1997, directed by Roger Spottiswoode. Written by Bruce Feirstein (based on a character created by Ian Fleming). Produced by Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson. Starring Pierce Brosnan as James Bond. Co-stars Michelle Yeoh, Teri Hatcher, Joe Don Baker, Judi Dench, Desmond Llewelyn ('Q'), Samantha Bond and Jonathan Pryce as Elliot Carver.
GoldenEye was such a successful return for the James Bond series, much was anticipated from this, the second of Pierce Brosnan’s outings as the worlds favourite secret agent.
So perhaps then, it is no surprise that it is a slightly dissapointing addition to the series. Whereas GoldenEye shone like a beacon in an industry so used to making a meal out of the mediocre, Tomorrow Never Dies seems to subscribe to the theory that more can most definetly be less.
It is hard to put a finger on exactly what is wrong with the film. Certainly the players all perform more than adequatley, with only Jonathon Pryce overdoing it as the Bond villain Elliot Carver. Interestingly, it is his over enthusiasm for the role that stands out as one of the more watchable elements of the movie – “exactly how far can he push his next set of lines?”, was one question this reviewer was frequently asking.
And so to the plot. A British warship carrying nuclear warheads is mysteriously sunk near Chinese waters. The Chinese claim the vessel is in fact in their territory, but the GPS signal on board indicates they are some 20 miles from Chinese territory. James Bond is called in to investigate a possible link between the sinking of the H.M.S. Devonshire, and mega-millionaire media baron, Elliot Carver. He has little time to find the sunken ship, and discover the true circumstances surrounding it's sinking to prevent war with China.
It’s an interesting premise for a film, yet one feels that the actual potential friction caused by such an event is never truly exploited. The sense that it is only James Bond that is ever in danger is prevelant here. The rest of the world appears to tick by quite happily.
Teri Hatcher is the love interest here, and her short part in the film is particularly unmemorable. Never has a Bond girl done less, and the conclusion to her part in the film is very welcome. Michelle Yeo takes the reigns from there on in, a Chinese Army agent who accompanies Bond through to the finale of his adventure. She is also prone to bringing him down to earth aswell – the Pussy Galore of the 90’s one might think.
Brosnan is in fine form here, and he seems already to be at home in the James Bond character. His one-liners are well delivered, and the action scenes do not dissapoint – something that can be said about the stunts throughout the entire film actually.
But at the end of the movie, one feels slightly dissapointed. Yes the set pieces are well directed, yes the performances are all above standard, but something is missing – something just does not click.
This is not a bad film by any means, but coming on the back of GoldenEye, and in the light of The World Is Not Enough, it is the least inspiring of the Brosnan trilogy.
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Who's your favourite Bond? Mine's got to be either Sean Connery or Brosnan - both manage to combine the humour and style of the character without appearing too cheesy (ie. Roger Moore!).
Pierce Brosnan returns for his second stint as James Bond (afterGoldenEye) and he's doing ... more
it in high style with an invigorating cast of co-stars. It's only appropriate that a Bond film from 1997 would find Agent 007 pitted against a media mogul (Jonath...
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