GoldenEye Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Bond stops his former best friend from using a giant space laser to rob a bank, all while dodging a woman who kills people with her thighs.

🍿 GoldenEye: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Infiltration and Betrayal

In 1986, James Bond and Alec Trevelyan infiltrate a Soviet chemical weapons facility. Trevelyan is seemingly killed by Colonel Ourumov, while Bond escapes. This sets the stage for a personal conflict years later.

The GoldenEye Threat

Nine years later, a powerful electromagnetic pulse (EMP) weapon, the ‘GoldenEye’ satellite, is stolen. Bond investigates, discovering that the theft is linked to the Janus Syndicate. This event pushes Bond into a race against time to prevent global disaster.

Unmasking Janus

Bond uncovers that the leader of Janus is none other than Alec Trevelyan, who faked his death. Trevelyan seeks revenge against Britain for betraying his Cossack ancestors. The personal connection raises the stakes significantly.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• James Bond (Pierce Brosnan): The suave and resourceful MI6 agent 007 is tasked with stopping a stolen satellite weapon system.
• Alec Trevelyan (Sean Bean): A former MI6 agent, codenamed 006, turns rogue and seeks revenge against Britain.
• Natalya Simonova (Izabella Scorupco): A skilled computer programmer who helps Bond thwart Trevelyan’s plan.
• Xenia Onatopp (Famke Janssen): A deadly and sadistic assassin working for the Janus crime syndicate.
• M (Judi Dench): The newly appointed head of MI6, who initially questions Bond’s relevance in the modern world.
• Valentin Zukovsky (Robbie Coltrane): A former KGB agent turned gangster who provides Bond with information and assistance.
• Boris Grishenko (Alan Cumming): A devious computer programmer working with Trevelyan to control the GoldenEye satellite.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• James Bond: “Vodka martini. Shaken, not stirred.” – Bond orders his signature drink at the casino, maintaining the classic Bond tradition.
• M: “I think you’re a sexist, misogynist dinosaur. A relic of the Cold War.” – M gives Bond a harsh assessment, reflecting the changing times and a new perspective on the character.
• Alec Trevelyan: “For England, James?” – Trevelyan mockingly questions Bond’s loyalty during their final confrontation.
• James Bond: “No. For me.” – Bond responds to Trevelyan, indicating his actions are now personal rather than patriotic.
• Xenia Onatopp: “I enjoy all the corpses I leave behind.” – Demonstrates Xenia’s psychopathic enjoyment of killing.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $60,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $106,429,941
• Worldwide Gross: $352,194,034

💥 GoldenEye Reviews

Personal Review

GoldenEye was my first Bond film in the theater, and I was blown away! Pierce Brosnan embodies the suave and deadly agent perfectly. The tank chase through St. Petersburg is iconic, and Famke Janssen’s Xenia Onatopp is a villain you love to hate. It’s a perfect blend of action, humor, and classic Bond charm. The opening bungee jump is one of the best stunts ever put to film. I was hooked on Bond ever since.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of James Bond movies”
  • “Action movie enthusiasts”
  • “Viewers interested in spy thrillers”
  • “Fans of Pierce Brosnan, Sean Bean, and Famke Janssen”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Intense action violence”
  • “Some sexual content”
  • “Thematic elements involving betrayal and revenge”

Professional Reviews

• Rotten Tomatoes: “GoldenEye revitalizes the James Bond franchise with a modern edge, blending thrilling action sequences with a compelling story, marking a strong debut for Pierce Brosnan as 007. The film balances classic Bond elements with contemporary themes.
• Empire Magazine: “Brosnan’s first Bond outing is a triumph. GoldenEye delivers everything you expect from 007: exotic locations, explosive action, and a villain worthy of the name. The film injects new life into the series, proving Bond is still relevant.
• Variety: “GoldenEye is a slick, high-octane thriller that re-establishes James Bond as a force to be reckoned with. The action is spectacular, the cast is excellent, and the story is engaging. Brosnan proves to be a worthy successor to Connery and Moore.

Audience Reactions

The tank chase through St. Petersburg was unforgettable and over the top in the best way.: Viewers loved the thrilling action sequences and the modernized take on the classic Bond formula.

Brosnan brought a fresh, charming take on Bond that felt both familiar and new.: Fans praised Pierce Brosnan’s debut as Bond, appreciating his suave demeanor and action prowess.

Overall Consensus: GoldenEye is a successful reboot of the James Bond franchise, blending classic elements with a modern sensibility, solidifying Pierce Brosnan as a memorable 007.

Awards

1. Golden Globe (Best Original Song – Motion Picture)- 1996

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “GoldenEye was the first Bond film after a six-year hiatus, the longest gap between films in the series at the time.”
• “Pierce Brosnan was originally cast as Bond in the late 1980s but had to decline due to his commitment to the TV series *Remington Steele*. He was finally able to take on the role with GoldenEye.”
• “The bungee jump scene at the beginning of the film was performed by a professional stuntman and was, at the time, the highest freefall bungee jump ever filmed for a movie.”
• “GoldenEye was the first Bond film not to use any story elements from Ian Fleming’s novels or short stories. The screenplay was written by Michael France, Jeffrey Caine, and Bruce Feirstein.”

🖥️ How to Watch GoldenEye?

GoldenEye is widely available for streaming and purchase. You can find it on platforms like Prime Video, where it’s often available for rent or purchase. Apple TV also offers it for rent or digital purchase. Physical copies (DVDs and Blu-rays) are readily available from retailers like Amazon and major chain stores. Check your local listings for possible broadcast showings.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed GoldenEye, you might like these similar films:

• Mission: Impossible (1996): A slick, action-packed spy thriller that revitalized its franchise with a new lead and modern sensibility, similar to GoldenEye’s impact on the Bond series.
• The World Is Not Enough (1999): A direct comparison to other James Bond movies in the Pierce Brosnan era. With similar themes of espionage and world threatening scenarios, with a classic Bond Girl.
• Ronin (1998): Features high-stakes espionage, complex characters with ambiguous loyalties, and thrilling action sequences, especially car chases, reflecting a similar atmosphere of intrigue and betrayal.
• Casino Royale (2006): A more modern take on James Bond, with grittier action and character development, while still maintaining the core elements of the franchise that GoldenEye successfully reintroduced.
• True Lies (1994): Features action, comedy, and espionage with over-the-top stunts. With some similar themes to GoldenEye.

🛒 GoldenEye Related Products

• GoldenEye 007 (Nintendo 64): The iconic first-person shooter that redefined console gaming, featuring immersive gameplay and multiplayer action. A must-have for any fan of the movie and a pivotal piece of gaming history. The game is available via Nintendo Switch online.
• James Bond GoldenEye 007 Blu-Ray: Experience the excitement of GoldenEye in stunning high definition with this Blu-ray edition. Packed with bonus features and behind-the-scenes footage, it’s the ultimate collector’s item for Bond enthusiasts.
• Corgi James Bond 007 GoldenEye Aston Martin DB5: A detailed die-cast replica of Bond’s iconic Aston Martin DB5 from GoldenEye. Features include ejector seat and bulletproof shield. This is a limited edition collector’s item.
• GoldenEye 007 Soundtrack (Vinyl): A limited edition vinyl featuring the iconic theme song by Tina Turner and the thrilling score by Éric Serra. A must-have for audiophiles and Bond enthusiasts.

🎧 Soundtrack

GoldenEye features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “GoldenEye” – performed by Tina Turner
• “Experience of Love” – performed by Éric Serra

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Pierce Brosnan Plays GoldenEye 007 with Jimmy

Check out this entertaining video where Pierce Brosnan, the former James Bond actor, plays the classic Nintendo 64 game GoldenEye 007 with Jimmy Fallon. It’s a fun and nostalgic watch for fans of the movie and video game.

Everything Wrong With GoldenEye In 14 Minutes Or Less

If you’re a fan of the ‘Everything Wrong With’ series or simply enjoy a good laugh, you’ll love this video where CinemaSins takes on the classic Bond film GoldenEye. They poke fun at the movie’s flaws and inconsistencies in their signature humorous style.

Pierce Brosnan Breaks Down His Most Iconic Characters | GQ

In this in-depth interview with GQ, Pierce Brosnan discusses his most iconic roles, including James Bond in GoldenEye. He shares his thoughts on the character, the challenges he faced, and the legacy of the film. A must-watch for fans of the actor and the Bond franchise.

The ONE Sound Effect That Made Goldeneye 007’s Music Iconic

Have you ever wondered what makes the music in GoldenEye 007 so memorable? In this video, pianist and music enthusiast Charles Cornell takes an in-depth look at the iconic sound effects that set the film’s soundtrack apart.

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