Fifty has never looked better.
It’s been 50 years since the first James Bond film, Dr. No, premiered (首映) in cinemas. As first embodied by Scottish actor Sean Connery, Agent 007 was a fearless, cool-as-ice spy who excelled at sleuthing (侦查), fighting and saving the world.
Since then, more than 20 films featuring the iconic spy have been released–making it one of the longest-running franchises (授权) in the history of cinema. On Nov 9, the 23rd Bond movie, Skyfall, celebrated the legend’s 50th birthday.
Over the years, audiences have changed. It doesn't matter. Six different actors have acted 007 and it doesn't matter. Even shocking technological and cultural changes can’t bend Bond. Why? Is it the action, the sexy women, the cars, the gadgets and the exotic locations? Yes, but the most important reason is still the man himself. Bond can challenge his boss and shoot a bad guy in mere minutes. He is an expert in literature, languages, art and fine wines. He has a sharp tongue besides his wits.
In the first film Dr. No, as Connery lit a cigarette, we heard James Bond’s voice and saw his café for the first time. The simple scene and short phrase have defined the character for half a century.
“Next to the Beatles and Stones, James Bond was the greatest British import of the 1960s,” David Kamp, a US contributing editor for Vanity Fair, wrote in a recent article about the birth of Bond and its influence on the US.
The Bond phenomenon has clearly affected movie culture, pop culture and spy culture. But perhaps the most amazing thing is that 007 has survived in the age of feminism（女权主义）. “Talking of objectifying women, Bond is essential Huge Henfner (founder of Playboy magazine) with a gun,” movie critic Xan Brooks told The Guardian. “But women liked Bond, too. He couldn’t have run for 50 years with male fans alone.”
We love Bond for many reasons—after all 50 years, Bond is still breathtaking. thrilling ride into the very heart of an icon like no other. But most of all, we may love him for one reason: “he always gets away with it.” one said.
16. What attracts the audience most in James Bond films?
A. The violent fighting scenes. B. The sexy women.
C. Everything about Bond himself. D. The car racing.
17. What does the underlined sentence mean in Paragraph 4?
A. He can read people’s thoughts.
B. He can easily beat any man who wants to murder him.
C. He can predict what people are going to do by observing them.
D. He has an unkind way of speaking and always thinks quickly and clearly.
18. According to the passage, which of the following is TRUE?
A. The first James Bond film was produced in 1963.
B. Skyfall is the last James Bond film.
C. David Kamp is a UK editor for the Guardian.
D. The James Bond film was popular in the age of feminism.
19. What does the movie critic Xan Brooks agree with?
A. James Bond films are not accepted by young girls.
B. Men are especially interested in James Bond films.
C. Bond is actually a man against feminism.
D. Women are fond of James Bond films too.
20. What is the best title of the passage?
A. Still Going Strong Fifty Years on. B. Introduction about James Bond films.
C. Secrets of 007. D. The Last James Bond films.