Review of GoldenEye (1995) by Scryptkeeper — 23 Jun 2023

“Goldeneye” is a fast-paced action/espionage flick that sees the renowned agent James Bond engaging in his next venture to protect England from powers that would seek its destruction. In the aftermath of the Cold War, a new threat emerges from the husk of the Soviet Union that puts Bond’s quick wit and adaptability to the test when placed alongside old and new allies alike. Though the film as a whole can be admittedly difficult to get into for viewers outside of the “007” fanbase - more on that later - it still delivers a compelling story that manages to be a solid watch should a number of elements be overlooked.

Concerning the plot, the film starts off with a bang as Bond performs a dynamic bungee jump from atop an enemy dam; teaming up with ally agent Alec Trevelyan soon after to clear out the Soviet facility. When fortunes turn for the worse and Alec is struck down, Bond fulfills the mission and manages to escape. Some time later, after the mysterious destruction of a Soviet lab, Bond is sent to rescue the lone survivor of the incident, Natalya Simonova, before she can be silenced by its perpetrators. Upon coming face to face with a malevolent ghost from his past, the one responsible for orchestrating the plot against himself and England, James is eventually forced into teaming up with Natalya to neutralize the puppeteer once and for all. This ultimately sets the stage for a satisfying final sequence that is easily the high point of the film. Unfortunately, a number of contrivances manage to slow the narrative down, but not to the point of breaking the plot. A few examples of which include the exceedingly happenstance utility of a certain exploding pen, and Bond’s use of a Tank to race and halt an enemy train. As for the characters, most of the cast were likable overall. Pierce Brosnan’s James Bond contained all of the traits that followers of the franchise would come to expect. Sean Bean’s Trevelyan was acted out excellently for what his role entailed, Judi Dench’s “M” performed well in simultaneously reigning in and supporting Bond, and Izabella Scorupco’s Natalya lended an air of plot relevance to the “Bond Girl” role that was only undercut a bit by the degree of plot armor she wore throughout the run time. The characters of CIA agent Jack Wade and Soviet General Ourumov also added a welcome polish to the film, alongside the brief but enjoyable appearance of gadget facilitator “Q”. The same could not be said for the likes of femme fatale Xenia Onatopp, however, whose character role was so sensually obnoxious and distracting that it made Bond’s romantic ventures throughout the film tonally tolerable by comparison.

Aesthetically speaking, the film draws in quite a number of accolades by means of its memorable soundtrack and dynamic stunts, though the latter of the two adds difficulty in appealing to viewers not accustomed to the traits of the franchise. To put it mildly, a heavy dose of suspension of disbelief must be applied throughout Bond’s escapades to enjoy them for what they are; cool concepts that are fun to behold but defy the laws of reality. The most glaring example of which being the means of escape he employs at the Soviet facility, which saw him casually skydive into a free-falling, unoccupied plane no worse for wares.

In conclusion, “Goldeneye” is the perfect example of a film that delivers on its franchise’s expectations. As it is a curious blend of serious and non-serious narratives, it can reasonably be described as “Mission Impossible” meets “Fast and Furious”: a marginally-campy spy joyride that treats fans of the genre with a full-course meal, though is certainly not for everyone.