GOOOOLD FINGAAAAA!
The third entry in the Bond franchise will forever be its most iconic.
From the the title sequence to the villain and Pussy Galore, it really is the quintessential Bond in so many ways.
This is also the first film they get the banter with Q totally right. He does make an appearance in From Russia With Love, but it is mostly expositional. This is the first time they have the banter between him and Bond ("Now pay attention 007!") and the first time he shows around his facilities and other products he's working on. Those scenes are always a highlight for me.
Goldfinger himself as the villain is spectacular. Unlike many other villains, they aren't afraid to show him as insecure and awkward. Despite what he's saying, he seems uncomfortable with what he's doing. This is first noticeable in the opening scene, where Bond messes up his cheating scheme. Despite seeming more in control of the situation, he is made to look out of control.
Pussy Galore is by no means a well-written female character by modern standards, but was a big step forward for the series. She was age-appropriate, a pilot, and always had her pants on. While they lacked some of the chemistry Bond had with Daniela Bianchi, Honor Blackman pushed forward what Bond girls could do in the franchise, laying the groundwork for Diana Rigg, Famke Janssen and Eva Green.
AND THE CAR! Bond's best car, hands down. There's a 10 minute sequence in the middle of this movie that's just like "how cool is this car?" and you're never bored.
One thing this movie unfortunately lacks is exotic locales. I am a sucker for Bond showing up in a new, beautiful city but there is very little of that here (Alps aside) given that most of it takes place in flat Kentucky. That being said the sets are spectacular, especially Goldfinger's lair and inner Fort Knox.
Thunderball rewatch coming up next. One of my favorites, I'm excited to give it another shot.
RIP Sean
GOOOOLD FINGAAAAA!
The third entry in the Bond franchise will forever be its most iconic.
From the the title sequence to the villain and Pussy Galore, it really is the quintessential Bond in so many ways.
This is also the first film they get the banter with Q totally right. He does make an appearance in From Russia With Love, but it is mostly expositional. This is the first time they have the banter between him and Bond ("Now pay attention 007!") and the first time he shows around his facilities and other products he's working on. Those scenes are always a highlight for me.
Goldfinger himself as the villain is spectacular. Unlike many other villains, they aren't afraid to show him as insecure and awkward. Despite what he's saying, he seems uncomfortable with what he's doing. This is first noticeable in the opening scene, where Bond messes up his cheating scheme. Despite seeming more in control of the situation, he is made to look out of control.
Pussy Galore is by no means a well-written female character by modern standards, but was a big step forward for the series. She was age-appropriate, a pilot, and always had her pants on. While they lacked some of the chemistry Bond had with Daniela Bianchi, Honor Blackman pushed forward what Bond girls could do in the franchise, laying the groundwork for Diana Rigg, Famke Janssen and Eva Green.
AND THE CAR! Bond's best car, hands down. There's a 10 minute sequence in the middle of this movie that's just like "how cool is this car?" and you're never bored.
One thing this movie unfortunately lacks is exotic locales. I am a sucker for Bond showing up in a new, beautiful city but there is very little of that here (Alps aside) given that most of it takes place in flat Kentucky. That being said the sets are spectacular, especially Goldfinger's lair and inner Fort Knox.
Thunderball rewatch coming up next. One of my favorites, I'm excited to give it another shot.
RIP Sean
