The Pop Culture Pundit

Spoilers ahead.

In light of the recent announcement that Amazon is taking over creative control of the James Bond franchise, now is a good time to reflect on the most recent iteration of the seventy-two-year-old book-character-turned-movie-icon. Spanning fifteen years and five movies, Daniel Craig’s James Bond ushered in a darker, edgier interpretation of the long-beloved spy. Despite its reputation as a box office draw, the James Bond films of this era weren’t afraid to take creative risks. For one thing, the films didn’t always end happily, eschewing the feel of many other cookie-cutter action franchises–but that’s what made them compelling to watch. Though one of the biggest companies in the world is now taking the reins, hopefully Bond keeps pushing boundaries of what a franchise can be in new and exciting ways. The Daniel Craig-era movies were often hit-and-miss, but when they did hit, they were breathtaking, awe-inspiring, and even Oscar-winning. Here is my ranking of the five Craig-starring movies produced from 2006 to 2021. 

5. Spectre (2015, directed by Sam Mendes)

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Sam Mendes’s directorial follow-up to 2012’s Skyfall is, frankly, disappointing. While Léa Seydoux is a compelling addition to the franchise (and the rare romantic lead to stay for the sequel) and Christoph Waltz looks like he was born to play a Bond villain, it lacks the energy that can make a Bond film exciting. Without compelling action sequences, it’s boring. And they blow up a cat.

4. Quantum of Solace (2008, directed by Marc Forster)

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While Quantum of Solace is often ranked as one of the worst Bond films ever, I would like to take a brief moment to compliment it. Due to the sheer amount of chaos there was producing it given the 2007-08 WGA’s Writers Strike, a lot of Quantum was written on the spot with the help of Daniel Craig. In my opinion, this gives some feeling of spontaneity to the (albeit terribly CGI’d) action sequences, making up for what Spectre lacks. But really, besides that, what happens in this film? Is there even a villain? Thank God for Skyfall coming after this disappointing follow up to Casino Royale.

Grab a Martini (Shaken, Not Stirred) While We Pause to Rank the Bond Villains

5. Safin, No Time to Die (portrayed by Rami Malek)

Dude kills Bond with some never-really-explained nanobot technology. Lame. Daniel Craig appearing on Rami Malek’s SNL episode was cute though.

4. Mathieu Amalric, Quantum of Solace (portrayed by Dominic Greene)

Sorry, did Quantum of Solace even have a villain? I genuinely can’t remember what Dominic Greene’s role was, but he didn’t kill Bond so he’s not ranked last.

3. Ernst Stavro Blofeld, Spectre (portrayed by Christoph Walz)

Christoph Waltz looks like he was born to play a Bond villain. He also has a cute cat, which is important. 

2. Le Chiffre, Casino Royale (portrayed by Mads Mikkelsen)

You must be a pretty memorable villain to be ranked second even though you die halfway through the film.

1. Raoul Silva, Skyfall (portrayed by Javier Bardem)

A blonde-haired Javier Bardem looks like he’s having the time of his life in the movie being an evil genius. Javier Bardem is to Bond villains as Henry Cavill is to Mission: Impossible villains–in other words, the only really good and memorable one. In the end, he gets stabbed in the back–literally–by Bond himself, giving him the most dramatic death scene of all the Bond villains.

3. No Time to Die (2021, directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga)

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When I first watched No Time to Die, the film’s ending left me feeling frustrated–but since then, I’ve had time to reflect on this film and why I’ve ranked it in the middle of the pack. First, let’s start with the positives. The action scenes are tightly choreographed, with the bridge shootout being a standout sequence within the entire franchise. The ensemble cast proves compelling with the additions of Lashana Lynch, Billy Magnussen, and Rami Malek (as well as a returning Léa Seydoux), while Daniel Craig and Ana de Armas captivate once again (Knives Out, anyone?) during a striking scene in Cuba. Additionally, writer Phoebe Waller-Bridge injects some much needed humor into the franchise, showing off Daniel Craig’s underrated comedic chops (he plays a guy named Joe Bang in Steven Soderbergh’s Logan Lucky, which I highly recommend watching. It is an absolute joy). I am also convinced the cat who seemingly exploded in Spectre is back and is now in the possession of Q (Ben Whishaw). (It just lost all its fur, as would probably be expected in an explosion).

Now, let’s talk about the ending. You’re telling me that Bond gets killed by some sci-fi-esque nanobot technology? Or that he’ll die of gunshot wounds due to blood loss? Or he’ll get blown up by missiles because he mistimed the launch? COME ON. Dude is invincible. He survived multiple grenades being thrown at him in Skyfall! And the subsequent massive house fire! And getting shot twice within the first ten minutes of that movie! (There were really a lot of near-death experiences in Skyfall–maybe it was foreshadowing?) However, the ending of No Time to Die shows that the James Bond movies aren’t afraid to take risks–and despite the frustrations many undoubtedly felt with the conclusion, I wouldn’t want it any other way. Guess you can say that Bond went out with a Joe Bang (seriously, go watch Logan Lucky). 

2. Casino Royale (2006, directed by Martin Campbell)

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Casino Royale is often cited as the best James Bond film and for good reason. With Pierce Brosnan’s Bond going out with a whimper in 2002, Bond came back in the fall of 2006 blonde, blue-eyed, and broodier than ever. Daniel Craig’s take on the iconic superspy was perhaps more cynical than past Bonds, but it’s undoubtedly given us some of the best character work in a genre that often writes its characters as one-dimensional. Taking inspiration from the grittier and more cynical Jason Bourne films of the early aughts, Bond became a darker franchise with the installments characterized by their penchant for their lack of fairytale endings–but also, and just as importantly, gripping action sequences that will have you on the edge of your seat. This film is no exception for either one. Over the course of the film, Craig’s Bond takes the short end of the stick and goes through the wringer as he faces car crashes, torture, and poisoning (always check your martini glass!), only to get betrayed by his newfound love Vesper Lynde (Eva Green), who dies in his arms after drowning in a catastrophic underwater building crash. Yes, it was dark, but it was also compellingly innovative. The construction site chase is one of the best action setpieces in any film and can symbolize the entire era of Daniel Craig’s Bond: these films are gonna hurt, but they will captivate you until the very end. The reason this is my second favorite, however, is because I feel like Daniel Craig was still growing into the character of James Bond–but that would be resolved in time for my favorite Bond film (and one of my favorite movies ever). 

Park Your Aston Martins While We Brake to Rank the Bond Themes:

5. “Another Way to Die,” Quantum of Solace (Jack White and Alicia Keys)

This pairing really makes no sense, and you can kind of hear it in the song. Imagine “Seven Nation Army” being mashed up with “This Girl is on Fire.” Angst with empowerment? I would love that any day but it absolutely does not work here. Quantum of Solace was already a chaotic mess of a movie, and this theme exemplifies that.

4. “You Know My Name,” Casino Royale (Chris Cornell)

For an angst-ridden ballad, it almost sounds country. I wish this song was more interesting because I think it would’ve made Casino Royale even more compelling as a movie, similar to how Adele’s title theme enhanced Skyfall. 

3. “Writing’s on the Wall,” Spectre (Sam Smith)

This theme song won an Oscar, but compared to the other two Oscar winning Bond themes, this one is just kinda boring. Definitely fits better with the Bond film franchise better than the latter two though. Just not too exciting.

2. “No Time to Die,” No Time to Die (Billie Eillish)

As someone who comes from the angst-ridden Gen Z Billie Eillish Generation, I fully support this as the final theme to Daniel Craig’s time as Bond. It is quietly intense, which can be said about many of the films themselves. Plus, like Adele and Sam Smith’s theme, it won an Oscar. For a man as edgy as Bond, however, this song is a bit too subdued; the piano at the start, though, is haunting, perhaps foreshadowing the anguish to come. Really, Bond, there was no time to die! Why’d you have to go and do that????

1. “Skyfall,” Skyfall (Adele)

Adele’s title theme for Daniel Craig’s third Bond film is hands-down the best–in fact, as far as movie theme songs go, this might be one of the greatest. This was the first Bond theme to win an Oscar and is the first one to truly feel like it fits with the movie. And after the cold open which featured Bond getting shot off a train and plunging hundreds of feet into the water below, having Adele start off a song by singing “this is the end” is truly haunting. Her vocal prowess is on full display as the song crescendos to a riveting climax. You truly feel like the world depended on Bond to come back from the brink of death to save humanity itself.

1. Skyfall (2012, directed by Sam Mendes)

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Not only is Skyfall the best James Bond film, it might be a contender for one of the best action movies ever. The Bond films came back after the disappointing Quantum of Solace with a literal bang that saw the titular character getting shot off a train and plunged in the water below to a near certain death. Except, he doesn’t die–he comes back stronger than ever and ready to save the world. The great thing about this movie is that Bond isn’t doing this all in the name of love–in fact, there is no love interest–he’s doing it for himself. Yes, he wants to save the world, as any superspy does, but he also wants to save himself. The action in this film is also absolutely insane–not just the cold open–but the bareknuckle skyscraper fight, the underground komodo dragon fight (which really reminded me of the underworld in Board Game Island in Wii Party) and even the end, which featured at least 5000 grenades, a massive house fire, and the most literal interpretation of backstabbing I’ve ever seen. Plus, Javier Bardem is having the time of his life as the best Bond villain ever. Casino Royale is often the standard for Daniel Craig’s tenure as Bond, but Skyfall features Craig at his best despite Bond literally at rock bottom in the beginning. Skyfall is a captivating film for not just its action but for the endlessly compelling character journey James Bond takes. It’s something other action movies should take note of. 

And now, some speculation of who the next James Bond could be:

Henry Cavill–have you seen him in The Man from U.N.C.L.E.? Or as the mustachioed villain in Mission: Impossible–Fallout? You really should.

Harry Styles–He can sing the theme and be 007.

Lashana Lynch–she was 007 in No Time to Die, so just have her keep the role! She would kick butt. 

Idris Elba–he would also kick butt as 007. Really, all these actors would. But Idris Elba just kinda makes sense, right? He even teased it on SNL. 

Sam Claflin–he played the lead singer of a Fleetwood Mac-esque band in Daisy Jones and the Six who was always on the verge of having an affair with the titular leading lady. Surely he could bring some of that edginess to Bond (maybe minus the affair part). 

Aaron Taylor-Johnson–at one point, he was rumored to be in talks to be the next Bond, but a year later there have been no updates. 

Robert Pattinson–Bond x Batman? Seems like a profitable crossover just waiting to happen.