“No, Mr. Bond, I expect you to die!” —Auric Goldfinger
Today’s quick review: Goldfinger. British intelligence agent James Bond’s (Sean Connery) latest assignment is to investigate Auric Goldfinger (Gert Frobe), a gold tycoon suspected of smuggling gold internationally. Bond’s attempts to get close to Goldfinger get off to a rocky start, but he soon learns that Goldfinger is up to more than just smuggling: He has his sights set on America’s national gold reserves at Fort Knox.
Goldfinger is a spy adventure and the third film in the James Bond series. Goldfinger further refines the usual Bond formula of mystery, womanizing, and peril. The movie features a richer, more focused plot, greater emphasis on its villain, and the introduction of new series conventions, such as Bond’s augmented Aston Martin or the villain’s formidable henchman. Its few weaknesses include a slightly more passive role for Bond and a touch of linearity.
Sean Connery as James Bond remains the series’ biggest draw, a suave spy with just the right mix of luck, skill, and misfortune. He finds a memorable opposite in Auric Goldfinger, ably played by Gert Frobe, who quickly establishes himself as a petty, greedy man who holds enough power to threaten Bond. The two characters spar with a subtlety and civility often lacking in action films, maintaining decorum even in the midst of murder and spycraft.
Give Goldfinger a shot when you’re in the mood for a polished, archetypal entry into the spy genre. Between its plot, its acting, and its action, Goldfinger is an impressive and enduring watch that improves even further on its already solid predecessors. Skip it if you dislike the Bond formula, are looking for gritty realism, or prefer the all-out spectacle of later action films.
7.8 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.5 to 8.0 for solid craftsmanship, several iconic moments, and continued innovation on the spy genre.