Pros and Cons: Goldfinger

135

Comments

  • AlphaOmegaSinAlphaOmegaSin EnglandPosts: 10,924MI6 Agent
    Gala Brand wrote:
    GF has far more iconic scenes than any other Bond film. In fact, for much of the movie, it's one iconic scene after another (iconic meaning: original, memorable, representative of the series and the Bond character, influential, much copied).

    That's why the Film is commonly viewed as the one that set the Bond Formula.
    1.On Her Majesties Secret Service 2.The Living Daylights 3.license To Kill 4.The Spy Who Loved Me 5.Goldfinger
  • Absolutely_CartAbsolutely_Cart NJ/NYC, United StatesPosts: 1,740MI6 Agent
    Gala Brand wrote:
    GF has far more iconic scenes than any other Bond film. In fact, for much of the movie, it's one iconic scene after another (iconic meaning: original, memorable, representative of the series and the Bond character, influential, much copied).

    -{
  • The Wicker ManThe Wicker Man EnglandPosts: 434MI6 Agent
    Guy Hamilton is not my favourite director of the series but he hit on something with this film that try as he might he could not replicate in his subsequent Bond films. Call it movie magic but everything seemed to come together to make a genuine classic. -{
    1.ohmss 2.cr 3.frwl 4.ltk 5.gf 6.tswlm 7.sf 8.op 9.tld 10.dn 11.lald 12.tb 13.fyeo 14.ge 15.mr 16.yolt 17.tnd 18.avtak 19.sp 20.twine 21.qos 22.tmwtgg 23.daf 24.dad
  • CoolHandBondCoolHandBond Mactan IslandPosts: 6,030MI6 Agent
    Onto GOLDFINGER in my reviews:

    Before tonight last seen about 12-18 months ago.

    PROS:

    PTS
    Titles
    Music
    Jill Masterson
    Aston Martin
    Q Branch
    Oddjob
    Goldfinger
    Oddjob crushing golf ball
    Laser beam scene
    Operation Grand Slam explained by Goldfinger
    Pussy Galore
    Oddjob fight
    Goldfinger fight

    Cons:

    Poolside Miami hotel scenes an obvious set
    Felix Leiter
    Soldiers falling down with nerve gas dispersal
    Bomb countdown
    Modelwork of planes

    Observations:

    A lighter touch under Guy Hamilton's direction which is OK because it's not too comedic.

    Conclusion:

    This is always heralded by most professional reviewers as the best Bond of all but seeing it again it has gone downhill a bit in my estimation. there are several scenes that don't work well - the soldiers falling down far too quickly with the nerve gas - the countdown on the bomb is badly edited - Felix Leiter looks far too old and it is hard to see him and Bond being friends.

    On the plus side both Goldfinger and Oddjob are brilliant villains and Pussy Galore is a good Bond girl. There are several good points - the PTS is great and the laser beam scene harks back to the tension of the Red Grant scene in FRWL where we feel real tension in Bond's dilemma. John Barry's score is excellent and the whole feel of the film is impressive.

    Even so I was seriously debating placing this behind DN but the fact of Goldfinger and Oddjob being so good puts it marginally ahead of DN but behind FRWL.

    CHB will return reviewing THUNDERBALL soon :D
    Yeah, well, sometimes nothin' can be a real cool hand.
  • heartbroken_mr_draxheartbroken_mr_drax New Zealand Posts: 2,073MI6 Agent
    ^ I agree with many of your points.

    Pros:

    Everyone and everything in it up until the raid begins on Fort Knox. It's absolutely brilliant.

    Cons:

    The raid and climax. As CoolHandBond says, the way the guys fall down with the gassing is terrible. Bond should defuse the bomb, Auric GF shouldn't have been able to end up on that plane either.

    I think this is Connery's best performance. He's having a really good time and he looks his best too.

    Rog knows how to defuse a good bomb :D
    1. TWINE 2. FYEO 3. MR 4. TLD 5. TSWLM 6. OHMSS 7. DN 8. OP 9. AVTAK 10. TMWTGG 11. QoS 12. GE 13. CR 14. TB 15. FRWL 16. TND 17. LTK 18. GF 19. SF 20. LaLD 21. YOLT 22. NTTD 23. DAD 24. DAF. 25. SP

    "Better make that two."
  • Bondage007Bondage007 AustraliaPosts: 371MI6 Agent
    I think this is Connery's best performance. He's having a really good time and he looks his best too.

    Personally I find DN/FRWL to be his best performance followed by TB.
    2019 Bondathon...in progress (6) FRWL (7) GE (8) FYEO (9) TND (10) MR (11) GF (12) LALD (13) DAF (14) LTK (15) TMWTGG (16) TB (17) TSWLM (18) DAD (19) AVTAK (20) YOLT (21) QOS (22) SF (23) TWINE (24) SP
  • Agent PurpleAgent Purple Posts: 857MI6 Agent
    Pros:

    -It feels like a Bond classic.
    -Connery gives a great performance.
    -Gert Frobe may be dubbed, but he still looks like a tough villain.
    -Hamilton's directing is great.
    -Solid dialogue.
    -The fight scene between Bond and Oddjob is epic.
    -The laser scene that made movie history.
    -The plot is effective.
    -Solid score.

    Cons:
    -I don't fully understand why the men at the meeting were gassed to death, although it's presumably because Goldfinger didn't intend to pay them.
    -It was kinda foolish of Bond to sleep with Jill Masterson after talking to Goldfinger in the scene when he catches him cheating. Did he really expect no repercussions for what he did?

    All in all, I love GF, and give it a 10/10.
    "Hostile takeovers. Shall we?"
    New 2020 ranking (for now DAF and FYEO keep their previous placements)
    1. TLD 2. TND 3. GF 4. TSWLM 5. TWINE 6. OHMSS 7. LtK 8. TMWTGG 9. L&LD 10. YOLT 11. DAD 12. QoS 13. DN 14. GE 15. SF 16. OP 17. MR 18. AVTAK 19. TB 20. FRWL 21. CR 22. FYEO 23. DAF (SP to be included later)
    Bond actors to be re-ranked later
  • Matt SMatt S Oh Cult Voodoo ShopPosts: 6,596MI6 Agent
    -It was kinda foolish of Bond to sleep with Jill Masterson after talking to Goldfinger in the scene when he catches him cheating. Did he really expect no repercussions for what he did?

    It's the first time that happens, so I can see why Bond didn't expect repercussions. Why would he think that would happen? When Bond sleeps with the bad girl Miss Taro in Dr. No, he's in complete control of that situation. With Andrea Anders, sure, he should have seen that one.
    Visit my blog, Bond Suits
  • Agent PurpleAgent Purple Posts: 857MI6 Agent
    Interesting points, Matt.

    On the Bassey song, I like it, but there are other Bond theme songs I prefer to it.

    As far as Connery Era goes (EON films), I prefer "Thunderball" and "You Only Live Twice" to it, even if I prefer GF as a movie to TB and YOLT.
    "Hostile takeovers. Shall we?"
    New 2020 ranking (for now DAF and FYEO keep their previous placements)
    1. TLD 2. TND 3. GF 4. TSWLM 5. TWINE 6. OHMSS 7. LtK 8. TMWTGG 9. L&LD 10. YOLT 11. DAD 12. QoS 13. DN 14. GE 15. SF 16. OP 17. MR 18. AVTAK 19. TB 20. FRWL 21. CR 22. FYEO 23. DAF (SP to be included later)
    Bond actors to be re-ranked later
  • DutchJamesBondFanDutchJamesBondFan the NetherlandsPosts: 414MI6 Agent
    Pros:

    -Gert Frobe may be dubbed, but he still looks like a tough villain.

    Fröbe was dubbed very well. I think he's a great look as villain. I love his expressions and with a great dubbed sound it's perfect to me. Almost no to none notable dub-moments.
    Don't confuse me with the other DutchBondFan, but be sure to follow his YouTube account. You can read my articles on James Bond Nederland: www.jamesbond.nl/author/gosse/
  • heartbroken_mr_draxheartbroken_mr_drax New Zealand Posts: 2,073MI6 Agent
    ^ he'd be up there in my top villain lists. He's larger than life, menacing and played perfectly well.
    1. TWINE 2. FYEO 3. MR 4. TLD 5. TSWLM 6. OHMSS 7. DN 8. OP 9. AVTAK 10. TMWTGG 11. QoS 12. GE 13. CR 14. TB 15. FRWL 16. TND 17. LTK 18. GF 19. SF 20. LaLD 21. YOLT 22. NTTD 23. DAD 24. DAF. 25. SP

    "Better make that two."
  • Agent PurpleAgent Purple Posts: 857MI6 Agent
    "Where's Goldfinger?"
    "Playing his golden harp."
    "Hostile takeovers. Shall we?"
    New 2020 ranking (for now DAF and FYEO keep their previous placements)
    1. TLD 2. TND 3. GF 4. TSWLM 5. TWINE 6. OHMSS 7. LtK 8. TMWTGG 9. L&LD 10. YOLT 11. DAD 12. QoS 13. DN 14. GE 15. SF 16. OP 17. MR 18. AVTAK 19. TB 20. FRWL 21. CR 22. FYEO 23. DAF (SP to be included later)
    Bond actors to be re-ranked later
  • Agent PurpleAgent Purple Posts: 857MI6 Agent
    One question: In whose apartment was Bond when he had sex with J. M.?

    And how come neither Bond nor Jill noticed Oddjob before he knocked out Bond?
    "Hostile takeovers. Shall we?"
    New 2020 ranking (for now DAF and FYEO keep their previous placements)
    1. TLD 2. TND 3. GF 4. TSWLM 5. TWINE 6. OHMSS 7. LtK 8. TMWTGG 9. L&LD 10. YOLT 11. DAD 12. QoS 13. DN 14. GE 15. SF 16. OP 17. MR 18. AVTAK 19. TB 20. FRWL 21. CR 22. FYEO 23. DAF (SP to be included later)
    Bond actors to be re-ranked later
  • Matt SMatt S Oh Cult Voodoo ShopPosts: 6,596MI6 Agent
    One question: In whose apartment was Bond when he had sex with J. M.?

    And how come neither Bond nor Jill noticed Oddjob before he knocked out Bond?

    I'm pretty sure it was Bond's hotel room, since Bond met Jill in Goldfinger's suite and they didn't stay there. Oddjob is really quiet and did a good job hiding!
    Visit my blog, Bond Suits
  • Agent PurpleAgent Purple Posts: 857MI6 Agent
    I find it curious that Oddjob was willing to die in the vault when the bomb went off.

    Of course, since he never talks in the movie, I'm not sure if he was aware of the bomb. He just gives the impression that he doesn't care what happens to him, and just goes along with Goldfinger's plan.

    Also, why did Goldfinger leave Oddjob to die? Did he assume he was easily replaceable?

    This is just for the sake of discussion, as GF is easily one of my fave Bond films.
    "Hostile takeovers. Shall we?"
    New 2020 ranking (for now DAF and FYEO keep their previous placements)
    1. TLD 2. TND 3. GF 4. TSWLM 5. TWINE 6. OHMSS 7. LtK 8. TMWTGG 9. L&LD 10. YOLT 11. DAD 12. QoS 13. DN 14. GE 15. SF 16. OP 17. MR 18. AVTAK 19. TB 20. FRWL 21. CR 22. FYEO 23. DAF (SP to be included later)
    Bond actors to be re-ranked later
  • Matt SMatt S Oh Cult Voodoo ShopPosts: 6,596MI6 Agent
    I find it curious that Oddjob was willing to die in the vault when the bomb went off.

    Of course, since he never talks in the movie, I'm not sure if he was aware of the bomb. He just gives the impression that he doesn't care what happens to him, and just goes along with Goldfinger's plan.

    Also, why did Goldfinger leave Oddjob to die? Did he assume he was easily replaceable?

    This is just for the sake of discussion, as GF is easily one of my fave Bond films.

    Goldfinger wanted Bond to die in the vault, and he needed Oddjob there to make sure Bond didn't ruin his plans.
    Visit my blog, Bond Suits
  • Agent PurpleAgent Purple Posts: 857MI6 Agent
    Does anyone else find it a bit sad that Tilly got killed as well as her sister?

    I think it would've been interesting if she stuck around a bit longer in the movie.

    Then again, I'm not sure how she would've fit in later scenes.
    "Hostile takeovers. Shall we?"
    New 2020 ranking (for now DAF and FYEO keep their previous placements)
    1. TLD 2. TND 3. GF 4. TSWLM 5. TWINE 6. OHMSS 7. LtK 8. TMWTGG 9. L&LD 10. YOLT 11. DAD 12. QoS 13. DN 14. GE 15. SF 16. OP 17. MR 18. AVTAK 19. TB 20. FRWL 21. CR 22. FYEO 23. DAF (SP to be included later)
    Bond actors to be re-ranked later
  • Matt SMatt S Oh Cult Voodoo ShopPosts: 6,596MI6 Agent
    Does anyone else find it a bit sad that Tilly got killed as well as her sister?

    I think it would've been interesting if she stuck around a bit longer in the movie.

    Then again, I'm not sure how she would've fit in later scenes.

    Tilly's death goes along with how Bond isn't able to succeed at anything in the film. He can't save two girls, he only wins at golf because Goldfinger cheated, he crashes his car, he's captured, he can't turn off the bomb, Goldfinger is sucked out of the plane after shooting the gun (with Bond's help), Bond can't save the plane.
    Visit my blog, Bond Suits
  • BarbelBarbel ScotlandPosts: 36,053Chief of Staff
    I think it would've been interesting if she stuck around a bit longer in the movie.

    Then again, I'm not sure how she would've fit in later scenes.

    You might like to read the book, where exactly that happens!
  • heartbroken_mr_draxheartbroken_mr_drax New Zealand Posts: 2,073MI6 Agent
    Matt S wrote:
    He can't save two girls, he only wins at golf because Goldfinger cheated, he crashes his car, he's captured, he can't turn off the bomb, Goldfinger is sucked out of the plane after shooting the gun (with Bond's help), Bond can't save the plane.

    :)) true.

    BUT! Bond does talk Goldfinger into not lasering him down the middle!
    1. TWINE 2. FYEO 3. MR 4. TLD 5. TSWLM 6. OHMSS 7. DN 8. OP 9. AVTAK 10. TMWTGG 11. QoS 12. GE 13. CR 14. TB 15. FRWL 16. TND 17. LTK 18. GF 19. SF 20. LaLD 21. YOLT 22. NTTD 23. DAD 24. DAF. 25. SP

    "Better make that two."
  • Matt SMatt S Oh Cult Voodoo ShopPosts: 6,596MI6 Agent
    Matt S wrote:
    He can't save two girls, he only wins at golf because Goldfinger cheated, he crashes his car, he's captured, he can't turn off the bomb, Goldfinger is sucked out of the plane after shooting the gun (with Bond's help), Bond can't save the plane.

    :)) true.

    BUT! Bond does talk Goldfinger into not lasering him down the middle!

    And he talks Pussy into changing the gas and being straight with him. He's a man of words and not actions in Goldfinger.
    Visit my blog, Bond Suits
  • heartbroken_mr_draxheartbroken_mr_drax New Zealand Posts: 2,073MI6 Agent
    It would be interesting if SC looked bored in GF like he did in TB on, because couple that with the fact he does bugger all - it could be a very different film.
    1. TWINE 2. FYEO 3. MR 4. TLD 5. TSWLM 6. OHMSS 7. DN 8. OP 9. AVTAK 10. TMWTGG 11. QoS 12. GE 13. CR 14. TB 15. FRWL 16. TND 17. LTK 18. GF 19. SF 20. LaLD 21. YOLT 22. NTTD 23. DAD 24. DAF. 25. SP

    "Better make that two."
  • Agent PurpleAgent Purple Posts: 857MI6 Agent
    It would be interesting if SC looked bored in GF like he did in TB on, because couple that with the fact he does bugger all - it could be a very different film.

    I agree. Had his performance in GF been any different, the movie would most likely not be regarded in the way it is.
    "Hostile takeovers. Shall we?"
    New 2020 ranking (for now DAF and FYEO keep their previous placements)
    1. TLD 2. TND 3. GF 4. TSWLM 5. TWINE 6. OHMSS 7. LtK 8. TMWTGG 9. L&LD 10. YOLT 11. DAD 12. QoS 13. DN 14. GE 15. SF 16. OP 17. MR 18. AVTAK 19. TB 20. FRWL 21. CR 22. FYEO 23. DAF (SP to be included later)
    Bond actors to be re-ranked later
  • The Wicker ManThe Wicker Man EnglandPosts: 434MI6 Agent
    At the end of the PTS after Bond says "positively shocking" followed by the first note of that theme tune is so awesome. -{
    1.ohmss 2.cr 3.frwl 4.ltk 5.gf 6.tswlm 7.sf 8.op 9.tld 10.dn 11.lald 12.tb 13.fyeo 14.ge 15.mr 16.yolt 17.tnd 18.avtak 19.sp 20.twine 21.qos 22.tmwtgg 23.daf 24.dad
  • Agent PurpleAgent Purple Posts: 857MI6 Agent
    At the end of the PTS after Bond says "positively shocking" followed by the first note of that theme tune is so awesome. -{

    A great Bond moment for sure :007) -{ .
    "Hostile takeovers. Shall we?"
    New 2020 ranking (for now DAF and FYEO keep their previous placements)
    1. TLD 2. TND 3. GF 4. TSWLM 5. TWINE 6. OHMSS 7. LtK 8. TMWTGG 9. L&LD 10. YOLT 11. DAD 12. QoS 13. DN 14. GE 15. SF 16. OP 17. MR 18. AVTAK 19. TB 20. FRWL 21. CR 22. FYEO 23. DAF (SP to be included later)
    Bond actors to be re-ranked later
  • Agent PurpleAgent Purple Posts: 857MI6 Agent
    Interesting to think about the way Bond's meeting with Pussy was handled.

    Hamilton really aced that scene.

    Because in movies, it's not just what is said, but how it's said and in what context it's said.
    "Hostile takeovers. Shall we?"
    New 2020 ranking (for now DAF and FYEO keep their previous placements)
    1. TLD 2. TND 3. GF 4. TSWLM 5. TWINE 6. OHMSS 7. LtK 8. TMWTGG 9. L&LD 10. YOLT 11. DAD 12. QoS 13. DN 14. GE 15. SF 16. OP 17. MR 18. AVTAK 19. TB 20. FRWL 21. CR 22. FYEO 23. DAF (SP to be included later)
    Bond actors to be re-ranked later
  • heartbroken_mr_draxheartbroken_mr_drax New Zealand Posts: 2,073MI6 Agent
    Interesting to think about the way Bond's meeting with Pussy was handled.

    Hamilton really aced that scene.

    Because in movies, it's not just what is said, but how it's said and in what context it's said.

    Yep, the scene on the private plane is pretty epic. To me it's like the golf, just so well done.
    1. TWINE 2. FYEO 3. MR 4. TLD 5. TSWLM 6. OHMSS 7. DN 8. OP 9. AVTAK 10. TMWTGG 11. QoS 12. GE 13. CR 14. TB 15. FRWL 16. TND 17. LTK 18. GF 19. SF 20. LaLD 21. YOLT 22. NTTD 23. DAD 24. DAF. 25. SP

    "Better make that two."
  • hehadlotsofgutshehadlotsofguts Durham England Posts: 2,107MI6 Agent
    edited November 2015
    PROS

    The PTS.

    Bassey's theme song.

    Jill's death is an iconic scene in the series.

    Barry's score, even the Disney-ish parts in the barn.

    the laser scene, because the terror on Connery's face is real.

    Oddjob is a brilliant henchman.

    first Q lab scene.

    The golf game with Bond playing Goldfinger at his own game on the golf course.

    The humour.

    meeting with the gangsters at Auric stud.

    CONS

    Obvious model work at times

    The scene with Bond and the bomb is inconsistent. He doesn't know what to do. In movies that follow, Bond defuses them with some ease.
    Have you ever heard of the Emancipation Proclamation?"

    " I don't listen to hip hop!"
  • Agent PurpleAgent Purple Posts: 857MI6 Agent
    hhlog, you put the word "CONS" twice.
    "Hostile takeovers. Shall we?"
    New 2020 ranking (for now DAF and FYEO keep their previous placements)
    1. TLD 2. TND 3. GF 4. TSWLM 5. TWINE 6. OHMSS 7. LtK 8. TMWTGG 9. L&LD 10. YOLT 11. DAD 12. QoS 13. DN 14. GE 15. SF 16. OP 17. MR 18. AVTAK 19. TB 20. FRWL 21. CR 22. FYEO 23. DAF (SP to be included later)
    Bond actors to be re-ranked later
  • hehadlotsofgutshehadlotsofguts Durham England Posts: 2,107MI6 Agent
    Rectified. Thanks!
    Have you ever heard of the Emancipation Proclamation?"

    " I don't listen to hip hop!"
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