Rating: Summary: Fun, but... Review: The 20th James Bond film not only marks the 40th anniversary series but also shows a sometimes desperate effort to make the franchise as contemporary as possible. The gadgets go way too far at times, making this seem like a comic book movie. Don't get me wrong; I love comic book heroes and comic book movies. Still, it somehow bothered me to see Bond going so far in that direction. It's a fun movie, and I enjoyed it, but the invisible car and such distracted me even more than the overly obvious product placement.I recently read that a current internet campaign involves pushing Adrian Paul (the TV incarnation of The Highlander) as the next Bond. That sounds good, but I'm glad Pierce Brosnan agreed to at least one more Bond film beyond this one. Brosnan plays the role with the required wit and style, along with a little vulnerability. I also hope Halle Berry will reprise her role as Jinx.
Rating: Summary: Decent movie, great soundtrack Review: Okay, I went to see Die Another Day the first weekend it came out. The story was decent and the characters were great. I especially loved Miranda Frost's part. She exuded sexuality and a kick [butt] mentality. Halle Berry as Jinx was a waste of time. She didn't contribute much to the movie but to look beautiful (as always). I think you have to be a very strong actress to pull off a James Bond Girl and Halle doesn't fit that mode. I hope she doesn't get her own spin off from the movie, as it will be a flop unless she plans to go nude as she did in Monster's Ball. Anyway, Madonna's contribution to the movie was well received. The small part she played and her song Die Another Day is a major hit and went appropriately with the movie. Not the best best James Bond but not the worst.
Rating: Summary: Have Some Fun And Remember The Classics Review: ATTENTION ALL BOND FANS: If you enjoy any of the older Bond films OR if you tend to be a new-age (IE Brosnan) Bond fan, you won't be disappointed in Die Another Day. If you insist on being overly critical of the Bond series, then Bond films really shouldn't be your mainstay and ought to stick to Academy-Award calibur films. This film is 2 hours of Bond FUN; suspend your daily lives and Die Another Day. Die Another Day features all of the classic elements of Bond adventures (exotic locales, evil villians, action, gorgeous women, gadgets) but also introduces enough new concepts to make the whole experience unique. Pierce Brosnan appears completely comfortable as Bond (as he did in TWINE) and gives an edgy if not somewhat predicable performance. Halle Berry does NOT steal the show in any way as Bond's unlikely accomplice (go rent Swordfish if she is your focus), and the standard MI6 crew does a good job of supporting Bond in his latest adventure. In DAD, Bond becomes embroiled in a North Korean plot to indulge war mongers in that country, however steeped in subterfuge. Bond's opening scene capture & torture sends him on a mini-vendetta (aka Licence To Kill), which then evolves into a much larger mission with obvious world-saving implications (what else!). I was somewhat disappointed at the lack of villian development in this film. If you really savor a FRWLove or Living Daylights type of espionage film, this may not float your boat. However, don't let this stop you. The Bond franchise team ensures that Bond continues to set the tempo and standard for quality action thrillers. The film is visually gorgeous, well edited, and moves rapidly without letting the audience stew for any amount of time. David Arnold's score of DAD is perhaps his best ever, and as another reviewer noted, this score truly shows Arnold's Barry-esque roots (actually subtly sampling some older themes remixed into Arnold compositions). It made me quite happy because Barry's scores were a HUGE component of Bond films, and those w/o it tend to be the weaker films (in my opinion). As far as the Madonna song goes: I originally disliked it when heard on the soundtrack--> but upon hearing/seeing it in concert with the opening credits, it seems to embody the theme of the film and gets you juiced for the anticipated adventure to unfold. Without a doubt, one of the best Bond scenes ever takes place here in the form of the action packed car ice chase between Zao & Bond. ALL of the Brosnan-Bond villians and henchmen have been weak so far (Stamper...); Zao proves to be sinister, evil-looking, tough, and a very cunning adversary. You truly BEG for Bond to wipe this guy out with maximum prejudice. As for Gustav Graves (Toby Stephens), he could have been a little more evil but he'll do. There is MUCH more to him than meets the eye. In the negative category, I found the size of Michael "Mr. Blonde" Madsen's character way too insignificant. Also, I somewhat disliked the director's attempts at "Matrix-style" motion FX. As with all GOOD Bond films, DAD features an over-the-top villian lair, extraordinary evil weapons of mass destruction, and of course, a climatic larger-than-life battle between Bond & the villians with the world hanging in the balance. Go see this movie. Let's face it: even if you don't think its as good as Goldfinger, it could NEVER, EVER BE AS AWFUL AS LIVE & LET DIE.
Rating: Summary: Is this the best they can do? Review: I'd have given the movie a generous 2 stars if it wasn't for the fact that, like the Star Wars franchise, the Bond franchise has no excuse for employing such a pathetic script. I love escapist superhero films, and special effects are useful if they advance the plot or characters. But to make actors like Halle Berry and Dame Judy Dench use a script such as this is a travesty. I can't blame Brosnan for ditching the franchise, after working so hard to be Bond, if this is the best they can give him to work with. If you like the idea of paying [money] to watch, rather than to play, a video game with zero plot, zero credibility, and zero character development, then this is just the kind of movie you're looking for. Just do us all a favor and don't register to vote.
Rating: Summary: ~Shaken, Not Stirred~ Review: DIE ANOTHER DAY is a riveting, action-packed adventure sure not to disappoint even the most toughened, hard-edged James Bond fanatics. The 20th official 007 movie, drawn from the novels of Ian Fleming, opened two weeks ago to the franchise's biggest debut, blowing way behind in the dust whatever came in dollars from any previous of the Bond films. Yet truly, this comes as no surprise at all... The studio did exactly what one should do in order to succeed: it revved up the vast anticipation of no less than four generations of Avid Fans - their well-cultivated dogma conjuring the now 40 years of Bond and his numerous assignments, his several endearing quips and quirks, his many, many women, as well as a sly wink to each of the four actors previous to Pierce Brosnan who had taken reign in the saddle of this, the Ultimate Role: Bond, James Bond. Pierce Brosnan, Bond since 1995's GOLDENEYE, is truly fine to watch in this, his 4th outing as Agent 007. However, to this day it's GOLDENEYE that remains my favorite of his Bond films. Indeed it was the rich enchanting settings and dark atmosphere, and not Brosnan as Bond, which for me comprised GOLDENEYE'S allure. In DIE ANOTHER DAY, it is apparent that the last seven years have given him a roughened, world-weary edge that is undeniably appealing. He now seems comfortable in his own identifiable Bond skin - at last at home with the Role. Yet for all the build-up preceding the Wide Theatrical Release of this film, it comes as no insignificant letdown to find it wanting in several respects: First off, the action was often way too far over the top - beginning with a very loud, explosive opening sequence set at a Korean airbase. Thence onward, and throughout most of the balance of the movie were numerous fantastical high-tech & very noisy action sequences that were so extraordinary it often left me wondering, "Wow - how'd they do that?" instead of actually caring how the plot unfolded. A few of these scenes made my ears hurt. The settings, as well, were a bit too imposing, but to a lesser degree - I felt that MI6 Headquarters and villain Gustav Graves' (Toby Stephens) extravagant ice palace manipulated the atmosphere negatively - at times hurting my eyes as well. All this fanfare left very little chance for character development. Furthermore, I think Bond's Aston Martins are just about the coolest sets of wheels anyone could ever lay eyes on - so why on earth make this one invisible?? It's beyond me why, with such a clever entourage of gadgets attached to this car over the years that something so impossible should be introduced now. Lastly, at the beginning of the film, Bond is taken prisoner in North Korea, then after 14 months is released in a trade negotiated for Graves' henchman Zao (Rick Yune) - an interesting entity whose face is embellished with diamonds courtesy of Bond in the opening sequence. During his imprisonment, Bond is theoretically considered "expendable," then upon his release is scrutinized & determined to be "useless" by "M" (Judi Dench) and all British Intelligence. I do declare - as per in LICENCE TO KILL when Timothy Dalton's Bond goes renegade after MI6 revokes his spy privileges - it remains unfathomable that after so many years of invaluable service, teamed with such incredible heroics, that Commander Bond could so easily be dismissed! Notwithstanding all that, I truly had fun watching this film! The opening credits sequence was spiced up not only by an excellently suitable Madonna song, but also by intermingling flashes of Bond during his painful 14 months in the Korean prison camp - an original idea for these famously wonderful & uniquely creative opening credit sequences. Also, I found both the Bond girls, Jinx (Halle Berry) and Miranda Frost (Rosamund Pike), to be lovely, as well as adeptly matched for their roles. Though it was promised in all the pre-release promotions, I was pleasantly surprised when Jinx slinked out from the sea in that classic DR. NO fashion. I am still unsure whether or not a Jinx spin-off Bond movie is a good idea, but still, what else can I say about Halle Berry - I think she's great! Without doubt, the best action sequence in this movie involves a fencing match between Bond and Gustav Graves - and the way 007 toys with his opponent is a grand nod to Sean Connery's Bond and the distant past. Also I must say that casting John Cleese as the new "Q" is a stroke of genius! I am sure no one else could have filled the shoes of the late Desmond Llewelyn as James' gadget-maker. Seeing Bond and Moneypenny finally kiss and embrace (!?) on the big-screen is another delightful treat! Actually, there are way too many pleasant twists and surprises to be found in DIE ANOTHER DAY ever to be mentioned here. For all that, and even though this flick was at times painful to watch, I can bestow upon it no less than four stars. For, as with any James Bond adventure, there comes much pleasure with the pain - so I fervently encourage you all go and experience it!
Rating: Summary: The most ridiculous film ever made Review: Die Another Day is, put simply, ridiculous. This is a Bond film that is so cliched and cringeworthy that it borders on looking like a parody. This film seems like all the Bond films rolled into one - which might not seem a bad thing - but every line, action sequence, or plot development seems to be stolen from another Bond film. I suppose this film was at first somewhat entertaining and fun to watch, even if it was at times so cheesy you wanted to cover your eyes, but by the 80 minute mark I just wanted it to end. The extent to which Bond manages to survive anything is so stupid that you can only laugh. I do wonder whether the self-parody is deliberate - either way, there were so many lines of action/hero/sexual cringeworthiness it was unbearable. Whilst parts of the film were enjoyable, it is poor as a film.
Rating: Summary: Calm Down, People - it's a James Bond movie! Review: Okay, something everyone should keep in mind: we go to the 007 films to relax and enjoy a couple hours of escapist fun. "Die Another Day" delivers this promise. True, it is not the best of the series, but it certainly isn't the worst ("Moonraker", "Diamonds Are Forever", "A View To A Kill" ... sounding familiar?). The acting was decent, as well as could be expected from a Bond film (let us all forget Denise Richards, please!). Many complain that the film has too many elements which are new to the series (such as the updated gun barrel intro, and the "Matrix"-style camera moves), but just look back at the past 20 films, and it's easy to see that the 007 films have been all about change with each new decade. To be honest, I had my doubts while watching the film - is all this intense, hi-tech action perhaps a bit over the top? After a few rounds of reflection and a second viewing of the film, I came to a conclusion: yes, it's all rather over the top, but the film plays out with it's tongue in cheek - with panache. When one really thinks about it, "Die Another Day" is 2002's version of 1977's over-the-top "The Spy Who Loved Me", a Bond film which pushed the envelope of believability in a jaw-droppingly fun manner. So, relax folks - if this wasn't your kind of Bond film, there's 19 before it and many more to come in the future, and not a resounding death-knell of the franchise as some cry. Remember, this review, like all the others, is just one persons' opinion - go and form your own conclusions.
Rating: Summary: Where are Connery and Moore when you need them.... Review: I was pretty much correct when I said that this movie will lack the style and class of the early 007 films that Sean and Roger Made. Those films at least told a story. This one was lost in a mirage of over high technology sets, unfunny one liners, a terrible sound track by Madonna, and action scenes intercut with some lousy CGI effects. I don't care how much this movie made in the opening weekend of it's release or how much the critics loved it, they are quite mistaken. This movie is not 007, and it never will be. But then again, so was Goldeneye, Tomorrow Never Dies, and The World is Not Enough.
Rating: Summary: A Perfect Action Movie Review: I have not seen that many James Bonds in the past but out of the few this is my favorite. It has all the essentials of a good action movie, a sequence of exciting scenes, a plot with few boring parts, girls, two to be exact, and a touch of humor. From start to finish (2 hours) you are hooked. Bond's gadgets of this movie are, an Aston Martin with camoflauge, and a ring that can shatter glass. I would recommend that you see this movie while it is still in theaters to catch all the edge of seat action sequences in full screen with good sound. Just a note that I am fourteen and older or younger people may have different tastes, and that i dont have much of Bond background before this movie.
Rating: Summary: Brosnan's Best! But not the best.... Review: Die Another Day, the 20th James Bond Adventure, is by far the best of the Brosnan Bond movies. The action and sensuality put this one over the top. However the movie felt more like a forced replay of all of Bond's Adventures. The Only departure from the norm was the gritty techno music in the beginning sequences when Bond is being tortured, played by Madonna. As the flim progresses you start to see smilarities from all the other Bond films. The Belt that Jinx Is Wearing: Dr. No The Space sequence: Moonraker The Villian: The Living Daylights and Diamonds Are Forever The Opening sequence: The Living Daylights The Laser Sequence: Goldfinger If you're in the mood for a good action movie see this movie. If you're seeing this because of the franchise, Be prepared to be disappointed.
|