Who Was The Ultimate James Bond?

The Critical Drinker’s James Bond Ranking

The Critical Drinker ranks the six official cinematic James Bonds, weighing each actor’s performance, films, and fit for the role.

6. George Lazenby

Lazenby takes the bottom spot, despite On Her Majesty’s Secret Service being praised as a strong, comparatively grounded Bond film. The Drinker says Lazenby had the look and physicality but seemed wooden. He also jokes that turning down a seven-film deal on his agent’s advice was “the single worst piece of advice” ever given.

5. Daniel Craig

Craig’s run starts strongly with Casino Royale, but the Drinker finds the later films increasingly gloomy, convoluted, and over-focused on continuity. He argues that Craig’s Bond became more like a super-soldier in a Jason Bourne-style action series than a resourceful gentleman spy. The recurring joke is that Craig looks as if he’d rather be anywhere else.

4. Timothy Dalton

Dalton brought a serious, hard-edged Bond closer to the literary character, but the Drinker says the darker tone made his films feel more like ’80s action thrillers than escapist Bond adventures. He particularly ribs the drug-heavy plots and the gruesome deaths in Licence to Kill. Still, Dalton’s commitment earns him the edge over Craig.

3. Roger Moore

Moore’s light, charming approach ushered in a more flamboyant and comedic era. The Drinker celebrates highlights such as The Spy Who Loved Me and For Your Eyes Only, while mocking the increasingly camp humor—including Moore dressed as a clown in Octopussy. He also says Moore stayed in the role too long, though his warmth and enthusiasm keep him in third place.

2. Pierce Brosnan

Once dismissed as bland, Brosnan has grown in the Drinker’s estimation. He praises Brosnan for balancing charm, humor, seriousness, and action, and credits GoldenEye with reinvigorating the franchise. The run ends with the excesses of Die Another Day, but the Drinker still calls Brosnan an exceptionally well-rounded Bond.

1. Sean Connery

Connery is the clear winner. The Drinker sees him as the definitive embodiment of Bond’s confidence, danger, sophistication, and physical presence. Connery established many of the series’ familiar elements, from Q’s gadgets and Moneypenny’s flirtations to glamorous locations and larger-than-life villains. The Drinker acknowledges that Connery looked burned out by the end, but still considers him the archetypal Bond.

Who Should Play Bond Next?

The video closes by speculating about who should play Bond next, with the Drinker jokingly nominating Henry Cavill. He argues that the character should remain faithful to his established conception rather than be recast across gender or race.

Personalities Featured

• The Critical Drinker (host and commentator)
• George Lazenby
• Daniel Craig
• Timothy Dalton
• Roger Moore
• Pierce Brosnan
• Sean Connery