Die Another Day -Thoughts and Reviews-

[B-ball Dude]

I know this doesn't come out for 13 days but some dude on here said it was okay to post a movie thread 12 days before it was released and in a couple hours it will be 12 days until it comes out.



I think it looks very very action packed. I don't think Hally Barry will be very good as a bond girl but I don't care. I am not a huge 007 fan but I will probably see it.


Post your thoughts and reviews in this thread.

[dh1989]

I do not really like Bond films, but this one looks okay. I will see it two weeks after release at a matinee.

[Strider]

I am dying to see Die Another Day! It looks awesome! I'll be there on opening weekend!

Strider

[sleekproductions]

When it comes to movies, there are very few things that satisfy me as much as hearing the words, "Bond, James Bond." It sends chills down my back. I abosultely love the Bond Series. Almost every single bond movie is fabulous, and I have seen almost all of them. And also, Mr. Brosnan is practically tied with Sean Connery as being the best Bond ever.

So when It comes to Die Another Day, I'll be there opening day!

[Tom Samborski]

I want to see it too. The chase on ice looks fantastic, and that asian villian with the weird face looks pretty bad ass too.

[darkface]

I love Pierce. He's the perfect Bond.... James Bond. Plus this movie looks pretty fun, with Halle Berry and that azn dude as one of the villians. I'll definatly be seeing this one in the theater.

[idealdiscountdude]

From my POV, Die Another Day looks to be the best Bond film yet!!

[Scarface98.9]

It's refreshing to see some good ole' spy action done right, as opposed to poor imitations (case in point, XXX w/ a boring-as-can-be hero). If there's one thing we can depend on in the movie industry, it's at the very least an entertaining Bond film every few years :D

[Mike]

http://us.ent4.yimg.com/movies.yahoo.com/images/hv/photo/movie_pix/mgm/die_another_day/halle_berry/die.jpg

The main reason I check out the James Bond movies is for the Bond girls, but I still always wait for video. I've never seen a James Bond movie in theaters because I'm just not a big enough fan of them to see them in theaters. But "Die Another Day" looks like a Bond movie I'd actually consider seeing in theaters. It looks really good, the effects look amazing and Halle Berry looks like a very good Bond girl. She looks sexy and her witty remarks look funny. I love it when the guy says "Who sent you?" and she goes "Your mama." Now the "Your mama" saying may be worn out and lame now but it's actually still funny here. I know I may be the only one but I think Halle Berry will be a good and memorable Bond girl. This looks like it will be an action packed entry into the series and one of the best ones as of late. I'm actually looking forward to this one, it looks surprisingly "fresh" and while most likely I'll be seeing it on video, I'd actually be willing to see it in theaters...

Also, please don't kill me but I actually like the "Die Another Day" song by Madonna, I even like the video, it's just a fun song...

[Moviefan1234]

Lately Bond movies haven't been all that. I'm hoping "Die Another Die" brings back some much needed praise for 007.

[Jason]

I normally don't really care for the 007 series but this one actually looks pretty cool and exciting. I hope it puts XXX to shame.

[Moviefan1234]

007 has class. XXX probably couldn't even spell it.

[idealdiscountdude]

Originally posted by Moviefan1234
007 has class. XXX probably couldn't even spell it.

Haha...well said dude! I couldn't agree with you more!

[Mike]

Originally posted by Moviefan1234
007 has class. XXX probably couldn't even spell it.

I haven't seen XXX yet but I'm sure it could spell Klass---I mean, nevermind... Actually I don't think XXX looks that great, it looks too modern, like it's trying really hard to be hip for the MTV generation. The clothes made me sick, and what was up with that horrible looking funky fur coat?

I'll check out XXX on video for the hell of it, but I don't think it looks that good...

[Nate6]

I love - and I mean love - James Bond films. I liked Goldeneye and The World Is Not Enough but I did not like Tomorrow Never Dies very much. I've read advance buzz on Die Another Day that says it could be the best Bond film since the days of Connery...quite a feat! That said, I'm pumped!

[Invincible]

Originally posted by Strider
I'll be there on opening weekend!

Me 2!:)

[Mike]

Originally posted by Nate6
I've read advance buzz on Die Another Day that says it could be the best Bond film since the days of Connery...

I actually bet it will be...

[James Logan]

Originally posted by Nate6
I love - and I mean love - James Bond films. I liked Goldeneye and The World Is Not Enough but I did not like Tomorrow Never Dies very much. I've read advance buzz on Die Another Day that says it could be the best Bond film since the days of Connery...quite a feat! That said, I'm pumped!

This man just read my mind. :)

[PorcheRacer]

Hmm, Goldenye I didn't like but the TND and TWINE I liked. This movie looks really good. The ice palace, the car, and HALLE BERRE!!!!!!! So, I'll be there next Friday!

[blankpage]

Yes,I am a Bond girl...er I mean Fan. This film does look great.The only thing that worries me is the way it seems to brought up. Like it does look like a fun ride,but there's something aobut that I am not sure about. But besides that,I'm there,I won't be square...and I will be shakened,and not stirred.

Bring the Bond!

[Nate6]

Two positive reviews (BBC-5/5; CommanderBond.net-4/5) here (http://www.commanderbond.net/index.cgi?action=Category&CID=223) courtesy of my good buddy APZombie!

I can't wait, I'm so excited!!

[The1TrueFrog]

All the 007 films are as much the same as the Swarzeneggar films -- but they are still entertaining :)

[Moviefan1234]

I look forward to seeing an advanced review. :)

[Mike]

So far most of the reviews have been pretty good, Joblo gave it a 7/10 too. I'm sure it will be a fun Bond movie, it sure looks fun and action packed...

[dellamorte dellamore]

For me James Bond died after Moonraker. That was the pinnacle of the franchise, everything came together in the Bond universe simultaneously, and it hasn't been the same since.


I never even gave the women in the Bond films a second thought, i always thought they were the weakest element of the franchise. The couple of clips i've seen with HB dispatching some baddies was laughable, she's not at all believable, not even in this fantastical universe.


The only thing that would get me interested in this tired franchise again, would be to feature someone with actual brooding charisma in the lead, Clive Owen. If not, i just can't get excited about these recent middling efforts.

[dh1989]

I am seeing this at 4:00 PM EST today. I look forward to some great effects, action, and a kick-ass Bond film. I will tell you if the film delivers.....

[bskutle]

I'm still not a huge fan of Madonna's theme song (it just doesn't feel like a Bond song; kudos though for creating a fantastic title sequence to go with the techno flow), but this is Pierce Brosnan's best James Bond yet. Don't worry about plot; you'll get it as the film goes on. What Bond is about is globe-trotting espionage (check), international villains (check in Toby Stephens and Rick Yune), babe bombshells (check in Oscar-winner Halle ("Best...Bond Girl...Ever") Berry's Jinx and Rosamund ("I want to see more of her") Pike's Miranda Frost), and blazing action sequences, too numerous- and thrilling- to spoil here. The point is, it's business as usual for 007- for the most part, with director Lee Tamahori ("Along Came a Spider," "Once Were Warriors") helming the 20th Bond thriller in 40 years with energy and enthusiasm that seemed missing in the last one, "The World is Not Enough." Works for me. "XXX" has the Bond formula, action, and the hip star in Vin Diesel, but it'll always be behind Double 0-7 in one area- cool. No movie spy is cooler than James Bond. No one ever will be.

[dh1989]

http://us.ent4.yimg.com/movies.yahoo.com/images/hv/photo/movie_pix/mgm/die_another_day/pierce_brosnan/die4.jpg

Rating: 3/10

What a horrible film! First, I am a semi-Bond fan. I like some of the films, but I do not follow them religously and I downright hate a lot of the films in the series. As for this one, I thought it looked pretty good. The trailers promised some good fun and some good action. I was weeping at my misconception after seeing the actual film. The acting...well.....was horrible. Pierce Brosnan, my second favorite Bond after Dalton, is just too old for the role. No longer does he ooze charm. He is not suave. Now he seems like a dirty old man hitting on young woman and clunking through the film. Halle Berry was wasted. For a talented Oscar winning actress, the writer screwed her over. Every line she says is cliched, the worst ones were....

Zao: Who sent you?!

Jinx(Berry): Your Momma!

***

(While contending with hot lasers)

Jinx: James! A little help here? If one of these hits me, I'll be half the girl I used to be!

***

Jinx(before we know what she is talking about): James, leave it in. I love it.

James: it has to come out sometime.

(We later find out she has something in her belly button. I will tell what it is later in the review)

***

Jinx: I know I left you in a.... explosive situation, but you are a big boy!

Now can anyone say that line deserves even a mention. Berry was good, but her role was ruined by bad writing. Rick Yune, who plays the evil henchman who has no conscience, has good make-up, it is just sad Yune cannot act to back it up. He was reciting his lines with no heart in it. I felt he was itching to cash that check. And Toby Stephens at the mastermind villian was weird. He was barely a villian for most of the film, just a rich asswipe looking for press. And his so-called super weapon of destruction was just another cheap thing in this film and caused some sad effects. Judi Dench was wasted. 'Nuff said on that subject. Now John Cleese was hilarious. Wonderful performance, too bad Bond acted like an asshole in his scene with Cleese's Q. As for action. I wish I could tell you it was amazing and exciting. I really do, but I cannot. Alas, it was just another bad thing in this dreadful picture. The action scenes were overlong and choppily edited. There was no tension. And there were so many quick-cuts, you could not even follow the action. The one fun action scene, Jink and Bond Vs. some crazy lasers, was too short. And beware of an ice surfing scene late in the film. It has some of the most dreadful greenscreen effects in film history. Can anyone say "cut & paste"? Madonna's song was really weird and hurt my ears and it made the overlong opening credits even worse. I thought they'd never end. The whole film was full of stupid stuff. Oh how sweet! Bond and Jinx found a cute little cabin with a helicopter and she is pleasured by diamonds in her belly button area. If you just said "WHAT?!", I can say one thing. It is true. I am not going to write anymore, I am just going to say one thing: keep far away from this film, if you want to live and die another day. If you are planning to venture out to the theatre this weekend, do yourself a favor buy tickets for Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets or The Ring or The Emperor's Club. Just don't see this film, which may be the death of Bond....James Bond.

[Screenwriter]

Did you say that Pierce is your second favorite bond after Dalton? Ewwww! No wonder why you hate the films! Dalton is your favorite bond and that's just wrong! The Bond series has had a couple of downfalls but you can't blame them all! The old bond films mostly came out in the 60's and 70's and back then, the stuff they used in the Bond films was considered.....sweet. Now, they are considered cheesy or just sweet. I love the bond franchise and I found D.A.D to be an awesome Bond sequel. It was fun and better than most of those bond movies. I just can't stop thinking that Dalton is your favorite bond! :eek:

[daredevil0214]

i went in with pretty low expectations, since i completely hated the last two. tomorrow never dies, it started off well and had potential but i just wasn't feeling that one. and the world is not enough. could producers have been any stupider! denise richards was just eye candy, she was a terrible bond girl! the only thing good about that movie was the theme song!:p

anyway. die another day revives bond (for me) just as goldeneye did. the one liners were great. it was just nonstop action packed and it was so incredible up until this one scene (parachutes and surfing) that was just unbelievable and totally unrealistic and kinda ruined it for a bit. but after that the movie quickened pace and it was just PUNCH PUNCH and BANG BANG and POW! hahaha and it was funnier as well! the dialogue was snappy, sophisticated, and at times hilarious. and being that i am a korean i found the korean dialogues and accents pretty amusing. hahahaha. anyway.

CHECK THIS SHIT OUT BABY CUZ ITS ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC!

***1/2

though not alllllll flawless, it was kinda short on a story and was a bit confusing at parts but maybe thats just mee. hahaha moneypenny! hahahaha!

[sleekproductions]

(Working On Review...)

[therealjohng]

Do you think the title "Die Another Day" is reffering to the Bond franchise?

SInce the last two weren't all that great, do you suppsoe that the person who named the movie was telling moviegoers that this franchise isn't going to die?

By the way the movie sucked (5/10)

[FilmBuff84]

This film opens on December 12 over in here in Australia and I can't wait. I have always been a Bond fan and this one is shaping up to look pretty good. Pierce Brosnan has definitely done well in the role. The theme song is certainly different and I don't mind it on its own but it'll be interesting to see how it fits in with the opening sequence, but what I have been reading is that it doesn't suit the film at all. This film look sto have a very good cast, I think Rick Yune as Zao looks awesome and as for the Bond girls, they have certainly chosen two hot looking gals. Halle Berry, who from what I have read sounds like a walking sexual innuendo, looks like she'll do her part justice and Rosamund Pike is a lot cuter and hotter than I initially thought. She has a cute face and I have heard that the fencing scene between the two is cool.

I have a question though - who is the bad Bond girl?
I originally thought it was gonna be Halle Berry, but then I heard she was another agent and she ends up with Bond, and I read that Miranda Frost is working with the bad guys but helps Bond. I was just wondering which is the bad bond girl who gets killed, eventually. I realise this will be a spoiler but i'm curious.

[TheMovieMinor]

After seeing Goldeneye, I was happy with the films. Then they had the okay Tomorrow never dies, and world is not enough.
By the way doesnt these titles sound familiar "Tomorrow never dies," and "Die Another Day." They just switched out never and anohter.
Anyways film was excellent finally, 9/10.

one problem, tell me what this is:

http://i.imdb.com/Photos/CMSIcons/N/000/00/92/Headshot.gif
How was this guy R in the last couple films, and then turned into Q in die another day. Wasn't Q the man below (he past away), but still?
http://i.imdb.com/Photos/CMSIcons/N/000/00/92/Headshot.gif
http://i.imdb.com/Photos/Events/0707-the/llewelyn.des

[dh1989]

Originally posted by TheMovieMinor

http://i.imdb.com/Photos/Events/0707-the/llewelyn.des


That is Desmond Llewelyn. He passed away on 12/19/99 shortly after the release of The World Is Not Enough. He was amazing and I miss him, but John Cleese was a worthy replacement.

[TheMovieMinor]

Originally posted by dh1989
That is Desmond Llewelyn. He passed away on 12/19/99 shortly after the release of The World Is Not Enough. He was amazing and I miss him, but John Cleese was a worthy replacement.

I know that. But why did John Cleese change from R to Q. Why doesnt he just stay with R, since they mentioned him as R in the last couple films, and in the video games.

[bob]

I still really want to see this movie.

I'm afraid I can't take dellamorte's opinion very seriously because, well, he/she liked MOONRAKER.

I'm afraid I can't take dh1989's review very seriously because, well, he/she, liked Dalton.

[dh1989]

Dalton made Bond darker and edgier. He made him more interesting. Moore was just an airhead trying to make James witty and laid-back. Dalton is Fleming's Bond.

1. Dalton
http://www.jamesbondmm.co.uk/007/timothydalton/timothylarge.jpg

2. Lazenby
http://www.jamesbondmm.co.uk/007/georgelazenby/georgelarge.jpg

3. Brosnan(I know I said second, but after DAD, I lost some respect for him)
http://www.jamesbondmm.co.uk/007/piercebrosnan/piercelarge.jpg

4. Connery
http://www.jamesbondmm.co.uk/007/seanconnery/seanlarge.jpg

5. Moore
http://www.jamesbondmm.co.uk/007/rogermoore/rogerlarge.jpg

And the best Bond films is.....The Living Daylights. The worst was.... Octopussy.

Thanks to James Bond Multimedia(http://www.jamesbondmm.co.uk/index.html) for the photos of the many Bonds through time.

[ClarkGriswald]

Whoa now. Dalton as number one? Yeap, just as I thought. Disillusionment. :p Just kidding. I'd rank mine - Connery (from DR NO to THUNDERBALL), Brosnan, Lazenby (he had one of THE best films in the series), Dalton (sorry but he was great in TLD but a bomb in LTK), then Moore (only was good in FYEO and TSWLM). Here's my review. Granted I plan to expand it for CommanderBond.Net but you get the idea. Oh, that title needs work too. ("Voices" is a #1 nationally ranked teen mag I do reviews for...thus that is why I have that tag on there.)

ANOTHER BOND-ING EXPERIENCE EXUBERATES FROM “DIE ANOTHER DAY”
By Jerrold Reber
Voices Correspondent
Forty years and twenty movies, that’s quite a feat for a durable film series like the Bond franchise. Now he’s back and bigger than ever in “Die Another Day,” a Bond film that’s meant to bring the franchise into the 21st century.
Mr. Bond, welcome to the new millennium. With two Oscar-winning actresses at your side, a near-flawless script, and some of the most spectacular CGI effects and stunts of the series, you have definitely returned to the top of the spy genre. Austin Powers and Xander Cage don’t even come close.
In the pre-titles Bond enters North Korea to eliminate a rising colonel with a thirst to merge the two Koreas into one. Bond passes his mission, but not before his father, the general, captures him. Fourteen grueling months pass. Bond is finally released, but only because ‘M’ is under the impression that he cracked under the tortures of the Korean officials.
Bond has been set up, betrayed by someone from inside MI6. Now his mission is to find the traitor, while along the way meeting up with the saucy Halle Berry, being brought back to MI6 after his own investigation returns him to London, and follow a new entrepreneur, Gustav Graves, and find out what he’s really up to.
This is one shocking film in terms of plot and violence. The plot diverts at many points, but in the end it all ties together as all Bond films do. Neal Purvis and Robert Wade, in their first solo script effort for the series, have crafted a script that is thrilling, a bit too amusing, and a treat to sit though. Sure, the film is 132 minutes long, but the time just flies by. You’ll be too enthralled to even care.
CGI work is very heavy this time around. Most of the time you’ll find yourself admiring the effects – they are undeniably some of the best the franchise has had. However, there are some scenes that have some choppy unprofessional work. The CGI could have some work done to it, but that aspect doesn't drag the film down too much.
I was worried that both Halle Berry and Rosamund Pike would both fail in their Bond girl roles. Was I wrong! Berry is more than adequete as Bond’s opposite in the NSA. She’s smart, sassy, and one of the more durable girls in the franchise. Pike also plays her role very true to her name – cold and heartless. Pike is a girl with a heart of cold.
There are so many things to discuss – the villains by Rick Yune and Toby Stephens (they are definitely unforgettable), the infallible score by David Arnold (the best score in over 25 years), the excellent editing by Christian Wagner (“Spy Game”) and cinematography by David Tattersall (“Attack of the Clones”), plus the overall feeling that you’re watching a movie that is a direct homage to the days of Sean Connery and when he played the suave secret agent.
Sean Connery has met his equal in Pierce Brosnan. Brosnan plays Bond with elegance and charm. He commands soldiers with authority, releases an aurora of tenderness to Miranda Frost, conquests Jinx with his entire sexual prowess, thrills the audience in all his action pieces, and just makes you laugh at his witty banter.
Pierce Brosnan has finally become James Bond. This is the way Bond was meant to be – a human in all aspects, except for occasional ridiculous stunts.
Ian Fleming can finally rest in peace. His creation has survived to the 21st century. Now what’s left to see is what Bond can do for the next twenty adventures.

[Gregorious8]

Well I'm checking this movie out tonight, & can't wait to have some fun. My order of bonds would go like this; Brosnan, Connery, Moore, Lazenby, Dalton.

[dellamorte dellamore]

Dalton - Wooden


Brosnan - too much of a pretty boy to apear menacing


Lazenby - did what he could with his one shot , maybe would have been excellent if given more



Connery - i liked him originally until i saw NSNA , then i realized he's overrated


Moore - the perfect blend of intelligence, wit , charisma , and good looks.


Moonraker - the best bond that combined all the effective elements from all the previous incarnations. The set design and fx are still amazing 22 years later , and i feel the threat that Drax posed is even more relevant today, a brilliant psychotic trying to wipe out humanity with poisonous gas. It's funny how much people hate this film but for some reason everyone tries to recreate the amazing opening sequence ( see the cheesy CGI disastere in the opening of Charlies Angels ), it's one of the most effective action sequences ever filmed. The scenes in space are terrific, the boat chase on the amazon is great, the locales , the story , Moore's performance are all top notch. Plus i love the subtext of how trgic love is and the dangers of perfectionism. Plus Jaws is the best Bond villian too.

[blankpage]

Well after seeing the great Octopussy I am ready for another dose of Bond, James Bond. Wich I should be seeing tomorrow.

[jeff1prime]

Die Another Day was most excellent.

I felt that TWINE was a complete bore, with weak villains to boot. This movie is definitely a return to the "Roger Moore Era," of cartoon craziness, but I enjoyed it immensly.

And by the way, Timothy Dalton kicks ass. Too bad he didn't do another one.

[Tom Samborski]

I'm back from seeing Die Another Day, and despite its flaws, I was impressed.

The action scenes were awesome, and I absolutley loved the car chases, man would I really want a car like the one James Bond drives in the film. But there were some flaws. There was one really cheesy CGI sequence that was hillarious. When the rocket car falls of the ice cliff, it looks like a pen attatched to a string! I also didn't really like the theme song by Madonna, and Hallie Berry was pretty bad too. There were also a few action scenes near the end which went a little too over the top. But there were a lot of kick-ass action scenes which made up for the problems.


Rating: 7.5/10 (B)

[James Logan]

I'll post more about my thoughts in the WHAT DID YOU THINK? forum, but here's overall what I thought:

-- DIE ANOTHER DAY is a very good Bond movie. If you like Bond, you'll like it, cuz it's more or less Bond as usual (the beginning being a little more original than the others, for which I thank the filmmakers). The Bond girls are sexy, the bad guys are bad, the action scenes are fun (slightly over the top, à la MOONRAKER), the dialogue is witty...

-- Two things that disappointed me: the film ran slightly too long, and one action scene (you'll recognize it) had very, very, very bad special effects. Horrible effects, actually. Don't understand how they could keep it in the flick.

That said, more in the proper forum.... ;)

8/10

[James Logan]

Originally posted by dh1989


1. Dalton
http://www.jamesbondmm.co.uk/007/timothydalton/timothylarge.jpg

2. Lazenby
http://www.jamesbondmm.co.uk/007/georgelazenby/georgelarge.jpg


Well, Dh, your two favorite Bond's are the ones most fans (including me) like the less...I get you just don't get the BondJamesBond thing, huh? ;)

[daredevil0214]

Originally posted by TheMovieMinor
I know that. But why did John Cleese change from R to Q. Why doesnt he just stay with R, since they mentioned him as R in the last couple films, and in the video games.

well didnt they introduce him in the world is not enough as Q, R's apprentice or something like that?

[dh1989]

Originally posted by James Logan
Well, Dh, your two favorite Bond's are the ones most fans (including me) like the less...I get you just don't get the BondJamesBond thing, huh? ;)

No. I just like more serious Bonds. And if you go to a James Bond message board, many people say Dalton was underrated. Dalton's performance in License To Kill was amazing. That was a dark Bond. It was Fleming's Bond and that jerk Brosnan called him "wooden"...

[Screenwriter]

Originally posted by daredevil0214
well didnt they introduce him in the world is not enough as Q, R's apprentice or something like that?

The guy who played Q, it was his last movie. I read some where that the guy who played Q wanted to retire so they brought in R. R was learning from Q. Go and watch TWINE again, you'll see what I mean.

[DieHardBruceFan]

I grew up on the Roger Moore Bonds and I'll always have fond memories of seeing those films, but Pierce Brosnan is the absolute best Bond of them all. He may not have been in the best 007 movies, but he is by far the best actor of the bunch. Don't get me wrong, Sean Connery is a terrific actor and he is many people's favorite Bond, but Brosnan just hits every note perfectly in his films and knows exactly how to play every angle of this character. His timing is impecable.

I consider DIE ANOTHER DAY to be one of the best Bond film EVER!
Of course it is flawed, but all Bond films are flawed in some way. DAD had the best production values of any bond film (minus the cheesey CGI scene that Jo Blo talks about), and Pierce is fantastic this time around. A truely remarkable performance. In DAD I also enjoyed all the references to other Bond films-very cool.

DIE ANOTHER DAY kicked ass on every level. Sure the Madonna song doesn't fit the mood of the opening credits, by the way I though her cameo was just fine-not bad, but there have been far worse Bond themes. This film hit emotional levels that other Bond films have not.

DAD: A-

[bob]

I think that dh1989 is right: Dalton is Fleming's Bond.

However, that doesn't mean I like Dalton. Dalton and Moore, the two worst Bonds(IMO), can be seen as examples of what happens when the filmmakers concentrate too much on one aspect of Bond.

Moore: A complete jester. You never believed he could be tough enough to beat down some crooks.

Dalton: A British Schwarzenegger. Although he looked like he could kick you ass, you couldn't believe he was good with ladies, or that he could work his way into a secret hideout without killing twenty guys on his way in.

Connery and Brosnan are perfect in the role, and Lazenby would have been if he didn't look so damn uncomfortable all the time.

RE: Q and R. Q, played by Desmond Llewylen(sp.), introduced R, played by John Cleese, in TWINE. Q talked to Bond about his escape plan before leaving. Then, in the real world, Desmond died. Hence, Q retired, and R became Q. "Q" is a title, not a person. Big fans of "From Russia With Love" will know that Desmond's character is named Major Boothroyd.

[anakinsrise]

Scale of 1-10 a hard 9. In short the best 007 since Bond was played by Sean!! THE G00D!! One of the most appealing things about the past 2 Bond films,displaying Bond as a vulnerable,and human character,something we have not seen since On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969),in which Bonds wife is murdered.In World Is Not Enough, The (1999) Bond breaks his arm,and is seduced ,falls for and betrayed by(Sophie Marceau)Elektra King.And now in Die Another Day,Bond is betrayed,abandoned,and disavowed.We are given some very colorful villains,ZAO(Rick Yune),and (Toby Stephens ) Gustav Graves.Bond partners up with his american equal,Jinx played by Halle Berry.who is breeathtaking,beautiful and very capable.I mean the woman even made some ladies in the audience cheer!! Look at this ladys lips umong her other assets,and see if your heart doesnt skip a few beats.Rumor has it her character will receive her own series of films.Uhmm can i buy my ticket now!!?? Of course we are given the usual sexual barbs,and one liners,but they are coupled ,with a one of a kind car chase,laser fights,sword fights,high spirited love scenes,and a big helping of humor,especially the scene shared by,Brosnan and John Cleese as Q. THE BAD I must admit the bad CGI,in this film sticks out like a sore thumb ,so much so the audience and i had to laugh at it.It amazes me how some scenes look so polished while others looked terrible.Uhmm next time guys look up a guy named,George Lucas,and his wonderful team at ILM!! PLEASE??.And what was my boy Michael Madsen doing in this movie??I mean i love his work in Reservoir Dogs (1992) and Species (1995) but it seems he was sleeping during his scenes here.Which brings me to Madonna,who for her 3 minute screen time is annoying as hell,and sadly looking every bit of her 44 years.I did like her opening title song though. All in all a fun ,sexy,smart Bond film!!

[max]

Leave after the opening credits and demand a refund, I say.

[EDsoulsurvive*]

being a huge fan of the most recent Bond movie, The World is Not Enough, i was expecting a great time from this movie. My expectations were fulfilled, but that's it. i got great bond action, a great bond chick (Halle Berry), a great performance from Mr. Brosnan, but as a whole, this movie did not really make sense and was a little too far-fetched and hard to follow for my liking. Im not a stupid movie-goer, but half-way through the movie, i was just thinking "wow, im so lost". despite that, i still had a great time - 7/10.

[Puck Bond]

Die Another Day...the 20th official James Bond film is an entertaining thrill ride full of great action, amazing stunts, cool one-liners, sexy women, and dastardly villains, basically everything a James Bond movie should be. Direted by Lee Tamahori with the title song sung by Madonna(who also make an interesting appearance in the film). The opening scene features Bond trying to assassinate a renegade colonel in North Korea that ends with a spectatcular chase on hovercrafts and leads to Bond's capture and imprisonment for 14 months! Bond has been left to rot, forgotten by his organization and he is angry because he was set up. Soon he's on the trail of Zao played by Rick Yune who is caught up with daredevil rags to riches playboy Gustav Graves played by Toby Stephens, who has created a powerul satellite capable of reproducing the sun's energy and power for sunlight at night and "other things". Rosamund Pike plays sexy double agent and world class fencer Miranda Frost. Ahhhh a Bond plot featuring a space weapon and world domination is all too familiar...but the action and the fun of this movie make it work. Bond also teams up with NSA agent Jinx played by Halle Berry who has a sexy introduction to the film and is an homage to Ursula Andress' intro in Dr. No. That is also another great thing about this Bond flm is that it can play with the 40 year history of Bond and subtle in-jokes are great especially for somebody like me(a Bond fanatic) like the jet-pack that was used in Thunderball or the shoe with the poisoned spike that was seen in From Russia with Love. As I said the action is great...the opening scene, an intense fencing match that turns into a bloody sword fight, spectacular chases and fights in and around an Ice-Palace with some ulta-cool lasers, an over the top surfing on a glacial wave scene(yeah it did look fake)...and a stunning fight aboard a disentegrating and fiery airplane. There is also a couple of great bits with virtual reality with a hilarious conclusion involving a Moneypenny fantasy. Overal Die Another Day is a spectacular, fun, entertaining Bond film that features everything a Bond film should and is probably Brosnan's 2nd best behind GoldenEye.

[idealdiscountdude]

I got to see Die Another Day last night and I must say that I enjoyed it immensely.

I am far from a Bond film expert, but I must say that Die Another Day is the second best Bond film ever made. (The best being Goldfinger.)

Die Another Day is an adrenaline rush from start to finish.
The action sequences (save one...you guys all know which one I'm talking about!) are bigger and better than any of those from past Bond films. The hovercraft chase, the car chase through the melting ice hotel, and the amazingly orchestrated duel scene were excellent.

Brosnan as Bond has still got it. The martini drinking, womanizing, ass kicking super spy is better than ever.

Halle Berry's Bond Girl Jinx, is the hottest, coolest , Bond girl since Ursula Andress.

For all its fun, Die Another Day has its debits. I found that it was a bit overlong, the villains were a little too cartoonish for my liking, and the visual effects, in one particular scene were atrociously bad.

Anywho, those few problems did not hinder me from liking the film. Die Another Day is popcorn entertainment at its very goodest.

B+

[dh1989]

Originally posted by max
Leave after the opening credits and demand a refund, I say.

That is exactly, what I should've done!

[Tyler_Durden_208]

Just got back from watching it a second time. Now I can truly rate this as a 10/10. The second time watching the movie time flew by cause I was having so much fun. Rob Cohen (XXX) should watch DAD very closely and see how the real spies play.

[thompsoncory]

Die Another Day was a very good movie. Very-action packed (especially the rocket car scene and a few others I won't give away), and Brosnan and Berry were a great Bond duo. Overall, I'd give it an 8.5/10

[James Logan]

Originally posted by dh1989
It was Fleming's Bond and that jerk Brosnan called him "wooden"...

He WAS wooden.
Of course in the spirit he was closer to Fleming's Bond. But that's not the Bond of the movies -- and he should have known that. Fleming's Bond wouldn't have made such an original, larger-than-life movie character.

[robk]

Originally posted by James Logan
He WAS wooden.
Of course in the spirit he was closer to Fleming's Bond. But that's not the Bond of the movies -- and he should have known that. Fleming's Bond wouldn't have made such an original, larger-than-life movie character.

Although I agree that Dalton was wooden(probably the most unlikable hero in screen history), I've heard from more than a couple of people that Moore's Bond was the closest to Fleming.
So, which is it?

[dh1989]

Roger Moore was the farthest from capturing the spirit of Fleming's Bond.

[bob]

I agree with dh1989, Moore was the farthest away. If that was what Fleming wanted, he deserved to have his name on Moonraker.

[malcolm1980]

DIE ANOTHER DAY
Cast: Pierce Brosnan, Halle Berry, Toby Stephens, Rosamund Pike, John Cleese, Judi Dench, Rick Yune, Emilio Echievarra, Madonna.
Dir: Lee Tamahori

Technically well-made but oddly uninvolving Bond entry. All the attempts at humor fall flat. The action scenes are well-made but most of them aren't very exciting to say the least. Berry makes a good Bond girl though.

Oscar Prospects: Art Direction is a long-shot. Has a shot at Visual Effects, Sound and Sound Editing.

Grade: C

[James Logan]

Originally posted by dh1989
Roger Moore was the farthest from capturing the spirit of Fleming's Bond.

On this we agree. Moore was just too...kitsch. Too Simon Templar-ish, too groovy 60s compared to Fleming's original Bond. Still, he made a great movie Bond.

[blankpage]

This is a great James Bond flick. It has the women, cars, and everything. It is well a true Bond film. Many inside things that got somewhat annoying but kind of a treat. Some of the effects were pretty corny like one scene, ahem ahem. I will try and post a bigger review tomorrow. But a good Bond flick.

8/10

[bob]

**SPOILERS THROUGHOUT**

Die Another Day-B+

This movie was the coolest Bond since...Goldeneye. But that was the coolest since Thunderball, so it's all good. This movies PROS:
-Brosnan IS Bond
-The villains and the evil chick are good
-said evil chick is hot
-The fight between Jinx and Frost(is it just me, or does the black chick always kick the white chick's ass?)
-Generally well-made

CONS:
-Madonna's theme song
-Madonna's cameo
-Jinx did too much(Bond is with Frost, and Jinx is infiltrating the hideout...hmm)


PLOT HOLES:
Wouldn't it have been pretty easy to just fire, like, 500 missiles at Icarus?

This is an awesome movie. Brosnan basically just exists as Bond now, and John Cleese is really funny as Q. I liked to see all the old relics from Bond movies past, especially the rebreather from Thunderball. However, there were some small complaints: The opening, however powerful, was off-putting(Bond is tortured...what?), and the song sucked. Also, Jinx was poorly written(did she say "yo mama", or am I going crackers). One thing I would have really liked is to see Rosamund Pike play the good girl(she's hotter...who said that?), and Halle Berry play the bad girl. As for the CGI, it was spotless except the glacier surfing scene, and anybody who saw Spider-Man knows that CGI is nothing to bitch about.

Overall, highly enjoyable experience.

Yeah, I quoted Jo himself on the Rosamund Pike subject.

P.S. end scene was weak, end with a bang or something funny next time.

[ClarkGriswald]

Originally posted by dh1989
Roger Moore was the farthest from capturing the spirit of Fleming's Bond.

Here here, we agree!! To be honest, none of the five actors are even close to how Fleming wrote Bond. Connery was close, Lazenby was the closest, but after that, nill. I adore Gardner and Benson; they've had great runs. Here's to another twenty-five years of Bond.

[robk]

Die Another Day was great.
Brosnan was terrific as ever & Halle Berry was a great match for him.
One scene I LOVED was when Q is showing 007 his new car. Q then says, "As I learned from my predecessor, I never joke about my work." That line was a great, loving tribute to the late, great Desmond Llewelyn.

[HollyGoKimsy]

I thought "Die Another Day" was fun. And no, I didn't waste my time on "xXx" (how Vin Diesel signed his contract). I agree with the points that the CGI in some scenes looked weak, but how often do you see actual fencing choreography during a movie? That was the best part!

And OK, so the car was a bit much. But at least now I know how Wonder Woman's invisible jet always flew even though you could see her in it!

I had passed on seeing the last few Bonds in the theater. After the one with Denise Richards as a nuclear physicist (exactly how far AM I supposed to extend disbelief), I think Berry did just fine.

As far as Brosnan, I can buy into him as Bond. And it seems that this script was a bit better than the others.

I don't normally like action films (I think the only other one I liked this year was "The Bourne Identity"), but I gave this one a solid three stars (out of 4).

[Strider]

Die Another Day (2002)

Rated PG-13 for Action Violence and Sexuality

Director: Lee Tamahori

Starring Pierce Brosnan, Halle Berry, Toby Stephens, Rick Yune, Rosamund Pike, John Cleese, with Michael Madsen, and Judi Dench.

http://i.imdb.com/Photos/Ss/0246460/au2_13s.jpg

"From Hong Kong, Cuba, and London... James Bond (Pierce Brosnan) meets up with the two ladies who are to play such important and differing roles in his quest to unmask a traitor and to prevent a war of catastrophic consequence."


The James Bond series is the longest running movie franchise in the history of cinema, and with the 20th installment, "Die Another Day", we are introduced to another grand adventure of the secret agent who beds many women, who loves his martini's shaken not stirred, who uses the most amazing gadgets, has a license to kill, and is just a truly wonderful character, the one and only... James Bond.

Pierce Brosnan returns again for the fourth time as everyone's favorite secret agent, and he's never been better as the character. In this film, Brosnan finally shows how comfortable he is with playing this character now, and that he has loved every single minute of these movies. Brosnan is a great Bond. He has the seriousness Sean Connery had, and he has the wonderful charm, charisma, wit, and personality Roger Moore had. Plus, Brosnan adds his own darker, meaner, tougher, and edgier touch to Bond. Again, Brosnan is a great Bond, and I hope he continues to play the character as long as he possibly can.

On the acting front, Brosnan has a strong supporting cast. Halle Berry, the winner of last year's Best Actress oscar for "Monster's Ball" is the new Bond girl, "Jinx". And I thought Berry was great. She's one of the best and most memorable Bond girls in quite a while. Berry shares a solid chemistry with Brosnan, and has lots of charm, charisma, and wit. Also, starring in this film, are two newcomers by names of Toby Stephens and Rosamund Pike. Stephens plays the new Bond villian, "Gustav Graves", and Pike plays a mysterious woman known as "Miranda Frost". Both deliver solid performances. Surprisingly, for being newcomers, they hold their own against a few veteran actors. (i.e. Pierce Brosnan and Halle Berry)

This time around, in the director's chair, is Lee Tamahori. At first, when I heard he was going to be helming the next James Bond movie, I found him to be a very unusual choice. Now, I have not seen a lot of his work, but I do know of all the films he has directed. And personally, it did not seem like a James Bond movie was meant for Lee Tamahori. However, my doubts were proven wrong. Tamahori does a great job, and shows he knew exactly what he doing from day one.

Finally, I want to comment on how much I loved the script by Neal Purvis and Robert Wade. I know there are many critics who have complained that the story is just plain stupid, but I disagree wholeheartedly. I thought the script was just brilliant! The story is brilliant for it puts James Bond in a situation he's never been before, and it's a great twist. In my opinion, this is one of the best James Bond stories.

"Die Another Day" is a great film, and without a doubt, one of the best James Bond movies ever made. The movie is wonderfully energetic, exciting, and entertaining. I loved this movie, it delivers on every single level, and showed me a truly great time.

Most critics have been saying that it's time for this franchise to go, but they really have no idea as to what they're saying. Whether they like it or not, the James Bond franchise is as popular as ever, and it's going absolutely nowhere. It's going to be around for quite some time, and "Die Another Day" announces this through the film itself loud and clear.

Running Time: 2 hours 7 minutes

Grade: 9/10 or **** 1/2 out of ***** stars

Strider

[dellamorte dellamore]

I don't know how someone can say that a certain actor played Bond closer to Fleming's vision. It's all about interpertation and expectation. Moore is my favorite because he's the one i grew up with and at the time i hadn't read any of the novels, his take on 007 is the one i identify with.



He gave Bond a lighthearted edge that made him more realistic than the monotone, stoic creations of Connery's and Dalton's. Lazenby didn't have enough time to make the role his own, and Brosnan is just too pretty to be believable at all.


The golden age of Bond for me was Man with Golden Gun( Scaramanga was one of the best bad guys ), Spy ( terrific underwater action scenes, and that tanker sequence was amazing), and Moonraker( everything from the music( best ever in a bond film) to the special effects( the battle in space is still rousing) were perfection.


I have yet to see a Bond film with Brosnan, for me the series is dead. I know it's still making money, but when Madonna gets tapped to do the theme song, i know it's definitely time to write the series obituary.

[Jason]

I have yet to see the new Bond film but I am glad that it is doing so well. Also, this series is MGM's only real hope now from going bankrupt(lol). Suprisingly though, they still showed respect for Bond by making its budget at $142 million! But due to its success it looks like the company will live to Die Another Day.

[dh1989]

142 Million?! Where did they waste it all? Not on the effects, sets, or anything. They should have used it to get a talented writer, cast, and crew.

[thebloodfeaster]

All of the Pierce Brosnan Bonds have been very forgettable, and Die Another Day is no exception. Goldeneye is the only one with any real staying power at all. It's no fault of Brosnan's... I think he makes a great Bond, it's just the movies themselves are not memorable. The only good things about Die Another Day was the really well done title sequence, and the constant hoping that Halle Barry and that Frost chick would end up in a lesbian sex scene together.

[ClarkGriswald]

Originally posted by dh1989
142 Million?! Where did they waste it all? Not on the effects, sets, or anything. They should have used it to get a talented writer, cast, and crew.

The actual budget is a modest $124 mil - modest because much of it was spent on cross promotional items such as Sony, Norelco, Ford (who donated all cars in the film for free), and so on and so forth. The budget also includes promotions with Best Buy and Circuit City I believe. The sets were massive (the Ice Palace is the largest set piece in quite some time - I thought it was a throwback to Ken Adam), the CGI was decent (bad at some parts but overall for a 007 film they were quite good), and of course we can't forget salaries, miniatures, special effects, and everything else.

What are you talking about? Purvis and Wade are a very good team overall. Underrated yes (go read the novelization to DAD - it's far better than the film because the early script was MARVELOUS it breathed Richard Maibaum through the cracks), but still good. The cast was quite good compared to TWINE - yes we could have done better with the role of Jinx (Halle was fine in her role to me), though I have to admit, I was disappointed with lack of development with Zao. And crew? Vic Armstrong, David Arnold, Chris Corbould, Peter Lamont, David Tattersall. Christ, Tattersall is a Hollywood biggun - one of THE best cinematographers in the biz.

For the next movie they oughta bring things back down to Earth. If you ask me, ditch Christian Wagner (ugh MTV editing is not needed for Bond) and Lee Tamahori (you had your go, you did fine, but we could use someone better) and keep all else for the crew. Frankly I think it's time we start to adapt the books again. "Casino Royale" is Pierce's dream - so film it already. Then in 2007 start adapting either Benson or Gardner.

[blankpage]

http://i.imdb.com/Photos/Ss/0246460/D-260_002350.jpg

DIE ANOTHER DAY

Starring-Pierce Brosnan, Halle Berry, Toby Stephens, Rick Yune, Rosamund Pike, John Cleese, with Michael Madsen, and Judi Dench.

Directed by-Lee Tamahori

PG-13(14A In Canada) for Action Violence and Sexuality

Story: After being in a prison camp for 14 months James Bond uncovers another evil scheme from another bad villian to win a War with Korea.

I can understand why some people won't, or didn't like this movie. It is filled with cheese ball lines, many inside stuff, cartoonish F/X, no real story, a rather older looking Bond, and so on. But this is a James Bond film, time to relax let him kick some arse, seduce women, and well just be a great Bond film. And this is what it is. It mixes plenty of fun action, times, and WOMEN. The perfect Bond combo. Of course it has it's flaws from time to time, but I try to let that go. I admit I am begin biased since I am a big Bond fan. Someone who has heard of the Bond films but has not actually seen them might find this movie average, or horrible. They might think this is just abother XXX, but with a hero with more class. Well this film is a treat for any Bond fan, or action fan.

Possible Spoilers in the Paragraph

Something good about this film is some of the realism. For the first little part of the film, we are shown that Mr. Bond isn't totally perefect. He is prisoned and is tortured, after he looses trust in his own service. There are other moments too that we are treated with some realism. But that isn't all throughout the film. There are some far fetched stuff that happens. But it's Bond baby. Halle Berry is introduced as a beautiful Bond girl. She pays tribute to one of the finnest Bond women in the film, one of the many insiders in this flick. She has the attitude and looks for a great Bond girl.Although the fact she does have some corny dialouge. Which could have been avoided by not as much force into it. But I tried to keep that the least of my worries. There is another sorta Bond girl, who works for are leader who was slammin'. She was very beautiful, and brought some more WOW into the women combo.

There are many indsiders in this film, that at times are easy to spot. And sometimes not as easy. My only little complaint about some of them, are that some were screaming out for attention and didn't flow. And some were great(ie, Octopussy jump). The action sequences were as well great. Thrilling and exciting, despite some were some chessy CGI. The opening was great, and the surfing was cheesy but great.

Well Die Another Day was a classic Bond flick. It had the mixings of well a Bond film. It delivers what we want, and how can that be a bad thing?

8/10

[idealdiscountdude]

Bump!

[Spoiledrichkid]

i just the movie this week and i had to say something about it. Die another day , the latest installment of the James Bond series was everything it was supposed to be: suave spy, hot Bond girl, english accents, psychotic villain, fast cars ,cool gadgets and martinis [shaken not stirred]. I wasnt too dissapointed when i saw it.

The good side
*a lot of action
*Halle
*Halle's orange bikini

The Bad side
*HORRIBLE dialogue. Every line is a cheesy pun. I swear.
*Crappy visual effects
*No readily recognizable plot
*ridiculous stunts

Even with all its shortcomings, it was still ten times better than that piece of crap xXx

[Fergus]

DIE ANOTHER DAY - *** ½

I must say I was entertained by this trashy Bond flick. Brings freshness at the start of its world domination plot, offers a weak villain and villainess, as well as story. But I loved the action in this movie, much of an improvement over the last in that area, and kept things moving rather quickly. The little homages to past Bond flicks are fun, as well as the great looking Halle Berry. The FX were better than I expected and only the surfing sequence turned out bad. However, I found it trying to throw EVERYTHING they could possibly find to put into the movie, in terms of action. Not nearly as polished or engaging as Goldeneye. Not as mechanically overdone as Tomorrow Never Dies. Ties itself with TWINE. Both have their considerable weaknesses, but where one succeeds, the other fails. In terms of villains, heroines, action and story. Die Another Day, better action and heroine; weaker script (dialogue was HORRIBLE) and villains. TWINE is vice versa. Good times though, and I hope for the next one to top Goldeneye, but I don't know how they will do that, seeing as how its one of the best Bond flicks ever.

****To those who saw it, I LOVED the joke at the end of the film involving Moneypenny--I laughed my a** off. The only people who would laugh as hard as I did, would be the Bond fans who know the past relationship between Bond and Moneypenny, that's what made is so funny; nice little in-joke.

****Madonna's song was crap, it made the good title sequence bad.

[Santa Clause]

I just came back from it. It was action packed and was lots of fun. I don't usually like James Bond films but this one made me like the series a tiny bit more. The scene when the guy went in the propeller was pretty gross but funny. I liked the ice castle and the car chase on ice. I recommend this movie to lots of people. Even if you don't like James Bond, you might be suprised at how good this movie is. 8/10

[areyoubeingserved]

I'm sorry, I'm a huge Bond fan and this film kind of confused me, and I kind of wrote a lot, doubt anyone will bother reading it, its a little lengthy.

Die Another Day is the complete Bond film. Awful or brilliant, it is the first fully realized film in the canon which completely recognises the franchise and embodies it. But in saying this, the film presents both the quality of the series and its deepest, deepest flaws, and it tends to do the latter.

The film, as part of the idea of 40th anniversary, is completely aware of the existance of the previous films, a scene with Q and bond brings us this, referencing Thunderball and From Russia With Love gadgets, as well as others -- was that a submarine crocodile? What an excellent idea that was. But the film goes beyond this cute referencing and it either creatively adapts previous Bond elements, or completely rips them off. The most notable being:

1) Berry exiting the water in Ursula Andress dressing.
2) A giant satellite fueled by diamonds which is actually a laser? Sound familiar? It should, its the exact same plot device from DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER.
4) Strapped down and a laser threatening to kill a spy.
3) A bullet in a plane, Bond should of known better, he had already advised Pussy Galore against shooting inside a plane and then he goes and does it himself
4) An escape of Bond and girl through the back of airplane at the rear cargo loading bay. This time in a helicopter rather than a jeep with a parachute like in THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS.

All the above present an interesting aspect which DAD attempt and fails through the basic idea anyhow, it is taking Bond elements and propelling them into the excessive (the basic idea of the film anyhow). It doesn't work, most noteworthy are points 2 and 3, which are exactly the same props in two previous bond films, but as if here they're trying to out do the other films, sitting up and saying 'look how expensive we are, what we are capable of'. And it doesn't work, the laser scene which nods the head to Goldfinger (and arguably the most famous and best Bond scene) goes from a comfortable recognition to a fucking awful action scene that expresses the overdose of CGI and becomes what appears as a video game adaptation. The giant laser from space has been done in AUSTIN POWERS (Myers will have some material with this film), why here... again? The scene is so fantastical and disproportioned it appears like a scene in ANTZ, and present a capitilist view to filmmaking. Both present a hideous low point in the film, and probably in the entire canon.

And so we're presented with highlights and lowlights in the Bond cannon. The most emphatic elemenst of this being the women and the dialogue, while we get Frost with the classic 'I know you James Bond, its sex for dinner and death for breakfast, well I'm not falling for it' we also get pretty much everything coming out from Halle Berry's mouth ruining this imprint. Direlogue such as 'Momma', 'At least we'll die rich' and 'I think I got the thrust of it', and, of course, her flustered facial expressions (who exactly is suggesting this Jinx spin off?).

Its interesting to note in Die Another Day the polar opposites which it reaches. At the beginning of the film we have Bond captured and tortured for fourteen months, certainly worn and torn, encompasing the idea of realism that was developed within The World is Not Enough (although it is very, very glossy realism). And then, in direct contrast, by the end of the film we are left with utter fantasy, nothing less and everything more.

Also worth while noting is the films box office success in America and its inclusion of two new American characters, both of whom have been suggested to have returning roles (one in a spin off). Withing Die Another Day we have a Bond more aware and involved with America, Jinx his love interest and the Michael Madsen CIA official character, the film this time around feels almost tailored for an American audience. Bonds travels and his women here are very American, tragically losing the exotic flavour previous films had held, as well as the British fueding of the officials -- where exactly is the Minister for Defence? Instead we get the gun hoe Madsen, and the plain awful Berry. Funny that they are both the worst performances in the film.

Adding to this we notice the climax of the film, which also is very American like and emphasises the films main flaws. When the fantasy driven ice palace sequence is completed, we move into another level, and it is very, seriously boring. The whole sequence in the plane presents itself as a remake of AIR FORCE ONE, with Peirce Brosnan rather than Harrison Ford. And again as Brosnan dresses in American army camoflauge we feel the loss of all flavour, and our palates are numb. And so Die Another Day, in the climax, becomes nothing more than another action film, a poor American one at that. Bond throughout his canon, has had difficulty in this, noticably in MOONRAKER (which would be the best comparison for this film in its excessiveness), its a struggle to keep the spy thriller element which it started with but still conform with a modern day action template. Bond is a spy and every time we lose sight of this genre, DAD and MOONRAKER being the prime examples, the films lack.

The structure of the film is noticeably very messy, all over the place, in speaking of the Bond formula (though presumably of other films as well). There is no mission, just connected scenes which leads to forced climaxes -- the plane scene and the Ice Palace scene have presumably been inserted and propelled to such fantastical levels, as well as blandly excessive, because of the comments of the anti climactic nature of the past two films. But at the very least TND and TWINE were not so desperate for climax, DAD becomes a deliberate action orgasm played over and over again until it makes you sick.

And part of this problem is due to our much abused friend CGI. Upon the release of TWINE Australian reviewer David Stratton commented that Bond was so popular because of the realism injected into his stunts, not relying on the modern day computer imagery. How wrong he was, and it is sad that he has been proven so. DAD is one of the greatest arguments against CGI in the film world, along with the horrendous Attack of the Clones, as we watch Bond go from masterful stuntman to animated fake, in one of the saddest scenes in Bond history as Bond falls with a crashing, giant glacier and surfs the waves (not the same waves as in the amazing opening scenes). It will, no doubt, be placed alongside the classic The Man with the Golden Gun scene of the flipping car with accompying whistle as the worst decision for an action scene in Bond. Trully appalling. And its all so very noticably expensive, so while any scene your viewing at may look cheap and ugly (and almost all of the CGI does) it probably cost a couple of million.

The above was of course all pre warned by the new CGI bullet flying towards the audience in the usually untouched opening gun barrell sequence. Other offences include the invisible car and Grave's electric glove (which is very weak and looks lifted from Batman Forever).

As for our human elements, Brosnan is satisfactory, adequate but nothing more -- always has been. Judi Dench submits her laziest, but Cleese makes up for that in the slightly forced 'lets reminisce, shall we?' scenes. Berry is the real dissapointment here, she's hideous, the worst of the Bond girls, her presentation of her character is sloppy work but she was poorly written anyhow. Who said she was the equivalant of Bond? Did they deliberatley forget Michelle Yeoh's maginficent effort as Wai Lin for the sake promotionally talking up Berry? Rosemund Pike is underused but very effective as the cold Miranda Frost, taking you back to the days of the better Bond girls like From Russia With Love's Daniela Bianchi. Madsen, as mentioned, is poor fair.

The villains though are the films stronger point, after some weak combinations beforehand, the teaming of Toby Stephens' Gustav Graves and Rick Yune's Zao are exciting. Stephens particularly protraying a nasty piece of work, his hideous, occasionally bloody, smile working perfectly. He plays up the seething rich playboy for its strengths, and as his complications are announced as such he works within those well. Until the finale where for some reason he starts looking like he's been removed from TRON and some of his lines are fixedly obvious, a whole conversation he has with Bond in the ice palace revolves around them. Zao is the first well thought out henchman we've seen in a while, his diamond affected face a modern alternative to past henchman.

The writing at best is heavy handed, people are calling for a new Bond, if Brosnan goes lets hope Neil Purvis and the other one go with him. The score is mainly regurgitated from the last film. And Madonnas defying song is, well, fucking awful.

Most of the production design in the film is normal Bond work, but some of it is sickening. Some settings work not, and one particular prop, a face altering device, looks lifted straight from the design of BATMAN AND ROBIN (and again as mentioned from TRON), as well as some of Grave's awful equipment which deadens the effect.

Tamahori was a great choice as a director, on paper. He suggested a continuation of more adaptable filmmakers, like the previous Michael Apted. But something went wrong somewhere, New Zealanders were surely in vogue with Peter Jackson, but urgh. He has openly claimed that he knew he couldn't change the Bond formula but it has changed here, its become noticably worn.

The problem with the film for me was I was in a constant state of criticism, at certain points I was enjoying it thoroughly and then at others I was cringing. We went from the brilliant sword fight, to the Berry opening her mouth, and that was it. At the climax of the film, something in me said this was it, Bond is dead. Due to its success in America Bond will return, but something about this film suggests things will never be the same. Nobody lives forever, it was absurd to think Bond would.

I think Die Another Day takes its school of thought from LICENCE TO KILL and if so there are two lessons it should learn like that film;
1) If you remove Bond from his 00 persona, trouble ensues, meaning a shit film.
2) Expensive means nothing more than excessive. Note at the final scene of Licence to Kill a giant water feature fish winks. This would have cost in production and to what purpose? DAD takes this flaw and spans it across an entire film, I would have mcuh prefered Bond sneaking around KGB headquaters with a Walther PPK than than stopping an enourmous phallic SPACE laser.

God save our souls.

5 (internal conflict allows me neither to enjoy this film or hate it)