Bond. James Bond.

Sean Connery began the utterance of those now familiar words, in an attempt to get more dialogue. The screenplay called for him to grunt, "Bond" at each and every turn, but he'd pause, keeping the camera focused upon him, and stretch it out.

At first, Ian Fleming didn't approve of Connery, chiefly because his claim to fame was as a men's underwear model and bodybuilder, but grew to enjoy the unemotional seeming cruelty that Connery could flash to in an instant. James Bond was a patriot who enjoyed seeing the enemies of his country go down hard. Sean, in real life an avid gun-control freak (like the new Bond is) but superb actor, was able to cast aside all personal feelings and make the audience fear him as they were loving him.

George Lazenby took over when Connery began tiring of the role, and at first was considered nothing more than a fill-in until Sean returned. His portrayal was virile and dangerous but the supporting cast and directors found him impossible to work with.

Roger Moore had turned down the role before, but upon Connery's full retirement he needed a new gig and prissied himself into the role with aplomb. Still, it WAS Bond, so we saw it anyway.

Woody Allen had a go in the first Casino Royale as Jimmy Bond, the bumbling son of the infamous secret agent, and was at least intentionally hilarious.

Tomothy Dalton tried to bring back the old Bond edge, but always seemed to be preoccupied with an impossible mathematical problem he was desperately trying to work out, and that didn't come over as masculine or dangerous, so out he went as well.

Pierce Brosnan looked very good in a tuxedo.

Enter Daniel Craig. He tosses aside the "shaken, not stirred," line with the retort of "do you think I'd give a damn?", but that was part of the Bond mystique. Sophisticated until the lights go dim. Craig is every gay producer's dream. Rugged looking, great body, and they THINK this translates over to heterosexual men, but his posturing is quite obvious. Lisa took one look at him and said, "Oh man, he's UGLY." Living with a tall, dark, and handsome individual, the lady can be forgiven her prejudice. At this point in time, Craig cannot be forgiven his uncomelyness, as one does not break down the door when assuming the guise of an icon, without iconish demeanor.

And he can't hold a gun. Cup and saucer went out with Chaucer.

Moore at least had an excuse, as two decades ago men were still using the offhanded-wrist snatch to 2-handedly point a gun.

See the review of Casino Royale here.