There’s A New Bond In Town!
In 1995, the world was introduced to a new James Bond – Pierce Brosnan!
The 17th film in the series featured a new 007 – the fifth Actor to take on the role after Sean Connery, George Lazenby, Roger Moore and Timothy Dalton.
I am re-watching and reviewing every movie in the series in order: looking at how the character has evolved, what has worked and what hasn’t!
Barbara Broccoli took over producing duties from her father on this film, titled “GoldenEye.” – it was the first Bond film that had no connection to the writings of Ian Fleming.
There was a six year gap between Bond films, all due to legal issues behind the scenes. The last 007, Timothy Dalton, decided not to wait it out, and bailed on the iconic role!
Pierce Brosnan, who had been wanted for the role years before, finally was free to come onboard, don the tuxedo and enjoy his Martini “shaken, not stirred.”
After my very negative review of the previous Bond film “License To Kill”, how would Brosnan do – and was six years between films too much for the franchise?
Let’s talk about “GoldenEye!”
Six years since the world had last taken a thrill ride with 007, it was time for a new installment and a new Bond…here is the trailer:
As you can see from the trailer, it was being sold as more of the classic Bond you’ve come to know and love – not a bad idea considering overall the series was very successful. Interesting note: computer graphics were used to create the famous “gun barrel” opening, making this movie the first James Bond film to use CGI special effects!
The movie opens with a small plane gliding up and over a massive dam, and then we see someone running along the top of the dam before catapulting themselves off it – guess who?
It’s a spectacular opening shot, and is in fact the highest bungee jump from a structure ever seen in a movie! The drop was over seven hundred twenty-two feet!
As Bond lasers into the dam, we only see his eyes…as this shadowy figure infiltrates the interior, he crashes through a ceiling and lands on a guard – sitting on a toilet! Now we see Brosnan as she knocks the guard out before saying:
“Beg your pardon, forgot to knock.”
These are Brosnan’s first words as Bond – a funny quip as he was dangling from the ceiling of the bathroom. I was sincerely hoping this signaled that 007’s sense of humor, sorely missing in Timothy Dalton’s films, would be back!
Bond’s “00” Co-Worker Revealed!
As Bond moves around inside, he’s not alone…we actually meet another “00” Agent! Sean Bean is introduced as Agent 006, and they have great teamwork inside – until Bean is catured and murdered!
Bond escapes and jumps onto a small plane as it is taking off – once airborne he grabs the pilot and throws him out of the plane – and himself as well….but that’s OK, Bond falls after it and climbs back inside in time to avoid a crash!
We then see a massive explosion at the dam as he flies by – a terrific opening action sequence to be sure!
The theme song is next – the usual female imagery as credits roll. The song is fine, written by Bono and The Edge from U2 and sung with passion by Tina Turner
007’s Greatest “Bond Girl” Nemesis Ever?
We come back from the opening credits nine years later, as we meet Xenia Onatopp, a fighter pilot and assassin who crushes her enemies with her thighs in bed! Oh yes she does, and she does it with relish!
The character is played with great relish by Famke Janssen. It was only her fifth film, and it made her a star! She chews up the scenery with a manic energy – believably crazy and dangerous! I loved her in this film, and she wasn’t the only perfect casting choice!
The iconic British Actress Judi Dench came onboard as “M”, Bond’s boss. The role was dramatically expanded with terrific results! By the way, Dench LOVED the new 007:
FYI: I met Brosnan at the Cannes Film Festival around this time and he wa indeed gracious, charming, and classy – the perfect Bond!
The plot kicks in as Onatopp steals a military helicopter in a great action sequence, and Bond must track her down while figuring out why it was stolen. He uncovers a much bigger plan to cripple satellites and steal massive amounts of money electronically.
Samantha Bond came onboard as the new Moneypenny, but there was no more sexual flirtation – this was a new wrinkle in the Bond films…as she says to him:
“You know this type of behavior qualifies as sexual harassment…what’s the penalty for that? One day you have to make good on your innuendos!”
We also get a much stronger “M” character right away, as a co-worker snarks about her to 007 after a meeting:
“Looks like your hunch was right 007″ he says before adding, “too bad the evil queen of numbers wont let you play it”
M however is right behind him, and Dench says with a look of steel:
“If I want sarcasm Mr. Tanner I will talk to my children thank you very much.”
She then takes a moment to let Bond knows what she thinks of his approach to business:
“I think you’re a sexist mysogenistic dinosaur – a relic of the cold war whose boyish charms are wasted on me.”
A very young Alan Cumming plays a computer hacker, and Joe Don Baker is a welcome return as CIA “helper” Jack Wade, who says this when 007 asks for the phrase that proves he is who he says he is:
“For crying out loud! Another stiff-assed Brit with your passwords and code words!”
Q is back, and as he hands Bond the keys to his new BMW:
“Let me remind you 007 that you have a license to kill, not to break traffic laws!”
By the point I was having a blast with the film: Brosnan brought back Bond’s swagger and sense of humor, the cast was excellent, and the plot moved along just fine…you know the drill: Bond has to find the GoldenEye helicopter and prevent a worldwide power outage that would allow the bad guys to steal billions!
I don’t want to give away too much more, but the film is well paced, with some terrific scenes between Brosnan and Janssen, and yes, Sean Bean wasn’t dead after all!
“What’s the matter James? No glib remark?”
Apparently they all know 007’s trademark wit!
There is a showstopper action sequence involving trains, tanks and more!
It even has Famke trying to squeeze Bond to death between her legs! As she says to him:
“Why can’t you just be a good boy and die?”
The “one on one” battle at the end is as brutal and as physical as the train battle in “From Russia With Love” between Sean Connery and Robert Shaw!
“GoldenEye” was a terrific return to form for the series, and Brosnan took on the role with ease: he is glib, confident and dangerous…and audiences agreed!
The film was a massive hit worldwide, grossing more than $350-million. It returned 007 to his former heights of popularity under Roger Moore…so would Brosnan follow it up with another hit?
My review of “Tomorrow Never Dies” is next!
As I told you, I was very disappointed in the previous Bond…here is that review of “License To Kill”:
For me, Brosnan Brough back the perfect blend of Bond: it reminded me of the original 007:
Here’s my review of his very first turn in the role:
If you like these stories, why not sign up to receive emails whenever I post? It’s easy to do, I do NOT collect any information about you at all, there are absolutely NO ads of any kind, just stories about movies, music, food, travel and pop culture…
You can sign up by clicking on my blog here and see the note on the right!
I will continue reviewing all of the 007 films this year, so let me know your thoughts, and if you like this story please share on social media!
Categories: Action Films, British Cinema, Cult Movies, Film Fight Club, Great Films, London, Movies, Pop Culture, Revenge Movies, Talent/Celebrities
johnrieber 
Great review, one of your best, John.
LikeLike
This was one of your best Bond reviews. Yes, Bronson was much like Connery, and Dench was a great addition. Thanks, John.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for reading and commenting it is much appreciated!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are welcome, John!
LikeLike
great review and happy for the return of some of the elements and addition of Dench as M. I’m watching the whole series again, filling in ones I missed, and just ordered ‘Goldfinger’ to my queue, #3 I believe ?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, “Goldfinger” was the third and the year it was released it was the fastest grossing film of all time! Has one of the greatest “bad guy” quips of all time…Judi Dench is SO GREAT – they really expanded M’s role for her and it pays off in every film! Thanks for the comment!
LikeLiked by 1 person
We’re in agreement John. I remember this one bringing me back into the fold. I liked that it seemed to have more to it. I was definitely ready for the switch to Brosnan — especially since his name had been thrown out there as a possible Bond for so long. Fun to reminisce.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, I chose not to get into the issue with him being unable to take the role earlier…but boy, his swagger matches Connery and a huge improvement over Dalton – who in fairness was given dour material and no one let him showcase any sort of personality…wait until I get to Craig by the way for more on that!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Not a big fan of this rendition of Bond. chuq
LikeLiked by 1 person
Interesting…I thought he Brough back Connery’s swagger which I grew up on…but, we all have our favorites! Thanks for the comment!
LikeLiked by 1 person
As you might imagine, John, I didn’t bother to watch this one. Shared on Twitter for you.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pete, no Beatles OR Bond? I’m surprised they let you stay in England! HA!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am considered by many to be a traitor, John. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
HA! Pete, how do you feel ab out the Oasis cash gra—-I mean, “reunion?”
LikeLiked by 1 person
They wrote some good songs, but I cannot stand either of them as people. Apparently, Noel’s wife has agreed a divorce settlement that is going to cost him £20 million. So I reckon he needs the money from the reunion. 😉
LikeLike
Exactly Pete…it’s for the money to be sure, but isn’t almost everything these days…
LikeLiked by 1 person