The First Original James Bond Film Still Holds up 30 Years Later

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  • ‘GoldenEye’ Is Arguably Brosnan’s Best Bond Film
  • We Need More Original Future James Bond Movies

Ian Fleming is closely associated with James Bond, the MI6 agent who debuted in 1953. Interestingly, one of the top modern Bond films, “GoldenEye”, was unique as it didn’t follow any storylines from Fleming’s novels – a first for the franchise. This movie also introduced Pierce Brosnan as the suave and dangerous spy, leading to three more appearances of this character and even a well-received video game adaptation.

As the 30th anniversary of the movie “GoldenEye” approaches in November 2025, it’s worth revisiting its compelling storyline, thrilling action sequences, strong acting, and Martin Campbell’s excellent direction. This could serve as a solid argument for creating new James Bond tales that draw inspiration from modern, 21st-century narratives rather than overly relying on Ian Fleming’s older source material. With many whispers about potential new James Bond cast members, it seems fitting to bring “GoldenEye” back into the limelight.

‘GoldenEye’ Is Arguably Brosnan’s Best Bond Film

Martin Campbell directed the 17th James Bond movie in the long-running British spy series titled GoldenEye. This franchise had been adapting elements from Ian Fleming’s popular novel series, which debuted with the introduction of James Bond to readers in 1953. To give a more contemporary feel to GoldenEye, they opted to develop a fresh story instead of relying on Fleming’s novels. American writer Michael France came up with this new narrative. Once the tale was expanded, the screenplay credits went to Jeffrey Caine and Bruce Feirstein.

In the plotline, the movie GoldenEye depicts James Bond taking various measures to thwart a faulty MI6 agent, 006 (Sean Bean), from triggering a worldwide economic collapse by detonating London with an advanced satellite weapon known as GoldenEye. This film was significant in introducing Pierce Brosnan as 007 to the audience, continuing the storyline that began six years earlier with Timothy Dalton in License to Kill. Critics and fans alike appreciated the casting choice, often ranking Brosnan alongside Sean Connery and Roger Moore as one of the top James Bond portrayals prior to this film. Even three decades later, it remains widely acclaimed as Brosnan’s finest Bond performance.

In the course of stopping 006 from destroying the global financial system, Bond meets a host of notable characters such as M (portrayed by Judi Dench), Natalya Simonova (played by Izabella Scorupco), the ruthless Xenia Onatopp (Famke Janssen), seasoned CIA agent Jack Wade (Joe Don Baker), and various Russian criminals involved in the Janus syndicate who are executing 006’s plan. One of GoldenEye’s notable features is its use of computer-generated imagery, which was a first for the franchise, contributing to the film’s continued relevance in 2025.

How ‘GoldenEye’ Still Holds Up in 2025

GoldenEye, released in November 2025, was met with critical praise and its value has continued to grow since. Upon debut, critics admired Pierce Brosnan’s portrayal of James Bond, with the late Roger Ebert complimenting his acting as being “remarkably compassionate, unusually fragile, and deeply introspective” while highlighting the character’s “disillusionment“.

In GoldenEye, Brosnan’s performance was praised as being on par with Timothy Dalton’s portrayal, which played a significant role in the movie’s success. Judi Dench’s fiery portrayal of M was another highlight, setting the stage for her eight appearances in Bond films. Unlike earlier Bond movies that celebrated 007’s womanizing lifestyle, Dench’s M criticized Bond as a “sexist, misogynist dinosaur,” a departure from the traditional Fleming material. This portrayal was both a satirical nod to the past and a step towards modernizing the character.

Although GoldenEye is situated in 1986 amidst intense Cold War conflicts between the United States and the Soviet Union, this film maintains a strikingly contemporary relevance in its themes. According to the critical consensus on Rotten Tomatoes, as reflected in 80% of positive reviews:

In a more contemporary setting, the premier Bond film of Pierce Brosnan, titled GoldenEye, offers a cutting-edge, thrilling, and sophisticated take on the 007 franchise.

In contrast to some critics who missed the usual campy humor in the movie, GoldenEye, many others found that its focus on high-intensity action and stunning visual effects more than made up for it. After all, Bond films are primarily designed for fans and a wide audience, not necessarily film critics. Lucky for them, GoldenEye captivated its intended audience with its gripping action sequences and eye-catching set pieces, earning an 83% rating on the Popcornmeter and an A-CinemaScore. The massive success of GoldenEye leaves one yearning for a fresh James Bond story after 30 years.

We Need More Original Future James Bond Movies

It’s surprising that the film “GoldenEye,” which enjoyed both commercial and critical success, is one of the rare James Bond stories that’s entirely original. Although Ian Fleming’s novels serve as a rich foundation for movie adaptations, “GoldenEye” demonstrates how alternative viewpoints can breathe new life into the character and produce equally captivating tales as the original author. For example, portraying 006 as Bond’s close friend who defects and becomes the villain behind Janus adds a personal depth to the story that some earlier installments were missing.

The world has undergone such significant transformation since Fleming introduced the character and penned his anachronistic novels that contemporary themes could be integrated into future stories. Topics like the dangers of artificial intelligence, a current existential threat, could provide an innovative twist to the original Bond concept (which Mission: Impossible has chosen to explore). Beyond the classic conflicts that a Bond villain may bring about, modernizing 007’s persona from a careless ladies’ man to a more refined and thoughtful gentleman would help restore his tarnished reputation.

There are still many rumors circulating about who might take on the James Bond role following Daniel Craig’s departure from it with the 2021 movie “No Time to Die”. Names such as Idris Elba and Aaron Taylor-Johnson have been mentioned, but no final decision has yet been made. The Hollywood Reporter recently speculated that the role may not be given to Aaron Taylor-Johnson, but rather to British actor Josh O’Connor, who is well known for his role in the steamy tennis thriller “Challengers”.

Regardless of who takes over as James Bond in the 26th installment of the franchise, this fresh casting offers a fantastic chance to explore a brand-new 007 adventure. While Fleming’s original novels are renowned, they can only take the character so far. To keep James Bond relevant and contemporary in the 21st century and beyond, it might be time to move on from Fleming’s stories and embark on a completely new journey – at least temporarily.

By the way, if you want to rewatch GoldenEye, it’s available for rental on Prime Video.

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2025-01-10 04:01