by Gus Sanchez

Created on: January 30, 2007   Last Updated: May 09, 2007

Those familiar words, "Bond, James Bond"...

21 films later, the new James Bond film Casino Royale has premiered. Despite the controversy of the casting of Daniel Craig as the new 007, this latest installment has garnered some very positive reviews. From the looks of things, Craig seems to have done a pretty nice job, and he'll be sure to play Bond for quite some time. I haven't seen Casino Royale yet, but I'm very much looking forward to it.

I wrote this critical overview a few years back, when Die Another Day premiered. It was posted on this website. Perhaps with the exception of the Star Wars series, the James Bond series has proven to be immensely popular and exceptionally influential. C'mon, guys, when you put on a tuxedo, don'tcha just look in the mirror and whisper, "Bond...James Bond?" You know you do. Bond films have been watched and examined and debated. Everyone has their favorite Bond, their favorite film, their favorite Bond girl.

This list IS in order, ranked from best to worst. Debate if you must. I insist.

- The Absolute Must-See (Or, If There's Only One Bond Film You See, Make This One It...):

Goldfinger (1964): Easily the best Bond film of all, which introduces the one true concept that makes this series so popular; high-tech, utlra cool gadgets, in this case a fully loaded Aston Martin complete with ejector seats, gun turrets and bullet-proof glass. Easily the best Bond villian, who in this case isn't bent on taking over the world, for once. Sean Connery makes the transition from ruthless spy to calculating detective in a plot involving gold devaluation, the Red Chinese and an alledged robbery of Fort Knox. While the idea of robbing Fort Knox may seem completely ridiculous, 007's discovery of the real plot makes the movie a bit more plausible, unlike other Bond films. Memorable for Shirley Bassey's brilliant theme song, Harold Sakata as Oddjob, Goldfinger's mute Korean henchman (with his trademark killer hat) and the murdered girl covered in 18-karat gold paint. Oh yeah, and how can you forget Pussy Galore?

- The Runner-Up To The Best of the Bunch:

From Russia With Love (1963): One of the few Bond films that uses the Cold War element as its' main plotline. Connery begins to feel comfortable as 007, in an efficient performance. Knowing it's a trap, Bond is nonetheless dispatched to rendezvous with a beautiful Soviet functionary in possession of a secret decoder. Little does he know the criminal organization SPECTRE (whom would play a larger role in

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