Coming out in 1964 (or January of 1965 in the United States), "Goldfinger" marked the third Bond movie within three years. It was the film that really took 007 to another level and is deservedly considered a classic. It’s very representative of mid-sixties movies – think about the theme song, the woman covered in gold paint, Oddjob's hat that could kill, and the break-in at Fort Knox. The subsequent two films, "Thunderball" (1965) and "You Only Live Twice" (1967), are just as good, and I think even better than this one. "Thunderball" earned more money at the box office than any other Bond movie starring Connery, while “You Only Live Twice” raised the bar with its action and spy elements and is simply very entertaining overall. Still, "Goldfinger" remains the most celebrated of the 1960s Bond films, and that’s something to acknowledge. But don't anticipate constant action like what was introduced in “You Only Live Twice,” which has continued through today’s installments. Yes, "Goldfinger" does have some good action scenes, but it offers less than you typically get from a 007 movie after "Thunderball.” In fact, one scene involves just a game of golf between James and Goldfinger (played by Gert Fröbe). An earlier scene shows Bond making Goldfinger lose at cards. This doesn't mean the film is bad; it’s simply different. “A View to a Kill” (1985) shares this characteristic. Other things that stand out include an extended sequence in the beautiful Swiss Alps, where filming took place, and memorable female characters like Shirley Eaton (the ‘golden girl’), plus brief appearances by Margaret Nolan (Dink), Nadja Regin (Bonita). Honor Blackman is great as Pussy Galore, but she didn’t really do it for me. Despite all the positives, there are a few drawbacks. For example, the scene with Pussy Galore's girls flying over in gas-powered planes and the soldiers falling down just feels awkward. There’s also too much slow pacing in the second half that isn’t particularly engaging. Even so, "Goldfinger" is an essential James Bond film, full of memorable images and moments. When it was first released, it felt extraordinary, but some viewers now might find it mild or even uninspired. Regardless, it's a worthwhile addition to the series and has its own special appeal. The movie’s length is 1 hour, 50 minutes, and filming locations included Miami Beach, Florida; England; Switzerland; and Kentucky. GRADE: A-

Source on TMDB