Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The iconic Bond movie, 4 Aug 2007
As is oft quoted, this movie is where all the ingredients came together. Whether this is your favourite Bond movie or not, probably depends mostly on how you appreciated the change in tone that happened with this movie. Guy Hamilton took over directing duties, and recognised the whole tongue in cheek potential of the franchise, as exemplified by the opening sequence, and ran with that. This opening sequence has Bond swim up `disguised' with a duck on his head, and run around setting charges in an extravagant Ken Adams designed set, before suavely peeling back the dry suit to reveal an immaculate white suit, flourishing a carnation for his lapel from who-knows-where, and sauntering in to seduce a lady in a bar. This mini-story within a story exemplifies all that was to come in the movie and movies to follow. Suave, funny, action packed, and of course just a little bit over the top.
Much is said of the fact that gadgets came to the fore - the Aston Martin is introduced in spectacular form, and the women are both beautiful and played by talented actresses. Honor Blackman as Pussy Galore was the first leading Bond lady who actually had previous acting experience (and at 36, the oldest actress to play a Bond lady). John Barry has also crafted a fully realised score for the movie far superior to his earlier work on Bond movies. However, two things above all make Goldfinger a success. Firstly, Sean Connery is by now completely at home with the character. His comfort in the role without yet being tired of it adds immeasurably to the charm of the movie. Secondly, the true measure of a Bond movie is in how good the villain is - and Gert Frobe makes a fantastic megalomaniac. You only have to check out the two screen tests for other actors to realise just how different the movie would have been without his exuberant style. The character, as well as key movie plotlines, rely on his bombastic enthusiasm for boasting, and Frobe makes this a believable trait.
Whether you like the comedic elements or not, the fact is that Guy Hamilton clearly got the balance right to appeal to the widest possible audience. Goldfinger was not just a hit - it was a phenomenon. This is amply demonstrated in the extras, which include all of the Special Edition extras plus various period interviews and feauturettes, including an open-ended interview with Honor Blackman, on set chat with Connery, the aforementioned screen tests and a 10 minute BBC feature on the Aston Martin touring to promote the film. Despite these additions, the best of all is still the entertaining and thorough half hour documentary and movie commentary from the Special Edition.
In reality, as a film Goldfinger does not deserve 5 stars. But this is not reality - this is entertainment. And as the most defining iconic movie of a 20th Century hero, this movie has more than enough entertainment value to override the quibbles and make this a 5 star success.
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9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
As Good As Gold!, 27 Aug 2006
Generally regarded by many as the best Bond film, Goldfinger along with Thunderball is pretty much that. This film is where the Bond formula we know and love really started. Dr No and From Russia With Love had been big hits with the audiences but Goldfinger made Sean Connery the biggest filmstar in the world. Filmed in a time when films and music could change the world Goldfinger set the standard for the many action films that would follow and indeed started the James Bond craze. Sean Connery is yet again on top form as Bond playing the role in his usual style but a little humour is added to the role. Just like the two previous Bond films Goldfinger mostly sticks close to the Fleming novel which works very well. Bond is assigned to track the movements of Billionaire Auric Goldfinger whom MI6 suspects of smuggling large quantities of gold in and out of the country. In Goldfinger Bond would not just rely on his wits anymore, he would now have gadgets to help him save the world. These came in the form of The Aston Martin DB5, also known today as the most famous car in the world. Everything on the Aston Martin such as the machine guns, oil slick, bullet proof windows, tyre shredder and of course the ejector seat was used to great effect and was clearly way ahead of it's time. Bond is also given two tracking devices, one that he tracks the enemy with and the other he fits into the bottom of his shoe so that he can be tracked by his allies. The Bond films were evolving and the times were changing fast. Goldfinger played by Gert Frobe is one of the most famous villains to appear in a Bond film along with his henchman Oddjob played excellently by Harold Sakata. The scene in which Bond kills Oddjob is just fantastic. Other great scenes in the film include the infamous Jill Masterson sequence in which she is covered in gold paint for betraying Goldfinger and the equaly infamous scene where Bond is strapped to a table with Goldfinger's laser between his legs. Some people say this film is overated but I think they are taking it all a bit too seriously. At the end of the day James Bond is great entertainment for people of all generations. Buy this film along with the other 19 and when you have a quiet afternoon on the weekend sit down and watch it, you will not be dissapointed!
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Quick Reviews!, 11 Dec 2007
This is the point where the Bond series really fired into action-terrific stunts, explosive action, good set pieces, memorable villains, car chases, gadgets, and feisty, strong willed women. Probably deserving of being called the best Bond movie, though it is not my favourite, as it has everything a Bond movie should have. It also stands beside other action films for its excitement levels, is full of one-liners and memorable images, and has a very good plot and strong performances from everyone.
Bond is investigating a gold smuggler, in a brief turn away from the full blown SPECTRE plots of previous films, and uncovers a plan to destroy the world's economy. Bond meets Auric Goldfinger, the man believed to be responsible, and soon is struggling to stop the plan and save the world.
Goldfinger has many famous moments which have become more than simply memorable movie scenes- The Jill Masterson 'turns to gold' scene, the 'Shocking' bath moment, the famous Aston Martin's ejector seat scene. The laser scene. Pussy Galore, as her name may suggest is Bond's 'girl' this time, and is easily the strongest female character to date in the series. We have Oddjob, a terrifying silent assassin who uses his steel rimmed bowler hat to dispatch of his enemies, one of the best bad guys in any Bond movie, and Goldfinger himself is the archetypal Bond Villain- smart but...dumb. The theme tune is one of the strongest, and the film made sure that Bond had a place in movie and cultural history.
The DVD has sparkling visuals restored for modern viewing, and the same can be said for the sound. The 2nd disc is full of interesting features which will satisfy all Bond fans- from the nerds to the passing enthusiasts.
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