Gripping story with well-crafted characters

It's fun, it's light, [but] it has a hard time when its tries to get heavy.

This is a small, humorous movie in some ways, but it has a huge heart. What a nice experience.

Through painfully honest and emotional moments, the movie becomes irresistibly relatable

This movie is my favorite of the 007 movies I've seen. It's a bit more down to earth with some semi-realistic cold war political intrigue in it. Still has some ridiculous stuff in it too, but I wish other Bond movies were a bit more like this one. For those keeping track, Bond had sexual relations with 4 women in this movie. 2 in a threesome, even, but one was a lady he had sex with in Dr. No. So for the first 2 movies his total number of women is 6.

If not as colorful or as fantastically campy and over the top as its predecessor, "Dr. No", this still manages to provide plenty of thrills. Sean Connery is just as dry, this time dealing with a secret organization that provides itself on what we now know as fake news or alternative facts to throw the secret agents of the world off so they stay one step ahead on their nefarious plots. It's the first sighting of the unseen "Number One", the faceless man in wheelchair who strokes a white cat as he proclaims his sinister plans. But he underestimates the power of the British secret service, explained to Bond with gusto from Bernard Lee's M and observed by the witty Moneypenny (Lois Maxwell), still amused by Bond's womanizing. It's the rather brief presence of the legendary Austrian Singer/actress Lotte Lenya who provides the most sinister moments, presumed to be a sadistic lesbian as she gives the orders and makes a play for pretty Daniela Bianchi. Lenya makes much out of her small part, and as a result, is often referred to as one of the very best Bond villains. The story isn't as strong or detailed as others in the series, but there's plenty to keep your mind on the film. Scenes in Venice, Istanbul and a sequence on the Orient Express are filled with terrific fights, interesting tools of defense and even hundreds of rats running through shallow catacombs. The series had already gotten off to a great start, and the first follow-up is a ton of fun.

Sean Connery's second outing as James Bond in 'From Russia with Love' is more darker, edgier and fluid than 'Dr No'. The second film has a more espionage feel to it and Connery also seems to have adapted to the role like a true British spy. Robert Shaw is quite good as the blonde-haired assassin in Red, with a menacing presence throughout the movie. The love interest in Daniela Banchi, as the Russian spy in Romanova who is duped by SPECTRE, provides conflict and a genuine romance for Bond, and Lotte Lenya's Rosa Klepp has very memorable scene as the villainess pulling Grant's string. The film provides plenty of action and locations, and I think it flowed better than 'Dr No'. Granted, I only watched them all in order recently, but I liked how this film followed on from the first one with SPECTRE being more of an established organisation with a structure and system. They are truly evil and failure is not an option if you are going after Bond!The second installment is better than the first, with impressive action sequences and interesting characters, and no doubt raised hopes for the third installment! ***½ out of *****!

While it shares the same flaws as Dr. No(slow pacing and lack of action),they aren't as bad in this sequel.From Russia with Love does what all the best sequels do,take elements from the first(characters,plot,etc)and improves on them.The villains are even better,Red Grant being the best with his brains and brawn,the plot is more interesting,and Sean Connery is still great as James Bond.The action is much better and more exciting,yet is still suspenseful.The characters all work great together and have chemistry.This film also introduces new elements that would stay with the franchise forever,gadgets and the introductions of Blofeld and Q.Another good thing about this movie,is that it feels like an actual spy movie,full of espionage.Even with all of its good,From Russia with Love still has a few flaws,the pacing is still a bit too slow,there isn't really any action until the third act,and one scene involving gypsies,although part of the plot,just feels like filler.From Russia with Love is a worthy follow up to Dr. No,with a few flaws,though it is still great