GoldenEye (1995)

James Bond 007 (Pierce Brosnan) is assigned to investigate an attack on a Soviet installation where, after the staff is massacred, the control disk for a dual satellite weapon called GoldenEye is stolen. Suspicions fall on the Janus crime syndicate. After a 6 year hiatus from the last Bond, the disastrous LICENCE TO KILL, the 17th installment in the Bond franchise returns fresh and invigorated with a new Bond. Brosnan makes for a wonderful compromise between the dark intensity of Sean Connery and the lighthearted playfulness of Roger Moore. Outside of the clumsy tank chase through the streets of St. Petersburg (did someone really think that was a good idea?), the action is solid and the film has an elegant look to it thanks to cinematographer Phil Meheux (2006's CASINO ROYALE). Directed by Martin Campbell. The trite score is by Eric Serra and the fierce title song by Bono of U2 and sung by Tina Turner. Judi Dench makes her first appearance as M. Izabella Scorupco is the Bond girl and Sean Bean, the villain. But the film is stolen by Famke Janssen, the best Bond villainess since THUNDERBALL's Fiona Volpe as the sadomasochistic Xenia Onnatopp. With Alan Cumming, Robbie Coltrane, Minnie Driver, Joe Don Baker, Tcheky Karyo and Desmond Llewelyn.