GoldenEye/B, A

US/1995/Color/Widescreen Anamorphic 2.35, P&S or Letterbox/DD 5:1/130 minutes/Directed by Martin Campbell/Starring Pierce Brosnan, Famke Janssen/49 Chaps/Theatrical Trailer/$24.95 

 GoldenEye is a stellar example of the visual virtues of DVD. It is also a disc symptomatic of the problems encountered by new technologies. An audio problem in the disc’s ability to deliver the Dolby Digital 5:1 soundtrack is both a mystery and a major disappointment. GoldenEye, pressed in Japan by MGM, is the only disc I have thus far encountered that provides an introductory menu with a choice for Dolby Digital 2 channel or 5:1. Despite selecting the 5:1 numerous times and in various ways, the GoldenEye DVD plays back as 2 channel matrix sound through my Toshiba 3006 player and Lexicon DC-1 surround processor. I have confirmed reports that the DVD plays perfectly on the new Sony player and the RCA player as well.. Is it the player? Is it the disc? Is it a combination of the two? In the meantime, don’t be surprised if more surprises, both positive and negative, are in store for us from this exciting video medium. Comparing the terrific soundtrack from the laser disc’s 5:1 tracks reveals a major difference in the openness and directionality of the sound.  
 The first half of GoldenEye is vintage Bond, ranking with the very best films in the series. The plotting is reasonable, the pacing excellent, the action scintillating and the characterizations on the money. Like many films these days, the set-up provides the best scripted cinematic moments. With the introduction of 006 as the villain, GoldenEye turns to the chase and ironically loses steam. 
 The casting of Goldeneye is a key ingredient to its success. Pierce Brosnan is the only Connery successor that captures some of the sophistication and charm that the originator of Bond on screen exuded. Brosnan may fall short slightly in the sense of danger woven into Connery’s Bond, but he is consistently credible. Famke Janssen as Onatopp is a great combination of “Bond girl” and henchman. The sense of enjoyment in her performance is infectious. I hope some enterprising director recognizes her potential. In the recent City of Industry, opposite Harvey Keitel, Janssen had a small and mostly wasted presence. She needs something to sink her teeth into. Sean Bean is solid if dour as Bond’s nemesis and Alan Cummings as Boris perhaps crosses the line from light humor into parody. 
 It would be criminal not to mention the fabulous credits sequence with GoldenEye sung by Tina Turner. Imaginatively designed and stunningly filmed, this is the best credit sequence in memory. The visual and sonic qualities are breathtaking.  
 Let’s get to the quality of this picture. I found it nothing short of astounding. The richness in color blew me away. The detail is spectacular and image is consistently film-like(When film is well projected, that is). The laser version of Goldeneye is a terrific disc, but in direct comparisons the virtues of DVD stands out. A rock, steady image is a hallmark of the DVD. Straight edges don’t jump on the DVD as on the laser(A by-product of the use of component output processing in the DVD players).  

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