GoldenEye [Blu-ray] [1995]

If you're a James Bond fan then you probably don't me to re-hash the plot of this film. You'll more than likely know exactly where it sits in your own personal top 20. If, on the other hand, you're not familiar with Bond, or you've just never seen this particular film, then I can certainly recommend it. Goldeneye definitely makes my own top ten of Bond films - possibly pushing the top 5.For the record - and I'm no expert in the technical side of DVDs - this looked fine, but the sound was a bit off - I had to turn it up quite a bit. Aside from that, I hope that both seasoned fans, and those who are new to Bond will find the following useful and interesting. I've tried not to include any significant SPOILERS but apologies if you think I have - feel free to leave a comment, and I will look at amending what I've put.There are many things that go to make up a Bond film. Commonly cited are the gadgets, the 'girls' and the theme song. But there is more to it than that. I've always considered the pre-title sequence to be an important element. In this case it's really pretty effective. We're introduced to Pierce Brosnan as Bond for the first time, and we know we're going to have fun with this one, but in a no-nonsense kind of a way.The opening credits are nothing to write home about as Tina Turner belts out the theme song, doing her best Shirley Bassey impersonation, and it's not too long before we're introduced to the new 'M' played by Judi Dench. The character works, in my view, much better here before it was built up unnecessarily in the Daniel Craig films. Her sparring with 007 seems realistic and enjoyable to watch.Meanwhile all sorts of shenanigans is going on in Monte Carlo and Russia as the plot really kicks in and we get to know the baddies. They're a good bunch here: a sadistic female former soviet fighter pilot (Xenia Onatopp) who is plainly aroused by killing, a nerdy and arrogant computer programmer, an archetypal Russian general par excellence and finally Sean Bean's slightly unconvincing former '00' agent gone bad.There's the usual scene with Q as Bond acquires some new gadgets, which in this film are useful rather than spectacular, and an excellent 'car chase' of sorts and a good solid ending, complete with the baddies' hidden lair in an exotic location.It's always slightly unbelievable how the female characters (Dench aside!) end up falling in to Bond's arms so easily, and this film is no different on that score. But the sort of sexual wrestling that goes on with Onatopp is something of a novel twist. And then there is the other Russian computer programmer - not the nerdy arrogant one - the beautiful female one who becomes Bond's sidekick and lover for the duration of the film. In my opinion she is the best female character in any Bond film - as well as beautiful and intelligent, she is feisty and resourceful, and mostly gives as good as she gets.All in all, a great film and a great entry in to the Bond canon.

Pierce Brosnan really nails the role here with his first outing as James Bond. Shot through with some great humour and Sean Bean providing a great foil to Brosnan with his role as agent gone bad. 006 vs. 007 there can be only one winner but it's a great couple of hours watching it unfold onscreen. With Dame Judy Dench as Q and Robbie Coltrane turning up as well it's an all star cast that just works so well. Live and Let Die is my fave Bond movie with my fave bond Roger Moore but this is a very close second and well worth a watch.

Good entertainment

Delivered intact and in perfect condition a week early! A very enjoyable movie with Pierce Brosnan in his first James Bond role. I know that many people consider Daniel Craig to be the best Bond after Sean Connery but in my opinion his character depiction was just a little too wooden. So for me, Brosnan is a clear second to Connery.

This is Pierce Brosnan's first outing - and probably his finest hour - as Bond. It's a highly enjoyable flick with a new and sexy Bond, this one with a decided twinkle in his eyes after the rather stern (though equally excellent) Timothy Dalton. There are two very sexy ladies with Famke Janssen and Izabella Scorupco, Sean Bean makes for a memorable villain and Alan Cumming is a real scene stealer as his rather comical henchman. The inimitable Desmond Llewelyn is back as Q and Judi Dench takes over as M. They all work a treat. Samantha Bond, on the other hand, is my least favourite Moneypenny. A bit odd is the appearance of Joe Don Baker (who played the megalomaniac villain in The Living Daylights) in the role of one of Bond's allies. But that's a minor quibble. Tina Turner's theme song is one of the best in the series. Great stunts, great filming locations including the glorious St Petersburg, and the usual fun gadgets make this one of the better films in the franchise.The 2 disc Ultimate Edition DVD I purchased includes the following (very enjoyable) extra features:- Deleted Scenes with Introductions by Director Martin Campbell- Directing Bond: The Martin Chronicles- Building a Better Bond: Pre-Production Featurette- The Return of Bond: The Start of Production Press Event- Driven to Bond: Remy Julienne- Anatomy of a Stunt: Tank vs. Perrier- Making it in Small Pictures: Derek Meddings- On Location with Peter Lamont- GoldenEye's Secret Files- Pre-Title Storyboard Sequence with Martin Campbell- Interactive Guide into the World of GoldenEye- Audio Commentary with Martin Campbell and Michael G. Wilson- "The World of 007" Original 1995 Television Special Hosted by Elizabeth Hurley- The GoldenEye Video Journal- Promotional Featurette "GoldenEye" Music Video Performed by Tina Turner- Original Trailers- TV Spots- Photo Gallery

Excellent

I saw this at the cinema three times back in the nineties and loved watching it again in 2023!! It has dated slightly in its treatment of the main female character and title credits, but that aside it is still a truly wonderful film. Very gung ho in an English way, great villain, impressive stunts, wonderful locations. Pierce Brosnan is magnificent in his Bond debut. Would watch a million times