� 1997 [email protected]
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In 1995, after a six year hiatus, James Bond returned to the Entertainment world and this time, sporting a new look. Pierce Brosnan, popular for his role as Remington Steele on television, was chosen to be James Bond this time around and hats off to MGM/UA management - he was a wise choice. Brosnan was originally offered the role after Roger Moore completed his era with A View to A Kill in 1986, but it wasn't to be, as Brosnan was still under contract with Remington Steele, so Timothy Dalton took over.
During those six years between '89 and '95, the world saw many changes - especially in computers and electronics. Until this point in Bond history, computers and electronics have played only minimal roles. An old fashioned Bond adventure probably wouldn't work too well in a world, now dominated by these computers and electronic devices. It seems that the lovable far-fetched Q inventions of the past were quickly becoming one with the times. So for Goldeneye, producers created a film that targetted the hi-tech wave of the future, and of the present, still keeping the classic characteristics of Bond and his film alive for old fans to enjoy. Hats off once again to the films cast and crew for doing so.
Pierce Bronsnan's 007 Introduction
As the story begins, Bond and his partner Alec Trevelyn (006), played by Sean Bean, are on a mission in Russia. During this mission, Trevelyn dies and Bond escapes. Nine years then pass after Trevelyn's death, and a new helicopter, one with high-tech electronic capabilities known as the Tiger, is stolen. Shortly after, a research station in Severnya is destroyed, killing all but two people. Just before the station's destruction, however, the powerful Goldeneye satelite is stolen from it. Aware that this research station has been destroyed, and also knowing that the Tiger helicopter was involved, Bond rushes to find the survivors, hoping that they'll know what happened.
As 007 comes closer to finding the Goldeneye satellite, he discovers that his old partner Trevelyn is still alive, now working with those who allegedly killed him nine years ago. Our hero is captured, and during this time, he meets up with one of the survivors of the Severnya disaster, Natalya Simonova, played by Isabella Scorupco (The other survivor, a computer programer, is now working with Trevelyn). Bond and Natalya escape together, and their relationship begins to develop. With help fom Natalya and from his new CIA friend, Jack Wade, Bond learns that Trevelyn is stationed in Cuba. When they confront each other again, Bond learns that Trevelyn plans to use the Goldeneye to rob clean, then destroy London's entire computer system, leaving no record of anything. In a spectacular final half-hour, Bond rushes to save the Goldeneye satellite, and also has a climactic final confrontation with Alec Trevelyn.
Brosnan pulls of a great performance and ensures his position as the Bond of the nineties. Although he lacks many admirable attributes that Roger Moore had so well perfected, Pierce Brosnan brought back to the role, a more chauvanistic approach, which Connery fans are sure to love. Brosnan's Bond also seems to be a bit meaner and more aggressive than his three predecessors - another plus for Connery fans. Isabella Scorupco played a convincing role as the Bond girl, and her contribution to the plot seemed to make way for Michelle Yeouh's action - enhanced character in Tomorrow Never Dies. Both girls often take situations into their own hands, unlike those useless, yet lovable screeming damsels of the 70's and 80's! But there you have women's rights working thier way into 007. It is all welcome with the changing times, and it seems to work quite well on screen. The film's major downfall though, has to be the poorly developed drama. I feel that Goldeneye could have been one of the best, had it dealt more strongly on the relationships between Bond and Alec, and Bond and Natalya. I know, I know, A Bond girl doesn't have to be dramatic. But the old cliche of a Bond girl just lying there, doesn't work now a'days.
So, in conclusion, Goldeneye is a good film which I reccomend to all. It's exciting action scenes are without a doubt, some of the best Bond fans have ever seen, though I sure would have liked to see more of that great, blue BMW which was "Q-Equipped" with unused Stinger Missiles. Action aside though, this film lacks in character development. It doesn't capture the feelings and emotions of Bond and his affiliates like Tomorrow Never Dies did so well. Brosnan is a great Bond and this is a great start for him. Goldeneye is a wonderful film, whose plot is frighteningly credible. However, in my books, it doesn't perform as well as it's 1997 follower, and Pierce Brosnan's best,Tomorrow Never Dies.
� 1997 [email protected]
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