The James Bond Themes - Part XIX: The World Is Not Enough.

   After the what I like to call "Tomorrow Never Screeches" theme by Sheryl Crow, you really can't go anywhere but up. And with a theme that works so well with the (not as great) film like this, it's ironic the band's name was "Garbage". The lyrics work fine but the voice is so more dynamic and more of a interesting way to go by. The visuals work just fine, and the whole theme does even better. Now then, we get to the closing stretch of the themes, to begin the 2000's with...Madonna. I think you lose about 1 or 2 stars just for that.

Overall, I give it a rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

The James Bond Themes - Part XVIII: Tomorrow Never Dies.

   The words that describe this song are (for me, anyway) only four. The four are, in order: Really? This was picked? Originally the theme was going to be sung by k.d. lang, but like "Mr Kiss Kiss Bang", it was switched at the last minute for...this. So how is the replacement? If you really wanted a theme to work for this film...you should've stayed with the k.d. lang version because this theme...sucks. Ok, maybe its not horrible, but it doesn't hold up to even the weaker ones, like "Moonraker" or "Kingston Calypso". My problem with is that Crow's higher tone voice at some points don't work in well, it feels out of place. A dissapointing theme.

Overall, I give it a rating of 1.5 out of 5 stars.

The James Bond Themes - Part XVII: Goldeneye.

   The film that surrounds this theme actually go hand in hand, they both do their job of conveying the film and being a fairly decent Bond film. Turner does a fine job with here voice, even if the idea of saying "with a golden, GoldenEye" can sound a bit ridiculous. The visuals for the theme work as well, giving the tone that Bond could survive in the 90's. Next time's theme can either show us some more good 90's themes, or show us why Bond could fail in the 90's.

Overall, I give it a rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

The James Bond Themes - Part XVI: Licence to Kill.

   Licence to Kill was the song for the 16th film in the series, done by Gladys Knight in Timothy Dalton's last Bond film. And it's...rockingly awesome. From the good visuals to the brassy and deep voice by Knight, it sets the tone for the film that wouldn't be captured again for years. Definately a contender for Best Bond theme in the 1980's (Along with A View to a Kill) and for Best Bond Theme Song.

Overall, I give it a rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

The James Bond Themes - Part XV: The Living Daylights.

   After the end of the Roger Moore era came the short run of Timothy Dalton with two songs, and this was one of them. And the song was made by who else? A-ha. They were a Norwegian band that did many songs (More than just that one song people seem to remember - "Take on Me") for over 30 years. But forgetting that, is this song any good? Yea. It's got a good tempo to it and it has what I always love, a fun pace combined with a new Bond to have a classicish song.

Overall, I give it a rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

The James Bond Themes - Part XIV: A View to a Kill.

   You want some awesomeness? Here ya go, a combination of Duran Duran and an opportunity to do a James Bond theme, in the 80's no less. While the film itself isn't as awesome as the film, the song certainly does have a tone that only the climax of the film. Its visuals (The opening sequence) are a bit weird with the color paper, but oh well. If I could, I would give a rating of 6 out of of 5 stars. Might as well, because why the hell not?

Overall, I give it a rating of 6 out of 5 stars.

The James Bond Themes - Part XIII: All Time High.

   See with a title for a Bond film like this (Which is incredibly stupid to begin with), sometimes its a good thing the song doesn't include the title. And given what I've heard of Octo-Whatever, it's hit or miss. So how is the song? It's...Not bad. For 1983, it certainly has some charm to it, putting you into a mellow, yet a focused feel. The singing works well and the lyrics do fine. Fine song surprisngly enough.

Overall, I give it a rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

The James Bond Themes - Part XII: For Your Eyes Only.

   Sheena Easton remains the only actress to be shown in the title sequence, and it...makes some sense, I suppose. The 80's for Bond had five songs, with this being the one to introduce Bond to the 1980's...which varied. The song itself is a fine one, being an improvement over Moonraker's song, and it provides some depth that had been lacking recently. Good stuff with good instrumental to go with the film. Could it get any better? You could say it was at an All Time High...

Overall, I give it a rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

The James Bond Themes - Part XI: Moonraker.

   Shirley Bassey is back in the third and final song she did for the Bond series. And...it feels rushed. Probably because it was. Shirley Bassey was not the first choice for the song for Moonraker, but because the choices had rejected the offer and Bassey agreed just a few weeks before the film's release, it has a rushed and odd way to use the Moonraker name in the song. The visuals are a little "subtle", having the "Moon" and other space related things in a film called...Moonraker. It's not horrible, but it certainly is the lesser of the Bassey themes.

Overall, I give it a rating of 3 out of 5 stars.

The James Bond Themes - Part X: Nobody Does It Better.

   Arguably (or not arguable) the best Roger Moore Bond film (And maybe the better of the Bond films in general), and it does have one of the better Bond themes. Carly Simon does have a good tone of voice and good instruments to go with it. The visuals do some sort of wonder (good or bad being arguable), and it feels very in line with the rest of the film. Good stuff.

Overall, I give it a rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

The James Bond Themes - Part IX: The Man with the Golden Gun.

   While the film itself may qualify for silliest Bond film, at least the theme is good, right? Right? Well...It's complicated. The singing by Lulu does have a ruanchy yet very electrifying tone to it, and it does set the tone for the film. However it does feel slightly silly at points which means it fits with the film in unintentional ways. It's a fine theme for a...fine-ish film. Take it for what it's worth.

Overall, I give it a rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

The James Bond Themes - Part VIII: Live and Let Die.

   Live and Let Die introduced Roger Moore, who would star in seven Bond films, but the main focus of this review is on Paul McCartney & Wings, who made the theme. With a rock music touch, it sizzles in most ways without any fizzle, with visuals that are still good after almost 40 years. The lyrics work well and it does have an actiony feel that reminds me of On Her Majesty's Secret Service's theme, which is a good thing. Good song for a...decent film.

Overall, I give it a rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

The James Bond Themes - Part VII: Diamonds Are Forever.

   Shirley Bassey performs the Bond opening theme for the second time, but the film itself isn't really any good. It shares the same flaw that the Roger Moore films sometimes have: It's campyish with sometimes rock stupid characters. But how is the theme? It's...not bad. Look, Bassey does have great vocals, and the visuals do okay, but I feel that this is somehow a step down from the previous song for some reason. But oh well. Take it for what it's worth.

Overall, I give it a rating of 3.5 out of 5 stars.

The James Bond Themes - Part VI: On Her Majesty's Secret Service (Part 2 of 2)

   This was Louis Armstrong's last recorded song, two years before his death, and it is a really touchy song, an emotional song, to go with an emotionally charged Bond film, a rarity somewhat. Armstrong always had a touch for depth and heartwarming lyrics. It goes extremely well, and it does have a somber, yet grand feel.

Overall, I give it a rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

The James Bond Themes - Part VI: On Her Majesty's Secret Service (Part 1 of 2)

   On Her Majesty's Secret Service was the last of the 60's Bond films, and was the first and only one with George Lazenby. This theme to open the film (After a opening sequence only summed up by a fourth wall joke) was the first since From Russia With Love with an instrumental (Though again that had a song at the end. You might be wondering why I didn't review that instrumental but I'm reviewing this one. I'm reviewing this one as a compromise.), since trying to sing the word "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" in a song (Which usually rhymes) is difficult. So how is this theme? It's really good. Just because a song has no words doesn't mean it can't convey anything. It manages to be heroic and very lifting, standing on its own two feet. This review isn't done yet, there's a Part II, one with a certain Louis Armstrong...

Overall, I give it a rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

The James Bond Themes - Part V: You Only Live Twice.

   While the film's milage may vary on person to person, the theme is very...memorable to me. It always strikes me in a somber yet strangely effective tone, all from Nancy Sinatra. The visuals may help slightly to carry the song as well, and it does have a good ring to it. This would be not be the last time for Sean Connery, but first, a slight Lazenby intermission...with two songs in one? Hmm...

Overall, I give it a rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

The James Bond Themes - Part IV: Thunderball.

   Thunderball's theme has a history of people who tried to make a song for the film. The song for the film was originally going to be a song named Mister Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (Wrote by John Barry) with two different singers doing their versions, Shirley Bassey and Dionne Warwick. However the studio wanted the title to be in the film, so Barry made a rendition with Tom Jones being the singer. However even Johnny Cash submitted his verion, which described the plot of the film, but that was rejected. So in the end, there's a decent film with a strange history. So how is the song?

   It's...fine. The theme is good, I can get into it relatively easy and it does have fun. Tom Jones is not bad, he might sing a little too overlydrammatic at times, but at least it does have some sort of spirit to the film, Thunderball and all.

Overall, I give it a rating of 3.5 out of 5 stars.

The James Bond Themes - Part III: Goldfinger.

   Goldfinger repersented new things as it would be the first song to be included in the opening (rather than an instrumental or at the end), it would be the last to have the Gunbarrel by the stuntman Bob Simmons and it was arguably the best Connery, if not Bond film.The song was performed by Shirley Bassey for the first of three songs she would do for the Bond franchise. The lyrics are electrifying and yet still mesmerizing after all these years. It goes extremely well with the title sequence making a strange word like "Goldfinger" work well.

Now Thunderball on the other hand would be slightly more difficult...

Overall, I give it a rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

The James Bond Themes - Part II: From Russia With Love.

  The second Bond film (From Russia Wiht Love) had an instrumental theme in the opening by John Barry (Which in itself is good), with a song by Matt Monro playing over a radio in the film , but he also sung the song in the end credits. This would be the last time a bond theme song would be played either in the end credits or in the gunbarrel itself. So how is it?

It's good enough. Definately more connecting with the film and definitly more useful, with good enough voice in the singing and decent enough lyrics to make a fine rounded song. There isn't much way to sing a song for the classic film other than just this.

Overall, I give it a rating of 3.5 out of 5 stars.

The James Bond Themes - Part I: Kingston Calypso.

   Kingston Calypso was the first Bond theme, though it was segwayed with the title sequence. But here we are with the song of Dr. No in its entirety. And...

...It's mediocre. While it does feel like some sort of thing for the 60's, it doesn't age well and has not much connections with the other Bond themes. While the film of Dr. No may be good, its theme doesn't have much connection or greatness as other Bond themes.

Overall, I give it a rating of 2.5 out of 5 stars.

The James Bond Themes: A Retrospective.

Time for a slight change in reviews.

Preface

   The James Bond series has had 23 films since 1962, with six actors, eleven directors, nine composers, and a multitude of opening songs. The opening song is the song that comes after the cold open (Which usually has the gun-barrel sequence beginning the film. Usually.), with the song having something to do with the movie and the title of the film (The only films with songs that don't have the title in the song are On Her Majesty's Secret Service, Octopussy, Casino Royale, and Quantum of Solace), and the songs can range from good to...average at best. Through 50 years there have been songs from Paul McCartney & Wings to a-Ha to Shirley Bassey to...Madonna. Over the next few days, I will be listening and reviewing all of the James Bond opening themes, from "Kingston Calypso" from Dr. No to "Skyfall" from (obviously) Skyfall. The retrospective will start Monday, with a theme from the first film...

(List of performers: Byron Lee and the Dragonaires, Matt Munro, Shirley Bassey*, Tom Jones, Nancy Sinatra, Louis Armstrong*, Paul McCartney & Wings, Lulu, Carly Simon, Sheena Easton, Rita Coolidge, Duran Duran, A-ha, Gladys Knight, Tina Turner, Sheryl Crow, Garbage, Madonna, Chris Cornell, Jack White & Alicia Keys, and Adele) 

*1: John Barry also composed an instrumental theme in the beginning, with Armstrong playing a theme during the film. 

*2: Bassey sung three films: Goldfinger, Diamonds Are Forever, and Moonraker.

If you want to see reviews of (most) the Bond franchise films, here's a link http://officalmovienight.blogspot.com/search?q=James+Bond that contains some of the Bond reviews. Enjoy.