mark.waltz
This grabs you right away even before Dame Shirley Bassey starts singing the title song over the credits, probably the most beloved Bond theme ever. "Shocking!", Sean Connery says after dispatching one villain in the most sizzling death scenes, and that's within the first few minutes. He'll have his hands full as he takes on the most notorious of all Bond villains, a vile man obsessed with Gold and able to turn a woman into gold, literally suffocating her to death. Connery finds himself at the mercy of that character, played with delicious malevolence by Gert Frobe. At one point, the use of gold gets a little to hot as it nears a very precarious place on Connery's body.Then there's the character of Pussy Galore (Honor Blackman) who works as Frobe's pilot and could literally be out to un- Bond 007. Another villain is a silent Asian strongman, who like the much later Jaws (Richard Kiel) opposite Roger Moore seemed unbeatable. The battle of the will and strength between the two is often both chilling and funny. Even as bizarre and far fetched as these can be, that often makes them even better. And we all know nobody does it better!
Dalbert Pringle
Such a cold "finger"!?.... Yeah-Yeah. I know that Goldfinger was, of course, a James Bond-007 movie, but, all the same, it was kinda boring and, yes, downright, dumb at times.(And, I know that this isn't going to go over very well) - But when I watched actor Sean Connery really closely I found that there was something oddly "gay" about him. There was! I can't quite put my finger (gold, or not) on what exactly it was about Connery's mannerisms that sparked my "gaydar" suspicions - But, hey - What the hell, eh? - I'm allowed.Anyways - All-in-all - I did enjoy Goldfinger for the most part, but I certainly wouldn't rate this one as great entertainment, not by a long-shot.In conclusion - I ask you - How the hell (in the name of Miss Moneypenny) does one go about painting an adult, human body from head to toe, front to back, without making even the slightest mess out of the whole damn job? Eh? How? - 'Cause that ain't no easy task to undertake. No. It ain't! But in Goldfinger this task's final product was made to look like it was done as easy as pie.
ElMaruecan82
Here's a little test: think of "Dr. No", which images immediately come to your mind? I suspect it's a tie between bikini-clad Ursula Andress making her iconic entrance in the beach and the first shot of James Bond, lighting his cigarette with that cool and deadpan expression while introducing for the first time the classic "Bond. James Bond." And now, just think of a third image. You might have many shots and lines flooding over your memory but to call them iconic would be a stretch. Now, do exactly the same test with "Goldfinger". What images come to tout mind? Is it Bond in white tuxedo looking at the exotic dancer while lighting a cigarette (and something else in the process) or is it Bond wearing that blue polo in Miami Beach and introducing himself to Jill Masterson (a shot featured in Spielberg's film "Catch Me If You Can")? Is it the first shot at the Aston Martin, Pussy Galore or Auric Goldfinger playing cards or briefing about his plan? Speaking of Goldfinger, maybe it is the opening song, the staple to all James Bond opening credits? Or that shocking sight of a dead woman painted in gold? Or how about a special drink ordered by 007 in a plane? I can go on and on, from the deadly hat trick of Oddjob, the mute Korean right- hand man, the car chase or the classic laser pointing at perhaps Bond's most vulnerable spot."Goldfinger" is just full of unforgettable images, one after another, that all contributed to build the legend of 007, if "Dr. No" was the starter, this one is the sure thing, the one you can show to someone who never saw any James Bond. It just creates the perfect 'bond' with old or new fans, now what is the secret? I think the secret is in the title; the film is as much about Bond as it is about the villain, wonderfully played by Gert Fröbe. One of the most common tropes about Bond is that the villain's identity is revealed a bit later but "Goldfinger" follows the principle that a story is as good as its villain. Auric Goldfinger, the man with the deadly Midas touch, is a rather mundane and not intimidating gold investor, but beware of his hubris, this is a businessman who means business. The first scene shows him cheating at cards and it says a lot about him, he wants to get rich the easy way, and it's not about the quantity but the value, too. So, we clearly see from the first shocking death what this man is capable of to whoever steps in his territory, and it's surprising how many times Bond is actually disarmed by Goldfinger or his henchmen. But you know the pattern of Bond movies, Bond never dies and the villain never kills him whenever he has the opportunity, the trick is to make it believable, and for some reason, if Goldfinger isn't immune to the villain's monologue accusation, the fact that he was painted as a three-dimensional character makes it believable that he'd rather keep James Bond prisoner and show off about his clever high-scale plans, than killing him and leave his secret plan unknown. And you can tell how delighted Bond is to tickle Goldfinger's ego and let him reveal more of his scheme. In fact, you can also tell, that Connery has fun playing Bond, after two performances, he mastered it enough and knows exactly when to play it cool and when to play it tough.This is not the kind of film where performances are to be praised, but I've been so admiring of Connery's 'presence' in "Dr. No" that I think he deserves a few mentions here. Connery has a capability to find the right tone for the right moment, in a scene when he tries to break out of jail, look at the way he teases the guard, smiles at him and plays hide-and-seek, this is not out of character, this is a secret agent who also knows how to play a role. But look at his frightened expression when he see the gold-painted Jill or when he stares at that ominous laser, these are genuine moments where he can't really pull the tough guy facade. There are two Bonds playing, the secret agent and the man, and the trick is to always keep a fine line between both and when it comes to women, it's a whole different story.Bond is a man who seduces as much as is being seduced, and on that level, he's rather self-conscious, but he loves to play the game nonetheless and deliver his lines as if he really had to show more than his pretty face and athletic looks, there's got to be that little icing on the cake, the woman has to play 'hard to get', it's part of the game, and never has a preliminary been as sensual as the karate contest in the barn. The music is playful like a little interlude except that it plays on strength, on fighting skills as if Bond had to maintain his manly reputation on that level, as if Pussy Galore needed more than the little charming rhapsody. And why not, she's perhaps the most bad-ass Bond Girl, she flies a plane, leads a commando and she doesn't need to be naked to assert her sexiness, she's quite a match for Bond and she's one of the reasons the film works.In fact, I don't think of any Bond movies that succeed on every level: Bond, the villains, the girls, the song, the lines, the spectacular action, the high-scale super villain's scheme, everything. This is why "Goldfinger" is the film that really established Connery as the ultimate Bond. If only for "Goldfinger", Connery could never be matched. Action and seduction-wise, this is a Bond that would leave anyone shaken… not stirred.
jordansepticeye
This is the quintessential Bond films,it has gadgets,exciting action,an evil businessman,and a crazy evil plan.It is also great.While Sean Connery isn't as dark as the previous two,he is very charming instead.The movie also seems more adventurous than dark.There is more action this time around.It might not have as much of a plot,but it is still a great movie.This introduces many concepts that would stay in the franchise,but it continues the suspense from the last two,which is great.The Bond Girl is also great,as she doesn't immediately fall in love with Bond,and is also a villain for a short amount of time.The villain is great,and his character is shown perfectly in the golf scene,showing that he is willing to cheat to get to the top.His henchman Oddjob is fantastic as well,being very intimidating.All of the iconic scenes are awesome and done well.Not to mention the beginning.The only flaw I really saw was that the last twenty minutes were a bit slow,though it is still good.This isn't as dark or realistic,but it is an entertaining movie.
