would not return.
 In 1995 Goldeneye would mark the debut of Pierce Brosnan in the role. After having made a success
in television with a Bond-type of character, he seemed destined to play the
part and was awaited to take
up the mantle by fans.
Rubbing off the grim aura Dalton had given the character, Brosnan went back to the template of suave,
dangerous with dashes of humor. With concerns over whether the character was still relevant in a post
Cold War era, after the film outgrossed Dalton's previous films and was a clear success, it seemed
Bond was still as in demand as ever by audiences.
His modernized Bond would be the first interpretation of the character that many younger-goers would
see on the big screen and Brosnan would guide the character through the 90’s and into the 21st century
with three more films.
 In 2004 the torch would be passed again, this time to actor Daniel Craig. Concerns over his
casting immediately made headlines. Fans questioned whether the selection of him was the
right one. He didn’t seem like the Bond-type. Plus, he was blonde!
All the skepticism was put to rest when Casino Royale premiered. After having been filmed
as an all-star parody in 1967, the Bond filmmakers finally got the rights to it and to tell the
story of Bond’s first double-O adventure. Craig would give an extremely physical and
ruthless
performance and the film would receive raves from critics and audiences.
Quantum of Solace would follow. For the first time a Bond film would be an actual sequel
to the previous film and not simply as a stand-alone story.
Bond has seen adventures all over the world and there are no signs of him slowing up. Audiences are still lining up to see his films and
each subsequent release of the latest one is met with worldwide coverage and anticipation. He has become one of most iconic heroes
in film and literature. He has been passed down from one generation to the next, with each one thrilling at their James Bond on the screen.
Ian Fleming must be pretty pleased.
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