Dr. No (1963)

Good start, but then it gets ruined

Instead, you get a movie that's enjoyable enough, but leaves you feeling like it could have been much, much more.

Mostly, the movie is committed to the value of a good time.

After playing with our expectations, this turns out to be a very different sort of film.

Movie Review: "007: Dr. No" (1962)Little did they know about the Zeitgeist, when teaming-up New York City based investor Albert R. Broccoli (1909-1996) and Canadian producer Harry Saltzman (1915-1994) optioned Ian Fleming's spy novel "Dr. No" published in 1958 to realize a fairly budgeted independent action movie, introducing the character of James Bond in her majesty's secret service, performed by 31-year-old Sean Connery.The 1st Bond presents itself in a highly entertaining mood directed by competent and able director Terence Young (1915-1994). The main character needs to investigate murders of governmental members on the island to Jamaica, exposing an underground oragnization that will shake up the worldwide secret service for years to come.The picture is modestly produced with a 1.1 Million Dollar budget, yet brings style, grace and elegance to the screen in the all time famous casino scene with Sean Connery lighting a cigarette while playing Black Jack with the antagonist's mistress, later to expose as the daring scientist Dr. No, when James Bond learns his trade by going locally undercover with hotel employees, a fisherman and bartenders.James Bond meets constantly changing love interests, this time in shape of actress Ursula Andress, portraying a female shell diver named "Honey" stepping out of water at a remote beach side, marking the first iconic visual in a smash hit motion picture from the 1960s, which secured the producers production company Danjaq LLC and build an instant classic spy action movie series.© 2017 Felix Alexander Dausend (Cinemajesty Entertainments LLC)

Having completed my look at Clint Eastwood's acting Filmography, I have decided to move on to the legend that is Sir Sean Connery. Dr.No (1962)Plot In A Paragraph: James Bond (Sean Connery) a resourceful British government agent seeks answers in a case involving the disappearance of a colleague. Our introduction to 007 is classic Bond. The first shot of him was at the gaming tables, only his fingers and the cards are visible, followed by a close up of his face as he lit a cigarette as the soundtrack played his signature tune. Agent 007, licensed to kill, but not be killed, thought all villains single-handedly, surviving bullets, water, fire and even electricity. He was a comic strip hero, a Superman or a Captain America. An immensely good-looking and immensely well groomed 1930s hero updated to the 1960s. He was cool, sharp and cunning. Thoroughly professional at all times, fast with his gun, nifty on his feet, nifty in bed, and always had time for sex, even if he was about to be murdered. He was the sort of hero who made love to a woman just before he handed over to the police. And with his tongue firmly in his cheek Connery played him perfectly. Jospeh Wiseman played the title character very coldly, but he doesn't leave much of an impression. Unlike Ursula Andres as Honey Rider. The original 'Bond Girl' and one often most imitated. In my youth, I spent many an hour, slowly pausing the radio active shower scene on video (long before DVD made this process much easier) hoping to catch it just right, to see if she was really nude or not. Oh the memories.Sadly the movie has not aged well, the fight scenes often look clumsy, over rehearsed and at worst poorly co-ordinated. On a $1.1 million budget, Dr. No grossed $16 million at the domestic box office, to end 1963 as the 9th highest grossing movie of the year.

Dr No was the first (Eon Production) film adaptation of Ian Fleming's James Bond in 1962. It showcased the great 007 investigating the disappearance of a fellow agent. Dr No is great in introducing the key elements that would characterize a classic Bond film. From the gun barrel sequence, bond girl, soundtrack, master villain to overcoming great odds. Sean Connery is iconic in his portrayal as 007 and cementing himself as the greatest James Bond. We see the Bond many love, someone who is rugged, resourceful, composed, calm, smooth, ruthless, has human limitations and charm to top it off. The mystery around Dr No adds to the suspense as 007 finally makes his way to the island. A Bond film is also as strong as its villain and plot. Dr No is captivating as a master villain that only Bond can take on to stop his evil plans. Connery's way of dealing with the villain, henchman and chemistry with the Bond girl created the perfect formula for a truly great film. This film is also famous for showing the first great entrance of the Bond girl, Ursula Andress, turn heads of many including Bond himself. The Bond girl is a key part of the franchise and in many ways she is Bond's equal. Films over time have noted that the Bond girl is 007's weakness. When Bond manages to defeat the great Dr No, rescue the mission and land up with the Bond girl it set the groundwork for many memorable films to follow. The only issue is sometimes the difficulty in understanding the plot as the majority of stories are based on Fleming's own experiences in the Navy and involve complex schemes. Once you understand it, the journey is enjoyable. Dr No was indeed a great start to an iconic film series that continues to entertain.

This film was the first official Bond film to hit cinemas back in 1962. It kick-started Sean Connery's career, introduced the world to the cinematic James Bond and is, to many people, a truly iconic and important film...Okay, let's get straight to the point. Dr No is not a great Bond film or even a great film in general. I know that a great deal of people have a special place in their hearts for this film and I respect that. However, modern audiences may hold an entirely different opinion of this film. I know that a lot of people may not agree with my opinion and that is their choice, but I still maintain that this film is nowhere near as good as most of the Bond films that were to follow.There are some good points about Dr. No, though. Everyone knows about the "spider" scene and Ursula Andress looks great in that iconic white bikini. Sean Connery has also never looked cooler as Bond as he was in this film. The film also introduced audiences to the now instantly recognisable James Bond theme, which is first heard over the starting credits. It is also used several times throughout the film.However, I think the negative points outweigh the positives. The film is now hopelessly dated and I think it has dated more than any other Bond film. The portrayal of the black characters can also, in some ways, be seen as stereotypical and even borderline racist. Bond's "fetch my shoes" line to Quarrel never fails to make me squirm with embarrassment. There are also very few action sequences and no stand-out set-pieces. I also believe that Dr. No, although worthy of a viewing, would not stand up to repeat viewings, as it is simply not entertaining enough. Even the Roger Moore Bond films are more entertaining than this and yes, I do include Moonraker.As I mentioned, this was Connery's first Bond film and I know, to many people, he will always be the ultimate Bond. I do agree with that, up to a point. However, even he made some real stinkers as Bond. Goldfinger, in my opinion, is vastly over-rated and not much better than Dr. No in terms of entertainment value. Thunderball is too long and is the most boring Bond film, in my opinion, due to the long and slow underwater scenes. I am not even going to comment on the execrable Diamonds Are Forever...So, to sum up, Dr. No is a film firmly of its time. I would imagine it had much greater impact when seen in cinemas for the first time back in 1962, but I just don't think it has stood the test of time very well. I would recommend a viewing for any serious Bond fan, but they will probably find that one viewing is enough. Connery made much better Bond films than this, so I would instead direct people to check out either From Russia With Love or You Only Live Twice. I find these films endlessly watchable. I give Dr. No four stars, because it was a ground-breaking film, but very far from the best of Bond.