Dr. No

Starring: Sean Connery, Joseph Wiseman
Director: Terence Young
Genre: Action
Year: 1962
Rating: 3 / 5

"Bond. James Bond." Every time I hear that line, delivered with such unmistakable panache, I am reminded of what a remarkable franchise this has become. With the release of The World Is Not Enough, there are now nearly twenty films in the James Bond series, spanning thirty-seven years and four (or five, depending on your perspective) lead actors. Sean Connery gave way to Roger Moore who handed the mantle to Timothy Dalton who bowed out in favor of Pierce Brosnan. Yet all of this began with one film, developed from the book by Bond creator Ian Fleming. Dr. No is the beginning of the Bond empire, a worthy introduction to the world of Agent 007 and the debut of the quintessential Bond, Sean Connery.

James Bond was already a mainstay in a successful series of novels when Dr. No reached British theatres in 1962, and it was well on its way to pop culture phenomenon when it reached American theatres the following year. After all, James Bond is a character with appeal for both genders. He is confident, self-assured, and charming to the last, while at the same time always in control and possessing a worldly sophistication. Agent 007, licensed to kill, can match his foes out in the killing fields or in the most posh of dining halls. And when James Bond sets his mind to something, be it to thwart the plans of the evildoer-of-the-moment or to win the affections of his latest female companion, he seldom fails.

When the James Bond series began, all villains had the same modest goal in mind: world domination. Such is the case with Dr. No (Joseph Wiseman), a member of the shady crime syndicate SPECTRE, a featured organization in many future Bond films. James Bond (Sean Connery) comes into contact with Dr. No when he is sent to Jamaica to investigate the recent disappearance of a pair of colleagues. His investigation leads him to a mysterious island, where he meets the original Bond Girl, Honey Ryder (Ursula Abdress). Together, these two infiltrate Dr. No's hidden island lair to uncover the secrets to his dangerous plan.

James Bond's defining characteristic is the ability to blend high culture with the calculating nature of a trained assassin. Bond is not merely a hired mercenary - he is skilled in the arts of tact and diplomacy, and the consequences of every action are weighed before any moves are made. Sean Connery excels in this role because he is able to portray Bond as a member of high society, all the while reminding us that he could kill a man without a moment's hesitation. Though each Bond fan may have their favorite, Sean Connery will always be James Bond in my eyes. I grew up with Roger Moore and Timothy Dalton, but Connery defined the role and made it his own. I always felt that those who followed him were merely trying to fill his rather large shoes. But do not take my word for it - rent a couple James Bond films and decide for yourself. What better way to immerse yourself in the longest-running film series of all-time.

Cast:

Sean Connery..........	James Bond
Joseph Wiseman..........	Dr. No
Urusla Andress..........	Honey Ryder
Jack Lord..........	Felix Leiter
Bernard Lee..........	M

Certification: Rated PG.
Running Time: 110 minutes.

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