From Russia With Love Review

     With the James Bond franchise celebrating it's fiftieth anniversary this year, I thought it would be more than appropriate to take a look at some of the old classics, and today it's a story of romance and deception (as it usually is with our double-oh hero), From Russia With Love. I give my thoughts on the second film in the Bond franchise, right after the jump.
     From Russia With Love finds Agent 007 walking into a trap knowingly, hoping to track down a Russian decoding device for her majesty's secret service, MI6. Unbeknownst to the beautifully naive Tatiana Romanova, played by the gorgeous Daniela Bianchi, she has been thrust into the world of lies and deception of SPECTRE under the guise of Mother Russia. She has been told to pose as a defector to England, in a plot to capture James Bond an punish him for the murder of the evil Dr. No. Upon seeing his picture however, she falls madly in love with Mr. Bond, which complicates her mission. Bond teams up with the local  MI6 agent, Kerim Bey, played by Pedro Armendariz, head of Station T. From here on out, a plot of action, love and suspense twists and turns, in one of the best of the Bond films.

      Marking the second appearance of Sean Connery as the iconic James Bond, he seems to have found his stride in a role that suits him perfectly, one that he is well-tailored for. Connery gives an extremely well performance in the role, one that would come to define him. In From Russia With Love he is now comfortable with the character, and has fun with it, and this is likely the reason the character is so enjoyable to watch. His unique accent and distinctive voice brings even more charm and bold confidence to Bond, and he is especially watchable in this film. 

     The dialogue is fun and sexy, moving along at a quick pace, and it's cheesiness will win you over no matter how hard you try. This film especially benefits from a rather realistic plot, barring the presence of SPECTRE of course. After the possibly world-altering plot of Dr. No, From Russia With Love brings Bond back down, highlighting the careful nuances and interactions of the characters in the film, which all are very strong. 

     Daniela Bianchi is lovely and intriguing as she finds herself infatuated with Mr. Bond, and her struggle with loyalty is great to watch, as Bianchi makes the character dynamic, a more interesting and conflicted love interest for Bond than many of his other girls.

     Pedro Armendariz is glorious to watch as well as Kerim Bey, a man who still seems to be denying himself his enjoyment of the perks of the job, and he is enjoyable to watch on his own just as much as he is working besides Connery. 
     Of course, what would a hero be without a proper villain we all love to hate? From Russia With Love introduces Rosa Klebb, one of Bond's most weirdly evil enemies yet. She is oddly entertaining to watch, and makes it even easier to root for 007.

     Those in love with the franchise will find all the proper elements operating at their highest quality here. The film may even be able to seduce those skeptical of Bond's flashiness and womanizing ways, as From Russia With Love is much more heart-felt than it is gimmicky, and I'd recommend those of you skeptical of 007 view this film, and dare to be won over by it's charms. From Russia With Love is a shining example of how great a Bond film can be, and it has it's place as not only one of Connery's best Bond films, but as one of the best films of the entire franchise.