From stunts and gadgets to villains and Bond girls, James Bond films have been entertaining audiences for half a century now, with a total of 24 films produced and seven different lead actors. Not all Agent 007 movies are created equal, so here are a few of the best to get you ready for this year’s winter formal: “Solace of Love.”
Casino Royale (4.5/5)
With this 2006 hit, Daniel Craig began his turn as the dashing MI6 agent, exceeding expectations dramatically and becoming one of the highest grossing James Bond films. The plot is fast-paced and more modernized, with Craig’s darker, intense spin on the classic. Unlike its predecessors, it focuses on the start of Bond’s career, which leads to a less experienced agent facing treacherous villains and exotic locations. While other Bond films generally feature blonde, seductive Bond girls, this movie had a more serious love interest: Vesper Lynd. Her involvement and dedication to helping Bond contributes to the overall suspense of the film and the amazing plot development.
Skyfall (4/5)
Craig’s third appearance as Bond does not disappoint, with sleek new gadgets and a twisting plot never been seen before by fans. The film’s beginning is full of whirlwind stunts and action that leads to the supposed death of James Bond- but of course, that isn’t the case. In a surprising turn of events, Bond had used his “death” to retire, and his return brings a new side to his personality. The film continued to grasp my own attention, with my eyes fixated to Craig. While Craig had perfectly adept acting abilities, the villain of the film, Javier Bardem, or Raoul Silva, steals the show with his eccentric and completely evil personality and his particularly memorable monologue about the rats.