Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that teen action fans will definitely be drawn to the James Bond series -- and the movies play on TV so often they're hard to avoid. Per all Bond films, expect plenty of sexual energy and innuendo from 007. Though it's delivered in a frothy way, it's still pervasive. And yes, this is the Bond movie with a character named Pussy Galore. While she's depicted as an intelligent, skilled aircraft pilot, she falls literally head over heels for Bond during some rough foreplay. There are also plenty of explosions, car chases, and general action set pieces sprinkled throughout the movie. Bond is a frequent drinker who doesn't really suffer from any adverse effects. Goldfinger's henchmen and collaborators are largely Japanese men, which means that all Japanese characters in the film appear to be evil (although there are no racial slurs used or verbal stereotyping). A woman is murdered by having her naked body covered in gold (she's only shown from behind).
Families can talk about James Bond, sexism, and violence. Does 007's attitude toward women -- often using them as pawns or treating them as pushovers -- seem necessary to create his cool facade? Is it right for him to use the force that he does in service of his government-appointed mission? Do you think real spies act this way? Why or why not?
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: David Gurney
The third installment in the James Bond franchise finds Sean Connery playing up the cheekier side of Bond for the first time, following the more serious stakes of Dr. No and From Russia With Love.
Bond is asked to monitor Auric Goldfinger (Gert Fröbe), an international gold merchant who the British government suspects is plotting something vaguely fiendish. Goldfinger's plan is found to be a rather elaborate, dangerous assault on Fort Knox, the United States' gold reserve.
But the film spends far more time on Bond's gadgetry (particularly his defensively outfitted Aston Martin) and his womanizing than it does on his foiling of Goldfinger's devious scheme. More than anything else, Bond's luck and charm seem to allow him to drift in and out of danger while rather inadvertently saving the day in the end.
For these reasons, this film truly serves as the template of all subsequent Bond films. There's an emphasis on humor even in the most dire of circumstances. Connery plays Bond with seemingly little effort, and his charm is hard to resist, even when he's dismissively tapping a female friend's buttocks to push her out of the frame, telling her that it's time for "man's work." (Oh, James...).
For families who enjoy this film, other films in the Bond series, like Diamonds Are Forever (1971) or Tomorrow Never Dies (1997) should also satisfy. Alternatively, for an even more irreverent take on the spy film, try Our Man Flint (1965) or the Mike Myers spoof Austin Powers in Goldmember.
Rate It!
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Sexual ContentStrong sexual implications and innuendo (a Bond trademark), although no graphic nudity or sex acts are shown. A female character dies as a result of having her naked body painted gold (shown from behind). |
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ViolenceTypical action-movie mayhem: Explosions, fistfights, gun battles, etc. Plenty of deaths, but not that much blood. |
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LanguageA main character is named Pussy Galore -- probably the most risque/sexual "Bond girl" names. |
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Social BehaviorBond stands up against thievery, but he also indulges in a lot of sexist behavior and is known for his vices (drinking, etc.). Some implication that Japanese characters are evil. |
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CommercialismBond drives an Aston Martin. |
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Drug/Alcohol/TobaccoBond loves his martinis; an authority figure smokes cigars (not unusual for the film's '60s' setting). |
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