Dr. No

Release Year: 1962

Director: Terence Young

Review: The one that started it all.  The original Bond.  Having seen no Bond films pre-Casino Royale(the modern one), I figured it was best to start at the beginning.  The film finds Bond on a mission to a mysterious island to stop a weapon that would disrupt the launch of a space launch.  Or something like that.  The plot doesn't matter so much.  It's a Bond flick. It's all about the action and the Bond swagger.  Being that this was the first, it was done on a very low budget.  This gave the entire film a very unique feel.  Rather than relying on special effects, its about using Bond as a vehicle to convey thrill.  It also means it is very campy.  I'm not a huge fan of camp, but it worked here.  The ridiculous effects, cheesy one liners and predictable plot points gave a sense of warmth and familiarity to the film.  In short, it felt like the first Bond film and I enjoyed it because of that.  Watching Sean Connery carve out the outline for one of movies most recognizable characters is exciting. Connery uttering the famous phrases for the very first time is a special experience.  Watching Bond fully embrace his womanizing reputation was a bit unsettling however.  He is someone that is supposed to be the epitome of cool, and I couldn't help but think of him as anything but a slime-ball.  It isn't to the point where it ruins the experience, but it certainly diminishes my connection with the character.  While the film is definitely dated, it has a certain undefinable quality that being the first in the series bestows upon it and makes this fun even today.
Rating: 3/5