I'd had the fortune to grow up catching the tail end of the Moore era and being a schoolkid during Dalton, but Brosnan, and especially Goldeneye, are the Bond and movie that I remember being hopelessly excited for.
When I first saw the "New World" trailer for Goldeneye at the cinema, the hairs stood up on my neck. A masterpiece of editing, I knew that not only was Bond coming back, but he was going to be in the hands of an actor who had what it took to carry off the role, not only to the way audiences were accustomed, but to re-style what some were seeing as a dated franchise and carry it screaming into the cynical mid-90s and beyond.
When I went to see Goldeneye on its opening day, having skived off school, and the gunbarrel sequence started up, I was already sold. There was no way Brosnan could fail to run with the ball, and he didn't.
I think Pierce is easily the most "likeable" and personable of the incarnations of 007, the closest in personality to the average man-in-the-street, whilst still maintaing an unattainable air of charm, class and sophistication.
Brosnans physicality was also great, and, as my friends often smile at, I often claim that no Bond looks better at "running-with-a-gun-whilst-wearing-a-suit"
More importantly, Brosnan, more than any of the other actors that have portrayed him, clearly *relishes* being 007 and always looked like he was having an absolute whale of a time throughout his tenure.
The Brosnan films are not neccesarily my favourites of the series, and I find some of them spotty, but one thing I stand adamant on, regardless of whatever was taking place around him. Pierce Brosnan was *always* excellent as 007, standing head and shoulders above the negatives and fully embracing the positives.
Pierce Brosnans contribution to the series was not only enjoyable, but essential, I often feel people give enough credit to the fact that how well he was accepted by the audience in Goldeneye would likely decided whether Bond got solid funding ever again. But by the second reel of the film, it's as if he has been playing 007 for ten years.
Here's to you, Brosnan. You should be deservedly proud of your work as our favourite secret agent.
Invisible car or otherwise.
Edited by WasteOfScotch, 06 November 2012 - 10:01 AM.