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Tomorrow Never Dies: Special Edition

Tomorrow Never Dies: Special Edition

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Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Yo, Michelle Yeoh!
Review: For the first time in years, a Bond film attempts something novel in terms of plot by making the villain a maniacal media mogul (am I being redundant?) patterned, it seems, on Rupert Murdoch. Very appropriate, if you ask me.

But "Tomorrow Never Dies" doesn't dwell on story, and with Michelle Yeoh on hand as a butt-kicking Chinese agent, it shouldn't. Not since Diana Rigg's Emma Peel on TV's "The Avengers" has a member of the fairer sex distinguished herself as an action star worthy of her male counterparts. Yeoh kicks considerable life into this 18th entry in the Bond saga, something Jonathan Pryce as the villain fails to do. Pryce is merely adequate, but is still more deserving of something better than smug-faced Teri Hatcher as his wife. But it doesn't matter. This is Yeoh's show all the way.

Brosnan eases comfortably into Bond's skin in his second-go-round as 007, but is once again saddled with an absolutely horrendous title song sung (if that's the word) by Sheryl Crow. Stick around through the closing credits, though, and your ears will be rewarded with a treat: K.D. Lang singing "Surrender," a terrific ballad that utilizes the film's title and should have served as the theme.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Ok movie, i guess?
Review: Ok, i like Bond movies but this one stinks I fell asleep about an 45 minutes through. Has its moments but it isn't worth buying. Spend your money on real action, like, I don't Know, TERMINATOR!!!!!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: GOOD BUT HARDLY PERFECT !
Review: This is a very good Bond entry until the final half hour when the action takes over any sense of excitment.
I' m also concerned about the scene where Wai-lin disposes of enemy agents with karate and lets them lay on the floor of her state of the art lab. What if they wake up ?!?
Still, two excelent chase scenes (one involving a bike and a helicopter, another in a parking lot), an excelent performance by Pierce Brosnan and a suprising appearance by Q, more than make up for whatever mistakes take place later.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: A well-oiled machine, but is it worthy?
Review: Although it was originally planned that Pierce Brosnan would take on the James Bond mantle from Roger Moore in the mid-80s, the exhilaration of "Goldeneye" (his actual first Bond film) wears off rather quickly, I'm afraid.

You see, I've been spoiled by superior and definitive renditions of the Moore and Connery Bonds to be swayed by Brosnan's working class efforts. Or maybe the product placement is just too obvious in recent 007 films? Either way, this film is just a blip on the screen of an otherwise unstoppable series.

The pros: the sizzling Michele Yeoh as the latest Bond girl, who's both lethal and beautiful, in the best traditions of the genre.

***The proper use of henchmen--Gotz Otto revamping Robert Shaw's oversized killer who nevertheless is no match for Bond.

***And finally, the suitably grandiose (if unoriginal) world-domination plot that has since been missing in action.

The cons: Teri Hatcher--Bond girls have never been famous for their acting skills, but Hatcher looks and sounds out-of-place here.

***An unappealing villain--Jonathan Pryce doesn't have the charisma or the physical appeal to be a proper Bond villain (much less a memorably one).

***The title song by Sheryl Crow; easily one of the worst in the series. The outro closing torch number by K.D. Lang should have been the title cut; it's classic Bond fare.

***Product placement is far too obvious in this film; enough is enough, guys.

Overall, a briskly paced entry in the Bond canon, but it's not firing on all cylinders.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Felipe Sahurie says "Its a terrible movie"!!!!
Review: Out of all the bond films, this one has to be the worst!All we need now in the 21st century is a chines bond girl!!

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Bondage
Review: The 18th James Bond film finds 007 (Pierce Brosnan in his second outting) going up against media tycoon, Elliot Carver (Jonathan Pryce). He is having international incidents staged in order to pit the world's Superpowers against one another. Bond finds himself working with his Asian counterpart, Agent Linn (Michelle Yeoh, who can really kick butt), and grabbing the attention Carver's wife Paris (Teri Hatcher). All of the nesscessary Bond staples return from the last film. Beautiful women, elaborate stunts, M (the classy Dame Judi Dench), Miss Moneypenny (Samantha Bond) and of course the redoubtable gadget guru Q (the late great Desmond Llewelyn). Brosnan makes a solid Bond, coming pretty close but not quite to Sean Connery. Brosnan combines sophistication with a ruggedness and seems even more comfortable, if that's possible, in the role.

Directed by Roger Spottiswoode, the action set pieces are put together very well, of course. Ultimately though the film falls just a bit behind Goldeneye, because Pryce doesn't seem quite as into his part as other Bond villians from past films in the series. For her part Hatcher is all but wasted in a limited role. Both of these factors detract (but not too much) from the festivities.

The extras on the Special Edition DVD are on parr with other films in the series. There are 2 solid audio commentaries. The first features Spottiswoode yaking it up about doing Bond. For having to go solo--it's not bad. it's a nice mix of tecnique and trivia. The seond track is even better and has second unit director Vic Armstrong & longtime series producer Michael G. Wilson, with a nice back and forth.If you are a fan of composer David Arnold's music from the film, then you should like the isolated music-only audio track and interview with him. The Secrets of 007 featurette outlines the evolution of the series over its history. Fans will know all of the trivia of course. Production notes, theatrical trailers, TV spots, a visual effects reel, The music video for "Tomorrow Never Dies" by Sheryl Crow, and storyboard overlay technology that compares initial "Action-Scene" concepts with the final film, tops off the disc.

Despite some problems, Tommorrow Never Dies, is still Bond worthy. **** Stars

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: I give this one 5 biggies for a very good reason.
Review: It's been 10 years since a good James Bond movie (The Living Daylights). This IS Pierce Brosnan at his very best. There is a perfect amount of action. At least there is a plot going on (unlike T.W.I.N.E. and Die Another Day where there is absoulutly NO plot). Finally a good bond girl, Wai Lin a Chinise Secret Service agent. The story is Elliot Carver, a worldwide media mobile has his right-hand man, Mr. Gupta use his GPS scrambler to send a Royal Navy ship off corse. Then Carver's men in a stealth ship destroy it. The end is onboard that same stealth ship where Bond and Wai Lin slip aboard. Overall this movie is very good and is worth seeing. Enjoy!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: James Bond at his best.
Review: "Tomorrow Never Dies" is my favorite Bond film ever. Practically every element in the film hits the right mark. The acting, action scenes, characters, gadgets, and most everything else.

Brosnan has the right combination of the suave manners that Connery created in "Dr. No" and the emotional intensity that Dalton brought to the role in "License to Kill". He makes Bond human, with out losing any of the beyond human qualities of James Bond. He really hits the mark in this movie.

Other characters of note, would be news maniac Elliot Carver played to insane glory by Jonathan Pryce. He is kind of villain who uses his head, instead of his muscles. Michelle Yeoh is the only Bond girl in history who could actually beat James down and have him cry over it. With two machine guns, kung-fu skills, and the same tendency for destruction like Bond, she puts most other girls in the series to shame.

The action scenes are classic. The tricked out BMW 750 in the car garage is fast, explosive, and made with perfect precision. The idea of putting Bond in the back of the car with a remote control is a great twist on the car chase theme. The BMW motorcycle chase is also great to watch. Once again, the film doesn't just toss out another motorcycle chase with out adding some thing different. This time, you have two passengers, handcuffed, and trying to avoid a gunfire from choppers and other things. Great stuff.

One other quick thing of note, David Arnold's first Bond score is still his best. His work in "Tomorrow Never Dies" blends a great amount of styles used in the other films, and new styles for the 90's.

Since it's release, "Tomorrow Never Dies" has remained to me, the best James Bond film to date. Check it out if you haven't already.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: My favorite Bond movie!
Review: This has to be my favorite Bond movie, good plot, good gadgets, GREAT female leads (kudos to Mss. Yeoh and Hatcher!) and Pierce Brosnan make for an excellent movie!

I still think Sean Connery is the quintessential Bond, but Mr. Brosnan ably walks in his shoes. If I were a Bond novice, I would still start with the earlier movies, but this is a wonderful addition to the series.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: GREAT BOND FILM
Review: This bond film is full of great gadgets, action parts, and everything that the James Bond collection is known for. I can watch this film over and over without getting bored of the wicked villian incharge of destroying the world. GREAT FILM!


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