Peel the Onion | James Bond: Daniel Craig's 007 Movies Ranked (Part I)

By J.B.Browne

After fifteen years and five films, Daniel Craig's tenure as James Bond ends with No Time to Die [sad face]. Craig's final turn as 007 is the actor's swan dive swansong for the series' 25th outing.

After 57 years, James Bond is one of the longest-running franchises in film history, premiering in 1962 and taking in multiple actors as the Savile Row icon. And though not a popular choice initially, Craig soon impressed audiences in 2006's British Bourne-alike Casino Royale. That film unveiled a refurbished Bond, a return to what author Ian Fleming described as "quiet, hard, ruthless, sardonic, fatalistic" about his titular character.

Craig's performance was grittier, recalling 80s Bond Timothy Dalton and one time Bond George Lazenby in terms of a more complex Bond psyche. But Craig took it further — a more haunted yet insanely capable individual full of broody contemplation.

But how do the Craig Bonds rank? Which was best and which were duds?

Here's our take.

5/5

Quantum Of Solace (2008)

Well, there had to be one. There's always one. Unfortunately, it's Quantum Of Solace, which we'll refer to as Solace for this passage because the world Quantum is silly and unpronounceable. Solace was, is a total Bond misfire. To most fans, it disappoints on multiple levels, not least because it directly follows the invigorating reboot of Casino Royale. A tall order to follow. But it was also the first direct sequel Bond movie, so it can't be seen out of context anywhere but only after Casino Royale.

Director Marc Forster, who had helmed dramas like Monster's Ball and Stranger Than Fiction, wasn't the ideal action movie specialist the Bond franchise needed. Despite this, he keeps things focused and moving forward almost too efficiently. The result is a film that's a bit loud and empty.

Quantum of Solace Opening Car Chase in 4K

Clip via Average O.B.

The other problem is the villain, Dominic Greene, played by Mathieu Amalric. Greene is likely in the running for the worst Bond villain ever. His world domination plan is to charge more money for water. Where are the space bombs, deadly viruses, and sharks with lasers? Greene dies cartoon-like, ax-shrieking, ax-swinging his way through an exploding hotel. Simply put, Solace just isn't as cool or brooding as its predecessor. Nuff said.

4/5

Spectre (2015)

Opening with a single tracking shot over the bustling streets of Mexico City's Day of the Dead festival, Spectre is almost all downhill from here. Almost. The stellar cinematography of this scene and the beat-heavy score make this one of the most memorable Bond opening set-pieces ever. But not necessarily in a good way as it quickly descends into pompous pandemonium with Bond falling through a crumbling high-rise and stopping a stalling helicopter from mincing the crowd below. It's loud and clangy, a bit schizoid, and doesn't make much sense, much like the movie that follows.

Spectre's Opening Tracking Shot

Clip via Trent Newton

The best thing about the Craig cycle of Bonds is that they invest in maintaining arcs of continuity by unfolding sequentially. But in Spectre, this is a bit of a problem, playing like a Best of Bond DVD of familiar ideas and action sequences. Perhaps it suffers by trying too hard to tie up the loose ends of the previous three films with Austin Powers / Dr. Evil levels of reveals about Bond's past and family connection to Blofeld. Blofeld, played by Christoph Waltz, is not nearly as menacing as Javier Bardem's Raoul Silva in Skyfall. Spectre is mostly filler and no killer, summer blockbuster economy stuck languishing in second-tier Craig Bond.

As he would refer himself, J.B. Browne is a half "foreign devil" living with anxiety relieved by purchase. HK-born Writer/Musician/Tinkerer.

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