Greetings, everyone. Longtime AJB member joining MI6.
Time for a list. Want to discuss the concept of Bondian Cool. It could a look, gesture, attitude or any bit of action that defines the coolness of our favorite secret agent.
Examples? Here we go.
DN- Bond arrives in Jamaica and is told that no car was sent for for him. Bond slowly puts the phone down and looks at the driver like a cat about to have fun with a mouse. The first filmed scene in Bond history and no less an authority than Terence Young later said that that single look of menace defined Connery as Bond.
FRWL- Bond fires a flare gun and for a split-second looks as if he's ignited World War III!
"We have a saying in England: where there' smoke, there's fire."
GF- Bond introduces himself to Jill. As iconic as any "Bond. James Bond." in the series with an effortless delivery by the big Scot.
TB- Bond strutting into the casino in Nassau. The mood, the music, the swagger all combine all contribute to the feeling that Bond is the coolest man in the universe in 1965.
YOLT- Bond uses a couch as battering ram. One of the most underrated fights in the series.
OHMSS- Bond clobbers 3 goons and enters Draco's office, knife in hand, ready to take on the world.Lazenby at his finest. Bonus points for throwing at the calender.
"But today's the 13th, Commander."
"I'm superstitious."
DAF- Bond's priceless look of surprise when he hears:"You've just killed James Bond!
LALD- Bond takes a stroll over some alligators with the nonchalance of someone walking across the street. Pound-for-pound, one the greatest stunts in series history. Kudos to Ross Kananga.
TMWTGG- Bond walks across the street, unaware that Scaramanga has him in his sights. A terrific scene that Hitchcock would have approved. Bonus points for the moment 007 notices Nick-Nack checking himself out on the TV screen.
TSWLM- Bond faking out Jaws to look up at the magnet. Roger at his sublime best.
MR-"Anything broken?"
"Only my tailor's heart."
Always remember: saving the world for is never enough for Bond. He's got to look good doing it.
FYEO-"Love a drive on the country,don't you?"
It's imperative that Bond is capable of charming a lovely lady while in the midst of a car chase.
OP- A great confrontation with Orlov is punctuated by Bond shooting the soldier in the head. Followed by a short gunfight with other soldiers. Sir Rog looks good blasting away with his PPK.
AVTAK- "Killing Tibbett was a mistake." Nuff said.
TLD- Bond bursting the balloon. Simply put, one of the most electrifying scenes in the series.
"Yes, I got the message."
LTK- The tanker truck chase.Good, crunchy action with Bond a one-man doomsday machine, as J.W. used to say.
GE-Something effortlessly cool about the way the Pierce says "Bon soir" to the valet at the casino.
TND- Bond has a chuckle to himself as he steers the car from the back of the seat. What's the point in being the world's greatest spy if you can't have fun?
TWINE- Elektra calls Bond's bluff and pays the price. A startling scene that will rise in appreciation as the years pass.
DAD- Bond looking like a bum, struts into the hotel like he owns the world.Arguably Pierce's finest moment as 007.
CR- Bond leaning against the wall springs into action for the footchase. That sudden cat-like ferocity has not been seen since the days of Connery and the Laz.
QOS- Bond enters the hotel room and casually throws the keys on chair.A gesture that speaks volumes. Swagger, thy name is Craig.
Any comments are appreciated.
"But James, I need you."
"So does England."
Comments
Its some sort of tradmark - that tossing of him. I hav often seen it noticed. Its utterly cool the way he is doing it.
Also killing Sanchez in LTK, pointing his gun at Pushkin in TLD, meeting up with Felix's girls in TLD, meeting Frost at the ice palace in DAD, and meeting Jill in GF.
007: "Would you like to show me more?"
Kamal Khan: "You can only win with a double six."
007: "Oh, well then I shall use player's priveledge and toss with your lucky dice. After all, it's all in the wrist." (Kamal gives him the look)
Felix's Girls: "Hey, you looking for a party?"
007: "Seems like a good idea!" (with cool sunglasses on)
Mr. Bullion: "After you."
007: "No, after you. (jabs his back with the P99) I insist."
(enter into Zukovsky's office)
Valentine Zukovsky: "Why do I suddenly get the feeling that this is not a social call?"
007: "Lose the girls, Valentine. (points his P99 in his direction) We need to talk."
007: "A toast to a very...thorough...evaluation."
Xenia Onatopp: "The trick is to quit while you're still ahead."
007: "That's one trick I've never learned. (flags down a waiter) Perhaps you'll show me how it's done."
(Bond notices an incoming guard)
Elliot Carver: "Look at William Randolph Hearst, who told his photographers, 'you provide the pictures, I'll provide the war'. I've just taken it one step further."
(Bond shoots the guard above him)
007: "Sorry about that, I tuned out there for a moment, Elliot." (mocking smile)
Bond using his x-ray shades to disarm Zukofsky's goon and pin his tie to the bar with a knife and then proceeds to sip a martini in TWINE
Bond walking down the steps and walking into the casino in OHMSS
Bond introducing himself to Sylvia Trench in Dr.No
Bond introducing himself to Jill Masterson in GF
Bond shooting the Clay pigeons at Largo's place
Bond offering Fiona sandals as she asks him for something to put on as she wants to get out of the bath tub
Bond's look at him is the single greatest scene o all time.
This whole sequence (arriving my boat to finishing dancing with Domino) is easily my favourite scene of the entire series. I even like the way Bond turns around and has another curious look at a girl who he passes in the casino. Also the way he acts after bumping into another lass on his way in. Priceless stuff.
In OHMSS, GL is at his coolest when he's gunning down the enemy sliding across the ice AND also when he takes a double-take glance at the purple liquid thrown at the glass doors in the Piz Gloria fight.
LOVE that! "You seem to be unbeatable Mr Bond." *Cool hand guesture by Connery*.
i think you meant to say...in FYEO...
I agree - Brosnan at his coolest.
MR - Hugo Drax: "You missed, Mr. Bond."
James Bond: "Did I?"
YES! When he's setting the detonation mines and the guards are shooting at him, and those few bullets strike the container he's hiding behind! Man, that's so cool. I can't believe I forgot that one. Most of mine are all from Brosnan anyway!
Yes I was going to say that. LOVE that moment.
I do hope so.....
That was ruined for me by the bad sound design. Could barely hear what Craig was saying. The bit in the hotel afterwards though, now that was BA.
Funnily enough I'd agree with that at the cinema, but I've just rewatched the bluray this afternoon and it seems much better.
"More like problem eliminator."
In DR at the end with Bond letting the rope go. For some reason I always thought that was cool.
Even getting his arse kicked by Bambi and Thumper?
Another corking scene.
Also 'how original' in the PTS and the tie straightening during the tank chase which is class.
(Although tie straightening underwater in TWINE PTS is monumentally shite).
Similarly, Bond killing Dr. Kaufman in TND.
Bond in Pushkin's hotel room.
Bond using his watch on the young agent's dress in LALD. "Sheer magnetism darling..."