Goldfinger (1964)

The film ranks among the slickest Bond entries, endlessly entertaining with classic moments like the gold paint, laser scene and Oddjob duel. Director Guy Hamilton integrates these into a gripping storyline and elicits Connery's best performance.

The review hails the film as perfection and the point where the franchise hit its stride, praising the immortal laser scene, iconic elements like the Aston Martin and Oddjob's hat, and its blend of glamour, action, sex and comedy under Guy Hamilton.

The writer declares Goldfinger the finest in the series for its taut plot, Aston Martin, Shirley Bassey song, golf and laser set pieces, and especially Sean Connery at his peak capturing Bond's cruelty, charm, virility and humour.

Ebert declares Goldfinger the best of the Bond films and a great entertainment that encapsulates the entire series formula. He singles out its many durable iconic images, such as the gold-painted woman and the gadget-filled Aston Martin.

The review praises the film's pre-credits sequence and overall tone of outrageous violence mixed with self-mockery. It highlights Ken Adam's sets, gadgetry like the Aston Martin, and the principle that nothing succeeds like excess.

The piece celebrates Goldfinger as the gold standard and most important Bond film, crediting its formula of gadgets, action, sex and humour for defining the series. It singles out the laser scene and overall tone set by director Guy Hamilton for praise.

The review states the third Bond film glitters in every department with the coolest car, greatest score and quintessential dialogue, crediting Guy Hamilton for nailing the balance of adventure, sexism and fantasy while noting minor technical flaws.

Gill pronounces Goldfinger worthy of the earlier Bonds and commends the screenwriters and director for keeping the misadventures flowing at a swift, self-parodying clip. He singles out the beautiful Aston-Martin for visual solace amid the action.

The review finds no staleness in this third Bond outing and notes liberties taken with the novel that preserve its flavor. It singles out production designer Ken Adam for a wealth of enticing invention in sets and gadgets.

The critic calls Goldfinger the most pleasurable James Bond movie ever made thanks to its playful, witty storytelling and iconic set pieces, but notes its tarnished legacy due to dated sexism, xenophobia and a problematic barn scene now viewed as assault.

The review praises the re-released film for its wit and panache despite feeling primitive by modern standards. It highlights the plot involving Pussy Galore and the attempt to sabotage Fort Knox as enduringly enjoyable.

The critic notes the film's iconic elements including the theme song, Oddjob, Pussy Galore and the Aston Martin DB5. It recommends the restored print for big-screen viewing.

The critic finds the film a solid but overly contrived fantasy that loses some of Bond's point when he can do anything. It singles out the exciting car chase scene for praise while noting the story's glossy violence and humour.

The review finds the latest Bond adventure tedious in its reliance on gadgets over female temptations but praises the climactic Fort Knox raid as spinningly staged and full of cliff-hanging suspense. It concludes that by that point viewers have had enough of Mr. Bond.

The critic calls Goldfinger the quintessential 007 experience in which all franchise elements crystallize into their final form. He singles out the megalomaniac villain, Ken Adams production design, John Barry score with Shirley Bassey theme, gadgets like the Aston Martin DB5, and overall faithfulness to Fleming for particular praise.

The critic highlights how Goldfinger solidified the Bond formula with gadgets, humor, and tongue-in-cheek tone, praising its influence and iconic elements like the laser scene and Aston Martin. They note its massive popularity and enduring impact despite some dubious tropes.

The review praises Goldfinger for its sly humor, fantastical elements balanced with integrity, cracking villains, kick-ass girls, classic iconography, and establishing the Bond song tradition, calling it a winner that appeals widely while refreshing.