You Only Live Twice (1967) 8.5/10 - Back to Connery. I have to say I was a little disappointed in this one. My memory didn't serve me well. This used to be top 5 for me when I was younger. But it's not so exciting now. It's all very well done and goes at a great pace (something that can't be said for most Bond films), but the first two-thirds are only vaguely interesting. The last third, of course is completely awesome (though it could have done with a better henchman/final showdown). I think the imbalance comes mainly from the fact that Bond is in Japan for the majority of the film. It's just not as exciting as it should be. And why does he die at the beginning? I still don't know.
Diamonds Are Forever (1971) 7.5/10 - I like to see this one as a follow up to YOLT. As a follow up to OHMSS, it is unacceptable. But to YOLT, it's rather enjoyable. Being the second Bond film I ever saw, this was always one of my favorites as a kid. It's easy to see why. This movie is really, really fun to watch. But it has some definite downsides. Connery is bored, the Bond girls suck, Bond's final confrontation with Blofeld is anti-climactic (it doesn't really happen!), and most of the story is set in one place again, this time it's Las Vegas (side-note, I think that's the only location that both me and Bond have both been to). Still, like I said, very fun.
GoldenEye (1995) 9.5/10 - I love this movie. There's a lot great here. Brosnan, the story, the action, the characterization, the villain, the locations, the girls, and even the score (I know some people dislike it because it's not like Barry, but I think, by itself, it works). It's really a shame that Brosnan's other films weren't more like this, he really was a good choice for Bond.
Casino Royale (2006) 10/10 - I can't tell you how proud I am to be able to say that this was the first Bond film I saw in theaters. I love every bit of this movie, from start to finish. Amazing action, story, characters, locations, cars, score, everything. A great title sequence too, one of, if not, the best. I'm glad Bond got this reboot, he needed it. Bond feels real again, in fact, he feels more real here than he ever has before. And Daniel Craig does a great job. I might go so far as to say that, out of all the Bonds in all the films, he gives the single best performance here. And the ending is simply outstanding - and by that I mean both the heartbreaking Venice conclusion, and Craig's first utterance of "Bond, James Bond."
Quantum of Solace (2008) 7.5/10 - Yeah, it's pretty disappointing. I was about to do a whole write up on its shortcomings, but it basically boils down to this: it's no fun. There are a number of good aspects, though, in particular the final scene. I still very much like this movie, it's just not nearly as good as CR. Which I think is also because Bond, honestly, isn't given much to do here, character wise. Which is a real step down from CR.
Infinitely excited about Skyfall, though. I hope to see it tonight.
