Review of Dr. No (1962) by Andy F — 21 Oct 2012

This is the first time I've seen Dr. No and I realize now why Bond became a sensation and a heavy influence in cinema. This movie starts off quickly and doesn't stop. In Bond's first screen adventure, he is sent to Jamaica to investigate a murder of a member of the British Intelligence.

As he finds out more about the murder, he uncovers a plot by Dr. No that will radio jam US missile launches at Cape Canaveral until the US government complies with his demands. The plot works more like a mystery story than a spy story and that is what gives the movie its great level of suspense.

People and events don't seem extraneous, even the Bond girl named Honey. Though she doesn't provide muscle to the picture, her purpose is more of an emotional for Bond (and yes of course, as eye-candy but that's a given).

It seems as though the two have this connection to each other. It may not be in-depth, regardless, there is still something there. This can be heavily credited towards the acting. Connery does carry the picture very well, but the other minor characters do their part solidly.

I give a lot of credit to Joseph Wiseman who plays Dr. No. He is only in the movie for roughly five minutes or so, yet he impacts the story greatly when he is on screen. He is not over-the-top, he is subtle.

He also conveys this idea of humanity. During this great dinner conversation between Bond and Dr. No, we see that Dr. No is robotic. This is not demeaning at all to the acting. There is life in the character but also this sense of he lacks humanity which is the opposite of Bond.

What else can I say about the movie? It thrills, it delivers, it created a sensation. Don't just watch it because it is a Bond film, but watch it because it is a good film.