Goldeneye (1995) Review

 Title: Goldeneye
Year: 1995
Director: Martin Campbell
Country: UK
Language: English

Ah, Goldeneye! Most of us millennials know of this 007 entry as our favorite childhood video game. We spent countless hours on the N64 beating our friends in "slappers only" combat. Nobody played as Oddjob, because his small stature was considered cheating. Many of us didn't ever end up seeing the film Goldeneye, which is a shame, because it's a damn good movie!

When a powerful secret defense system is stolen, James Bond (Pierce Brosnan) is assigned to stop a Russian crime syndicate from using it.

The first Bond film made since the end of the Cold War, Goldeneye was an ambitious project for the producers to make. Mel Gibson, Hugh Grant and Liam Neeson were all offered the part of Bond, but they all passed. Pierce Brosnan accepted the role. He's a good middle0ground between the goofy camp of Moore & the extreme seriousness of Timothy Dalton. Brosnan is an instantly credible Bond.

"I think you're a sexist misogynistic dinosaur. A relic of the cold war." - M

Goldenye updates the Franchise to reflect attitudes of the time. This entry is the first time Bond is called out, and made fun of, for his outdated views. It's also the first entry to feature a female M, which was huge at the time. The film itself has an adequate script, but is visually impressive. Its impressive cinematography, intense fight choreography and outstanding set design give Goldeneye an epic feel that is rarely matched throughout the Bond Franchise. 

Famke Janssen as Xenia Onatopp is a memorable femme fatale. Sean Bean as Trevelyan is an iconic Bond villain. I love how personal Trevelyan & Bond's showdown is at the end of the film. Goldeneye is certainly worthy of being highly regarded.