Goldfinger

Goldfinger (1964)

In 1964, Bond was hugely popular worldwide, with Dr. No and From Russia with Love being some of their respective year’s highest grossing films. To help fuel the series from “popular” to “worldwide phenomenon”, Broccoli and Saltzman basically unleashed a merchandized juggernaut of products ranging from toy guns to men’s cologne. Oh, and they also produced a film called Goldfinger.

Based on the novel of the same name, Connery returns as Bond, to get the lowdown on one Auric Goldfinger. After blackmailing Goldfinger to lose a game of gin, and losing his fling in one the most creative ways ever known, Bond tracks him down to find something more sinister than cheating at cards. Let’s just say it involves him stacking the odds in his favor on the commodities market with nuclear weaponry.

Let me just say, after the first two great films, this one not only matches the greatness of FRWL, it blows it away in almost every way. First off, that truck driver turning in a great performance as Bond, yet again, with Gert Frobe matching his wits with Bond as our antagonist in the film. In fact, everyone in film is at his or her best with not a single bad performance in the bunch. They also got a new director on board, Guy Hamilton. You know the almost-director of Superman and actually did the Reno Williams film?

Anyways, he added the make-it-or-break-it element of the series: the gadgetry. Sure, FRWL had the suitcase, but this film took this to the next level with the Aston Martin DB7. Oh yes, the mother of modern day gadgetry in cinema, laden with oil slicks, tire spikes, ejector seats and smoke trails. Hell, this even has something we could all use, revolving license plates. This is the car of all time, no contest. Don’t even say Ecto 1 beats this classic. It simply can’t be ousted.

If you couldn’t tell, this film is amazing. Terrific style filmmakers have been trying to match for over 40 years, great story, groundbreaking story, superb music. Just wow.

You must see this before you die, because your life isn’t complete without seeing this gem.

4 out of 4

reviewed by Jake Scarberry