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In terms of acting, as I said in a thread that was deleted, Craig suceeds in provided emotional complexity far more than other Bond's before. Dalton was a real character, but never had the doubt about what his job was, never had that huge heartbreak to work with (PS, Lazenby failed to get me invested into his Bond in the ending) Craig had me invested the whole film. Even in such a crapshoot as QOS was, he was far better with that human-factor.
Dalton did have doubts about his job. Like in TLD, when he says he'd be happy if M fired him. Not having a heartbreak to work with is hardly his fault. I reckon Dalton could've pulled off CR back in the 80s if he was given the chance.
Lazenby had nothing going for him, from before the movie even started production. He wasn't Connery, so fans hated him immediately. Sure, his performance wasn't strong, but it wasn't terrible either. The script was brilliantly written, and Rigg and Savalas definitely held up the acting side of things.
I think the most credit for Lazenby goes to his fight scenes. I found Connery's to be kind of here and there. Going back and watching the initial fist fights in Goldfinger, they look terrible. Lazenby had a very physical approach to the fights. He's throwing his whole body around, doing the most damage possible. Connery's were fairly uninspired, Moore's were more stylish than brutal, and Brosnan was just trying to look cool. Dalton and Craig hold up well, but credit goes out to Lazer.
By definition it leads me only to Timothy Dalton (LTK)
Despite the fact that I detest Lazenby's "performance" (emphasis on quotes) as 007, I will give him credit for the fighting sequences. Out of all the Bond actors, it'd be difficult to say that he wouldn't get first place in that department.
That's the very stereotype of which the actor's shouldn't be judge. The character of James Bond is so much more complex than that.
Imo Dalton in TLD was very close to Flemings Bond. Maybe the closest yet. But there were lacks in the "Movie Bond"-department (which sounds more negative then I intended it to, I love TLD).
Moore in TSWLM was fantastic as the "Movie Bond". So was Pierce in TWINE.
Overall, I really go with the best Bond and the best movie and say: Sean in FRWL. Every second Sean is on screen he steals the attention and portrays everything I am looking for in my Bond. It is also still my favourite mix of the "Fleming Bond" and "Movie Bond".
Though Craig really got close in CR. I remember seeing Craig at the press conference and I really liked him and was excited what he would do with Bond. I had no clue he would get so close to Sean and really blow me out of the water with his performance. I remeber after CR had finished at cinema, a friend of mine was looking at me starting the question "And what do you thin..ah nevermind". He was just looking in my grinning face. The opposite of what was happening after DAD..
Without Roger Moore the series probably wouldn't even exist right now.
you can't say it couldn't but also cant say it could.
It's a 50/50 thing
Why do you not consider his movies actual Bond movies? There's more to his seven than just Roger Moore as Bond. Because you dislike Roger Moore, does that mean you also dislike every villain, plot, soundtrack, location, action sequence, and girl from each of his seven?
I had trouble understanding this.
It's not 50/50. Moore was popular and basically saved the series after the Connery/Lazenby confusion. He was really successful and without him, the films wouldn't have made as much money and they probably would've stopped making them, which is why they kept him on for so long.
Roger Moore was very valuable to the James Bond franchise.
After seeing Skyfall I'll have to think were to rank Craig, and his performance in SF. I don't want to get into it here, because our American/Canadian/Antipodean cousins haven't seen it yet.
You talk about Connery's DN being literary. I agree, up to a point. Connery really was a "rough diamond" in DN; he's to harsh on the other characters; think the Police Commissionaire, when Bond is shown Strangway's house. It doesn't happen often, though, and by the time Connery's performance in FRWL happens, it was gone.
Which brings me onto Craig's performance in CR. Craig was a very "rough diamond" in the beginning of that film, and the film morphs him into the Bond we know and love. I could just see Craig's CR-Bond evolving into Connery's DN-Bond.
Sir Roger Moore-The Spy Who Loved Me & For Your Eyes Only
Sir Timothy Dalton-License to Kill
Pierce Bronsan-Goldeneye
Daniel Craig-Casino Royale & Skyfall
I know Buttons has departed, but the more I think about what he said, the more perplexed I get, although doubtless it makes perfect sense, and I'm just tired
In any event, I'll do an update, and what's going on, Wasn't we taking today about the same subject but on a different thread ?
I'll just do one for each actor, and imagine it hasn't changed..
Connery - FRWL
Moore - FYEO
Dalton - LTK
Brosnan - TWINE
Craig - CR
sorry about any confusion..
Though, if I had to choose only one, I'd give it to The Living Daylights.
Honourable mentions (from most to least Bondesque, one per actor):
Craig in Casino Royale
Lazenby in OHMSS
Connery in FRWL
Moore in TMWTGG
Brosnan in TWINE
EDIT: Actually, I'm quite divided with Dalton. It's a tossup again for me, I can't choose. The scene in LTK where, after he's killed Killifer by knocking him into the shark pool, he's just staring down emotionlessly at the aftermath, is the definitive realization of Ian Fleming's vision on screen. Whereas TLD is just so Flemingesque throughout as well.
There has been talk of both Dench or Bardem stealing the film, personallyI think Craig is in total command from the moment he appears and is utterly riveting in the role like no other actor since in my opinion and isn't and hasn't been upstaged since he took the role.
Starting with -
Dr No
Terence Young, himself an erudite and sophisticated man, took Connery and knocked him into shape. The alliance of Young and Connery proved irresistible; Young turned the rough diamond Connery, into a ruthlessly elegant bon vivant, which embodied all the hallmarks of Fleming's 007; charming, yet very lethal.
Connery himself had a natural strength and aggression, which Cubby so admired, tempered with a calm authority, great grace and elegant poise. In addition to his smooth, sexual magnetism and wry charm, Connery's Bond was underpinned by a real sense of danger; his was a Bond, like the novels, that had earned his 00-prefix, and this was a key development in translating Bond to the masses.
The only caveat about Connery's 007, is a slight uncouthness, in relation to other characters; the Police Commissioner in Strangways' house, or when Leiter, Quarrel and Bond are sat in Puss Feller's bar, discussing Dr No, for example. Connery is rather rough in his interactions.
Still, Connery's 007, is almost perfect in his début outing, the slight uncouthness being the only thing that distracts during his masterful performance. I'd say this performance is more Fleming's 007, than the cinematic 007.
Dr. No was an astounding job by Sir Sean.
In
Ian Fleming's
Diamonds Are Forever
My favourite Bond performance of them all.
A sheer pleasure to watch the classic Bond at his self assured best!