Few film series have run even half as long as James Bond. The debut feature was 1962's Dr. No, starring Sean Connery. The actor played the character five consecutive times before George Lazenby was cast. Then, Sean returned once more before Roger Moore took the reigns. The role can change actors without resetting a timeline or disturbing the continuity, so it seems like the world's favorite MI6 agent may be out in the field forever.
Given how old some of the films are getting, some things within them that haven't aged well. Film making has changed along with societal norms, making some parts of the movies cringe-worthy by today's standards. This list will point out ten egregious things that haven't gotten better with the passage of time. This doesn't mean that the whole movie is terrible or not worth watching; criticizing part of a piece doesn't indicate that the whole thing is trash.
Obvious Stunt Doubles
In modern films it's almost impossible to tell that a stunt double was used in an action scene. They have methods of putting the actor's face onto the athlete performing the stunt, hiding the fact and preserving the movie magic. Most Bond movies came out before this luxury was available.
Certain moments in the older movies have shots where it is painfully obvious Sean Connery or Roger Moore isn't performing the action. Sometimes, the camera is right on the performer's face. The producers couldn't have foreseen the HD era where all the scratches and marks on film reels would be cleaned up, making the then obscured faces clear as day.
One-liners
Part of Bond's charm is his witty banter, but for every "shocking" there is an "all those feathers and he still can't fly." Of course, this is not a deal breaker for all viewers. Some people love these cheesy one-liners.
For those who are more accustomed to serious spy thrillers, these bad jokes stick out like sore thumbs. At the same time, the magic of the series is its ability to switch genres and moods between films.
Being Overzealous With Women
There's nothing wrong with a single person trying their best to make friendly with someone they find attractive, but everyone is in agreement that it can go too far. Bond has, on several occasions, gone miles beyond the acceptable boundaries.
In Skyfall, he jumps into the shower with a woman whom he just met without consent, in Thunderball he blackmails a woman into some hanky panky, and the list goes on and on. One can chalk it up to different times or it being the character, but it doesn't make it any less unsettling for some viewers.
Homophobia
This one is specific to Diamonds Are Forever, which features two hitmen named Mr. Wint and Mr. Kidd, who both play into arguably offensive gay stereotypes.
In cinema and television during the late 60s and early 70s, members of the LGBT community were rarely represented on screen. When they were, it was in the form of cliched stereotypes. It's unfortunate that a Bond film fell into this trope as well.
The Humor
Bond cracks a lot of quips, often at inopportune times. As recently as Skyfall all he has to say after a woman with whom he had intimate relations is killed is "it's a waste of good scotch," referencing the alcohol glass resting atop her head.
One can chalk it up to keeping his cover, but the audience still cringes. Timing is everything in comedy, James.
Pussy Galore
Goldfinger solidified the Bond movie formula. It certainly deserves recognition for doing so, but it loses some respect for how Bond's entire plan hinges on seducing a woman working for Auric Goldfinger.
There is a scene where he forcibly holds down the movie's female lead, Pussy Galore, and kisses her, somehow causing her to change allegiances. Not only is it weak writing, but it's made all the more troublesome when one remembers that the character in the novel is a lesbian.
The Living Daylights
The last act of The Living Daylights takes place in Afghanistan. Bond assists the Mujahideen in foiling a KGB agents plot to profit from a black market deal.
Those who know their history will recognize that the Mujahideen eventually turned into the Taliban. Rambo 3 also falls into this same predicament.
Racial Insensitivity
Several moments throughout the early films would have no place in a contemporary action movie, even one with a lighter tone. In You Only Live Twice, Bond disguises himself as a Japanese man. The idea on the surface sounds bad enough, but the disguise is so laughable, it would have a hard time fooling anyone. Live and Let Die, which was cashing in on the blacksploitation craze at the time, also falls into a similar trap.
Thankfully, Bond doesn't try to disguise himself as a different race in that one.
Old Sean Connery
Sean Connery literally didn't age well, but that's not what this entry is about. After coming off the epic and exciting On Her Majesty's Secret Service, the Scottish actor jumped back into the spy's shoes. Watching them in release order, it's hard not to notice just how old he looks compared to George Lazenby.
Sean Connery was only about forty, but he really looks like a grandpa. The toupee does nothing to help his case either. Roger Moore runs into the same problem during his final couple of films.
Pop Culture References
Whenever a movie references pop culture, they run the risk of dating themselves. Most of the Roger Moore films incorporate genres that were popular at the time. Live and Let Die takes cues from blacksploitation, The Man With The Golden Gun has martial arts in it, and Bond literally goes to space in 1979's Moonraker, just two years after Star Wars.
It's not necessarily bad that the movies are dated, but it does make them feel less like Bond movies.