Best Bond to Start Kids off on
IcePak
Perth, Western AustraliaPosts: 177MI6 Agent
My nephews are 9 and 10 and I was thinking of introducing them to the Bond films. But where should I start?
My initial thought was Goldfinger: it's a classic and has lots of great gadgets and action. But here in Australia it's rated M15+ so it's out of the question.
The next film I thought of was You Only Live Twice: it's filled with fantastic set pieces and even has the awe-inspiring volcano-lair. But Connery's performance is flat here so the kids might not empathise with the character and put them off the series. Plus it might be a bit too dated for them.
Live and Let Die is a fun romp with lots of humour and gadgets but I thought the voodoo scenes might creep the kids out.
Moonraker is a fun romp from beginning to end with Jaws playing dumb for a lot of the time, and then there's plenty of gadgets and the dramatic space-station fight. My only concern here is Corine's death scene.
The first half of Octopussy is light-hearted fun, but then it becomes quite dark towards the end and I think the kids would lose interest.
Goldeneye was the film that introduced me to the series. It's fairly modern and is a classic with some brilliant scenes. But the first half is slow and might bore the kids.
What are your thoughts? Which Bond film would you introduce to 9 and 10 year olds?
My initial thought was Goldfinger: it's a classic and has lots of great gadgets and action. But here in Australia it's rated M15+ so it's out of the question.
The next film I thought of was You Only Live Twice: it's filled with fantastic set pieces and even has the awe-inspiring volcano-lair. But Connery's performance is flat here so the kids might not empathise with the character and put them off the series. Plus it might be a bit too dated for them.
Live and Let Die is a fun romp with lots of humour and gadgets but I thought the voodoo scenes might creep the kids out.
Moonraker is a fun romp from beginning to end with Jaws playing dumb for a lot of the time, and then there's plenty of gadgets and the dramatic space-station fight. My only concern here is Corine's death scene.
The first half of Octopussy is light-hearted fun, but then it becomes quite dark towards the end and I think the kids would lose interest.
Goldeneye was the film that introduced me to the series. It's fairly modern and is a classic with some brilliant scenes. But the first half is slow and might bore the kids.
What are your thoughts? Which Bond film would you introduce to 9 and 10 year olds?
1. CR 2. OHMSS 3. GE 4. TLD 5. OP 6. FRwL 7. FYEO
8. TMwtGG 9. AVtaK 10. TSWLM 11. SF 12. LtK 13. TND 14. YOLT
15. NTtD 16. MR 17. LaLD 18. GF 19. SP 20. DN 21. TB
22. TWiNE 23. DAD 24. QoS 25. DaF
8. TMwtGG 9. AVtaK 10. TSWLM 11. SF 12. LtK 13. TND 14. YOLT
15. NTtD 16. MR 17. LaLD 18. GF 19. SP 20. DN 21. TB
22. TWiNE 23. DAD 24. QoS 25. DaF
Comments
To be fair at 9 and 10 you can pretty much show them any Bond film from 1962 - 1985. Maybe leave On Her Mahesty's, the middle bit drags a bit for youngsters.
"Keeping British end up, sir." - RM "This never happened to the other fellow." - JL "I must be dreaming." SC
Corinne's death, you could perhaps distract them at that point with a " Who wants a sweet "
or Ice cream etc
I got to see GF at the age of 5 or 6, didn't do me any harm - well, that's arguable.
Otherwise, TSWLM.
Roger Moore 1927-2017
Goldfinger, as the first film with all the iconic Bond components. It's quite cartoon-y so should have child appeal.
There isn't a Bond film that's completely squeaky clean so I guess it depends on how conservative the parents are.
I suggest "the spy who loved me" ... Or any Roger Moore era movie.
I got myself into the franchise after borrowing my father's DVD copy of The World Is Not Enough - back in 2003/2004 or so. Yes, the overall plot is perhaps a little dull, but there are some fun scenes like the PTS and caviar factory. Even today I have a soft spot for it even though I can recognise it as among the weaker films.
Was thinking about this the other day with my nephew, problem is they are so used to over produced cgi cartoon crap that if there’s 5 seconds of nothing happening the phone is out and a stupid TikTok video playing, actually goes for anyone under about 35 now tbh, have tried to watch ‘classic’ films with people and they are like ‘why would I watch old films?’.
Thanks for all the responses. I still haven't gotten around to showing them anything yet. But Moonraker is probably the sure bet.
8. TMwtGG 9. AVtaK 10. TSWLM 11. SF 12. LtK 13. TND 14. YOLT
15. NTtD 16. MR 17. LaLD 18. GF 19. SP 20. DN 21. TB
22. TWiNE 23. DAD 24. QoS 25. DaF
I would have to say start them with Goldfinger then The Spy Who Loved Me........?
Goldfinger despite it's rating doesn't have too many scenes that warrant avoiding it if you're watching it with kids from the top of my head.
The Bond films I remember watching at about the same age were:
Goldeneye
Tomorrow Never Dies
Goldfinger
Live & Let Die
The Spy Who Loved Me
Given the choice I would say that The Spy Who Loved Me is the one to go for. Has everything you want in a Bond film especially if you're introducing youngsters to the series. Great action set pieces, colourful characters, great locations and sets and very good humour.
Honestly I would go with TSWLM & Moonraker.
Both are ideal for the purpose plus Jaws could well be a hit.
The opening part of TSWLM is peak Bond "WOW" for a lot of people, and then there's the Lotus too!
Moonraker might actually be the better of the two for this purpose, but since they're connected - and the top two choices anyway - I would do them in order!