Bond is back, and better than ever. After wheezing through the 80s, the Bond franchise has made a remarkable come back in "Goldeneye" - the 17th installment in the longest running series in cinema history.

The old cobwebs have been shaken off and both the content and style of the series has undergone a number of changes - almost all of which were for the better. The newest Bond has pumped up the action, increased the tension, has a detailed plotline, and some of the best acting of any of the films.

Pierce Brosnan plays the martini drinking 007 in a role that fits him as perfectly as does his Briani tuxedo. Brosnan IS James Bond. He has the muscle for the action scenes; he hits all the right notes in the amorous scenes; he plays the one-liners great; and he looks every bit the secret agent.

The plot revolves around the hijacking of the Russian satellite "Goldeneye" and the threat of its weapon of mass destruction being put to use. The female assassin Xenia Onatopp is played with absolute relish by Famke Janssen in a over-the-top performance that is a scene stealer. Both Sean Bean and Izabella Scorupco turn in good performances, as the villian and Bond's girl respectively.

Director Martin Campbell does a fine job giving Bond a much needed visual make-over. The only drawback in the film comes from the poor score provided by composer Eric Serra (Professional, Le Femme Nikita). Only once in the picture do we get to hear the familiar Bond theme - and in a techno version no less.

Even so, with Brosnan at the helm we can look forward to a Bond renaissance. James Bond has returned.

Copyright (c) 1995 Tony Zidek