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This is the archive version of The GoldenEye Dossier featuring news and articles between 2011 and 2018. Please head to goldeneyedossier.blogspot.com to experience the new site, inaugurated on January 1, 2020.

The GoldenEye Generation - Austin Skinner

A great contributor to our site, Austin Skinner from New York tells us why he belongs to the "GoldenEye Generation" of Bond fans...

When did you watch GOLDENEYE and how old you were?

The first time I watched GOLDENEYE was on home VHS format. It had to have been either a gift or a rented tape that I'd tell my parents I 'couldn't find' just so I could keep it. The year had to have been around 1999 by the time I saw it, making me about five years old. Even though it came out four years earlier, GOLDENEYE was a brand new experience for me. I had never seen a James Bond film before and I cherished that VHS copy and the cinematic magic it held within. Somehow, I realized that what I had watched was something that would be a part of my life forever, immediately. I was introduced to James Bond by way of GOLDENEYE and I never looked back. I cherished that tape and would go on to play the thing until it unraveled years later. 

Is Pierce Brosnan your favourite James Bond? If not, tell us who is and why.

Talk about a loaded question... All things considered, I'm not sure I could pick a favorite. They each have distinct qualities I love. Though, with that said, Pierce Brosnan gets a slight boost in his favor from me. After all, Brosnan was my Bond. I knew nothing of any Bond before or after him. He was the star of the first Bond game I played and the first Bond film I watched. No other Bonds can lay claim to that for me. Though I've come to love all of the portrayals of Bond, Pierce Brosnan definitely has a special place in my earliest memories of the James Bond character.

Is GOLDENEYE your favourite Bond film? If not, tell us which one is and why.

Now, this is an easy one. Yes. No matter what. No Bond film before or since has been able to knock it from it's honorable perch. The sets, cast (especially Sean Bean as Alec Trevelyan), locations, and Eric Serra's score were a mixture for something really, really special. Not only is GOLDENEYE my favorite Bond movie, it may be my favorite film of all time. In a way, GOLDENEYE was able to do what no other movies have been able to do... Seeing it at such a young age and loving it as much as I did, really changed me. In a way, GOLDENEYE left an impression on my soul. Where other people my age can say that for an animated Disney movie or something of the sort, mine is GOLDENEYE. 

Which of the Bond movies prior to GOLDENEYE did you enjoy the most?

Now, this is where second-favorite Bond films come into question. For me, coming in as a runner-ups to GOLDENEYE, are ON HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE, THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN GUN, and THUNDERBALL. Each are vastly different, and I like they for vastly different reasons. Goerge Lazenby's distinct characterization of Bond, the beautiful cinematography, and John Barry's score all make ON HER MAJESTY's SECRET SERVICE one of favorite entries in the series. Roger Moore put out a strong performance for THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN GUN, opposite one of my favorite villain entries in the series, Francisco Scaramanga, portrayed by the incomparable, the late Sir Christopher Lee. Finally, THUNDERBALL oozes sixties cool and Sean Connery is comfortably confident in his role as Bond. I'm also quite keen on this film's cinematography and how stunningly varied and beautiful the Bahamas are presented as the film's major location. 

Which of the Bond movies after GOLDENEYE did you enjoy the most?

I don't think I'd classify any of the Bond films since GOLDENEYE as my favorite, though most of them have been quite good. For the most part, I really enjoyed THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH. Robert Carlyle's Renard shines in my mind as another solid Brosnan-era villain. I have also really enjoy most of Craig's efforts. Especially, in CASINO ROYALE and SKYFALL. 

How did you feel when Daniel Craig was cast as James Bond?

To be as honest as possible, I hated it. After only discovering Bond a short time before Brosnan was swept under the rug so that some new guy was ready to come in and have a seat didn't really make sense to me. The 2005 news of Craig taking on the reigns of James Bond came as a shock to me. My Bond fandom was still in development when it felt as though everything was scrapped right before my eyes. How was a new James Bond going to work? Especially, with a guy that looked nothing like James Bond, which I had thought at the time? I can't say that I embraced Craig with open arms. After all, he was here to replace my Bond.

What do you think of the Daniel Craig 007 movies and which one is the one you like most?

Needless to say, since 2005, a lot has changed! I do love where Craig has taken Agent 007. With the borderline redundancy of personal vendettas that have plagued his era, Craig has been able to stay compelling and fresh with each of his outings as Bond. Thus far, he has shown us layers of Bond that were previously unexplored in previous film entries. As stated earlier, my favorites within his catalog are CASINO ROYALE and SKYFALL. If I had to pick one, it would be CASINO ROYALE, though. The story, locations, and Bond's love for Vesper were all played out very nicely, in my opinion. 

How do you see the future of James Bond?

The future of James Bond is one that is unwritten. Though, original source material from Fleming himself becomes increasingly scarce, writers have scrambled to create films that do pieces of Fleming's original character a decent amount of small justices over the years. Part of me worries that the future of Bond isn't as deep and rich as it may seem, as legal issues continue to arrive and interfere with the process. Gone are the days of a constant set of teams made up of nearly the same people, film after film, pushing out cinematic history. Today and moving forward, it seems that the James Bond team will almost hold an open-door policy for directors, actors, locations, and sound. In that sense, I have hope... Though Bond's future is unwritten, the possibilities are truly unlimited.

The GoldenEye Generation - Benjamin Lind

In this second edition of The GoldenEye Generation we chat with Benjamin Lind, from the German site The Bond Bulletin. Those who are close to him know Benjamin has been acitvely participating in many events and covering Bond events and news troughout the world. Last year he premiered his documentary A BOND FOR LIFE, narrating his 20 years as a James Bond fan that started with GOLDENEYE. In the following lines, Benny tells us his relationship with James Bond and the first 007 adventure he ever saw.

When did you watch GOLDENEYE and how old were you?

I saw GOLDENEYE in 1996 after it had opened in Germany. I was 14 at the time and actually went to see DANGEROUS MINDS together with my mother. As there was a problem with the projector, we ended up in my first ever James Bond film.

Is Pierce Brosnan your favourite James Bond? If not, tell us who is and why.

Since I grew up with his films, he will always have a special place as the Bond of my youth. I don't have a favourite James Bond since preferential treatment almost seems like an insult in view of the brilliant performances of all actors. Let me put it like this: I like the coolness of Sean Connery, the wit and charme of Roger Moore, the resoluteness of Dalton, the style and demeanour of Brosnan as well as the action-packed Craig. George Lazenby is the only one I have completely left out as I have a problem with his character and attitude. After we briefly "clashed" last year, I can say that I cordially dislike him as a person.

Is GOLDENEYE your favourite Bond film? If not, tell us which one is and why.

It didn't take me long to familiarize myself with the rest of the series after I had seen GOLDENEYE but up to this day I don't have that one favourite film. It's again the favoritism that I refuse to exercise. Every film has certain highlights as well as drawbacks and I treasure every one of them.

Which of the Bond movies prior to GOLDENEYE did you enjoy the most?

I enjoyed THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS because of the setting in Austria, the stellar cast and the wonderful score by John Barry.

Which of the Bond movies after GOLDENEYE did you enjoy the most?

I must say, I was quite into the next Brosnan Bonds and they really cemented my love for the films and the franchise. They were fast-paced, elegant popcorn cinema and that's what I was looking for at the time.

How did you feel when Daniel Craig was cast as James Bond?

I was unsure. He didn't look anything like our favourite hero at the press event. But I said, these are casting decisions we as fans cannot influence, so we might as well live with them and make the best of it. Having of course witnessed the shameless and rude smear campaign against him, I more and more wished that he would succeed. When I saw the premiere here at my local cinema, I was relieved when many in the audience stood up and applauded when Craig walked towards the camera in the Main Title Sequence. This was a signature moment and I knew, he would have a good tenure as 007.

What do you think of the Daniel Craig 007 movies and which one is the one you like most.

CASINO ROYALE is still the most lavish looking, action-packed and gripping of the four and I prefer it to the others. The next one, QUANTUM OF SOLACE however was a complete disaster. Still, I was confident because the process of revamping something as iconic as Bond would ultimately include setbacks and disappointments. 

How do you see the future of James Bond?

Being stuck in a very uncertain time like we are now, somehow makes you wonder if no news about the next film are a good thing or not. One thing is certain: Bond still matters and there is much potential if the right people make the right decisions. I believe that EON Productions has a dedicated, hard-working and resourceful team of experts who love Bond just as much as we do. Viewed from a business angle: Bond is a gigantic cash cow and while normal cows live about 15 years, this one has endured 54 years!

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The GoldenEye Generation - Introduction and Part One

Welcome to this new section in The GoldenEye Dossier. Through the last five decades that had James Bond as part of the popular culture and entertainment, the 007 fandom has made great achievements such as movie rescreenings, anniversary events, wrote novels and books, held TV interviews and published long lasting fanzines.

Most of these groups of Bond aficionados were born around the 1950s and the 1970s, and among their preferences were Sean Connery as the best actor to portray Ian Fleming's spy, GOLDFINGER, THUNDERBALL or ON HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE as their favourite film, and Ursula Andress as their favourite Bond girl.

In 1995, James Bond returned after six years of absence and new tools were available to spread and keep the Bond flame alive troughout the world: video tapes, DVD, BluRay, Internet, YouTube, blogs and social networks. With GOLDENEYE, a new generation of Bond maniacs came to play in the field using these tools.

In The GoldenEye Generation, we are going to read about them: how these 1980 or 1990 boys see the world of James Bond, the past, present and future of Ian Fleming's secret agent.

I'm going to start with myself. I'm Nicolás Suszczyk, editor of this site. I'm 26 and I was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

When did you watch GOLDENEYE and how old you were?

I saw it on TV, in 1998. It was January 31st, so I was still seven years old. I was first hooked up on the game and then I was attracted by a billboard featuring Pierce Brosnan and his loyal handgun, in a black tuxedo. My dad told me who Bond was and I was interested. But as soon as I saw the gunbarrel sequence on that TV screen, I knew this was for me. Weeks later, I watched TOMORROW NEVER DIES in the big screen.

Is Pierce Brosnan your favourite James Bond? If not, tell us who is and why.

Absolutely! I think Pierce maybe wasn't Fleming's Bond, but he could adopt a part of each of the previous actors: Sean's presence, Roger's elegance and humor, the vulnerability of Dalton and Lazenby. I totally love his films and Pierce Brosnan was my James Bond.

Is GOLDENEYE your favourite Bond film? If not, tell us which one is and why.
It is indeed. It's unique. It has action, romance, fun, drama, a beautiful cinematography, a great international cast, and a perfect new James Bond. I totally loved the way they didn't hide the fact times have changed and how the protagonist and antagonist relationship is a key element of the plot and the establishment of a new world order. All the elements of GOLDENEYE, from the most praised -let's say the tank chase- and the most criticized -let's say Eric Serra's soundtrack- work perfectly syncronized to provide the post Cold War atmosphere of the film. This one has a very special place in my heart, just seeing the poster artwork has you craving for more. Too bad I wasn't a Bond fan when it was released.

Which of the Bond movies prior to GOLDENEYE did you enjoy the most?

Well, there were many. FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE is a fine Cold War thriller and THUNDERBALL is a colorful feast of action that I found boring in my first watch but I enjoy now. ON HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE is quite unique too because of its ski chase scenes with that memorable John Barry theme. To continue with the list I should add THE SPY WHO LOVED ME and MOONRAKER, very escapists both of them but enjoyable indeed. And the Dalton films were pretty good too, THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS more Fleming-like and LICENCE TO KILL more brutal and bitter, maybe way too Americanized, but it didn't lacked the Bond glamour.

Which of the Bond movies after GOLDENEYE did you enjoy the most?
TOMORROW NEVER DIES and THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH are very special too. They haven't got GOLDENEYE's touch, but they provide great Bond moments, action scenes and dialogues. I'm not as nostalgic with DIE ANOTHER DAY, but I remember enjoying it very much during its release.

How did you feel when Daniel Craig was cast as James Bond?
I was sad to see Pierce go but I knew it was going to happen sooner or latter. I remember October 14, 2005, as a great day because with the announcement of the new James Bond CASINO ROYALE was starting production, and I loved the book so much that I was happy to see a faithful adaptation, finally. I never had anything against Craig, unlike others.

What do you think of the Daniel Craig 007 movies and which one is the one you like most.

They are great. A different side of Bond, closer to the novels than to the Broccoli-Saltzman universe. CASINO ROYALE was awesome and Martin Campbell showed he was born to direct Bond. QUANTUM OF SOLACE was a bit disappointing with that awful editing and script, and only saved by Roberto Scheaffer's cinematography, David Arnold's music and the pretty Gemma Arterton and some actors like Giancarlo Giannini and Jesper Christensen. SKYFALL and SPECTRE were both great adventures that brought back a bit of the old Bond we loved. My favourite? SPECTRE, indeed. I know CASINO ROYALE is hard to beat, but for me this one gave me the 007 I wanted to see in a long while!

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