The man, the legend, the Casanova with a license to kill. Off to save the world, again.
You know how he says his name, you know his drink, the car he drives, his favorite gun, and it all started here. A very low budget MGM film that delivered. From the credit sequence the bar has been set, for the next 50+ years to come, for how to open a 007 movie. It's rather simple. The famous "scope view" shot, the silhouetted girls, and the music.
The first scene after the intro gives us the greatest one liner of all time. "Bond, James Bond". When Sean Connerry delivers the intro, and the famous guitar riff hits we all get shivers. That combination of Bond and the riff are imperative to every 007 film. Not too much later we also learn more things always true to James Bond. For one, he is the ultimate ladies man. Secondly, he likes his vodka dry, shaken not stirred.
From a technical stand point, the film isn't too impressive. If the film resonates with me on any level, it's a nostalgic one at best (maybe envious). I'd like to touch on two scenes in particular, to point out well used techniques in film during the time period.
When censorship laws were still in effect with major studios, filmmakers had to find a way to get across mainly one thing without showing it directly. Sex. Yes that's right, out favorite pastime, wasn't allowed on the silver screen. A way that it was represented in film was indirection of continuity. Basically showing things heating up, maybe they undress off camera and clothes fall into our view, then we see them laying in bed after said activity. They never once mentioned sex, or showed it, but we all knew it happened.
Now in "Dr. No" there is one shot I really like. The aftermath section of indirection of continuity. The reason I like this shot so much is that we can infer a lot from one still shot of the take. First that you can trust no one (stay with me). Immediately after sex the woman starts putting on her makeup to cover her true self. I believe this is a metaphor of her trying to hide things from James, which we later learn she was. While James, stays laying in bed. Possibly a metaphor for his nonchalant behavior throughout the film. Secondly, it just looks good. It's not the typical shot where they're both in bed. The director took a unique approach to it, by keeping the camera stuck on the woman, with James' reflection in the background.
The second scene I would like to address is a montage. It's simple but dramatic. It switches between showing a search party looking for James and others, and James and others hiding rapidly. We get the feeling that they will be found, but they don't. But the simple use of the montage added a feeling that no other shot could.
All in all, the film is decent. Sean Connery is the ultimate James Bond, he makes the film. Although my thoughts are a little murky from the clout of 007 and his impact on pop culture, I believe I did this film justice. This won't be the first we hear from "Bond, James Bond".
3.5 out of 5 Aston Martin DB7's
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