Before I review No Day to Die in tomorrow's post, I'm having a think about my favourite Bond films.
Don't tell anybody, but I enjoy Bond films. Yes, the early ones are pretty sexist, and yes they are a bit violent, but they're mostly the violence I can tolerate - the bang-bang-you're-dead voilence which generally doesn't mess with your head. I also reckon that whoever the baddies get in for protection, they really could improve their gunmanship. They're TERRIBLE shots.
My father introduced me to Bond films when I was about eight or nine. Live and Let Die was on the telly. Something gelled. Jane Seymour's Solitaire was a lingering image that took me down the path of reading tarot (Seriously - I was introduced to tarot through a Bond film). There's the epic boat chase and the streets of New Orleans - somwhere I've always wanted to go. And of course there's Paul McCartney's cracking theme song and Roger Moore at his best. Roger Moore always reminded me of my Uncle John.
As I grew up, I watched the back catalogue of Bond films.
I'll admit to being in the Roger Moore camp - I don't mind Connery, but Roger Moore is a bit more polished. Maybe your first Bond is always going to be your favourite.
And my second favourite Bond is Peirce Brosnan. I know, controversial - but I find he hits the right note between serious and campy - like Roger Moore.
Though I've never been one for blondes, Daniel Craig is a great Bond too. Casino Royale and Skyfall are my favourites.
Sure, Bond films have got more violent with age, but some things remain the same. There's always a M and a Q - and of course, Moneypenny - there has to be a Moneypenny - but at least now, Moneypenny isn't fawning over Bond anymore.
There's the joy of all the technology. And the Aston Martin car, which has lots of gadgets. Oh, and there's the baddies. Kananga (Live and Let Die), Goldfinger, Javier Bardem's Silva was particularly sick, as was Christoph Waltz's Blofeld. Wonderfully sick. People you love to hate.
I like that the new Bond girls are their own women. Gone are the simpering wrecks and in have come women who can very much hold their own. Bond, it appears, has found a conscience - or maybe he's just getting older. Daniel Craig was 52 when he made No Day to Die - I'd hate to do some of the stunts he was doing. Must have gone through a tonne of radox. But it was worth the view.
I'll write about what I saw tomorrow. It's a film worth reviewing.
Ah, Mr Bond. What would we do without you.
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