With the release of No Time to Die and the end of Daniel Craig’s run as James Bond, and the future of the franchise in doubt, it seemed like a good time to take a look back. For nearly 60 years, James Bond has dazzled (and, admittedly, also disappointed) on the big screen. Here’s a look back at Bond over the years in ten categories including the best car, best gadget, and best Bond Girl as we try to identify the Best of Bond.
Best Car
While you can certainly make a case for the Aston Martin DB5 from Goldfinger, there’s just something special about the Lotus Esprit AKA “Wet Nellie” from The Spy Who Loved Me which transformed from car to submarine. The fact that several scenes in the film used the actual working car-shaped submarine gives it the win. Point goes to The Spy Who Loved Me.
Best Henchman
They were never the main villain, but they often stole the show. You could make a case for the recurring character of Jaws, but in the end no henchman is as memorable or menacing as Oddjob. Point goes to Goldfinger.
Best Title Sequence
For a franchise known for finding ways to dazzle during its opening credits there are really no wrong choices here. Narrowly beating out some stiff competition, point goes to Casino Royale.
Best Bond Girl
Everyone has their favorite, but the best Bond Girls are (along with being beautiful) both capable and tragic. For me the character that best fits the bill is Agent XXX Anya Amasova, the first real female equal of Bond with a grudge, who beats out the likes of Pussy Galore, Paris Carver, and Tatiana Romanova. Point goes to The Spy Who Loved Me.
Best Adversary
More than a henchman, there have been a small number of adversaries that have proved nearly Bond’s equal over the years. The first of these, SPECTRE Agent Red Grant, set the bar, although 006 Alec Trevelyan and Francisco Scaramanga are certainly each worth a mention. Point goes to From Russia with Love.
Best Villain Lair
Speaking of setting the bar… What’s a Bond villain without ridiculously cool lair? While Karl Stromberg’s Atlantis is in strong contention here, it’s impossible to go with anything other than the volcano base which set an impossibly high standard for everything that followed. Point goes to You Only Live Twice.
Best Song
As with many of these categories, Goldfinger is a serious contender, but for the winner I’m going with Tom Jones’ “Thunderball” narrowly beating out “For Your Eyes Only.” Point goes to Thunderball.
Best Femme Fatale
A subgenre of Bond Girl, Bond has had run-ins with several deadly women over the years but none more memorable than Xenia Zaragevna Onatopp. Point goes to Goldeneye.
Best Gadget
Bond has used a variety of cool gadgets supplied by Q Branch but few have been both as useful and amazing as the Ericsson JB988 cellphone which includes a fingerprint scanner, electric zapper, and remote control for Bond’s BMW 750iL. Point goes to Tomorrow Never Dies.
Best Tragic Death
For all of his victories, Bond has also suffered failures. None are quite as memorable as the discovery of the painted gold body of Jill Masterson which might be the most iconic shot of the entire franchise. Point goes to Goldfinger.
By my count that ties Goldfinger and The Spy Who Loved Me as the Best of Bond.