Dr. No was the first James Bond Movie and was made on a budget of one million dollars, even though the final cost was $1.1 million. Sean Connery plays a darker and more serious Bond in this movie than any succeeding actor does in a film. Connery shows Bond to be an expert spy who puts a strand of hair across his closet doors and powder on his brief case to see if they have been opened.

The character Dr. No is a memorable Bond villain played very well by Joseph Wiseman. The brilliance of Wiseman's performance is demonstrated not with dialog (though he possesses a chilling voice) but posture and walking naturally while keeping his legs at 180 degree angles, this makes the viewer feel that more than his hands are mechanical. Ursula Andress is Honey Ryder the first Bond Girl. Andress does a good job especially her recounting the murder of the man who raped her, you can see a small smile on her face when she describes his suffering. Rider's character is inferior to that of the next three Bond leading ladies, but her naiveté is an interesting contrast from the worldly secret agent she plays opposite from.

This Film introduced most of the supporting characters. M is excellently by Bernard Lee and shows a clear relationship of he as the superior and Bond as the subordinate. This relationship dissipates into a friendship after The Man With The Golden Gun. Lois Maxwell stars as Miss Moneypenny, M's personal secretary who is infatuated with Bond. This film introduces the relationship and sets the stage for the exchanges that continue to present day between Bond and Moneypenny. Jack Lord is the first Felix Leiter, James Bonds C.I.A. counterpart, and he plays the role well though it is arguable that Leiter isn't Bond's primary companion in this film.

John Kitzmiller is Quarrel, Bond's ill fated guide to Crab Key island. Kitzmiller is perfect as a man who shows strength and competence as an aid to the C.I.A. Anthony Dawson is Prof. Dent an associate of Dr. No who tries twice to kill Bond. Though Dent only exists to produce a few dramatic scenes he is well played.

Overall Dr. No is an excellent movie. It displays the first in a series of massive and awe inspiring sets this one designed by Ken Adam is Dr. No's headquarters on Crab Key island. The film is scored well by Monty Norman, and wields a classic movie theme song now commonly referred to as the James Bond theme. Pus Fellers club provides a fantastic whimsical scene which begins the travelogue element of the series. Bond acts as a foil to all of the supporting characters(a trademark of the series), instead of the opposite which is more common in movies.

Rating: 7.1 (10)