Customer Reviews

GoldenEye

5 star:		(219)
4 star:		(60)
3 star:		(24)
2 star:		(9)
1 star:		(10)

 

 

This review refers to the MGM Special Edition DVD of "GOLDENEYE".....

007 is Back! In 1995 the long awaited 17th in the James Bond series was here. The world had been through some changes, and so had Bond. He is now being played by the irresistible Pierce Brosnan. He was the Goldenboy who is remarkably suited to play the dapper, sophistacated, handsome, suave, witty,adventurous,(should I go on, I think you know the rest)007 in "GOLDENEYE".

So even though the world had been through all kinds of changes, there were still evil villans out there who nedeed to be stopped.
James daringly breaks and enters(by way of a super bungi jump) into a Russian Major Weapons facility. Along with 006(not for too long though), he fights off the blazing guns of the soldiers, sets an expolsive, fights some more, goes flying through the air, catches an out of control small plane,
stops it from crashing into a mountainside, and escapes in the nick of time as the massive explosion goes off. And YIKES..that's all in the first ten minutes even before the opening credits begin to roll! We haven't even gotten
to the state of the art gadgetry, the great car or the devastatingly beautiful women yet.

But have no fear Bond fans it's all here.Lots more action. adventure,humor, hi tech gizmos and yes don't forget the car and the girl! In this one(does it really matter what it's about?), our hero must rescue the world once more when a Satelitte System with amazing capabilites, falls into the hands of the bad guys and will be used as a powerful weapon against mankind.I don't want to give away too much for those that haven't seen it but suffice it to say you are in for some great action and some terrific storyline surprises as well, and yeah the romance too.

"Goldeneye" still under the supervision of the Broccoli's is directed by Martin Campbell. It also stars, Sean Bean, Joe Don Baker, Izabella Scorupco, Famke Janssen, as "Natalya Onatopp"(what a great name),Samantha Bond as "Miss Moneypenny". Desmond Llewelyn as "Q" and of course Judi Dench as "M".
It's got great cinematopgraphy and as always fabulous Bond Music.

You'll love this DVD. It's got everything you could want. Top quality picture and sound. The widescreen theatrical release format. A beautiful crystal clear transfer. Bold and vivid colors. Dol Dig Surround(5.1) that is tremenndous. If you love extra's, you'll have a field day( or week) with this one. There's commentary, a making of featurette, an eye catching Video with Tina Turner and much more(see the tech info for
complete list). It may be viewed in French(stereo)and has subtitles in English and French if needed. It also comes with a booklet with lots of facts and info.

Oh and Bond still takes his martinis "shaken, not stirred".
So "activate your navigation system now" and..
Have fun with this one.....Laurie

This movie rocks, starting with the jump off the bridge. Then there is the motorcycle-to-plane, while keeping the same bond wit, that hasn't been seen since connory. I really like how it ends and how the girl isn't a bimbo(seeing bond as a man who can't do everything and has emotions really turned this movie in to a keeper). I also believe the plot setting is up there with "goldfinger". I think that the chase near the beginning could have been better but what are you going to do. The evil girl getting pleasure from killing was a nice touch and having a pretty realistic plot, made the story line flow that much more easily. The female and incredible gadgets add for a few surpries that you don't see in other bond flicks. Go rent/buy this movie as soon as you can!

For a 2 Disc DVD there really is not that much noteworthy material on the second disc of extras. There is a short on director Martin Campbell where you get to see footage of him in action directing scenes from the film. There are also some deleted scenes with introductions by director Martin Campbell which are somewhat interesting but they are minor in nature. Actually there was one scene with Bond and CIA agent Wade in the car in Petersburg that could have remained in the film that would have helped the transition into the next scene. The making of GOLDENEYE feature was a hodgepodge of footage slapped together and it was not narrated. I was disappointed with this disc.

GOLDENEYE is Pierce Brosnan's first film as James Bond. I think many of the older Bond fans expected a performance in the vein of Roger Moore. Surprisingly, Brosnan seems more like a hybrid of Sean Connery, combing his own instinctive talents with the best elements that Connery brought to the role. Brosnan possesses intelligence, wit, charm and dedication and delivers these with no-nonsense passion and drive. However, Brosnan's physical appearance does look lightweight especially when compared to his beefed up physique in TOMORROW NEVER DIES. Martin Campbell's direction is on target. The overall plot is weak and the film's strong points are its vignettes of very well staged scenes strewn together. Over ten years later with CASINO ROYALE Martin Campbell was given that outstanding script based on Ian Fleming's novel to fulfill what he was trying to achieve here in GOLDENEYE. However, GOLDENEYE is a great looking film beautifully filmed by Phil Meheux for mood, atmosphere and action. Some of the film's high points are the miniatures by Derek Meddings. This is probably Derek Meddings' best work in the series. Production Designer Peter Lamont shows greater depths with each Bond film he works on. This is some of his best work since OCTOPUSSY and the massive underground mine he designed for A VIEW TO A KILL. The return of the Aston Martin DB5 is a very welcome sight. Eric Serra's original if controversial score is good in retrospect complementing the work of Meheux and Lamont. Serra's interpretation of "The James Bond Theme" over the opening gun barrel trademark is powerful and very innovative. Serra's contribution to this film seems more impressive with time and seems akin to David Arnold's score for CASINO ROYALE. This is an interesting Bond film and certainly revitalized the series.

It is difficult to recreate in words the sheer visceral thrill of seeing this film for the first time in a proper movie theater...but I will indeed try. Each time I see this film, I'm reminded of just how great a turnaround this movie made for the Bond series. Some of you may not remember that there was a six-year period where the future of James Bond was indeed in question, thanks to the commercial failure of "Licence to Kill". This movie singlehandedly put Bond back on the cinematic map with a vengeance. And justifiably so, for it is perhaps the best-constructed post-On Her Majesty's Secret Service Bond film. All of the classic Bond elements are well-utilized, be they the gadgets, the lethal enemy, the beautiful ally, the bombastic theme song, or the one-liners which Timothy Dalton never really looked comfortable saying. Pierce Brosnan, despite some stiffness, is indeed suited for the part and we instantly can accept him as Bond. A more psychologically complex and to some extent more vulnerable Bond he is, which makes his portrayal all the more interesting.

And, perhaps most importantly, the film itself LOOKS good. Martin Campbell deserves much credit for his directorial effort; the film is visually a world apart from predecessor John Glen's rather tepid later efforts.

It's difficult to call this film a classic, at least at the present time (it's still a relatively new film, after all) -- but my guess is that this Bond entry will stand up well to the test of time...The Man With The Golden Gun, it ain't!

It is diffcult to argue with success and Pierce Brosnan'sdebut as James Bond, after the character's 6 year absence from the screen, made more money than any of the previous Bonds (although perhaps not in 60s dollars).

Every Bond actor seems to bring something to the role. Connery, of course, was the epitome of 60s cool. Dalton had Connery's determination, Moore his sense of comic delivery - even Lazenby brought a physicality to the role. Brosnan moves extremely well, too, and I suppose is the cloest thing to the well-rounded Connery interpretation, although I am not a great Brosnan fan.

My big problem with this film (besides the music) is the screenplay. So many of what are supposed to be witty remarks make no sense as replies to Bond (Example - Bond: What would I do without you, Moneypenny? Moneypenny: As far as I can remember, you've never had me. - This seems a ridiculous thing to say when someone is complimenting you.) And I don't like how the "9 years later" legend on the screen seems to invalidate the Dalton films. And that opening stunts. Other Bond stunts may be implausible, but skydiving after a plane that's jist gone off a cliff??

While I am happy the filmmakers try to tell us something new about Bond (that reference to Bond's parents is a first for the series and right out of Fleming), this idea of 006 being Bond's best friend, No, no - the 00s never work together. Never. MI6 could not afford to lose 2 high caliber agents at the same time. It is good to see the character of Chief of Staff Bill Tanner (previously in THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN GUN and FOR YOUR EYES ONLY) included.

This special DVD is really the same as the previous laserdisc release, but since it is supposed to be "special" it would have been nice if photos of Brosnan being on the set of FOR YOUR EYES ONLY (his wife was in that film) had been included. It also would have been nice if Brosnan's Diet Coke commercials, obviously Bond themed and airing when he lost the role in 1986 to Timothy Dalton, could have been included.

In "Goldeneye", James Bond, played for the first time by Pierce Brosnan, must prevent an ex-MI6 agent, Alec Trevelyan, from detonating a powerful electromatic pulse, via satellite, over London. The pulse would render all electronics in London totally useless, and Trevelyan would seize that opportunity to electronically rob the Bank Of London. Along the way, Bond is assisted by computer programmer Natalya Simonova, who has extensive knowledge of the goldeneye satellite. Bond's other enemies throughout the movie include Trevelyan's sidekick, Russian General Ouromov (who has betrayed his government); Boris, a computer programmer who was once a comrade of Natalya, but betrayed her; and Zenia Onatopp, a dark, sexually charged woman who takes pleasure in making love, and killing. She especially enjoys killing WHILE making love ;)

The feel of "Goldeneye" is rather dark and serious, although there are comical moments strewn throughout the movie (so it's not quite as stiff as either of Dalton's Bond movies). There are a wide array of characters featured in the movie, all of whom are thoroughly enjoyable, and well written. The actors playing them are especially entertaining to watch. Kudos to Izabella Scorupco, who is not only gorgeous, but plays the part of Natalya very memorably. Famke Janssen is also magnificent as Onatopp, and there has not been any Bond villian quite as quirky or devilish as Onatopp since (what Bond villainess has ever licked Bond's face, and then beaten him up? Just Onatopp!). Pierce Brosnan, of course, fits right in as James Bond, and manages to combine elements of a dark edge with a touch of a light side.

"Goldeneye" works very well as a Bond movie. The plot is intruiging, and moves along at a perfect pace, keeping the viewer interested. The action sequences in the movie are very well done, immensely enjoyable to watch. Eric Serra's music fits the movie PERFECTLY, and in my opinion, the producers should have invited him back for more films. His score adds a dark undertone to the movie, something which all of Brosnan's Bond movies afterwards would painfully lack.

Characterization is also important in the movie. One of the most memorable scenes has Bond sitting on a Caribbean beach at sunset, staring out at the ocean, and thinking about his inevitable confrontation with Trevelyan, who used to be an old friend. Natalya walks over to Bond, and questions how he can be so cold, so dark. "It's what keeps me alive," Bond replies, before the two of them go off to make love. It's a shame Brosnan was not given more scenes such as this one in future Bond films... it certainly makes "Goldeneye" unique, and deep.

I loved Goldeneye because of:
a) Tank chase through St. Petersburg
b) The bungee jump off the dam
c) The humour
d) Isabella Scorupco's performance
and e) Famke Janssen's absolutely perfect, deadly femme fatale Xenia Onnatopp. She's the best, absolutely, the best Bond villain/girl EVER! Ilove Famke Janssen, but I've only seen her in this and X-Men. I can't find others anywhere.
But I'm sure you ain't reading this to hear about me going on about Famke Janssen.
The plot- Bond (superb Pierce Brosnan) is investigating a French anti-electric tampering helicopter, the 'Tiger', when it's stolen by Xenia Onnatopp, a fellow car enthusiast who is linked to a Russian terrorist group Janus.
At MI6, it is discovered a Russian satellite base was struck by an EMP weapon from space known as 'Goldeneye'.
Bond then begins his search for 'Janus', the head of the terrorist group, and soon meets up with one of 2 survivors from te EMP strike, Natalya, Isabella Scorupco, and soon discovers a global threat to technology, banking resources, and people's lives.
Excellent new Bond here. Brosnan's first Bond's is one of his best.
Cheesy explosion sounds annyoed me, and the missing action sequence with Bond's car, the BMW Z3 Roadster is completely missing.
But good casting and sets etc. prove that Bond could go on forever, or at least until the films become unprofitable. (Hee hee)

The Bond formula--international disaster pending, smart gadgets, impossible stunts and one pretty bad girl and one pretty good girl is reworked for the 90's. Enter Pierce Brosnan, cool, somewhat edgy, never smarmy. The new Bond really works, primarily because the stunts are breathtaking and there's plenty of them.

Oh, the plot is pretty standard, but what you WANT from a Bond film--an international disaster of mega-proportions originating from Russia (perennial home of bad boys) and a traitor for good measure. But it's right at home with the Bond genre. If you aren't blown away by the opening scene at a dam before the credits, you will be pleased by a tank chase through the streets of St. Petersburg --a refreshing change to the de rigeur car chase. The inevitable helicopter makes an appearance, but is not over-done. We stayed glued to the edge of our chairs, and the action never faltered. Sean Bean is reasonably good as a bad guy and the supporting cast is well-chosen. Plenty of good entertainment here for Bond fans.

The surround sound on this DVD is distinct and very well done--really liked hearing birds in the background (so did the cats, who watch TV avidly) and the vehicle sounds and explosions were not unrealistic. The extras are worth seeing for the "how we did this stunt." One segment features the star stuntman who really gives an inside view as to how difficult and risky some of this stuff is. All in the name of entertainment.

This is one of my very favorite Bond films, up there with "From Russia With Love". It's visually stunning, and the cast is great. There's no stunt, car chase or special effect I like more than the tank ride through the streets of St. Petersburg. I'ts planned out to perfection, and our man James even gets to straighten his tie at the end of it.

This is Pierce Brosnan's first Bond film, and I think he's fabulous in the part. He brings a sleek finesse to the role and maybe even a touch of depth and sensitivity for these "post women's lib neo politically correct" times we live in...looks mighty fine in a tux too.

It has a feisty collection of characters, from Alan Cumming as Boris the hacker to the wonderful Judi Dench as "M". The "Bond girls" are good too. Izabela Scorupco is lovely, and Framke Janssen, as a vicious vixen who gets her kicks from killing, makes quite a match for the invincible 007. You also get a little of Minnie Driver, in a funny bit as she "sings".

Having the usual vastly entertaining plot of bad guys, foreign intrigue, double agents, and bombs and bullets, it's worth owning for repeated viewing, and once is not enough to see the details in that incredible tank chase.

1995's "Goldeneye" was the first of four forays by Pierce Brosnan as James Bond; it can fairly be said to have revived the 007 franchise. From its heartstopping opening sequence in a Russian Weapons Lab to its thrilling action finale at a satellite groundstation complex in Cuba, the action never stops coming.

The movie opens with the standard pre-credits action sequence. Bond and fellow agent 006 (played with blunt style by Sean Bean) break into a secret Russian Bio-Lab in the Urals. Their mission is to destroy the plant. They are discovered and 006 is captured. Bond escapes, in an astonishing sequence featuring a motorcycle, a freefall from a cliff, and a small airplane, that would have been worth the movie all by itself.

Bond's mission is to find and stop a renegade Russian General from using the Goldeneye, a satellite-based laser. His search takes him from Monte Carlo to London to Russia and eventually to a satellite earth station in Cuba. Along the way, he will tangle repeatedly with Xenia Onatopp, a Russian hit-woman (played with sexy verve by Framke Janssen); race a tank through the streets of St. Petersburg; and rescue a former Russian satellite technician (played with a nice mixture of vulnerability and toughness by Izabella Scorupco). The final confrontation in Cuba brings him face-to-face with his long-missing fellow agent, 006.

"Goldeneye" reshuffles the deck on the franchise's main characters, to good effect. Pierce Brosnan is a highly effective Bond, believable as a steely-eyed assassin, but with that special panache so lacking since Sean Connery retired from the role. At the same time, he clearly carries a burden from so many deaths, friend and foe. Judi Dench takes up duties as the new "M", a tough-minded Secret Service bureaucrat who criticizes Bond as a social dinosaur but still wants him to make it home alive. Samantha Bond is a sexy but updated and confident Moneypenny. Joe Don Baker makes the first of several appearences as Bond's rather homespun CIA point of contact Felix Leiter. Robbie Coltrane cameos as a spot-on Russian Mafia hood who has an unusual reciprocal relationship with Bond.

"Goldeneye" is superb entertainment in the best tradition of the 007 franchise, a nice mixture of action, romance-on-the-run, and understated British humor. One wonders only why it took so long to get Pierce Brosnan into the tuxedo. This movie is very highly recommended to fans of the James Bond movies.