Tomorrow Never Dies

Rating:
Summary: Best modern day Bond
Review: No actor could ever bring as much to the role of James Bond as Sean Connery did, but Pierce Brosnan comes the closest. In Tomorrow Never Dies he is surrounded by the talent he needs to make a credible modern day bond. Teri Hatcher is stunning and gives a believable performance as one of the girls that Bond left behind. Michelle Yeoh's fight scenes are actually better than Brosnan's; it's refreshing to see a Bond girl do more than just tag along. Jonathan Pryce, portraying a media baron, isn't given any truly great lines but he brings a manic enthusiasm to the role that's fun to watch. The music of the film is very satisfying especially to fans of the James Bond theme, which is heard more often here than in any previous Bond picture. Gadgets and action abound, but the most exciting sequence is a breathtaking rooftop motorcycle chase. The day after you first watch this movie on DVD you'll find yourself popping it in just to watch that one sequence. Well worth the price if only for the pleasure of playing with all the special features.

Rating:
Summary: There's no news like bad news!
Review: The 18th James Bond movie. Since the release of DR. NO in 1962, the James Bond series had established a prototype for rip-roaring action and thrills, evil villains, beautiful women and amazing gadgets. However the definite contributing factor the ongoing success was the ability to change with times, thus making each idea, and each film special in its' own creative way. Bond is more than a Super Agent Spy, he is a hero for the ages, and as the tradition would continue for TOMORROW NEVER DIES, 007 now finds himself against the global communications industry. Hot off the success of GOLDENEYE, Pierce Brosnan once again delivers a dynamite performance as James Bond; confident, fearless, determined, charismatic, irresistible to women, and still with a thirst for dry vodka martinis. Under a clever Bruce Feirstein screenplay, two beautiful women are presented; Teri Hatcher as 007's one time flame Paris Carver, and Michelle Yeoh as tough Chinese Agent Wai Lin. With tried and true elements placed new and fresh, exotic locations in France, Thailand, Germany, Mexico and the United States, and a thrilling music score by David Arnold, TOMORROW NEVER DIES further punctuates the James Bond series even after a successful 35 year wake.

THE ASSIGNMENT: While on a routine voyage, the HMS DEVONSHIRE submarine was mysteriously attacked and sunk in the Chinese sea. The incident is quickly publicized on newspaper accounts thus stirring much controversy and alarm in MI6 headquarters. The culprit: Elliot Carver, a media obsessed megalomaniac, wants to realize his dream of world domination through means of TV, radio and newspaper media accounts. He buys influences, technologies and anyone capable of harnessing information to him, in order to create 'events' to be publicized by this media organization first while securing a monopoly on the world's media coverage. Great Britain and China are unaware of this and place themselves on full nuclear alert, while Carver awaits take over China as another media outlet, which will gain him full control of the Chinese government, following imminent armageddon. Bond quickly befriends Wai Lin, a suspicious, yet helpful Chinese Agent and locates Carver's HQ. Together they must stop the maniac and prevent World War 3.

THE VILLAINS: Jonathan Pryce as Elliot Carver, Ricky Jay as Henry Gupta, Gotz Otto as Stamper, and Vincent Schiavelli as Dr. Kaufman.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! BUY IT!

Rating:
Summary: 007 James Bond Tomorrow Never Dies - A great Bond film!
Review: "Tomorrow Never Dies" is the eighteenth overall James Bond Film and the second wonderful film starring Pierce Brosnan in the lead role as James Bond. Of his first four films in that role I would definitely have to say that this one ranks up there with his first performance as Bond, James Bond. From the fast paced action sequences to the overall premise of the film, "Tomorrow Never Dies" entertains from the very first scene to last as everybody involved in the making of this film did exactly what they intended to do with a Bond film, which is making one to remember!

Performance wise, Pierce Brosnan furthers that which he started in "Goldeneye" by making the role his as he brings a darker and harsher yet capably witty tone to Bond that hadn't been seen in a Bond film since the first James Bond himself, Sean Connery. I would caveat that in that I thought Timothy Dalton accomplished that as well but as he was only allowed to do two films in the role I must be in the minority on that opinion.

As with all James Bond films, we're treated to a pair of new Bond babes in Teri Hatcher and international martial arts superstar Michelle Yeoh, both of which are incredibly beautiful and talented actresses. Although Teri Hatcher's role in this film is a very brief one, I would definitely have to say it was memorable. Michelle Yeoh's role in this film brings her right up there with James Bond himself as far as the action sequences go. It is most certainly interesting to see a Bond film turn into a Bruce Lee film in a particularly eventful sequence.

Director Roger Spottiswoode who may best be known for "Air America" or even "The 6th Day" does a great job with this film, solidifying his status as a quite capable director of action films.

The Premise:

This wonderful Bond film in reality has two great opening sequences as we're treated to the standard pre main title James Bond super action sequence which involves 007 infiltrating a Black Market auction of high tech military equipment and him stirring things up and then we're treated to a sequence in which the villain of the film is rousing things up between the British Navy and the Chinese Air Force off the coast of China which adds a wonderful dramatic element to the feel of the entire film.

What follows from there is one of the best Bond films to date as James Bond does what he does best, save the world from total disaster while getting a babe or two in the process...

I highly recommend this eighteenth Bond film to any and all fans of the series and to those who like great action films that actually have a plot as well. {ssintrepid}

Special Features:

This particular DVD is a bit threadbare when it comes to Special Features but in the end, what are these DVD's all about, the movie and it's a great one.

-8 Page Booklet Featuring Trivia, Production Notes and a Revealing Look at the Making of the Film.
-Original Theatrical Trailer

Rating:
Summary: How DVDs should be made
Review: Tomorrow Never Dies is a strong film, with a great story and equally great acting. Bond returns with a new arsenal of gadgets and girls. Brosnan is right on the mark with this movie, and the addition of Michelle Yeoh as a Bond girl gets into the action along side him is a great addition. The soundtrack by David Arnold (ID4, Stargate) is exceptional, and creates an entirely new mood for the Bond series.

The DVD version of this movie is absolutely top notch. The video and audio quality is great, with sharp pictures and incredibly intense deep bass. And if you've ever bought a DVD and felt ripped off because there's no extras on it, have no fear -- Tomorrow Never Dies is packed full of commentaries, effects reels, gadget info, and more. Not to mention the fact that it sports one of the coolest fully animated interfaces I've seen yet for a DVD.

Buying this DVD is definitely money well spent.

Rating:
Summary: Not your typical "This film was great-buy it!" 5-star review
Review: Tomorrow Never Dies, my favorite Bond film, certainly was NOT the worst. Even if you hated this film, it was not a horrible film, unlike other people are saying. This film is definitely worth buying on DVD, for a few reasons: 1. The Isolated Music Tracks by David Arnold, which is a special mode allowing you to watch the movie and hear only the musical score, is wonderful. 2. The commentarys are very informative and funny. 3. The story is outstanding. Actually, to be more precise, it is THE MOST REALISTIC BOND FILM STORY TO DATE. A media mogul trying to up the ratings within his orginization by starting a war is extremely possible right now - so don't knock the story. 4. Goldeneye's music was horrible, by the way. You'll be in awe at the incredable score in TND. 5. It may just be an action film, but it's edge-of-your-seat action. And when Bond (Pierce Brosnan) beds Paris Carver (Teri Hatcher), which is the villain, Elliot Carver's (Jonathan Pryce) wife, he actually does it out of love. For once, Bond meets a previous love that he reunites with again and finds passion that you don't get from a pretty random Bond girl. Lastly, the Stealth Boat sequence is very satisfying as a final area - especially the final showdown with Carver and Stamper.

And don't say you can't stomach Bond's final fight sequence with Stamper - you can. It's intense and very adrenaline-pumping. Perfect!

This DVD is very much worth buying!

Rating:
Summary: Tomorrow Never Dies - *** Stars
Review: It's a good thing the James Bond films switch lead actors so often or else it would be very difficult to tell the movies apart. With "Tomorrow Never Dies," the second installment in the Pierce Brosnan era, the series continues its return to the style and flair of its earliest forbears, albeit with notably less pizzazz than "GoldenEye." The real downside of returning to roots as old and established as those of the Bond series, of course, is that after a while, one potato looks pretty much like all the others.
Essentially another standard-issue Bond with an updated, communication age plot, "Tomorrow Never Dies" centers on the efforts of yet another maniacal madman hell-bent on world domination. Like assorted previous Bond villains, most notably "Moonraker's" Drax, Jonathan Pryce's Elliot Carver is a madman of the wealthy industrialist variety, a Rupert Murdoch-like newspaper and satellite maven who fancies "making" the news rather than simply reporting it.
What really miffs Carver, though, is China's refusal to grant him satellite rights, leaving a messy, gaping hole in his plan for a global satellite web.
Naturally, Carver's solution is to engineer a nuclear war, and subsequent peace, between China and England, after which his hand-picked puppet regime in China will finally grant him the rights he desires.
Die-hard Bond fans likely won't be disappointed by this outing, which possesses all the requisite elements they've come to know and love: inventive chase scenes in exotic, globe-trotting locales; lethal beauties; invincible henchmen; nifty gadgets; high-tech automobiles; and the obligatory pyrotechnic finale in the madman's secret lair, complete with a nuclear missile countdown.
What is disappointing about "Tomorrow Never Dies" is the degree to which director Roger Spottiswoode and screenwriter Bruce Feirstein fail to make even the vaguest attempt at transcending the formula, much less make adequate use of their two very capable female "leads." As Carver's wife, Teri Hatcher is scarcely in the film a half hour, while Hong Kong action superstar Michelle Yeoh, as a Chinese agent, isn't allowed to really come alive until the film's latter hour. And even then, her considerable action skills are squandered by poorly staged and clumsily shot fight sequences that pale next to even average Hong Kong action fare.
That said, Yeoh remains about the most refreshing element in the film, not unlike Honor Blackman's similarly balancing presence in "Goldfinger."
Sheryl Crow's title track is appropriately Bond-like, although k.d. lang's end title song would have been the better choice.

Rating:
Summary: The Best of the Brosnan Bonds
Review: Though suffering from the same weak-villain malaise as most modern Bond films, "Tomorrow Never Dies" nonetheless scores big in the action and style departments, making it the best of the Brosnan Bonds. The latest 007 is in top form here, playing a contemporary Bond with the correct mixture of threat and thought, even if Brosnan is still no Sean Connery. This time, Bond squares off against a William-Randolf-Hearst-esque villain bent on increasing the circulation of his tabloid newpaper, "Tomorrow," by starting World War III. Bond is assisted by the most exciting Bond girl of recent years--no, not the bubble-headed Teri Hatcher, but the beautiful and capable Michelle Yeoh as a Chinese agent who is every bit as smooth as her British counterpart. Why on earth she hasn't been in another Bond film or her own based on the character is beyond me, as she puts to shame any other female action hero of late, whether that be "The Matrix's" Carrie-Anne Moss or "Die Another Day's" Halle Berry. With a terrific teaser sequence, excellent score by David Arnold (who manages to evoke John Barry without simply imitating him), stylish look and production values, and fast-paced, if relatively thin, storyline, "Tomorrow Never Dies" suffers only from relatively minor problems, such as Jonathan Pryce's ho-hum villain, who is more a spoiled child than an egomaniacal genius, and some secondary characters--such as the campy "Dr. Kaufman" and anarchist Gupta, played by poor, wasted Ricky Jay--that fall flat. Kudos to Director Roger Spottiswoode for putting excitement back into the Bond series.

Rating:
Summary: Do You Believe What You Read?
Review: Years after Ian Fleming's death the "James Bond" series rolls on, recycling the original stories for audiences who never read the original novels. Their villains were in turn Soviet KGB, then organized crime; now one of the most powerful publishers in the Free World! Is Fleming turning over in his grave? This film shows how a powerful publisher can create the news, and not just distort it (use your own example). [Will the viewers make the connection to the Real World?] "Eliot Carver" seems to be modeled after Robert Maxwell (was he the front man for powerful forces who stayed in the background?) There are changes to reflect modern culture and political correctness. James Bond still circulates among high-levels to gather information. But one scene shows him overindulging in vodka, as if to suggest a growing problem in an aging operative.

Bond is caught snooping in the villain's lair, but makes his escape despite the efforts of many guards (who are of various races for this equal opportunity employer, and also recalls Bond's enemies from past films). A former lover of Bond's is murdered (as in "Goldfinger"). The killer in the hotel room looks like he was recycled from "Doktor Strangelove". The car chase in the indoor parking lot recalls "Diamonds Are Forever", but is more spectacular. The skydiving to the wrecked ship recalls other films. Bond and Wai Lin (the female Chinese operative) are caught and brought before Eliot Carver (another recurring scene from Fleming's novels). The villain never delegates these tasks. Their escape shows the product placement of BMW and Land Rover (and reminds me of a Jackie Chan film). They escape the Heckler & Koch MP-5 firing villains. The attack scene in the shop recalls another Jackie Chan film, with its choreographed ballet of action. [Could this ever happen in the real world?] I suspect the scenes in Asia were for that market of film viewers.

The final scene in the "stealth boat" recalls many earlier Bond films. But Eliot Carver seems to be lacking in a villainous character, unlike the classic Bond villains. [Imagine Pee Wee Herman as Goldfinger?] The ending is full of sound and fury, symbolizing the defeat of the villain, his henchmen, and the Plan for World Domination. The earlier Bond films seemed to have had wittier dialogue. The most surprising thing about this film is its villain: a powerful businessman in the Free World, not a parvenu who attacks one of the British Monopolies and has links to the Soviets or the ChiComs.

Rating:
Summary: Another Great Bond Flick
Review: This movie was a good follow up to Golden Eye. Whats good? Pierce Brosnan does another good job. The bond girls are excellent, Michelle Yeoh while not the prettiest, is probably one of the most intresting bond girls ever. Sheryl Crow did a wonderful job with the title theme, and the musical score throughout the movie was excellent. Sets and scenes were fantastic. Basically all you want to see in a Bond movie. The movie was more of a thrill ride than Golden Eye so I thought it was better. Definitely much better than The World is Not Enough and Die Another Day.

Rating:
Summary: 007 James Bond Tomorrow Never Dies - A great Bond film!
Review: "Tomorrow Never Dies" is the eighteenth overall James Bond Film and the second wonderful film starring Pierce Brosnan in the lead role as James Bond. Of his first four films in that role I would definitely have to say that this one ranks up there with his first performance as Bond, James Bond. From the fast paced action sequences to the overall premise of the film, "Tomorrow Never Dies" entertains from the very first scene to last as everybody involved in the making of this film did exactly what they intended to do with a Bond film, which is making one to remember!

Performance wise, Pierce Brosnan furthers that which he started in "Goldeneye" by making the role his as he brings a darker and harsher yet capably witty tone to Bond that hadn't been seen in a Bond film since the first James Bond himself, Sean Connery. I would caveat that in that I thought Timothy Dalton accomplished that as well but as he was only allowed to do two films in the role I must be in the minority on that opinion.

As with all James Bond films, we're treated to a pair of new Bond babes in Teri Hatcher and international martial arts superstar Michelle Yeoh, both of which are incredibly beautiful and talented actresses. Although Teri Hatcher's role in this film is a very brief one, I would definitely have to say it was memorable. Michelle Yeoh's role in this film brings her right up there with James Bond himself as far as the action sequences go. It is most certainly interesting to see a Bond film turn into a Bruce Lee film in a particularly eventful sequence.

Director Roger Spottiswoode who may best be known for "Air America" or even "The 6th Day" does a great job with this film, solidifying his status as a quite capable director of action films.

The Premise:

This wonderful Bond film in reality has two great opening sequences as we're treated to the standard pre main title James Bond super action sequence which involves 007 infiltrating a Black Market auction of high tech military equipment and him stirring things up and then we're treated to a sequence in which the villain of the film is rousing things up between the British Navy and the Chinese Air Force off the coast of China which adds a wonderful dramatic element to the feel of the entire film.

What follows from there is one of the best Bond films to date as James Bond does what he does best, save the world from total disaster while getting a babe or two in the process...

I highly recommend this eighteenth Bond film to any and all fans of the series and to those who like great action films that actually have a plot as well. {ssintrepid}

Special Features:

This particular DVD is a bit threadbare when it comes to Special Features but in the end, what are these DVD's all about, the movie and it's a great one.

-8 Page Booklet Featuring Trivia, Production Notes and a Revealing Look at the Making of the Film.
-Original Theatrical Trailer