First James Bond Movie Features All Aspects of Entertainment
One must never watch a movie with friends unless it’s a
comedy. Otherwise, it inevitably becomes a comedy. This was the unfortunate
treatment that Dr. No, the first James Bond film received as I viewed it with
my friends. It could have been the ancient special effects where Bond pretends
to drive a car with an animated picture in the background, turning the car in
the wrong direction or a Caribbean local performing a queer dance in a club,
with hands outstretched as if in the clutches of a demonic possession.
It’s hardly relevant though in comparison to Sean Connery’s
stellar performance as James Bond in the character’s screen debut. His debonair
persona inhabits the screen at all the right moments, even when investigating a
potential suspect, but more so in the presence of female company. And he has
his fair share of that, closing the deal with 2 ladies and a near third, had it
not been for an untimely air flight.
On the subject of women, this movie makes evident the
hysteria surrounding Bond girls, as the first such woman is played by Ursula
Andress portraying Honey Ryder, an Aphrodite of her time no doubt, seen in the
way she turns the beach into a runway, providing Bond with a much needed
distraction from his wearisome day/night job. Yet, it must be noted that her
expressions on screen fall into the category of exaggeration, much like what
one would witness at a drama or theatre production. Her face of shock and
surprise is one in particular. Since I’m hardly acquainted with movies from the
60s, I can’t say if it was a convention of those movies to elaborate on hyperbole,
but it didn’t appeal to me due to its deficiency in realism.
Despite this, the element of the movie that stood out was
not Sean Connery or the villain Dr. No, but a simple supporting character by
the name of Quarrel. He’s a Caribbean local who serves as Bond’s second self,
providing assistance whenever possible. He contributes vital information on the
region’s geography, updates Bond on the happenings of the island and keeps an
eye out for potential threats. The last task mentioned was carried out with the
most enthusiasm and fervor, as he storms the scene to inform Bond of
approaching enemies just before Bond gets cozy with Honey Ryder. He does this
several times to hilarious effect. So it
was with great disappointment that we had to witness his premature exit halfway
through at the hands of a flame thrower. And I thought we had stumbled upon a
franchise regular. May he rest in peace.
While the movie boasts an assortment of humor both intended
and unintended, it has other strengths in the characters, both leading and
supporting. While my friends made a joke of the action sequences, they would
have been akin to James Cameron’s Avatar animation back then in 1962. By all
means, you must watch this.
.jpg "James Bond Sean Connery")
That Classic Dance. Right at the end.
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