James Bond - 007

Movie Greats on Foxtel has been running a Bond retrospective, screening all twenty movies in the franchise on consecutive nights. My hard disk recorder has been working overtime. These are hugely entertaining movies, many of which I have never seen before or perhaps have forgotten. In any event I’ve been having a great time with them. Sure, the plots are often ludicrous and very similar, but then if you’re following the plot of a Bond movie, you are surely missing the point. Enjoyment of these movies lies in observing the details and style, such as Pierce Brosnan adjusting his tie while engaged in a violent tank chase through St Petersburg or Sean Connery enjoying a Martini with a twist of lemon, shaken not stirred, and made with Vodka, of course. 007 is entertaining right from the opening credits, which traditionally feature a slightly psychedelic presentation of a mixture of guns and scantily clad girls.

I suspect that the answer to which Bond is one’s favourite is a function of the era in which you grew up. Sean Connery has always been the purists’ choice, and I must admit looking back objectively now he did carry off the role with the most panache. Roger Moore was always my favourite, having come to know Bond in the seventies and eighties. He is still the most fun and epitomised the elegant, gentlemanly side of 007. Then there is the question, perhaps even more perplexing, of a favourite Bond Girl. My vote would have to go for Carole Bouquet from For Your Eyes Only, but there are so many. One of the most amusing parts of watching these movies now is spotting all the source material for Austin Powers. Its also interesting to note how the stakes have got higher over the years. I couldn’t imagine Sean Connery’s Bond jumping off a cliff to catch up with an aeroplane as Pierce Brosnan does in Goldeneye. Roll on the new Bond and long live 007. After having seen Daniel Craig in Munich, I am quite optimistic that the legacy may be in good, steady hands.