Goldeneye (Two-Disc Ultimate Edition) [DVD]

In 1995, when GOLDENEYE first came out, there had been no Bond films for six years, partly due to legal wrangles, and partly due to Timothy Dalton jumping ship after LICENCE TO KILL (1989), only his second film as Bond. When the waiting action fans were finally treated to GOLDENEYE, they really got what they hoped for, as GOLDENEYE is not only a brilliant entry into the series, but also a great way to introduce Pierce Brosnan to the role of the screen's favourite super-spy. Pierce was a great choice for the role, combining the best parts of Sean Connery with the ability to quip like Roger Moore did so well, and just generally looking the part.

James Bond a.k.a. 007 seems fuelled by revenge after fellow agent 006 a.k.a. Alec Trevelyan (Sean Bean, SHARPE) is killed during a mission, and just may get the chance to avenge this death when M (Dame Judi Dench, MRS BROWN, MRS HENDERSON PRESENTS) instructs him to go to Russia to find a space weapon nicknamed Goldeneye, which has the potential to cause major global meltdown through its power being used to render redundant anything electrical, including all computer systems. He teams up with the survivor of the destruction of a space station control centre, Natalya Simonova (Polish actress Izabella Scorupco), who is a bit of a whiz on computers herself. However, James has yet to realise that the real danger will give him the shock of his life, not to mention an enemy who could be his match in more ways than one -- and that's if the evil Xenia Onatopp (Dutch actress Famke Janssen, X-MEN, I SPY) doesn't crush him to death with her lethal legs first!

Notice that on the front of the box is the word 'UNCUT' just under the title? Previously released on video and DVD before, in a 12-rated cut version, here, for the first time ever in the UK, we are treated to this 15-rated uncut version ('Contains strong violence') after the BBFC approved it under their policies on different versions at different categories, agreeing to waive their previous cuts for violence (including several head-butts and restoring the fight sounds to their original, louder volume).

The bonus disc contains quite a few extras, including deleted scenes (including a foreword from the director as to why he decided upon their exclusion from the final film), location scouts and various documentaries and TV spots.

Great film in its own right, and a worthy inclusion in the Bond franchise!

The film dos'nt need describing as everyones seen it, except to say that this is the original uncut edition which is more violent as it has for example headcuts in the fight scenes that were orginally left on the cutting room floor. The improved picture and the sound quality especially are incredible.

The extras on the second disc are also excellent. there are various featurettes, everything from the pre-production press conference with a nervous looking Pierce Brosnan to behind the scenes of the tank chase and a look at Derek Medding's amazing minatures. Theres also some deleted scenes not all of which are good but worth a look.

I'm one of the Bond fans who had most of the films on the previous DVDs but decided to splash out for this one mainly because I wanted to see the 'uncut' version of the film and because the special features on the previous disc were weaker than on the other Bond films. I can safely say that Goldeneye at least is a worthy investment if you like the film as there is loads on here not on the previous DVD. Top sound and picture quality, great extras and fantastic presentation all round. If your thinking of getting some of the new Ultimate Edition Bond DVDs then this is a good one to start with.

Top marks

If there is one Bond film that strictly follows the Bond cliches then this is it. Spectacular pre-credit sequence, great theme song, amazing stunts, beautiful women, a decent plot, memorable villains, Bond gets captured, escapes in style, etc etc. But for once, it doesn't feel tired, and this film is as fresh and as exciting as the first entry in the series, Dr. No.

It helps having Pierce Brosnan in the role, a fresh face in an old part. His seriousness, coupled with cheeky humour plays dividends for the film and makes the character more human than ever before. He realistically plays Bond, never once going into caricature, and brings the "misogynist, cold war relic," into the Nineties.

And for once, Goldeneye has a decent plot. MI6 agent, 006 (played brilliantly by Sean Bean) goes rogue, and aims to become rich with the Goldeneye EMP satellite. It's up to Bond to stop him. The film is paired into two distinct halves - an interesting, plot setting up first half, and an action blow out second half.

The whole film is memorable, but most spectacularly, are the incredible dam jump opening, the street destroying tank chase, and the ending show down.

Gadgets, vehicles and girls are all correct and present. It may follow the Bond formula strictly, but that is a good thing - you know what to expect, and can just sit back and enjoy.