Goldeneye in Retrospect

The new edition of one of the UK's leading film magazines, 'Total Film' (issue 181, July 2011), which recently hit the shelves of British newsagents, contains an interesting retrospective on 'Goldeneye' (1995), Pierce Brosnan's first movie as James Bond. The article is written by Neil Smith.

Treating the movie as a full reinvention of the film version of 007, Smith's article on Brosnan's debut film is written in the light of the similar process that occurred with Daniel Craig's first Bond film 'Casino Royale'. For those fans unfamiliar with the background to 'Goldeneye', after 1989's 'Licence To Kill', with Timothy Dalton as 007, did not appear to gel too well with the public, Cubby Broccoli had commented: 'In making Bond a tougher character, we had lost some of the sophistication and wry humour'. Broccoli had added: 'We had to get back on that track...'. EON was also embroiled at the time in legal wrangles with MGM/UA, which led to a six-year gap between Bond movies.

As late as 1993, Timothy Dalton was still fully expecting to make his third appearance as 007. In April, 1994, however, he announced his departure from the role, and the hunt was then on for a new Bond actor. Smith's article handles all the intricacies of this period with a deft touch, and has some interesting perspectives on it all from 'Goldeneye' director Martin Campbell, who has just been promoting his new movie 'Green Lantern'. At one point, Campbell says it was probably better that Brosnan became Bond on the second time of asking (he nearly became 007 after Roger Moore's departure, but the 'Remington Steele' producers scuppered this at the last moment). Campbell says that he saw Brosnan's 1986 screen tests for Bond, 'and he looked unbelievably young'.

Bond fans be warned, though: the article also contains some controversial comments from Campbell on 'Quantum of Solace', the last Bond movie: 'The truth was it was a lousy film. Casino Royale really set the table for them and I felt they blew it completely'. Campbell adds, however, that he is sure Sam Mendes will do a good job with Bond 23. 'Total Film' issue no. 181 (July, 2011) is on sale now, priced £3.99.