Bond countdown: Dr. No (1962)

So I've always been a big fan of the James Bond films and am eagerly anticipating the new one, especially after being so impressed with the direction Daniel Craig has taken the character. If my math is correct, we are 21 weeks out from the new film (Quantum of Solace is due out Nov. 7). So in preparation for the new film, I'll recall each of the previous 21 official films (Never Say Never Again doesn't count) in chronological order.


Plot: In the film that launched the James Bond saga, Agent 007 (Sean Connery) battles the mysterious Dr. No, a scientific genius bent on destroying the U. S. space program. As the countdown to disaster begins, Bond must travel to Jamaica where he encounters the beautiful Honey Rider (Ursula Andress) and confronts the megalomanical villain in his massive island headquarters.

First appearances: M, Miss Moneypenny, Felix Leiter

Other firsts: "Bond, James Bond", Shaken, not stirred vodka, mention of SPECTRE

Girls Bond slept with: Sylvia Trench (presumed), Miss Taro, and Honey Rider (presumed)

Elaborate murder attempt that Bond escapes: Death by tarantula

Personal review: With this first effort, there are lot of things missing that would become stallwarts of the franchise. Still, this a pretty decent effort. The movie kicks off with a mysterious murder that gets Bond right into the investigation. Quarrel is a decent second banana (although Bond's treatment of him wouldn't fly in today's PC era). And Ursula Andress is a quintessential Bond girl. She's hot and isn't annoying in the damsel in distress role. Things drag a bit from the time Bond reaches Crab Key until he meets Dr. No, but then the film ends with some decent action. Not my favorite, but solid nontheless. 8/10