Going For GoldenEye film review

by Paul on Mar 26th, 2018

Twenty years … it seems incredible to me that so much time has passed since GoldenEye was released on the Nintendo 64 back in August 1997. Ever since then GoldenEye has enjoyed a permanent position on a lot of people’s “all-time greatest games” lists. For me, and for many others of my age, GoldenEye has and will continue to hold a very dear place in my heart. I know it will sound silly to younger readers who may play it now and wonder what all the fuss was about, but it’s easy to forget just how ground-breaking it was and how cherished it is for so many people; people like Jim Miskell who, when trying to find a way to express his love for GoldenEye, decided to go and make his own movie about it … and what a movie it is!

“Going For GoldenEye” is Jim’s debut feature, and while he professes to having no experience, I was very pleasantly surprised by how polished the whole thing is. Filmed in the mockumentary style that Ricky Gervais popularised back in the early 2000’s with his sitcom “The Office”, “Going For GoldenEye” takes a similar approach and it is something that I can easily imagine being shown on BBC 2 on a Friday night.

We begin by being introduced to Ethan (Daniel Bruce), self-proclaimed expert GoldenEye player who has never been beaten at the (entirely fictional) annual GoldenEye World Championships for the last nineteen years. This event has seen dwindling numbers over the years, so much so that the Championships now take place in the function room of a pub down the road, rather than the swanky stadiums that modern esport tournaments take place in. The film posits that the world has moved on from GoldenEye, save for a few obsessed souls who can’t bring themselves to put down their PP7s, and of whom Ethan is their poster boy. Totally deluded about his standing in the world, Ethan sees himself as a celebrity akin to Premier League footballers, rather than the sad and lonely person he really is. Ethan is on course to win his twentieth title, unless someone can stand up to him and beat him at his own game. That person is believed to be Ben (David Burnip); a 33 year old who still lives at home with his parents, his bedroom full of N64 and Rare merchandise and memorabilia (which I’m quite envious of, it has to be said!). He doesn’t even have a bed, preferring to sleep on a duvet on the floor under his desk. After years spent looking up to Ethan as a hero, but achieving nothing of note himself other than a very impressive video game collection, Ben is finally convinced to sign up to the Championship in an attempt to make something of his life.

What follows is a very funny glimpse into the lives of these people and their friends and family as the camera crew follow them around as they prepare for the Championships, interspersed on the way with interviews with various experts and speaking heads who fill us in on the history of the Championship, as well as providing a running commentary of what transpires as we see Ethan and Ben make their way to the final. It would be easy to assume that the film would only appeal to those who grew up playing GoldenEye, but it’s very entertaining in its own right; you don’t need to be a big fan of GoldenEye or of games in general to enjoy this film. Every character gets at least one laugh-out-loud moment and the story does enough to keep you invested in the outcome, even if you don’t know your Klobbs from your Kirkhope’s and you’re oblivious to all the Rare references (of which there are many).

All of the actors are very impressive. Being a fan-made movie I was worried beforehand that the acting would all be a bit stiff and unnatural, but everyone comes across very well, so much so that about twenty minutes in you could quite easily forget that all this isn’t real. The stand out of the film for me was Clive (Terrence J. Corbett), the organiser of the Championships who steals every scene he’s in and who generates some of the film’s biggest laughs. His reaction once he opens up the banner he’s ordered for the big final is classic, as are his proclamations about Twitch and his tendency to reveal a little bit too much about his personal life.

I came away feeling extremely impressed with “Going For GoldenEye”. For a first-time director with no real desire to make a movie other than to declare his undying love for GoldenEye, Jim shows that he is a natural behind the camera, as well as a gifted writer with a great sense of comedic set up and timing. I truly hope that “Going For GoldenEye” is a massive success; it is certainly deserved. What shines through more than anything else is the love and affection for the game that oozes out of every scene. GoldenEye fans will love it, and will instantly recognise either themselves or someone they know within the cast of characters, and the whole thing leaves you laughing and smiling throughout. People who don’t know about GoldenEye or are not well versed in gaming culture are still in for a very funny hour or so. I would recommend it to anyone and I cannot wait to see it again; for a fan-made movie to make me want to do that, I can think of no higher praise.

“Going For GoldenEye” is available on Blu-ray disc now via its official website.

Our thanks to Jim who kindly provided us with a review copy of the film. We’ve already ordered our own Blu-Ray copy and would readily urge you to do the same!

Categories: Reviews