“I am invincible!” —Boris
Today’s quick review: GoldenEye. When General Ourumov (Gottfried John) steals the key to GoldenEye, a Russian satellite system that can fire an EMP at any target on Earth, British agent James Bond (Pierce Brosnan) is sent to track him down. Bond crosses paths with Natalya Simonova (Izabella Scorupco), a GoldenEye programmer who can help him shut the system down. But first Bond must defeat Alec Trevelyan (Sean Bean), a British spy long thought dead.
GoldenEye is a spy action adventure and the seventeenth film in the James Bond franchise. GoldenEye marks a return to the classic Bond formula: cunning gadgets, explosive stunts, and dry one-liners. The movie strikes a nice balance between the two extremes of the series. Bond’s quips and a few exotic flourishes keep the tone light, but the story still has high stakes and a serious conflict. The result is a thoroughly enjoyable popcorn watch.
GoldenEye’s main allure is its sense of spectacle. The movie doubles down on its action in a way that few other Bond films can match, supplementing the usual gunfights, chases, and close scrapes with an extra helping of explosions and a couple of impressive set pieces. Pierce Brosnan fits the more action-oriented role perfectly, sacrificing the hard edge of Sean Connery or Timothy Dalton in exchange for a breezy charisma that holds the film together.
GoldenEye is a well-rounded movie that will appeal to action fans of all stripes. Memorable stunts, a well-paced aventure, and the signature Bond flair all make it a welcome entry to the series. Fans of the more serious side of the character may find GoldenEye to be a bit too fanciful. But viewers who are in the mood for some big-budget fun should look no farther.
For a similar flavor of over-the-top action, try The Rock. For a spy adventure with less action but some of the same flavor, try The Saint. For an even lighter Bond film about a rogue Russian general, check out Octopussy.
7.2 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 to 7.5 for high-octane action.