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The James Bond franchise has managed to stand the test of time, showcasing how a groundbreaking novel series can still make waves on the big screen. Even though the protagonist remains the same in every film, this franchise has featured a plethora of different actors, all of whom bring their own unique sense of flair to this iconic spy. When asking fans who their favorite Bond is, everyone will likely have a different answer.
However, GoldenEye stands out to fans because it symbolizes many changes within the franchise. Not only did it introduce the world to Pierce Brosnan, but it forced the audience to realize that if Bond changed just a tiny bit, his story could expand exponentially. As Bond’s story continues to grow and impress new audiences, it’s essential that fans take a look back at the film that marked the spy’s most iconic era.
After a Difficult 6-Year Break, Bond Was Back With a Bang
GoldenEye doesn’t ease viewers into things. Instead, it begins in 1986 with Bond and his partner, Alec Trevelyan, working to infiltrate a high-security Soviet chemical laboratory. But things take a turn for the worse when Colonel Arkady Grigorovich seemingly kills Trevelyan in cold blood, forcing Bond to escape on his own in a stolen aircraft.
Nine years pass, and Bond seems to be living a life of luxury until the newly-appointed M warns him that an EMP recently hit a base in Siberia, killing everyone except for two programmers. Tension reaches new heights when Bond later discovers that Trevelyan is actually alive and well and plans to use a nuclear EMP to bring London to its knees.
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Where to Stream GoldenEye |
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RT Score |
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MGM+ |
7.2/10 |
80% |
Although modern fans may assume that studios are keen to push out as many Bond films as possible, GoldenEye was released in 1995 after a string of legal issues. Following the release of License to Kill in 1989, Timothy Dalton was set to star in a third movie in order to fulfill his contract. But when Bond producer Albert Broccoli decided to part ways with writer Richard Maibaum, a wealth of legal issues surrounded who actually owned the rights to Dalton’s last film. When all of these issues were resolved, Dalton no longer wanted to don the smart suit and gadgets, so the baton was passed on to Pierce Brosnan.
This was the first Bond film that did not relate to any of Ian Fleming’s original novels or short stories.
GoldenEye was Brosnan’s debut Bond film, and the actor managed to slide into this momentous role without any issues. Brosnan brought a keen sense of humility to this role, helping James Bond to seem like an actual working spy, rather than a character in a blockbuster movie. Despite having a modern sense of charm, GoldenEye still wowed audiences with its immense special effects and stunts. Most notably, James embarked on a nail-biting chase whilst driving a truck through St. Petersburg, a sequence that took six weeks to film. In order to protect the streets, the crew replaced the tanks’ steel tracks with rubber ones to ensure that the history of the city could still be preserved. This is such an alluring scene because it gives Brosnan the chance to show the audience that he can be Bond without making it seem painfully desperate.
Simple movements, such as fixing his tie and tensing his brow, allow Brosnan to embody the protagonist by making the character his own. Admittedly, after such a long hiatus, some audiences and critics were worried about the future of James Bond. However, GoldenEye allows the franchise to close the door on the past and open the door to a whole new world of opportunity.
Brosnan Wasn’t the Only Newcomer
GoldenEye may be Pierce Brosnan’s first Bond film, but he wasn’t the only new kid on the block. This film recasts some of its biggest female characters, bringing the franchise into the modern world. GoldenEye also welcomed the iconic Judi Dench as M, a part initially played by Robert Brown. Obviously, some of the characters see it as quite a big deal that the Chief of the Secret Intelligence Service is not only a woman but a wife and a mother. Yet, as soon as M and Bond are alone, she doesn’t hesitate to call him out for his blatant misogyny. Judi Dench’s portrayal of M is spellbinding because, although she is such a brilliant character, she manages to maintain a level of anonymity that fans would expect from an MI6 agent.
Miss Moneypenny also received a new actress, one who was less likely to put up with Bond’s antics. Previously, this character was played by Caroline Bliss and seemed to be ferociously dedicated to her work. Since she failed to have a social life, it seemed that she enjoyed Bond’s flirtatious advancements because they offered her a bit of company, but she was far too professional to act on them. Samantha Bond took over this role for GoldenEye and finally gave this character a much-needed refresh. Although the new Moneypenny is very professional, she seems to have a life outside of work, evident as she informs Bond that she had a date with a man at the theater. Of course, she still enjoyed flirting with Bond, but it seemed that she was willing to give as good as she got.
Computer graphics were used to make the iconic gun barrel opening, making GoldenEye the first James Bond movie to use CGI.
It could also be said that GoldenEye redefined what it meant to be a Bond Girl. In the past, the spy had enjoyed frequent dances with exciting women, all of whom seemed to anxiously hang onto his arm at all times. But not Natalia Simonova. As an experienced programmer, Simonova always remained one step ahead and helped defeat Alec Trevelyan while Bond was busy playing with the new selection of toys that Q gave him. Admittedly, James Bond has always over-sexualized women, mainly because it is a key attribute of the protagonist’s character. Yet, GoldenEye seemed to be the first film to take a step away from seedy actions and more towards a sense of mutual respect.
Modern Installments of Bond Should Look to GoldenEye for Inspiration
Even though GoldenEye came out six years after Timothy Dalton’s last film, the team was forced to work on a completely different playing field. During this time, the Soviet Union had collapsed, the Cold War had ended, and the Berlin Wall had come down, producing a whole new political climate. So, in a world that was pushing toward peace, an elusive spy seemed to be the complete opposite of what people wanted. The team tried to react appropriately to these changes and even suggested casting a Black or female 007. But in an attempt to push away from Dalton’s sensitive interpretation of Bond, the studio decided to strip the character down to his bare bones. So, even though Pierce Brosnan’s Bond is slightly more charming and respectful of his female peers, he’s still the same suave gentleman who likes his martinis shaken, not stirred.
Ian Fleming’s beachfront house in Jamaica was also called GoldenEye. He also used this name for a contingency plan he would use if the Nazis invaded Spain.
Arguably, these aspects are what made GoldenEye an instant hit. Pierce Brosnan played Bond differently enough to be memorable but did not alienate his audience. Fans were instantly aware that times had changed and whether they liked it or not, Bond was going to roll with the punches and alter his ways.
It’s hard to mention James Bond without mentioning its future, particularly regarding its deal with Amazon. After the supposed death of 007 in No Time to Die, a lot of audiences suspect that Amazon will transform James Bond into a whole new being. As expected, there are already conversations suggesting that the new Bond will be a woman or a person of color, but to real fans, these things don’t really matter. GoldenEye proved that James Bond may be an icon, but he’s not stagnant.
Pierce Brosnan joined the franchise when the character was in a state of flux and managed to engage with audiences by showcasing the best parts of the character in full force. It doesn’t matter what type of actor Amazon picks because all that really matters is that they have the ability to bring this beloved character to the big screen once again.
