Bond-a-thon: Goldfinger

"Do you expect me to talk?"
"No, Mr. Bond, I expect you to die!"

Now, with the third installment in the James Bond series, Goldfinger, we start to see all the iconic pieces that would recur throughout the series start to make their appearances. From the pithy one-liners, the humorous banter between Bond and Q (played by Desmond Llewelyn), the iconic Silver Birch Aston Martin DB5, or the title song, this is where the groundwork for everything that would come after fell firmly into place. It helps that Goldfinger, despite being 51 years old, still holds up as a superior and thrilling Bond adventure.

For Connery's third outing, Bond is given the assignment to investigate possible gold smuggling by gold magnate Auric Goldfinger (played by Gert Frobe). In the process of his investigation, he discovers Goldfinger is plotting to stage a raid on the gold depository at Fort Knox. Before he can alert MI-6, he is discovered and taken prisoner by Goldfinger and his henchman Oddjob (played by Harold Sakata). He is also has to tangle with Goldfinger's right hand woman, Pussy Galore (played by Honor Blackman). Bond has to use his wits to try and keep himself alive and to try and notify the authorities before Goldfinger can carry out his plans. 

This third outing for the Bond series is certainly one of my favorites of the series. It has a great plot filled with plenty of fast moving action and great characters anchored by a fun and witty script. Guy Hamilton replaces Terrance Young as director for this film and manages to add some polish and energy to the proceedings. It was pretty clear from the beginning that this entry was supposed to be lighter and more fun, with less focus on political issues and the film succeeds wonderfully in that capacity. It is one of the most consistently entertaining entries in the series, starting with a bang and moves at a fast pace from then on. Sean Connery gives another great turn as James Bond and is clearly have a great deal of fun in the role with this outing. Bond also has a couple of genuinely worthy adversaries in Goldfinger and Oddjob, especially the latter who seems to be able to take anything Bond dishes out with a smile. Honor Blackman gives a great performance as one of the most memorable Bond girls, both because of her iconic moniker and also the fierce and strong performance she gives to match. 

The iconic status of Goldfinger is felt throughout not only the series, but pop culture itself. The infamous laser beam trap has been spoofed multiple times, perhaps most memorably in The Simpsons episode, "You Only Move Twice." The Aston Martin DB5 would also show up several more times in the series, most recently in Skyfall, becoming more or less Bond's trademark car. While there were a few gadgets in the prior Bond film, From Russia With Love, this is the first time we get to see Q in his workshop and the gadgets take center stage. Of course, this is also where Q's pleading for the equipment to be returned in pristine order falls on deaf ears. It's a scene that re-appears throughout the series and always one I look forward to in a large part because of Desmond Llewelyn's performance in the role.   

Overall, Goldfinger, is one of the absolute best Bond films. It's a blast from beginning to end with some tight storytelling and plenty of energy and a truly memorable cast of characters and one of the best title songs, sung by Shirley Bassey, the series has ever had. It is one of my absolute favorite Bond films and I know I'm not alone in that either.