The oddest pairing of 007 films yet

Russo Rating: 8/10

Snazzy packaging should certainly help make 007 fans drool over the third collection of James Bond titles release on BluRay. However, even the sleek, gray case doesn’t change the fact that this might be the oddest pairing of 007 films yet.

The World Is Not Enough represented the beginning of the end for the Pierce Brosnan era. After the mammothly successful Goldeneye and Tomorrow Never Dies, James Bond returned for an adventure that included a villain with a bullet in his brain and Denise Richards. Which of these elements was more brain dead is beyond me. Also notable is the retirement of Desmond Llewelyn’s Q, who, thanks to incredibly smart casting, was replaced by John Cleese. Too bad for Cleese though, his short-lived Bond run would only last for one more, terrible picture.

Also included on the disc is perhaps the most bone-headed of the Roger Moore films, Moonraker. The title, which took James Bond into space, tries its best to compete with Star Wars, offering up laser guns and space stations. Too bad it came off as incredibly campy. Of course Jaws returning as a henchmen is a highlight, but his strange love story will likely throw your joy into orbit.

With such lackluster titles, what exactly is the appeal of the third volume of James Bond on BluRay? Why it’s Goldfinger of course! The title that many consider to be the greatest 007 adventure of all time looks incredible in high definition. The film really showed Bond coming into his own with beautiful women, intriguing gadgets, memorable villains and of course, a dry sense of humor. The title alone makes this a must have set, even with the two, bonus clunkers.