Ok let me first say that I am a 007 James Bond movie fanatic. I have watched every film at least a dozen times or more, and am fascinated with the longest running series in film history. I mean come on, you really think there is going to be a Lethal Weapon 20? As the 20th installment in the series (excluding the spoof Casino Royale, and Non- United Artists release Never Say Never Again) this Bond flick will not disappoint you. Having seen every Bond film since Dr. No, it was great to see them pay homage to many of the past bond films with gadgets and characters. All of the essential Bond elements are here: chases, good villans, and of course the women. Did I mention that? I have 3 words for you: Halle Berry - bikini...... YES!! The action scenes are meticulously coreographed, and the premise for the film is a good one, leading Bond on his typical globetrotting through North Korea, Cuba, and Iceland. There were even some nice twists in this movie which made for a nice change in a series so smitten on tradition. While the movie was set up well in the teaser in North Korea (who doesnt like a good hovercraft chase every once in a while?), it got a little bit off the beaten BOND path if you will for my tastes. Many of the action sequences were a bit far fetched even for a Bond film, and the closing scene was way too overblown; more suited for a Matrix-esque type of movie. The witty remarks, which are typically used to give comic relief, were completely worn out till the end of the movie (much like they were in the Roger Moore era). Still, with great acting from Brosnan (set to do at least one more film for the series) and Berry, along with the spectacular stunt scenes, and of course the souped up Aston Martin, this movie is exciting from start to finish, and puts you in that James Bond fantasy world that we have come to expect for the past 40 years. Shaken, not stirred. 3 out of 5 stars My ranking of the Pierce Brosnan movies: 1. The World Is Not Enough - 1999 2. Goldeneye - 1995 3. Tomorrow Never Dies - 1997 4. Die Another Day - 2002 The Timothy Dalton movies: 1. The Living Daylights - 1987 2. Licence to Kill - 1989 The Roger Moore movies: 1. The Spy Who Loved Me - 1977 2. For Your Eyes Only - 1981 3. Live and Let Die - 1973 4. Octopussy - 1983 5. The Man With the Golden Gun - 1975 6. A View To A Kill - 1985 7. Moonraker - 1979 The Sean Connery movies: 1. Goldfinger - 1964 2. From Russia With Love - 1963 3. Thunderball - 1965 4. Dr. No - 1962 5. You Only Live Twice - 1967 6. Diamonds Are Forever - 1971 and of course the one George Lazenby movie: 1. On Her Majesty's Secret Service (one of my favorites in fact)
Cool review. What was John Cleese like? Did he compliment James Bond as well as Desmond Llewellen (spelling)?
He has done a great job in filling in for Llewellen. A bit more up tempo and funnier in my opinion, the age probably having to do something with that. I believe Desmond was nearing 90 years old. I still miss Major Broothroyd though, and what he brought to the series can not be underestimated.
I would have ranked "The Man With The Golden Gun" a bit higher. I know it was on the verge of extreme cheese, but considering the year it was made, it really matched the culture at the time. And as for the Sean Connery series...I would have to give them all a tie for first. BTW...I keep hearing inklings that they might be bring Jaws back to the fold. Has anyone else heard these rumors? He was truly a great "bad guy".
Yes this is a possibility. Kiel still looks menacing as ever even in his older years, and would provide a great comeback villian or even allie to Bond (as he did at the finale of Moonraker). Im sure Jaws and his girl survived as they were jetted out into space in his final Bond movie appearance. Talk about competeing with the times........ Moonraker is a movie where Bond should never have been sent - outer space (complete with space suit and laser guns = cheesy). The movie was filmed in 1979 (Obviously trying to compete with Star Wars).
So, your basically saying you liked the movie a lot but you give it a 3 out of 5 stars or what is equivalent to a 60%(aka D-). I don't get it.
3 out of 5 stars is BETTER than average and would be a B- (if you are using grade school theology). You see half of 5 is 2 1/2, a C and....... ahhh whats the use.
Grade school huh....uhh...yeah...it's been a while. I know how it works...I was just messing with ya. Still, sounds like your review would have ended with 4 out of 5 stars at least. If it is only slightly above average, then it sounds like a rental.
No way dude. You have to see it on the big screen, like I said in the review. And why would you want to miss Halle Berry's bikini shot...... My 3 star rating was based on the past 19 Bond films.
I don't know Drew, I really liked this movie. As far as the Brosnan ones go, this was definately better than The World is Not Enough and Tomorrow Never Dies. I want to say it was better than GoldenEye, but it's hard to say that considering GoldenEye was one of the best Bond movies ever. You have to admit, the teasing us in Goldeneye with the car does hurt it's ranking.
Dont get me wrong, I loved the movie, as evidenced by my review. I guess I am overly critical because Im a big traditionalist when it comes to Bond, and this movie was a little too over the top for me. Nevertheless, It was a very good addition to the series indeed. I'll go into more detail on the Brosnan flicks: 1. The World Is Not Enough (1999) - This movie won me over with superb directing and the believable plot. Brosnan is as comfortable as ever in his role, and the characters are very well played on all ends. 2. Goldeneye (1995) - Its amazing to me how well Brosnan stepped into this role. Once again the plot is intriguing and moves at a steady pace, and this movie was a key element in reviving the series which had taken a 6 year hiatus. 3. Tomorrow Never Dies (1997) - Loved the locale, scenery, and characters, but the movie reminds me a bit too much of The Spy Who Loved Me, and the action sequences far outweigh the character development. Even so, this movie is still a good one and in my top 10. 4. Die Another Day (2002) - See review.
Good movie, I definitely liked it better than the last two Bond flicks. The fire and ice theme was cool (ha ha), the story was fun and the car chase through the ice palace was outstanding. One last question, when will every director and producer in Hollywood realize that EVERY movie can be made better by simply adding in a simple sword fight between two beautiful women? Die Another Day did this very well....in fact, only The Mummy Returns has a better scantily-clad chick fight.
I'd rate its 3/5 also. Goldeneye was definately the best of bronsens work. I was execting more from this one. Although Bond is very unrealistic, i tend to like some realism in movies. Things like the car, the palace, and the "weapon" we're only described in less than a sentence. If they could give a more believable method for explaining these, I would have like its much more. --possible spoilers-- It also contradicted characters and strengths/weaknesses. For example, you expect much more from Bond in the beginning other than for being traded. To me, it made me think Bond wasn't the man anymore and luck got him out instead of his wit and strength. I also didn't like how the fight with the two chicks ended. I think it could have used a more creative way other than for an undefeated chick get defeated by one who has never sword fighted before. The theme mixed with the action going on was really cool. I don't think that has been done before.
