The best James Bond actor?
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Archived from the IMDb Discussion Forums — George Lazenby
raziel-157-567726 — 14 years ago(October 01, 2011 06:38 AM)
Every 2 to 3 years, when EON productions leaks out classified information about the next Bond movie, fans around the world wait eagerly to watch their all time favorite spy to show up with his license to kill and thrill. For those who have been around since the beginning of the franchise growing up watching almost 50 years of non stop action, Sir Sean Connery may seem to be the best Bond.
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ryuheikitamura — 14 years ago(October 09, 2011 12:09 AM)
Here's my take on all of the Bonds
Sean Connery
Classic Bond that set the stage and standard for the film archetype that audiences expected of the character - The character underwent evolution and slow steady changes throughout his tenure as Bond but that was expected as the character needed to be established and despite some growing pains in the beginning Connery did an excellent job of steering the series on the right course.
George Lazenby
This guy really gets an undeserved bad reputation for his portrayal of Bond. I would argue that his performance and one-and-only film can be considered the epitome of Bond films, or at least amongst the very best. The character had confidence, charm, and swagger but underneath it all laid very real moments of panic, grief, and vulnerability. It was a refreshing more human take on the character that wouldn't be reintroduced until much later on with Daniel Craig.
Roger Moore
The weakest point in Bond history can be linked to this guy. He turned the series into a farce with his lighthearted jokey interpretation of the character. Moore said that he disliked doing the action scenes and the darker moments of Bond and preferred dealing out the jokes. The result? Self parody.
Timothy Dalton
Terrific version of the character, and an unfairly lambasted performance. The 90s was a vastly different time and there was a surge in violent and gritty media that called for a new type of Bond hoping to wash away the cartoon imagery of the Moore-era. Timothy Dalton stepped into the character trying to play the role straight, and tried to command respect for the series once more. He disliked the humorous aspects and was the antithesis to Roger Moore. His refreshing rebellious Bond gave audiences a whole new outlook on the character. The only problem with his time as Bond was due to the lame plots and material that Dalton had to work with (drug deals and Sovietsagain).
Pierce Brosnan
The cocky, arrogant, surefire version of Bond that left audiences riveted in the beginning and then angry in the end. Brosnan played a solid version of Bond that brought audiences to the seats but u1c84ltimately he was a bland, tame, mediocre version of Bond that didn't bring any kind of flair to the character. His films were mostly forgettable and they lacked a certain distinction that would make them stick out. There was nothing wrong with his time as Bond but there wasn't anything notable about it either.
Daniel Craig
A multi-dimensional Bond character that brings things closer to the original source and brings a more complex character to the proceedings. He combines elements of the previous Bond portrayals and works them in a way that becomes uniquely his own. He plays a brilliant Bond when he's allowed (Casino Royale) so let's hope that his talent isn't bogged down by producers hoping to pander to more action thirsty crowds (Quantum of Solace). I feel that he brings out the human side to the character while keeping a bit of arrogance, rebellion, sly humor, and wit.
I'd say my favorite Bond versions are either Craig or Lazenby, and then Connery and Dalton, and then Brosnan, and finally Moore. -
Batsu73 — 14 years ago(February 07, 2012 05:47 AM)
I agree. Craig is my favourite Bond to date and I liked some of Connerys movies but not all whereas I liked all the movies Lazenby did (OK, so there was only one.)
Dalton tried to play it straight but the writing let him down. They couldnt decide if it was new edgy Bond or still slightly campy Moore Bond. Moore made the films too jokey and Brosnan was a bit bland. He was just wrong for the role. I loved him in the Thomas Crown Affair remake and his chemistry with Rene Russo really crackled. By the time he got to Die Another Day (the worst Bond movie of all IMHO) the lines he throws Halle Berrys way were more like some drunken mid-life crisis guy at a sales conference trying to pull a young secretary than James Bond. Thankfully the train scene between Daniel Craig and Eva Green washed all that away.
A few interesting facts about Lazenby he served as a sergeant in the Australian army where he taught unarmed combat on account of his black belts in judo and karate. He won skiing competitions and he competed in off road driving competitions. Out of all the actors to play Bond, he is the closest to possessing Bond like skills in real life. -
harlock_ssx — 13 years ago(March 07, 2013 01:45 AM)
Hopefully the best is yet to come. They all had their assets, and liabilities. Connery was the benchmark, but in hindsight the older Bonds don't compare to the abilities of Daniel Craig's Bondironic, considering I can't stand him as Bond. I think they really should reboot with a YOUNG Bond for a change. No more 40-60 year old guys trying to pretend at being kidsCasino Royale was the perfect opportunity to do so, and I have to admit that Daniel Craig has done a bang up job for being a God-awful ugly dude, older than me (I'm 40). I think they're just too afraid of losing legacy fans and taking that risk.
I'm in the minority though, because Lazenby was my favorite overall, being a non-actor thrust into it for the first time. It was a bit refreshing. I think if they were smart, they'd do one more Bond Movie with Daniel Craig, then start with a blank canvas. A young guy, fresh out of his military service, scooped up by the Secret Service for the first timeput through the ringer, and ultima5b4tely becoming better over time.
Anyways, we all have our opinions