Goldfinger

1964's GOLDFINGER was the first bona fide hit in the James Bond canon, a series that continues to this day.  You may have read a few reviews on this blog for 'em.  This is the first of the Sean Connery era I've included, and honestly, really the only one necessary.  As good as DR. NO and FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE, the first two 007 movies, are, GOLDFINGER exemplifies everything that's right with a Bond flick, past and present.  If you read the original books, you'll recognize that Connery by and large fit the characterization as written.  Richard Maibaum and Paul Dehn deftly adapted Ian Fleming's story of a gold baron who plots a rather unexpected and dastardly brilliant Fort Knox heist.  The titular villain, well played by Gert Frobe, is the best sort in these movies.  Not an overblown caricature, not a scene chewing madman.  Or, as in some of the later movies, simply a bore.

Bond crosses paths with Goldfinger a few times before that famous scene with the laser.  The one where the Mi6-er should've died had he not convinced his nemesis he is more valuable alive than dead.  I don't object to these kind of scenes, as there would be no movie if the villain was able to dispatch the secret agent so easily.  If you bring even one logical question to these movies, you honestly should watch something else.  Where was I? Oh yes, Bond meets Goldfinger first in Miami Beach, cheating at gin rummy.  Another famous scene occurs shortly later, when our bad guy's employee (and Bond's latest conquest) is found covered in gold paint.  You've seen the poster.

GOLDFINGER takes its time, often methodical in its dialogue scenes before unleashing a bit of action.  The pacing is on target.  Director Guy Hamilton, in his Bond debut, has everything perfectly controlled.  How different adventure films were in the '60s! Kind of like slowly sampling a great meal, rather than taking one giant gulp after another.  Crude analogy to today's films, but the consumption example seems appropriate.

Of course this movie is a fantasy.  An ideal male fantasy.  Cool gadgets (thank you, Q!), fast cars, fights, weapons, beautiful locales, and lots of women, some of whom have naughty names like Pussy Galore. Fleming liked that...another was called Holly Goodhead in a later story.  Women who may be sassy but you still eventually wear them down and have your way with them.  This pisses off many viewers, especially these days.  But this was the world of 007, in my opinion created to give the mid twentieth century male an imaginary playground in which he could forget about his real life role, or at least have some fantastic extension of it.  A celebration of virility, intelligence, style, and strength.  A brand of sophistication and brawn many could only aspire to.  Irresistible for many.  Then and now, passe for others.

But what cannot be argued is how well mounted GOLDFINGER is.  Quite perfect, in its universe.  Some of the other Bond movies, however......