Goldfinger revisited

The best way to see a movie like Goldfinger is on a big screen with an audience. This is probably the quintessential James Bond film in which the formula was cemented and probably never sinced matched. What struck me watching it this time was how, despite the obvious differences between the culture of 1964 and today's culture, is that in many ways, this Bond film is more risque and bold than even today's more modern and slightly more graphic Bond. Take for instance the gleeful masogyinism that has always been present in the character, but more hysterically effective in this outing. It helps, of course, when Bond is the great Sean Connery. Take for instance while Bond is getting a poolside massage (by a beautiful woman, of course) in Miami beach, a CIA agent approach him with business. He gets up and tells the woman, "Run along now. Man talk," and slaps her on the butt. Today, something like that would probably not make it into a film, even a Bond film. The interesting thing though, is that it has been my experience that probably as many women love Bond movies and men, despite the fact that he is the ultimate male character. Then, of course, there is the Bond girl, Pussy Galore ("I must be dreaming"). How much more blatant a name can you have than that! (Other than maybe Hallotta Fagina in Austin Powers). How taboo would a name like that be in a movie today except for comedies. Then again, the best of Bond has never quite taken itself seriously. That's part of its charm and fascination. When a secret agent can come out of the ocean in a wet suit, blow up an oil factory, and then take off his wet suit to reveal a perfectly pressed, white tuxedo underneath, you can't help but let out a smile and think this guy is cool. And then there is the villain, Auric Goldfinger, and his bowler hat-wearing, Korean sidekick, Oddjob who both provide menacing presences. While I watched the movie I could help but notice how utterly corny and outlandish it is, but who the hell cares! Goldfinger is one of the great examples of cinematic entertainment and James Bond one of its ultimate heroes.