Goldfinger (1964)

User Review

• 

  Barneyonmovies

  8 / 10

  WHAT I LIKED: If opening sequences set the tone of a Bond movie, the fact that 'Goldfinger,' opens with a pigeon on Bond's head and him blowing something up surely says it all. This is the movie that established the sillyness and extravagance of the rest of the series with its huge set-pieces, classic lines, gadgets, and witty comedy, and all of that makes for a pretty fun watch.
  
  Once again though what really keeps your eyes on the screen is Connery, and this time around the story and script arguably allow him to play-up the whole 'brute-in-a-suit' guise more than in any other. He's reckless and opportunist enough (as well as witty enough) to bring that underdog likeability across on the one hand, but at the same time we get to see a little vulnerability (though not as much as in From Russia With Love) as his actions often force him into pretty dire straits. That's helped further by the fact that the villain in this case is rather similar to Bond; an egocentric fool who turns the whole thing into a bit of a shooting match about who can flex their recklesness muscles hardest. That could sound tiring, but the difference is that Bond has more out-of-place likeability, and all the while the explosions and gadgets - as well as the mystery of the unfolding plot that we uncover along with Bond - keep things ticking along nicely.
  
  WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE: Upping the fun and goofiness unfortunately happens in place of the high personal/espionage stakes that we saw in the brilliant From Russia With Love. That's particularly the case in the third act which is as tiring as it is impressive.
  
  VERDICT: The movie that established the comedic and action-packed nature of the rest of its series, 'Goldfinger,' is a lot of fun, though it engages because of the conflict between the villain and Connery's recklessness and likeability.

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