That John Barry theme of reverb guitar and “Bond, James Bond” — it’s all part of our pop culture consciousness, no matter which Bond you grew up with or is your all-time fave 007.

Various films featuring some of the top Bonds in history are now available in the Blu-Ray format as the James Bond Blu-Ray Collection Six Pack (and as individual releases) — all in time for the upcoming Quantum of Solace, which follows up the Casino Royale series relaunch as a contemporary, tougher, and more visceral Bond, starring Daniel Craig.

The Volume One and Two box sets are a mixed affair, so you don’t get Sean Connery in one and then Roger Moore and Pierce Brosnan in the other. Still, Connery dominates in the true Bond classics Dr. No, From Russia With Love, and Thunderball.

Content-wise, these are the vivid Blu-Ray versions of the James Bond Ultimate Edition DVDs released just two years ago. Still, it’s damn good stuff — especially Connery (yes, I’m playin’ favorites here). For their time (the early ’60s), Dr. No and From Russia With Love are pretty gritty and true enough to Ian Fleming’s writings, while Thunderball, from a few years later, is more gimmicky, though what a theme song from Tom Jones! The tropical setting of No is matched by the Euro feel of Russia, which introduces evil org SPECTRE. Thunderball was remade, of course, as Connery’s final Bond in the ’80s – Never Say Never.

Consider this: Roger Moore’s Bond debut here,  Live and Let Die (ah, that Paul McCartney and Wings theme — forget the Guns ‘N’ Roses remake) is overall serious, unlike his movies that followed, though For Your Eyes Only (a Sheena Easton theme that wasn’t bad either) was also better than Moore’s other 007.  Sure, the pre-Dukes of Hazzard southern sheriff shtick is ridiculous, but, on the other hand, there’s the very young, alluring Jane Seymour. Eyes finds Bond almost…ahem, mature.

The collection is rounded out by Die Another Day, which was possibly Pierce Brosnan’s worst 007 showing — Halle Berry plain awful in it too. Even the theme by Madonna was wretched. Really, it’s the only clinker among the six.  Why not Goldeneye to start? It’s still probably Brosnan’s shining Bond moment.

The special features also mirror the Bond Ultimate Collection DVDs, so for the most part, it’s all about stepping up to the Blu-ray. If you’re already entrenched from your hi-def nice size TV or the player — and a 007 fan — then this set is for you…or for the Bond fan you know that’s also in the Blu-ray world, as a fine holiday gift in a couple of months.

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