The audio review:
The third film in the James Bond canon starts off with a bang - literally. In this opening sequence, it's evident just what kind of film Goldfinger is attempting to present - a suave and all-around fun action film with an eye for tongue-in-cheek humor. And while the film (and Bond himself) may differ significantly from Ian Fleming's original premise, the ideas at work here, thanks to director Guy Hamilton's eye for showy effects and Sean Connery's smooth acting, make Goldfinger an instant spy classic.
If you've seen older James Bond films, you basically know what you're getting when starting the movie. In Goldfinger, there's over-the-top car chases, not one, not two, but three women that Bond can choose from, and a devious plot to turn America's gold supply into radioactive material. Sean Connery is as personable and nonchalant as ever, and even though he finds himself in a number of seemingly hopeless situations, there's never a feeling that he can't overcome the impossible.
And so what if that cheapens the personality of Bond a little? He's not the common man, no doubt, but Hamilton never attempts to get that point across. It's evident that Bond is, by nature, the best in his trade, and it's not unbelievable to assume he's almost unstoppable, nor does it lessen the amount of emotion we have for the man.
There's a few moments where Goldfinger turns into a test of suspension of disbelief, but it's easy to overlook due to the movie's sheer entertainment value. Take Oddjob for instance, one of the strongest men alive, supposedly, who Bond overcomes in a physical fight. Oddjob, in spite of his awesome muscular power, is fit to keep tossing Bond around the room like a baseball rather than just smashing his head into a wall. But it's to move the film along, and it's a pretty sweet fight, so I had no trouble "forgetting" about the inconsistency here.
So when all is said and done, Goldfinger is able to use these hokey sequences to add to its charm, something which doesn't always work so well. We cheer for Bond, we urge on the fights, and we feel good about everything after the movie ends. What could be better for a campy action film?
Goldfinger on Rotten Tomatoes
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