GoldenEye (1995)

With each of the major changes in actors for the James Bond roll, the producers have made one or two other notable changes as well. One that seems to be consistent is a stepping up of action. That seems to keep pace with the shift in the industry overall. Fewer dramatic films are being made, and fewer real life stories are made into movies, in favor of fast-paced, action-packed films to entertain the senses of sight and sound. So it is with "GoldenEye," and the introduction of Pierce Brosnan as Double-0-Seven secret agent James Bond. But another change is here as well. It has a return to more subtle comedy, in the form of quips, witty metaphors, and clever innuendo. This had been lacking in some of the recent 007 movies. In Brosnan, we still have a Bond who is a ladies man, who can think and who is tough on his feet. And, "GoldenEye" has a most interesting plot. With the fall of the Soviet Union five years before, movies made about and after the Cold War have intrigue and more appeal as realistic, compared to the fictional comic book or fantasy stories. Thus, this film scores high for more realistic possibilities, however far out. Altogether, this makes for a very entertaining film. It's the best of the Bond films in a long time. One other significant change with this film is the introduction of Judi Dench as M. Dench is a superb actress, whom I enjoy in a number of films. But having a hard as nails tough woman as head of MI6 doesn't work well. The push for political correctness was peaking around 1995. Dench seems to make the woman in the traditional male role harder than any man, and that opens a door to viewing women as monsters. Instead of the overly dour Dench, Helen Mirren would have brought a sense of stern no-nonsense with great intelligence and insight. Or, Vanessa Redgrave would have given the role a sense of intelligence and ability.For action, this film has a long tank chase scene in which Bond wreaks havoc on the streets of St. Petersburg behind the wheel of a huge Russian tank. A big chunk of the budget for this film must have been for the large number of cars crunched and other vehicles and building walls destroyed. Brosnan held the role of James Bond for four films over seven years. The next three would be "Tomorrow Never Dies" in 1997, "The World is Not Enough" in 1999, and "Die Another Day" in 2002. Here are some favorite lines from this film. For more funny dialog, see the Quotes section under this IMDb Web page for the movie. Boris Grishenko (played by Alan Cumming), has locked a computer program with a code. He says to Natalya Simonova (Izabella Scorupco), "Even you should be able to break it, borscht for brains."Q says to Bond, "Need I remind you, Double-0-seven, that you have a license to kill, not break the traffic laws."Natalya Simonova, "But I don't know anything." James Bond, "Then let's start with what you do know."Natalya Simonova, "Do you destroy every vehicle you get into?" James Bond, "Standard operating procedure. Boys with toys."M (Judy Dench), "The prime minister talked to Moscow. They're saying it was an accident during a routine training exercise." James Bond, "Governments change. The lies stay the same." James Bond, "What are you doing here, Wade?" Wade (played by Joe Don Baker), "Uh, I am not here. The CIA has no knowledge, no involvement. Absolutely nothing to do with your insertion into Cuba. If you catch my drift?"Wade "Did you check her out?" James Bond, "Head to toe."

James Bond teams up with the lone survivor of a destroyed Russian research center to stop the hijacking of a nuclear space weapon by a fellow agent formerly believed to be dead.This film brings James Bond into the post-Soviet era, so the old balance of power is not quite the same. But, in many ways, it has not changed at all, and the Russians are still key adversaries. It's complicated.Brosnan is a good Bond. I didn't grow up watching the series, but if I did he would have been my generation's Bond. And, frankly, he's pretty good. Maybe not as iconic as Connery or Moore, but it's hard to step into the shoes of giants. With ll due respect to Daniel Craig, I think Brosnan was (as of 2017) the last great Bond.

This is a strong James Bond 007 movie. A really entertaining film. Pierce Brosnan is a great actor who is awesome as 007. Sean Bean is a great villain. The female characters are strong and do a good job in their roles. The action sequences are amazing. I have always liked the story of the film, it was interesting.

James Bond Fans had Waited Six Years for the New James Bond (after Timothy Dalton) and the New Bond Film. What They got was a Big, Bombastic, Loud, Kill-Fest with Non-Stop Action.Some of it so Over the Top that it seemed a Tribute to Roger Moore. The One Liners are some of the Lamest in the Series with almost Every One Falling Flat. They also got Pierce Brosnan.Brosnan Slides into the Role with Relative Ease, although it must be said that the Frame is Overflowing with Explosions, Machine Gun Fire, Fisticuffs, Gadgets, Trains, Plains, Cars, Computer Screens, and a Tank Ride that has to be Seen to be Believed and even then it won't be Believed. Because it is simply, Unbelievable.Much in the New Bond is Unbelievable. That's Never been a Problem for Bond Movies. But there is a line, and Roger Moore Crossed it many times, that is Beyond Fiction and Ventures into Far Far Away Land. This one goes there more than once.On the Positive, the Bond Girls are Engaging, Good Looking, and Fun. Famke Janssen and Izabella Scorupco are, in Keeping with Modernity, Sexy and Utilitarian. The rest of the Supporting Cast doesn't fair as well, including a Miscast Joe Don Baker who doesn't quite reach "Pepper" Land, but is in Danger of coming close.Sean Bean is Memorable and Occasionally brings Bond back to Earth for some Soul Searching and Judy Dench Debuts as "M" without Fanfare.It is undeniably a Fun Movie and Bond Fans Rank it Quite High. May be Overrated. Casual Viewers like it, but Purist wish there could have been more in the Timothy Dalton Style. After Four Brosnan Bonds, They got Their Wish