Review of Goldfinger (1964) by Luke N — 27 Aug 2013

Many people quote 'From Russia With Love' as the ultimate mark in James Bond's fifty years of cinema. Although there are still a lot that would instead name its follow-up, 'Goldfinger'.

I consider myself part of this group, because even when I was just a little boy, and only really liked James Bond because it was "in" to like him, I always felt that 'Goldfinger' had something else which was special.

Being now a knowledgeable enthusiast towards the entire franchise, I know that this one was really the first to contain both conflicting elements of an engaging thriller, and a camp comic-strip of silly stunts, sarky catchphrases, and dumb but beautiful girls who were still of an era when shooing away a woman, saying "man talk", and spanking her, would not have gotten you a broken nose.

Megalomaniacs were still convincing villains, and talking your nemesis to death instead of just shooting him was still considered an appropriate practice - but hey, I still think that this film was one of the most compelling of all the Bond films.

Not only is the Fort Knox plan surprisingly swallowable, but the pacing between action sequences is just as exciting as the rest. Even the trusty CIA associate, Felix Leiter, is given something to do in this one.

'Goldfinger' is rightfully considered one of the very best in the extensively variable collection of Bond films. A definite must-see for any fan.