Goldfinger (1964) (Not Rated)
Directed by Guy Hamilton
Starring: Sean Connery, Gert Frobe, Honor Blackman, Harold Sakata
Daddy Says:
It may not have started it all, but the third James Bond movie set the standard, and the pattern, that the Bond movies have followed ever since.
Goldfinger stars Sean Connery as British Secret Service Agent 007, James Bond, licensed to kill. His nemesis this time is Auric Goldfinger (Gert Frobe), a private gold owner, and suspected gold smuggler. He is accompanied everywhere by his henchman Odd Job (Harold Sakata) who wears a lethal hat. Yes, I said a lethal hat. Bond's love interest this time around is Goldfinger's personal pilot, the inventively named Pussy Galore (Honor Blackman).
This Bond movie has all the elements which would become so familiar to us as the series continued: "Q" giving Bond a lecture on all the gadgets he's going to be using on his trip (us knowing full well that every one of them will be needed for just some as yet unknown purpose), the team of enemy commandos all wearing identical jumpsuits, the villain's lair filled with electronic surprises, James Bond seducing every girl in sight.
So what makes this one so good? I like the little touches. Bond and a girl are involved in a shootout with the commandos. He tells the girl to run. She gets killed. And because of his nature, Bond leaves his position of safety to go to her. It tells us a lot about his character, in particular, about his biggest character flaw: his weakness for women.
Another scene: Bond is strapped spread-eagled to a table. Goldfinger shows him one of his new toys, a laser that can cut through metal. The laser slowly inches upwards from the bottom of the table towards Bond's crotch. In a different type of action movie, the hero would have found some way to physically escape from this trap. Not here. It's played out in a soundly logical way, one that requires Bond to use his brains instead of his brawn. Still, it's not all cerebral. And if Bond weren't able to seduce Pussy Galore, the villain might just have gotten away with his really ingenious plan.
This was, and for the most part, still is my favorite Bond movie. The more recent Casino Royale is the first Bond movie to have come close. But, I'll always have a soft spot for this one. And I'll have it's theme song stuck in my head for at least a few more days.
Rating for Goldfinger: ****3/4.
Daughter Says:
I'm in love with the new James Bond (Daniel Craig), but Sean Connery comes in a close second now that I have seen Goldfinger. I was absolutely positive that I was going to hate this movie. I am not a big James Bond fan and I'd like to say I still am not. But taking in consideration of how well done this movie was, I might have to admit I'm forming an appreciation for the films.
I must say I found myself surprised to be cheering on Bond to catch the bad guy. After what he did to that poor girl, James Bond deserved his revenge. Although I must say if Bond wasn't such a man-hoe I would like this movie even more. Oh well, I guess I should appreciate the good stuff and not look down upon the bad.
I have to admit that I think you should see this movie. Not because James Bond is attractive (which to be honest he's not that appealing) or because there are awesome gadgets and gizmos but because Goldfinger is a classic James Bond movie. If you must compare the new James Bond to any other movie, choose this one.
Rating for Goldfinger: ****.
Directed by Guy Hamilton
Starring: Sean Connery, Gert Frobe, Honor Blackman, Harold Sakata
Daddy Says:
It may not have started it all, but the third James Bond movie set the standard, and the pattern, that the Bond movies have followed ever since.
Goldfinger stars Sean Connery as British Secret Service Agent 007, James Bond, licensed to kill. His nemesis this time is Auric Goldfinger (Gert Frobe), a private gold owner, and suspected gold smuggler. He is accompanied everywhere by his henchman Odd Job (Harold Sakata) who wears a lethal hat. Yes, I said a lethal hat. Bond's love interest this time around is Goldfinger's personal pilot, the inventively named Pussy Galore (Honor Blackman).
This Bond movie has all the elements which would become so familiar to us as the series continued: "Q" giving Bond a lecture on all the gadgets he's going to be using on his trip (us knowing full well that every one of them will be needed for just some as yet unknown purpose), the team of enemy commandos all wearing identical jumpsuits, the villain's lair filled with electronic surprises, James Bond seducing every girl in sight.
So what makes this one so good? I like the little touches. Bond and a girl are involved in a shootout with the commandos. He tells the girl to run. She gets killed. And because of his nature, Bond leaves his position of safety to go to her. It tells us a lot about his character, in particular, about his biggest character flaw: his weakness for women.
Another scene: Bond is strapped spread-eagled to a table. Goldfinger shows him one of his new toys, a laser that can cut through metal. The laser slowly inches upwards from the bottom of the table towards Bond's crotch. In a different type of action movie, the hero would have found some way to physically escape from this trap. Not here. It's played out in a soundly logical way, one that requires Bond to use his brains instead of his brawn. Still, it's not all cerebral. And if Bond weren't able to seduce Pussy Galore, the villain might just have gotten away with his really ingenious plan.
This was, and for the most part, still is my favorite Bond movie. The more recent Casino Royale is the first Bond movie to have come close. But, I'll always have a soft spot for this one. And I'll have it's theme song stuck in my head for at least a few more days.
Rating for Goldfinger: ****3/4.
Daughter Says:
I'm in love with the new James Bond (Daniel Craig), but Sean Connery comes in a close second now that I have seen Goldfinger. I was absolutely positive that I was going to hate this movie. I am not a big James Bond fan and I'd like to say I still am not. But taking in consideration of how well done this movie was, I might have to admit I'm forming an appreciation for the films.
I must say I found myself surprised to be cheering on Bond to catch the bad guy. After what he did to that poor girl, James Bond deserved his revenge. Although I must say if Bond wasn't such a man-hoe I would like this movie even more. Oh well, I guess I should appreciate the good stuff and not look down upon the bad.
I have to admit that I think you should see this movie. Not because James Bond is attractive (which to be honest he's not that appealing) or because there are awesome gadgets and gizmos but because Goldfinger is a classic James Bond movie. If you must compare the new James Bond to any other movie, choose this one.
Rating for Goldfinger: ****.
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