It’s been more than 50 years since Ian Fleming first created the spy thriller series James Bond. Since then there have been 22 movies (two unofficial), several video games, comics and hundreds of parodies.
The world has changed much since secret agent 007 was first sent on a mission to stop Dr. Julius No and so has James Bond. Seven actors have played the tuxedo wearing, martini-sipping playboy and now with the 23rd movie, “Skyfall,” there needs to be an answer to one of the most controversial questions, “Who is the best James Bond actor?”
Third Place: Daniel Craig
He is the newest actor to star as James Bond. Definitely not the best, but there is no denying Daniel Craig deserves some recognition for playing the role so well. Relying less on explosions and more on his own wit, Craig has shown the world he can fill the deep shoes of his predecessors and tangle with the best of them.
“Casino Royale” was the proof that the new direction of Bond was a much needed breath of fresh air. The reliance on the depth of the character rather then explosions has moved the series back into the mainstream and gives a very good “GQ” look that the series needed.
“Quantum of Solace” was definitely not the best Bond movie and has left me unsure of the next film, but I think there is hope and that hope is what makes me think Daniel Craig deserves the top three.
Second Place: Pierce Brosnan
He may be the first loser but not any bit the worst. Brosnan is my personal favorite from a nostalgic point of view.
When “Goldeneye” came out in 1995 the world had changed since the last film, “License to Kill.” The Cold War had ended and many worried that espionage movies would end with it. Brosnan and director Martin Campbell brought the series back with a boom and proved that James Bond was still relevant.
The whole franchise got a reboot with an all new cast, and for the first time, computer generated special effects were used to help create one of the most action packed movies yet.
Brosnan appeared three more times as Bond, each one not necessarily as good as the previous but remarkable in their own way except “Die Another Day.” By then, things had gotten out of control and Brosnan had to share the screen with awkward puns and over the top special effects.
First Place: Sean Connery
Plain and simple, Connery is the original. Ian Fleming may have created James Bond but it was Sean Connery who gave the series a face. Dr. No made an impression that I don’t think anyone else will ever truly live up to. The cunning, womanizing secret agent that Connery portrayed has been updated, but it still doesn’t match the legacy Connery left.
