I know Joseph Wiseman didn't think fondly of this particular role, but his performance as Dr. No is iconic to this day. Amazing delivery of well-written dialogue.
Joseph Wiseman's acting is magnificent. He's like a robot, only moving when he has to, staring directly at Bond, talking so clearrrrrly and callllmly, practically hissing whenever he says "SPECTRE". I've never seen anything like it. Even the creepy faux-Chinese makeup adds to it, even if it is dated.
Dr. No was easily one of my least favorite Bond movies as a kid. I thought it was super lame. But over the years of constantly watching every Bond movie in order, I started appreciating Dr. No more and more and now I really love it. Don't get me wrong, I also love the "traditional" Bond formula with all the gadgets and the legendary DB5 and all that stuff...but Dr. No is just a pure 1960's spy thriller and that is what makes it so special.