Goldfinger
Goldfinger: 007 is sent to investigate a gold-smuggling operation, but uncovers a much larger plot involving Fort Knox, a nuclear bomb, lethal gas, and a lot of gold bouillon…
Epidermal Suffocation - debatable, but iconic!
It’s impossible to do justice in such a short review, but Goldfinger is cinematic gold (!!). It’s crammed end-to-end with iconography, from unforgettable imagery through to the timeless – but slightly cheesy – script. The opening scenes where Bond stealthily snorkels behind enemy lines and blows up a secret base (the first proper pre-credits mini mission) sets the tone for Goldfinger, and from there on in the story thunders through until Bond’s capture, when it slows down until the raid on Fort Knox.
Aston Martin - arguably Bond's true sweetheart
Despite almost every scene being recognisable, some of the highlights are; the Aston Martin debut – packed with gadgets, Golf playoff (should be boring!), / Pussy Galore, scuba gear to white tux, ‘shocking’, Laser Scene “Do you expect me to talk”, ticking nuke, Auric and his Gold fetish, explosive decompression, hundreds of collapsing soldiers, Oddjob and his hat, gold body paint…
Goldfinger - Star of the show
Random Task - Oddjob and his current hat
It’s also the pinnacle of Bond’s unbelievable sexist streak – when he condescendingly explains to his female colleague: ‘run along dear, man talk’ then proceeds to give her a massive slap on the arse. They just don’t make ’em like that these days!
As Felix stares on... wrong on so many levels
Another interesting aspect is that of all the physically dominating, power-hungry, and certifiably insane Bond villains we’ve seen over the years, it’s a small, fat (& dubbed) – and in the end, greedy -German that sits up there with the best of them. Despite the film’s greatness some questions are best left unanswered, like why is there a mass of asian labour in the middle of Kentucky? or how did such rubbish gangsters ever make it big (“What’s this?” “Who’s that!?”).
Perhaps the single still that sums up the franchise
The final product is an unforgettable, and near-perfect blend of the two themes that make Bond films great; mystery-thriller and large-scale action. Fantastic as a stand-alone film, and one of the highlights of the franchise.
Score: 8/10
Pussy Galore - proof that even lesbians digg Bond
TOP TRUMPS
Villain: Auric Goldfinger – Golf, Gold and laser-loving menace. 9
Henchmen: Oddjob – Silent but violent. 9
Bond Girl: Pussy Galore / Masterton Sisters – three’s a crowd. 8
Action: Car chase, opium explosion, golf, long Fort Knox fight. – 7
Still haven't seen a game of golf this tense
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Pingback: Non-Review Review: Goldfinger « the m0vie blog
Great screen shot of Bond sending Dink away…ah the 60’s right?P
You’re right, tough to do it justice in so few words but you got it spot on. This is all about iconography.Also, like your Austin Powers nod to “Random Task”:)
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Totally agree, this is one of the best ones hands down. It’s a nearly endless stream of awesome stuff from start to finish.
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I think it’s unfair that ‘Goldfinger as the best’ is mostly a given or cliche these days – it feels like a predictable choice. It’s only when you go back and watch it that you realise how much of the film has been ingrained in the public conscience.
End to end iconography and memorable story / characters etc. Most films these days (including the latest Bond’s) are lucky to lave a couple of long-lasting effective scenes.
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So far – and yes, I am only on No 4 at the moment! – this is still my favourite Bond film.
Being the third film it feels like the cast and crew have settled down in the Bond world and really know what they’re doing, if that makes sense!
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