Ten Hard Reality Notes on Rewatching Sean Connery's First James Bond Film
62 years after Sean Connery's debut appearance as 007 in Dr. No, there are certain unpleasant facts that James Bond aficioners cannot overlook. Though hype for Bond 26 is developing and the franchise is among the longest and most profitable of all time, a lot of its identity can be found back to Dr. No. Fans must so learn to deal with some of the movie's issues.
The casting for Dr. Julius No has aged badly.
The villain tells James Bond his background when he encounters Dr. No in his hideaway at last. Having grown up amid the warring Tongs in Shanghai, he is half-German and half-Chinese. Joseph Wiseman, the actor portraying Dr. No, is Canadian-American so his casting as an Asian character would be much more under examination nowadays. Racism still occurs in the film business of course, but since 1962 the criteria have changed.
One of the unpleasant facts about the James Bond series is that it has regularly portrayed Asian people and cultures in negative light. It continued past Dr. No.
If Dr. No didn't use the same ploy with another character, Wiseman's casting would be a little easier to overlook. European actress Zena Marshall plays the Chinese double-agent Miss Taro. Though Miss Taro is a quite little character, an actor with Asian background ought to have portrayed her. One of the unpleasant facts regarding the James Bond series is that it has regularly portrayed Asian people and Asian civilizations in negative light. It continued far beyond Dr. No.
Dr. No Takes His Time To Get Started
Dr. No can feel painstakingly slow in comparison to the blazing speed of more contemporary spy thrillers, particularly after the Bourne Movies changed the game. James Bond takes a long time to even get to the Caribbean. He still spends a lot of time strutting around without much vigor even when he does leave flirting with Moneypenny behind. Dr. No raises its intensity just for the third act.
Much of Dr. No's running time is dedicated to long sequences featuring Sean Connery sporting exquisitely fitted outfits and a sophisticated manner. Although this isn't exactly a fault, it could annoy 007 viewers who yearn for more substance than elegance. James Bond schedules plenty of time for romantic meetings, usually to the disadvantage of the story. Though there is a lot of filler to sort through, this makes Dr. No absolutely amazing to look at.
Sylvia Trench is somewhat underdeveloped.
Recent years have seen reevaluation of the concept of the "bond girl". Every main critique of the cliché can be clearly related to Sylvia Trench, the first Bond female that shows up in Dr. No. She meets James Bond in a casino, falls head over heels in love with him, then shows up in his apartment sporting one of his shirts. She is an ornamental figure that seems to be a borderline insulting caricature of servile feminism.
Her character's initial designs were far more intriguing. She did appear momentarily in From Russia With Love, but producer Albert Broccoli intended her to play Bond's lover more prominently. Her portion was cut back, though. Her access to his place or her lack of reaction while he carries a gun defies logic. She isn't really fascinating in the end, but these elements give her the impression of perhaps being a spy.
The score is heavily handed.
Dr. No employs the legendary Bond theme tune, written by Monty Norman, before the series custom of featuring unique pop songs for the opening titles. It sounds great and sets the tone exactly for a chic spy thriller. Sadly, Dr. No dilutes its power by utilizing the song constantly throughout the film at times that absolutely don't call for it.
There are some James Bond scenes where the theme tune blasted over top of them is not necessary. James Bond is aimlessly meandering around This seems as a poor attempt to infuse some drama and mystery into scenes devoid of both. Though there are other overused songs, the theme music is the most obvious. This too forceful approach to the music can be quite irritating and reduces the movie's natural flair.
A few of the Action Scenes Are Rather Disappointingly Weak.
Given that so much of Dr. No ambles at a sluggish pace, the action moments are crucial to keep things interesting. Many of the most important action scenes sadly come out of nowhere and end quickly after a little scuffle. While most James Bond films include a fantastic action scene at the opening, Dr. No had not yet established this custom. When they do occur, the hurried bursts of action are sometimes lackluster.
Though there are some weaker sequences, Dr. No features a few pulse-raising action scenes. Unquestionably, the dragon tank is successful as is the vehicle pursuit scene. Though both of these sequences lack certain execution, For example, the green screen views of Sean Connery at the wheel destroy the suspension of disbelief in the car chase, even if the vast views of the vehicles seem great.
Quarrel Deserved Better
Among Felix Leiter's local contacts is Quarrel; he also assists James Bond when he arrives and begins exploring the island. Quarrel stays with him on the journey to Crab Key, but his flamethrower tank burns him alive finally. Honey appears more distraught by his death than Bond does, and it is covered over rather quickly. Quarrel is dropped as soon as he has no more use.
Among the few characters in a film with so little obvious feeling who exhibit a more human aspect is Quarrel. Eventually he proves right, overcoming his doubts about a dragon residing on Crab Key. Quarrel has great influence and shouldn't be thrown aside so readily even if he is only a supporting role.
Dr. No: A Weak Villain
Although few Bond villains have their own films bearing their name, Dr. No falls short of his grandiose promise. Dr. No is dragging the strings from behind-the-scenes most of the film. He sends assassins to dispose of James Bond, and he has a menacing conversation with Professor Dent from off screen, but he only shows his face when he captures James Bond and brings him to his lair.
Though he doesn't match the finest Bond villains, Dr. No has great promise. Though they're a fascinating feature, his metal hands are not much used. Likewise, another quirk that goes nowhere is his rather giving hospitality. Dr. No may be as terrifying and lethal as Bond's best enemies with a little more development. He sadly is a weak point in his own film.
Actually, Dr. No Holds Up Better Than Most Later James Bond Movies
There have been many ups and downs in the James Bond series. Dr. No may not be the best James Bond movie, but it holds up much better than some of the duds that followed it. Dr. No isn't just more entertaining than many other Bond Movies. That's to be expected. What's surprising is that, despite being the oldest of the lot, it's less dated than movies such as Diamonds Are Forever and You Only Live Twice.
Dr. No's elegant simplicity has given it a timeless appeal, despite some of its less forward-looking choices. Other James Bond movies have dated themselves terribly with over-the-top action sequences and villain plots that draw on contemporary anxieties. With a few modifications, Dr. No could look as if it were much more modern. It's not a surprise that No Time To Die, the latest Bond movie, borrows so much from Dr. No.
Bond's Escape From His Prison Cell Is Too Convenient
After James Bond's meeting with Dr. No at his dinner table, he is locked up alone in a cell with none of the homely touches that he was afforded in his previous accommodation. This should be the end for him, but he is able to easily escape through a loose ventilation grate. This is a massive oversight on Dr. No's part. He fancies himself as a genius, but he can't keep James Bond in the same room for more than a minute.
James Bond has made a habit of escaping from far more perilous situations, but this escape shouldn't be ignored, since it happens at such a critical juncture. The entire finale of Dr. No feels strangely anticlimactic, as James Bond is allowed to escape so easily, foil Dr. No's plan by turning a big wheel, and kill the villain without being subjected to the crushing force of his hands. Dr. No sends assassins after James Bond before, so it doesn't make sense that he suddenly decides against killing him.
A Lot of the Franchise's Biggest Problems Begin With Dr. No
It's surprising to look back at the first James Bond movie and see so many of the franchise's ideas fully-formed from the beginning. Bond's style, the iconic theme tune, the eccentric villain and the beautiful women are all here from the beginning. While the franchise has taken plenty of positives from Dr. No, it has also doubled down on many of the movie's worst qualities, and they are still causing controversy over 60 years later.
In particular, the franchise's poor treatment of women and Asian characters can both be traced back to Dr. No, but this isn't all. Many Bond villains have facial scars, and Dr. No's prosthetic metal hands are another example of negative portrayals of people with disabilities. The James Bond franchise has matured in many ways, especially during Daniel Craig's era, but it is still grappling with the legacy of Sean Connery's first outing in Dr. No.
Sean Connery stars as 007 in 1962's Dr. No, the first-ever James Bond movie. Directed by Terence Young and based on Ian Fleming's sixth Bond novel, it follows the famous spy as he investigates the disappearance of a fellow MI6 agent and uncovers a secret plot by the titular villain, played by Joseph Wiseman.
