I'm chomping at the bit to see the latest James Bond movie, Skyfall, and hoping that through the fog of moving preparations and children illnesses I'll get a chance to see it before it goes to DVD (sadly I only get to see most movies after this fact!).
Although I remember being taken to the Roger Moore movies as a child, I really didn't fall in love with James Bond until I read the original Ian Fleming books. These were true Cold War classics - taut and tightly plotted - they were vastly different to the slightly-camp, bloated movies that peppered the 1980s.
That was when I went back and watched the Sean Connery Bond movies which were closer to the feel of the books. Now, with the emergence of Daniel Craig as Bond I feel the tone is returning to the original Fleming ideal (though I'm sure some of you will disagree:)) and I have the urge to re-read the books. My only fear is that they will suffer from 're-reading fatigue' (you know, when you read something you loved and realize it's not as lovable second time round - I had a severe case of this with John Fowles' The Magus...)So who amongst you have read the Ian Fleming books? What do you think - should I risk picking them back up? Will they seem merely dated and dull, given the current calibre of thrillers and spy mysteries out there?
In the Bondian spirit of things, I have to confess Daniel Craig is my favorite Bond, followed closely by Sean Connery. Timothy Dalton was probably the most akin to the Bond of Ian Fleming's books but it didn't seem to resonate on film as it should have. My least favorite Bond was Roger Moore (And boy was Moonraker a dud!). The best movie for me is Daniel Craig's version of Casino Royale followed by Dr No.
So what about you? What's your favorite Bond actor and movie?Also what about villains? ( I have to confess the 'Jaws' guy is mine - just for sheer novelty value!) Why do we think after so many decades, James Bond can still pull a crowd (not to mention the girl)?
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