Goldeneye (1995)
What an introduction to Pierce Brosnan as James Bond in what is arguably the finest film in the entire series. The plot, which sees Bond up against 006 (Sean Bean) and the Janus crime syndicate and their attempt to control the Goldeneye - a secret Russian satellite weapon - flows beautifully and before you know it the first hour is gone.
Judi Dench as the latest M (a role she would hold across the next six films) is excellent and her abrupt appraisal of Bond as a 'sexist, misogynist dinosaur' is brilliantly cutting as the series came to terms with modern sensibilities yet despite their apparent dislike for one another there's a definite respect between the pair. Brosnan meanwhile appears born for the role and is a more comfortable fit than predecessor Timothy Dalton (Who incidentally i also like even if the critics weren't so impressed).
The action sequences are terrific, especially a tank chase through the streets of St. Petersburg, and the finale which takes place in Cuba in a hidden base concealed beneath a lake would once have been an all action assault by armed forces on the villains is strictly a two man showdown as Brosnan and Bean fight it out on the huge dish.
It would be blase to suggest Goldeneye is better than the few films previous as the two directly prior, especially License to Kill (1989), are also top tier Bond, however it could be suggested that Casino Royale (2006) aside it's never been equaled since.
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