The producers of the James Bond series were weary about making another film after the outright failure of Licence to Kill in 1989. In addition, they had encountered some legal troubles which accounts for the 6 years between LTK and GoldenEye.

To be quite honest, GoldenEye was worth the wait. Timothy Dalton was scheduled to continue his stint as James Bond in this film, but dropped out in 1994 thinking that the 007 fans had had enough of him and thought someone else might be a little better suited for the role. Albert Broccoli then chose Pierce Brosnan to retrieve the role given up by Dalton. Brosnan was an instant success with the Bond fans. He actually had been contracted to play Bond in 1987's The Living Daylights but his contract to Remington Steele was renewed at the last minute which forced him to turn down the role of 007.

As for Brosnan, he seems to live half way between Connery's toughness and the smoother ways of Roger Moore. Most of the time, however, he seems content to not try too hard, accepting that the reinvigorated formula is the real star of the show. He might not win the prize for Best Bond Ever but he looks after the role quite nicely. And unlike the series in the 1980s, when the producers had a nervous eye on rival film franchises such as Indiana Jones or Star Wars, Goldeneye is confident about being a Bond film.

GoldenEye has everything going for it. There are great action sequences like the tank chase in St. Petersburg and the train sequence immediately after it. Brosnan is really very witty in the role as Bond which adds to the film's appeal. Bond girls Natalia and Xenia Onatopp are head and sholders better than those of Licence to Kill.

In this film, we get more of a 90s style of James Bond. This works really well given the fact that technology is far better than it ever has been and Q branch is able to develop far more than was ever possible. Even headquarters has taken on a new look. The offices of M and Moneypenny have taken on a whole new fashion. In fact, it is so different, I am thinking that they probably just moved into an entirely new building.

The new M is a change from the traditional superior. Most notably being a woman. At first I wasn't really open to the fact about her being female, but have since accepted the change which is actually quite nice. Anyhow, she is far better than the M character of Robert Brown (1983-1989).

I like everything about this movie. Bond is great, the plot is stupendous, the women are incredible, the music is adequate, and the action is unsurpassed. GoldenEye is one of the best Bond movies ever.

Overall Rating: B+

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