Best Bond ever? The name's Craig - Daniel Craig
Posted by Dave Shaw on 10 Nov 08
They thought he was too blonde to be Bond. They thought he was too short to be Bond. But then he took the role of 007 in Layer Cake which convinced the movie moguls that he could play 007. And now he's proved himself as the greatest Bond ever.
It's time to face facts people. Sorry Sean Connery, but Daniel Craig is the best James Bond there has ever been. I know, I know. It feels like we're admitting we love our step-daddy more than our real daddy. We're confused and a little scared. But Sean can take it - he's big and Scottish. Besides, he walked out on us a long time ago.
So how did we arrive at this controversial conclusion? And, in the end, was it really just a two horse race between Craig and Connery for greatest 007? In a word, yes.
In what's already being touted as one of the most sweeping statements of film criticism ever made, the Bonds performances can be easily shoehorned into two distinct types: glitzy Bond and gritty Bond. Roger Moore and Pierce Brosnan fall into the first camp (almost literally) with Craig, Connery and Timothy Dalton all assuming that the role of a legalised killer shouldn't really be played for laughs.
There is a third category - best Sean Connery impression by a third rate Australian ex-model - but let's agree to skip over that, shall we?
Roger Moore pretty much defined Bond as suave, glamorous, gadget-loving, womanising, slightly creepy superspy; Brosnan filled his shoes nicely but struggled to develop the role any further than a slightly different shade of arched eyebrow. But to compare glitzy Bond to gritty Bond is almost pointless.
You might as well compare Carry on Camping to Deliverance - it's just not the same kind of movie. Brosnan and Moore, your licence to pun is revoked.
And so to gritty Bond. Well, Timothy Dalton is a great actor but as a tough Bond he simply wasn't tough enough. He looked on the verge of tears half the time for God's sake. Craig has intense, watery eyes too, but looks like he would punch you in the face if you tried to hug him. Dalton, you instinctively feel, would have hugged back.
So it's down to Sean and Dan. Who's the darkest? Who's the edgiest?
Wry, witty, drenched in testosterone and charisma, Sean is admittedly a great Bond. But he's only the best Bond of his time. It's just nostalgia. Unconvinced? Watch Casino Royale or the non-stop thrill-a-thon that is Quantum of Solace. Now watch Goldfinger. Seems tame by comparison, doesn't it? Not as good as you remembered? Daddy's gone. It's ok to cry.
Many have played Bond. But Daniel Craig is Bond. No actor yet has thrown himself into the role (and about in the role) with such muscular conviction, crashing from exotic location to exotic location like a psychotic Steve McQueen on steroids.
Admittedly, after Casino, Quantum was slightly disappointing. But Craig was still utterly mesmerising. For the first time ever, Bond feels truly dangerous and damaged, violent and vulnerable. Just like a secret agent should be, in fact.
So let's enjoy the definitive 007 while we can - Craig has already made noises about not "doing a Moore" and outstaying his welcome. Imagine what it would be like if they managed to make a Bond film to match his powerhouse performance before he goes? Your head might literally explode.
Dave's Best Bond Awards - hell, let's make 'em all winners!
1. Daniel Craig - Best Bond ever
2. Sean Connery - Best Bond of the 60s-90s
3. Roger Moore - Best Bond-lite
4. Pierce Brosnan - Best Bond-lite for a new generation
5. Timothy Dalton - Best miscast Bond
6. George Lazenby - Best Bond in On Her Majesty's Secret Service (Runner up)
Comments
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I think i need to see Craig in a Brosnan type of plot to decide whether Connery or Craig is best.
Craig handsome or not?? Depends wether youre a female/male. Im male,and i suppose i would say hes a mans man,and most importantly one helluva actor.