GoldenEye (1995), starts off with James Bond (Pierce Brosnan) rapelling off of long damn like structure dressed in a black paratrooper outfit at the Arkengel Chemical Weapons Plant Facility in the USSR. Bond drills through the facility walls, ultimately ending up appearing to a Russian Solider who using the restroom. Eventually Bond a.k.a. Agent 007, compromises the facility weaving in and out of doors meeting Alec Trevelyan, 006 (Sean Bean). Together the agents have 6 minutes to get out of the facility or else they will blow up with it. Unfortunately before this can happen Agent 006 is captured and a shot in the head. This action packed spy adventure has enough dangerous twist that quench the thirst of any Bond enthusiast looking for action. All of the introductory scenes are showed before the title of the movie is displayed, giving the viewer everything needed to enjoy the movie.


When the movie finally starts it’s 9 years later and James is in a sports car being evaluated. During the evaluation by Caroline, the attractive Xenia Onatopp (Famke Janssen) speeds by in her flashy red Ferrari as they soon engage in a high-speed cat and mouse game on the highway. I enjoyed Xenia sadistic character as she used the art of deadly persuasion to get what she wanted. Not only does she enjoy putting the squeeze on people, but appears to get a kick out of killing anybody that gets in her way. And interesting scene is where she used her vicious and brutal charm to get an Admiral's identification, and steal a top-secret prototype Tiger helicopter. Like the grabbing introduction, this Bond movie instantly compresses you into the world of intrigue, espionage, betrayal and death.


Golden Eye offers all of the usual Bondman elements as he searches Russia for the stolen access codes for “GoldenEye” a devastating satellite weapon that can fire a deadly electromagnetic beam to Earth. The plot has more twist and curves than the Cuban jungle, where Xenia meets her match Natalaya Simonova the Russian computer programmer played by the lovely actress Izabella Scorupco. Natalaya eventually ends up lassoing Xenia to a tree where she is eventually crushed saying, "She always did enjoy a good squeeze". This was a classic Bond, moment where action and cliché met head to head. Director, Martin Campbell, gets it right in this movie playing upon the actor’s electrifying chemistry. This seventeenth installment of the three decade old series masterfully blends liberal doses of action and good tongue and cheek humor.


The action in GoldenEye doesn’t let up especially the fight scenes. The best fight is when Xenia attempts to kill Bond with her signature move in the sauna squeezing him with her deadly leg lock. Anyone watching Xenia would definetly want to invest in a thigh-master. The license to kill in this flick (no pun intended) is firmly adhered to. Director Campbell has all of the elements in place with wilder visual effects, and spectacular stunts. The destructive adrenaline pumping tank chase through the streets of St. Petersburg was awesome. There are plenty of Bond stunts and explosions that will keep your eyes peeled to the screen.


The acting in the movie was first-rate. Although in my opinion, Scottish actor Sean Connery was the best Bond, Pierce Brosnan is a tough, confident and capable replacement. The movie also features Miss Moneypenny played by Samantha Bond and Bond’s superior, known only as M (Judi Dench).


If you are looking for political correctness, or perhaps a theatrical performance that will make you shed tears, then look elsewhere. Bond fans know Ian Fleming's is fictional character. GoldenEye lives up to the novelist fantasy as it takes you on a combative joy ride to be remembered. This Bond flick will satisfy the die-hard Connery fan. This movie runs for two hours and 10 minutes and has been rated PG-13 due to its violence, suggestive language and sexuality. What filmmakers realize, is that there are a group of consumers that want mindless racy action dressed in tuxedo with a little British class.


Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: VHS
Video Occasion: Good for a Rainy Day
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older