Halle Berry as Jinx in “Die Another Day” (2002)Bond women aren’t usually appreciated for their acting assets, but Halle Berry brings something to the role that no other Bond girl ever has — Oscar, acting Oscar. Like Michelle Yeoh in “Tomorrow Never Dies,” Jinx is Bond’s equal. Bond first glimpses Jinx, who is an agent for the NSA, emerging from the ocean, skimpy bathing suit and all. It’s an obvious homage to Ursula Andress in “Dr.No” that works. To whatever effect, Berry rises above what may be one of the worst Bond films ever made. C’mon, it has an invisible car. Fortunately, Berry is anything but invisible.
Famke Janssen as Xenia Onatopp in “Goldeneye” (1995)Perhaps her name should have been Xenia Overdatopp? What else can one say about a woman who gets aroused by murder, especially squeezing men to death between her vice-like thighs? Still, given Bond’s skill at seduction, driving a wedge in Xenia’s evil plan requires great care. They first meet on a mountain road with dueling cars, then in a casino with dueling wit, then in a sauna, with dueling libido. If anyone could get the best of James, it’s Xenia. With her, his manhood is at stake in more ways than one.
Michelle Yeoh as Wai Lin in “Tomorrow Never Dies (1997)A member of the Chinese People’s External Security Force, Wai Lin matches Bond tit for tat. Who else, faced with likely death would not only jump off a building with Bond, but suggest it? When the two make their escape on a motorcycle handcuffed together, each holds one handlebar and they steer as if one. When safe, they shower together after which Wai Lin locks Bond to a pipe and runs off because she works alone. She then beats up an entire gang before deciding to work with him. Wai Lin practically makes Bond look wimpy.
It’s not exactly clear what first attracts Bond to the headstrong Di Vincenzo, yet somehow their love, yes love, makes sense by the end of the film. Tracy captures Bond’s heart, which is something no other Bond girl has ever done. The audience doesn’t get a sense of what Bond truly sees in Tracy until the end of the film when she rescues him from Blofeld’s mountain lab. She can drive, she can ski, and she can fight. Sadly, Blofeld gets his revenge on Bond in what is easily the most tragic ending of the series, leaving the audience to wonder “what if?”
Ursula Andress as Honey Rider in “Dr. No” (1962)
Like George Washington is the first president by which all other presidents are measured, so Ursula Andress sets the standard for all other Bond girls. Honey Rider emerges as if literally out of a dream. Bond wakes up on the beach and sees her, rising up out of the water, shells in hand. He’s somewhat dumbstruck, but not for long. “What are you doing here? Looking for shells?” she asks. “No,” Bond tells her. “I’m just looking.” So was everyone else, who like Bond, was both shaken and stirred by Andress.
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1 comment:
How on earth did Honey Rider end up on your list of best Bond girls?
She did NOTHING. Her character had contributed nothing to DR. NO's plot. All she did was look good walking out of the water, while singing. And for this she is dubbed the most iconic Bond girl?
Good grief!!
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