Dr. No (B+ or 3.5/4 stars)
'Dr. No' (directed by Terence Young & based on Ian Fleming's novel) is the 1st of a lonnnnng line of screen classics with British Secret Service Agent 007 in a quick-paced, tongue-in-cheek style that set the tone for the rest of this movie franchise. Sean Connery sets the standard by which all future 007's must measure themselves as the confident, jovial, if reckless James Bond. The plot: when both a British agent named Strangways and his secretary assigned to Jamaica vanishes, M (Bernard Lee) sends 007 to the Caribbean to look into the situation. Upon arrival in Kingston, Bond is immediately the target of a high-skilled assassin and, as his investigation leads him closer to the truth of the vanishings, attempts on his own life commence.
After joining forces with CIA op Felix Leiter (Jack Lord), James enlists the help of lowly Cayman boat owner named Quarrel (John Kitzmiller) to take him to mysterious Crab Key Isle; which is home to an elaborate undersea nuclear laboratory that is ruled by a twisted/corrupt half-Chinese scientist named ... Dr. No (Joseph Wiseman). There, in addition to meeting a self-sufficient, bikini-clad blonde named Honey Ryder (the stunning Ursula Andress), 007 learns why no one ever returns from Crab Key. What is Dr. No's genius, if evil scheme? And what does it have to do with diverted rocket launches from Cape Canaveral, Florida? Can we say: plan for world domination??? Action - though, not riotous - ensues.
With the exception of an enormous explosion during the film's climax, 'Dr. No' offers a fast-paced, if low-key adventure. There are few gizmos or gadgets; forcing James Bond to rely on his guile, wits, & secret agent ingenuity. I liked a scene involving a cyanide cigarette. There's a fantastic (and nail-biting) scene involving a deadly scorpion in a bedroom. There is continuous action throughout the story (one good car chase, in particular). And, for the only time in the entire series, 007 is beaten to a pulp, at one point. Regardless, he still defeats a host of foes (even including 2 females), the main villain, and - of course - gets the girl. The "James Bond theme", co-created by John Barry & Monty Norman pops-up now & then throughout the fine musical score (enjoyed the calypso feel of it).
The characters of 'M' & Moneypenny make their screen debuts. Joseph Wiseman isn't an over-the-top villain, but he brings a cool menace to the role. And Ursula Andress made waves as the very 1st Bond Girl. Few - if any - would go on to make more of an impact. She is the epitome of a sex symbol & set the standard for Bond girls to come. Now, do I think 'Dr. No' is a great movie? No. Is there much warmth or humanity in it? No. Do I think it's the greatest James Bond movie? No. Close, but no. I basically found it to be a fun, even charming secret agent romp in the tropics. It's not wildly exciting, but does offer an escape from the real world. It looks wonderful. Sean Connery makes for a stellar hero. Loved his initial "Bond. James Bond". I wanted to wear his slick clothes, drink his "shaken, not stirred" martinis, hang out with his women, travel to Jamaica, etc. -- that's the whole point. And so began a wildly successful 50+ year franchise.
After joining forces with CIA op Felix Leiter (Jack Lord), James enlists the help of lowly Cayman boat owner named Quarrel (John Kitzmiller) to take him to mysterious Crab Key Isle; which is home to an elaborate undersea nuclear laboratory that is ruled by a twisted/corrupt half-Chinese scientist named ... Dr. No (Joseph Wiseman). There, in addition to meeting a self-sufficient, bikini-clad blonde named Honey Ryder (the stunning Ursula Andress), 007 learns why no one ever returns from Crab Key. What is Dr. No's genius, if evil scheme? And what does it have to do with diverted rocket launches from Cape Canaveral, Florida? Can we say: plan for world domination??? Action - though, not riotous - ensues.
With the exception of an enormous explosion during the film's climax, 'Dr. No' offers a fast-paced, if low-key adventure. There are few gizmos or gadgets; forcing James Bond to rely on his guile, wits, & secret agent ingenuity. I liked a scene involving a cyanide cigarette. There's a fantastic (and nail-biting) scene involving a deadly scorpion in a bedroom. There is continuous action throughout the story (one good car chase, in particular). And, for the only time in the entire series, 007 is beaten to a pulp, at one point. Regardless, he still defeats a host of foes (even including 2 females), the main villain, and - of course - gets the girl. The "James Bond theme", co-created by John Barry & Monty Norman pops-up now & then throughout the fine musical score (enjoyed the calypso feel of it).
The characters of 'M' & Moneypenny make their screen debuts. Joseph Wiseman isn't an over-the-top villain, but he brings a cool menace to the role. And Ursula Andress made waves as the very 1st Bond Girl. Few - if any - would go on to make more of an impact. She is the epitome of a sex symbol & set the standard for Bond girls to come. Now, do I think 'Dr. No' is a great movie? No. Is there much warmth or humanity in it? No. Do I think it's the greatest James Bond movie? No. Close, but no. I basically found it to be a fun, even charming secret agent romp in the tropics. It's not wildly exciting, but does offer an escape from the real world. It looks wonderful. Sean Connery makes for a stellar hero. Loved his initial "Bond. James Bond". I wanted to wear his slick clothes, drink his "shaken, not stirred" martinis, hang out with his women, travel to Jamaica, etc. -- that's the whole point. And so began a wildly successful 50+ year franchise.