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I have to agree.
True, but you could say that about alot of Bond moments.
Connery:
- looking at his watch shortly before the explosion in the GF PTS
- Connerys facial expression whenever he`s surprised, e.g. when Pussy finds him under the Fort Knox model
Lazenby:
- Laz in action with a machine gun in the end
Moore:
- MR PTS: "This is where we leave you, Mr Bond." - "A little premature, isn't it?" (don't know why, but this scene is pure Bond to me)
Dalton:
- his look to the criticising Saunders in the concert hall
- "Watch the birdy, you bastard!"
Brosnan:
- some gestures in GE, e.g. when he towels his face after the fight at the yacht
- the whole TND pre-title, especially standing on the plane and firing around with a machine gun
Craig:
- CR: "Bond. James Bond."
- at the end of QOS to Yusef and Corinne: "Sit down!"
Many times in the films they "push" a moment too much either because of the actor (Lazenby was a bit too inexperienced, Dalton didn't have the sexual magnetism, Brosnan didn't have the manliness or toughness) or the style of the film (DAF, anything with Moore).
What makes a moment "Bondian cool" is the same as what makes something in real life cool - if you try too hard to be cool then you aren't. It's the self-assuredness without the smarm or cheesiness, the quiet confidence without having to proclaim too much about how great you are.
In terms of movement both Connery and Craig have that - in fact, one of Connery's acting teachers, Yat Malmgrem, was a huge proponent of establishing character through movement. Connery's Bond had a "panther-like prowl" when walking which Craig replicates as he's walking with M through Dimitrios' house in CR. Just the way that you walk or move says a lot about how confident you are. As an interesting aside, a dance teacher that I knew once said to me "If you ever want a woman to notice you, just walk like this...". And then she walked with that same "prowl" that Connery used!
Another part of being cool is "under-playing" a moment. Connery nails it when he hands Fiona her shoes is TB. No cheesy one-liner needed (which would have likely occurred if it were Moore or Brosnan), just that expectant look on his face of "So...now it's your turn. What's your move in this chess-like game of flirtation?". Someone above mentioned Brosnan barely flinching in GE when a bullet hits near his head; another moment would be Craig calmly catching the empty gun that's thrown at his head on top of the crane in CR.
Another big part of being cool - at least for a movie character like Bond - is acting like things are no big deal. Craig throwing away the keys to the German tourist's Land Rover in CR would be a recent example. Connery had several of these moments, and my favourite is the aftermath of the fight with Pus-Fella in Dr. No. After a tense moment everyone is friends and they're joking together.
To me, an really good example of Bondian cool is a beautiful little moment that Dalton had in TLD, and it also helps sell the relationship with Kara as more romantic (and nicely harkens back to the chivalry of Fleming's Bond). At the end of the concert in Vienna Kara jumps to her feet to give a standing ovation, which no one else is doing. Bond, instead of looking embarrassed by this display of enthusiasm (which is understandable coming from Kara) joins her to support her. Caring, considerate, classy, chivalrous, not caring what others think - to me that *should* be Bond in a nutshell when it comes to women.
- GE, when Bond slams the door open on the yacht, just before he finds the body.
- CR, the way Bond walks after he crashes the car into the other parked cars in the parking lot in the Bahamas, and he moves his arm as he briskly passes the couple looking at the damage.
Lordflasheart's coments are especially astute. I'm glad someone remembered that Connery had dance training which defined character.
There is a clip of Harry Saltzman talking about why Connery was chosen. "I like the way he moved." replied Saltzman. "He moved like a big cat."
Look no further than Bond's first scene in DN. The way he casually leans away from Trench as he hands her his card. And then tipping the doorman and strutting out as if he's the world's greatest spy. The famous swagger is there from the beginning.
"Hello, Moneypenny, what gives?"
"Me, given an ounce of encouragement."
I find that my opinions on the Bond films and the actors who play Bond have changed over the years...when I was younger I found certain scenes or lines cool but now they seem clumsy and obvious. No offence to the person who mentioned it but Brosnan opening the door to the yacht in GE is a good example. Stop in front of door, plant feet far apart, then make a huge movement to slam the door open. Umm, that's just trying *way* too hard. You're OPENING A DOOR for dog's sake! Campbell did an amazing job at making Brosnan credible as Bond but little things like that destroy (in an instant!) a lot of the cool things that came previously. Luckily the "wiping his face with a towel" bit (after calming reacting to the reflection of the guy running up behind him) nicely saved that scene...
DAD- takes the sunglasses. Quick smile. B-) Back to business. (and after this point, you take the DVD out of your player and either sell it on ebay or use it as a frisbee)
I always liked this scene with Bond flicking his towel into the goon's face after he catches the reflection.
Pierce was deceptively good during the punchups but required special handling to maximize his toughness.
Thelordflasheart is right on the money about the way Pierce opens the door. Its overemphatic. Bond has always been about making everything look effortless.
The moment that sticks with me is from TB. Bond smashes a goon through a window, wraps the phone around the neck like a Xmas present, jams his elbow into the file alarm and flirts with a lovely lass:"I don't know. Could it be the front door bell?"
All done with the economy and ease of a man without a care in the world.
"Mink..it...reduces the tensions."
You are so right! As a 12 year old I just loved how he opened the door, I thought it was so stylish. Hopefully I grew up and everytime I watch that scene I cringe a bit more. Why on earth did he do that!?
Bond coolness is all about doing things effortlessly in my opinion, less is more.
The look on his face during the whole, "Isn't it customary to grant a condemned man his last request?" line in GF.
For those of you who've seen the deleted scenes on DAF, the look on his face when he disapproves of the wine served to him by the waiter... "No good."
The look on Dalton's face in TLD when he waves away the street peddlers as he's sitting in his car spying on Pushkin and his lady. A priceless look of condescending annoyance.
The whole black jack game in LTK, the way he handles the original dealer until Lupe shows up.
The look on Brosnan's face in TND as he locks the doors to the BMW in the garage and struts off to find Paris in his hotel room. A look of purpose and disregard for everything in the world.
In DAD, the line to Peaceful Fountains of Desire, "Unless you really wanna give me a massage."
The entire poker game at the Ocean Club in CR from the moment he sits at the table, but in particular his invitation to Solange right after. He oozes so much confidence it's a bit disturbing.
That, and his 'Guten Abend' to the German who's Land Rover he smacked.
Yes, those two scenes are pure Bond coolness.
This is a great one. Classic badass Dalton.
Dr. No: Bond introduces himself, Honey exits the water, Bond and Dr. No eat dinner.
From Russia With Love: SPECTRE island, Bond and Tanya in bed, Bond vs. Grant.
Goldfinger: The entire PTS, the golden girl, the inaugural Q scene (I know he was in FRWL, but this is the first extended scene in the lab). Oddjob decapitates the statue, the car chase, the laser table, Bond vs. Oddjob.
Thunderball: the meeting of SPECTRE higher-ups, the plane hijacking, all things Fiona Volpe, underwater battle.
You Only Live Twice: Bond meets Tanaka, Little Nellie, the volcano lair, Blofeld's reveal, the final battle.
On Her Majesty's Secret Service: Bond investigates the banker's apartment, all things Piz Gloria, especially the escape. I want to put the ending on so badly, but it's not quite Bondian. Still, it's beautiful enough to deserve a mention.
Diamonds are Forever: Bond "kills" Blofeld, Bond vs. Peter Franks, Tiffany Case's first scene, Bond at the Whyte House.
Live and Let Die: Bond steps on the alligators, the boat chase.
The Man with the Golden Gun: "Speak now, or forever hold your piece," the car flip (minus slide whistle).
The Spy Who Loved Me: The Union Jack parachute, "What a helpful chap," Bond vs. Jaws, "Egyptian builders," the Lotus, Bond and Anya discussing her lover's death, the final battle, Jaws vs. shark.
Moonraker: Corinne's death, "I believe he's attempting re-entry."
For Your Eyes Only: Bond kicks Locque's car off the cliff, Bond and Melina are keelhauled, Bond goes rock climbing.
Octopussy: the opening chase, Orlov vs. Gogol, the auction, Bond as a clown.
A View to a Kill: Zorin's estate, Mr. Chang's dropping out.
The Living Daylights: the PTS, Necros vs. agent, Bond vs. Necros.
Licence to Kill: Bond and M at the Hemingway House, Bond kills Sanchez.
GoldenEye: Base jump off the dam, Severnaya's destruction, tank chase, Bond and Alec are reunited, Bond vs. Alec.
Tomorrow Never Dies: PTS, Bond vs. Kaufman, car chase.
The World is Not Enough: Banker scene, Bond kills Elektra.
Die Another Day: Bond enters the hotel, Bond and Peaceful Fountains of Desire.
Casino Royale: PTS, parkour chase, Bond wins at poker, Bond's car flips, Bond is forcibly sterilized, Vesper's death, ending scene.
Quantum of Solace: Bond on the plane, Bond at the opera, ending scene.
Skyfall: Silva's entrance, Tennyson run, ending scene.
Always thought that was really cool and one of Lazenby's best moments as Bond. He really should've done more.
Yes, if you Google the word "cool," you will find a picture of Sean in that scene. The way he commands the camera's attention is indescribably perfect.
Bond's "because I'm hungry" response to Honey as she asks how can he eat at a time like this was also quite cool, considering they were captives to a lunatic.
The way Bond effortlessly catches the flashlight that Kerim throws over to him just before they set sail in the underground canal.
The way Bond paces along the platform while smoking a cigarette, looking for Nash at the train station in FRWL.
...and everything @thelordflasheart said at the top of the page. Spot on.
"Yes, well, go put your clothes back on, and I'll buy you an ice cream"
(grabs Brink by the mouth) "Cover the door! Where's Kristatos?! And keep your voice down."
"You left this with Ferrara, I believe." (throws dove pin into car and kicks it over the cliff)
(chucks the ATAC off the cliff) "That's detente, comrade- you don't have it; I don't have it."
"Lisl! Lisl, come back!" (fires shots at Locque's dune buggy)
"Get your men out of here- now!" (shoots the last gunman)
Bond's escape from Gonzales' estate- such authority and brutality!
I have no idea how I missed Bond and Professor Dent. One of the greatest moments in the series.