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Ranking James Bond Films: #5 – “Goldfinger” (1964)
The test case for a successful Bond movie needing a stellar villain begins here, with Goldfinger.
“While investigating a gold magnate’s smuggling, James Bond uncovers a plot to contaminate the Fort Knox gold reserve”
Director: Guy Hamilton
Writers: Richard Maibaum, Ian Fleming, Paul Dehn, Johanna Harwood, Berkely Mather
Cast: Sean Connery, Honor Blackman, Gert Fröbe, Shirley Eaton, Harold Sakata, Tania Mallet, Bernard Lee, Cec Linder, Lois Maxwell, Desmond Llewelyn
Release Date: January 9, 1965
IMDB
The test case for a successful Bond movie needing a stellar villain begins here, with Goldfinger. The first of 007’s movies not to be directed by Terence Young, Guy Hamilton infuses more action and allows for Goldfinger to cook as the antagonist. It is the first movie where Bond doesn’t bear the brunt of the entertainment value. Gert Fröbe, thanks for a truly larger-than-life villain.
Let’s throw some cold water on a beloved movie. Goldfinger does not hold up as well as one hopes regarding a “whole” movie experience. Some scenes are undeniably rewatchable (the golf sequence, for one), but there are story shortcuts one can’t ignore. Pussy Galore was wooed by Bond enough to change the gas? That seems a little weak.
Then there are some of the action scenes. The chase sequence in the factory is jarring, with the frame rates changing to speed up the action. Goldfinger is from a different time, and it’s not fair to harp on the technical side, but it is a weaker point of the movie. It’s not shut-off-the-movie bad by any means, but it’s noticeable, and unless you have the love for the franchise to overlook it, then it’s worth a note.
Goldfinger has all the components one needs to enjoy a Bond movie, but it’s not cemented in the upper-tier echelon. But it’s still great! The one-liners and plot are top-notch, and Mr. Goldfinger walks away with the most memorable prize trophy.
STANKO RATING: B
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