Let's get this out in the open: I'm a pretty big fan of the UK. I love their culture, I love their non-confrontational (for the most part) attitudes, I love their literature, I love their college institutions (big ups to the OX), and I especially love their TV and movies. Sure, you've got THE OFFICE and FAWLTY TOWERS, MONTY PYTHON and everyone loves a certain bespectacled wizard. But for me, two words top all of that. Bond. James Bond.
Ever since I was quite young, I have been enamored with 007. He was calm, he was cool, he got the girls and most importantly he got all the cool gadgets. He simply radiated the type of guy that a nerdy, overweight kid from Kentucky wanted to be. Could he be a little (perhaps a lottle) misogynistic? Perhaps. But as a kid, I didn't recognize or care about any of that (and as an adult, I can appreciate the intended humor in it). I just wanted to see Bond escape from perilous situations, defeat the baddie, and take a much deserved vacation on the beach until he was called into action again.
Spanning 22 films (the 23rd, SKYFALL, debuts later this month) and many actors, James Bond has now been leaping off the pages of Ian Fleming's novels and onto the big screen for 50 years. Sean Connery was the first (basically) and brought a rugged manliness to the already debonair secret agent and had always been my favorite iteration of Bond. Roger Moore was the smoothest and arguably the epitome of character (my Mom's favorite). Pierce Brosnan was the deadliest while Timothy Dalton and the other minor actors also brought their own special intricacies and points of view to the character. And the most recent Bond, Daniel Craig, has brought a much needed dose of humanity and vulnerability to the character which has been incredibly refreshing (though more so in CASINO ROYALE than QUANTUM OF SOLACE).
Are all the Bond films great? No. Can you even say all the Bond films are good? Certainly not. But I personally love them. Even if they don't provide you with the best plot or top notch acting and even if they can be rather formulaic, it doesn't matter to me. I watch James Bond films because he has always been the epitome of cool for me. Even when the film is bad, it doesn't matter. Why? Because Bond is Bond regardless. And then sometimes those fantastic opening credits roll and you're serenaded by the sultry Shirley Bassey and the action is pitch perfect with that classic Monty Norman score and the villain has all the right sinister touches and it comes together perfectly to create a one of a kind immersion that cannot be beat. And at the center is still Bond. James Bond. Cool as ever after 50 years and 22 films. Happy Birthday, Mr. Bond.
