There are four men who I feel represent the cornerstones of the James Bond universe. Perhaps least known is the man whose namesake was borrowed for a series of stories which would become synonymous with espionage and adventure in film. James Bond was a real person. He was an ornithologist who wrote a book read by the second of these four men – Ian Fleming. Fleming named the hero of his thrilling spy novels after James Bond, but it was Sean Connery who first embodied the sly, martini-drinking secret agent on the silver screen.
James Bond and his Aston Martin
Some fans might say Moore, Dalton, Brosnan or even Lazenby was their favorite Bond, but the reality is, despite fine performances by all of them in the role, it was Sir Sean Connery who set the tone for the franchise from the moment he stepped into the Jamaican sun in Dr. No. They were all variations of the original. Initially, Fleming was not impressed, but soon Connery proved such a perfect fit for the character that Fleming even modified stories to better align with Connery in the role. Plain and simple, Connery is Bond. Fleming wrote the stories with the borrowed name, but it was Sean Connery who exemplified James Bond.
Bond and H&K dressed for success.
Two years ago, Vanessa and I saw Casino Royale in a theatre in Kansas City. I remember being on the edge of my seat for the bulk of that film and, when Bond appeared in Mr. White’s driveway in a crisp suit with the H&K in hand, I knew that Daniel Craig had officially, for me, anyway, bypassed all his predecessors save one on the list of Bond players. Two days ago, Vanessa and I saw Quantum of Solace in a theatre here in Phoenix. Again, I was on the edge of my seat for the bulk of the film and, with the words “I never left,” Bond turns his back to the camera, walks off into the snowy darkness, and leaves me wondering whether or not it would be fair to keep Connery atop the pedestal simply because he is the quintessential Bond.
Bond, Fleming, Connery, and now Craig. The diehard Bond fans of the world are torn. Many feel Craig was a poor choice and have called for boycotts of the movies. I just can’t see this point of view. To me, Craig represents the fourth cornerstone. Bond was the namesake. Fleming was the creator. Connery was the originator. Craig is the renaissance. As 007, he is every bit as smooth, but he brings a certain unrefined grittiness to the character which I feel has been missing for some time.
In just two films, I have had my faith in Bond renewed. There is so much to think about. Some would argue it’s stupid to sort of start things over again, but the previews before the movie show they’re doing the same thing for Star Trek, and even that looks good now with the benefit of proper special effects. Think about how, thus far, Craig’s Bond hasn’t really cared about his trademark drink. When asked if he preferred it shaken or stirred in Casino Royale, he didn’t care. He did comment about naming it the “Vesper” after Vesper Lynd (whose name doesn’t even appear to be an innuendo), but he refuses to call it so in Quantum of Solace, despite the bartender pointing out that he’s just finished six of them. Bond always orders this special martini. Consider it a reminder of Vesper going all the way back to well before Dr. No. It almost gives me goose bumps to think of it like that.
Mr. White does the hokey pokey.
And now, with the credits rolling on Quantum of Solace, we know that Mr. White is still at large and that he’s part of a secret society of powerful men with aspirations for world domination. You might say they are a special executive dealing in counter-intelligence, terrorism, revenge, and extortion, in fact. There appears a budding trust developing between Bond and Felix Leiter of the CIA, who has just been promoted. Even further, aside from one heck of a nice cell phone (product placement, although not as bad as the blatant Ford use this time out), Craig’s Bond is definitely on the short end of the stick when it comes to goodies from Q Branch. As a keyboard rallyist, I love seeing fast cars on less-than-paved surfaces, but the DB7 didn’t even have bullet-proof glass this time out!
The history of James Bond is rich with exotic locations, fast cars, faster women, and an exclusive roster of distinguished gentlemen who have brought it all together to provide us with a hero in which we can believe. He has the latest gadgets, he drives the best cars, saves the world, gets the girl, and manages to do it all with aplomb and a fabulous sense of humor. He’s traversed the world, been to every city that mattered (and some that didn’t), to the bottom of the sea and to mountain peaks, from the desert to the rainforest and we’ve been along for the ride every time. It’s a brilliant franchise and now I feel that Daniel Craig is poised to take us to a place where Bond has never allowed us to go – inside. His Bond is lean and hungry. He is the blunt instrument M mentions, but he is getting sharper with each installment.
Thus is my Sean Connery Conflict. Connery represents the epitome of all that has made 007 one of the most brilliantly engrossing franchises of all time, however Craig stands and delivers the ruthless, often violent world of espionage with regular hints at inner emotional turmoil. We grew up with Bond never truly caring about anyone or anything, but Craig’s hinting at such introduces a new level of risk to the adventure. Bones mend and bruises heal, but how does Bond’s mental state play into things. It’s a whole new ball game and, if the next two films are on par with Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace, I fear I may have to admit that Daniel Craig has managed to not only fill Connery’s shoes, but possibly outgrow them.