Fellman's Movie Reviews

Goldfinger is acclaimed by many as the best Bond film in the series. It begins Bond’s tradition of his use of gadgets and equipment as he is given his fully equipped spy car in the beginning of the movie. The trademark Aston Martin, which also becomes a staple of James Bond films in the future movies, is introduced in this movie. And two landmark scenes in cinema history are from this film. The scene where the woman is found dead, covered in gold, laying on the bed, and the scene where Bond is strapped to the table, about to be killed by a laser, are both from this movie.  

The opening sequence, and the title song, unsurprisingly named “Goldfinger”, was the first time that a Bond film had ever won an Academy Award, as the song won for Best Sound Editing the year that it came out, 1964. Not exactly Best Picture, but an Oscar is an Oscar when it comes down to it.  

Goldfinger had a budget of $3 million. Which is the budget of From Russia with Love and Dr. No combined. That’s probably why they were able to have so many planes and car crashes, and chase scenes. They could afford it this time. The film just had a brighter feel to it. Especially in the opening scene, in Miami. It starts out a lot brighter than the previous two Bond movies did. Everything is all sunny and lighthearted. Nothing even blows up for a good 20 minutes. But it’s a spy movie, not an action flick. It’s about finesse. 

Goldfinger also received a great response upon its release, as opposed to the previous two Bond films. This was the movie that began the actual “secret agent” boom in the 60s. Parody movies and shows such as “The Man From U.N.C.L.E.” were all a result of the success of Goldfinger. Well, probably the success of the previous two movies as well. I’m sure it wasn’t just this one. But this was the icing on the cake.  

And a good cake it is. So, yeah. Go and see Goldfinger. If it’s acclaimed by so many as the best in the franchise, it’s probably a pretty good movie. I was a fan. And I’ve seen them all. More than a couple of times. I’m pretty sure you’ll like it too. And as always, keep on watching, with a smile on your face…