Only Pierce Brosnan Didn’t Follow A 62-Year James Bond Movie Trend

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As a huge James Bond fan, I’ve noticed some really cool patterns over the 64 years these movies have been made! It’s amazing to me that every actor who’s played Bond has been good – there really hasn’t been a dud! And it’s not just that they’re all good, but a lot of them really hit it out of the park with their very first film. Think about Dr. No, Live and Let Die, Goldeneye, and Casino Royale – all fantastic introductions to a new 007!

Unlike Daniel Craig, Sean Connery, Roger Moore, and Pierce Brosnan all finished their time as James Bond with films that weren’t very strong, suggesting it was time for a new actor. However, there’s one pattern that’s been true throughout the entire James Bond series – except when Pierce Brosnan played the role.

The “Third Bond Movie” Trend Explained

Sean Connery quickly became a successful James Bond. While Dr. No is still a fantastic film and From Russia with Love might even be better, the Bond formula really solidified with Goldfinger. That movie perfectly combined all the elements of action and spycraft that would define the series.

This film marks the first truly exciting opening sequence. Bond’s connection with Q is strengthened, building on the memorable appearance of Desmond Llewelyn in From Russia with Love, and it’s the first time we see 007 behind the wheel of an Aston Martin. Whether it’s your favorite or not, Goldfinger is undeniably a brilliant film and perfectly represents the classic James Bond era starring Sean Connery.

George Lazenby only starred in one James Bond film, but Roger Moore continued the tradition established by Sean Connery. His first film, Live and Let Die, was a good start, and while The Man with the Golden Gun wasn’t quite as strong as earlier Bond films like From Russia with Love, Moore truly excelled with The Spy Who Loved Me, which is considered his best performance.

I’ve been a Bond fan for years, and it’s amazing to see how the series keeps reinventing itself. Daniel Craig’s first outing, Casino Royale, was a fantastic, raw introduction – a total refresh. Quantum of Solace wasn’t his strongest, but then Skyfall came along and blew everyone away! People argue over whether Casino Royale or Skyfall is Craig’s best, and it’s a tough call. But just like Goldfinger really cemented Sean Connery’s Bond, I think Skyfall is the film that will ultimately define this final chapter of EON’s James Bond story.

Pierce Brosnan’s Third James Bond Movie Was Quite Poor

Among James Bond actors who appeared in at least three films, Pierce Brosnan is unique in that he couldn’t honestly say his third movie was his best. While 1999’s The World Is Not Enough did well at the box office, featured a strong supporting cast, and had memorable locations, it wasn’t necessarily his strongest performance. However, the film did contribute to making Brosnan’s Bond a recognizable figure of the 1990s.

While not terrible, The World Is Not Enough didn’t live up to the standard set by Goldeneye. Its story felt weak, and it signaled a shift towards more over-the-top, campy elements that would become even more prominent in Die Another Day. The main debate surrounding the film is whether it’s simply mediocre, or truly a bad movie.

Why Brosnan’s The World Is Not Enough Couldn’t Maintain James Bond’s Hot Streak

When you compare the first three James Bond films starring Sean Connery, Roger Moore, and Daniel Craig, you can see each actor established a different direction for the series. Connery essentially created the original image of Bond for the movies. Moore aimed to step out from under Connery’s strong influence and create his own version. And Craig focused on updating the franchise for modern audiences while still keeping the essential elements of the classic 007 character.

For each Bond, it took until the third movie to perfect the formula.

When Pierce Brosnan took on the role of James Bond, the circumstances were unique. Timothy Dalton’s two Bond films hadn’t been universally loved, and six years had passed since the last one, License to Kill, before GoldenEye was released – a longer gap than ever before. Because of this, the producers of GoldenEye had a very clear idea of what they wanted to achieve, both to address the mixed reaction to Dalton’s films and to make a strong comeback after the long break.

As Pierce Brosnan continued as James Bond, the new millennium approached. But in 1997, the comedic parody Austin Powers appeared, forcing Bond to confront a serious problem: he was becoming a self-parody and needed to reinvent himself. Unlike previous Bonds who usually started or ended their run weakly, peaking in the middle, Brosnan’s struggles with his portrayal grew with each film. By his third Bond movie, this issue was clearly established.

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2026-01-09 16:30