GoldenEye (1995)

Pierce Brosnan drives a tank through the streets of St. Petersburg in his first outing as Bond, flattens a row of parked cars, and barely musses his hair. That’s GoldenEye: a reboot built to prove 007 still belongs in a world without the Cold War. Judi Dench’s new M settles the question in one great office scene, calling him a relic to his face. Sean Bean makes a strong villain because he knows all of Bond’s moves, which makes their fights feel personal. The weak spots: the middle sags under satellite jargon, the computer screens look like a 1995 screensaver, and Izabella Scorupco’s Natalya keeps getting kidnapped between her best scenes. Martin Campbell stages the opening dam jump and the tank chase like he’s daring future Bond movies to top them. It made $352.2 million worldwide on a reported $60M. A 7.7 because it brought Bond back with style and only trips on its own techno talk. $739.17 says the first person you mention this movie to starts talking about the video game instead.

What works: Brosnan slides into the tux with ease, Sean Bean is a villain who matches Bond move for move, and the tank chase is a classic.

What doesn’t: The middle bogs down in satellite jargon and dated computer screens, and Natalya spends too much time being captured.

Who it’s for: Anyone who grew up in the nineties and still argues about which Bond was best.