Ranking Every James Bond Opening Scene From Worst To Best
5. Goldfinger
Goldfinger's opening scene is just classic James Bond.
The scene is practically a microcosm of everything special about the Bond films. It begins with our hero infiltrating a drug lab and planting explosives inside it. Although 007's duck-on-head disguise and grappling hook gun are hilariously dated, his tuxedo under the wetsuit outfit change is just as cool today as it was fifty years ago.
When Bond's explosives detonate, the agent is safely incognito in a nearby nightclub. Sean Connery steals the show from this point on, perfectly encapsulating Bond's suave personality and powerful demeanour without once becoming unconvincing. Connery's cheeky smile at the bombs exploding and rough beating of a henchman are especially memorable moments, and his performance has respectably held the test of time.
007 is taken to the backroom by a beautiful woman (obviously), but as Bond kisses her he notices an attacker in the reflection of her eye, and quickly responds by using the traitorous woman as a human shield. The clever introduction of the henchman in this fight scene is only outmatched by its delightful concluding one-liner; after frying his combatant in a bathtub, Bond simply says "shocking."
The opening scene of Goldfinger has action, excitement, intrigue, sex appeal, and a shining performance from Sean Connery to tie it all together. No other opening scene in Bond history better captures the enduring appeal of 007.