On hearing about the new James Bond movie, Die Another Day,
my mind was filled with the excitement of Goldfinger and the enthralling
Goldeneye. But at once leaving the theatre, I felt the movie was somewhat
half-baked despite stunning visual effects and devastating digital surround
sound of gun bullets. The first half was definitely full of exciting action and
stunts, but it reaches the climax and the 'so-called' most thrilling aircraft
ride since Harrison Ford's Air Force One, made my eyes itchy, drowsy and
eventually sleepy. May be it is the formula becoming too familiar or just that
Pierce Brosnan is no Sean Connery.
The movie starts off with James Bond being capture by the villainous North
Korean played by the talented and uprising actor, Rick Rune (Fast and Furious)
and the HK veteran bad guy in Hollywood Films, Kenneth Tsang (Replacement
Killers). Although both are Chinese than the Korean they portrayed, they managed
to have a pretty good screen presence, but definitely no Goldfinger. Then comes
the normal Bond Routine, Bond (Brosnan) escapes, captured, escapes, gadgets,
tuxedos, meet some hot chicks, cool invisibility car, betrayal and then the
finale good guys vs. bad guys.
One of the highlights of the film is definitely the cool car and traditional
gadgets and two new Bond girls: Oscar Winner Halle Berry (Monster's Ball) and
newcomer Rosamund Pike. Despite Halle Berry being sexy and more screen time of
the two and also putting in a good screen presence, but first timer Pike
definitely has the presence of the classical Bond Girl, which is a screen
stealer. Brosnan (The World is Not Enough) as James Bond certainly is one of the
best portrayer, but somehow lack the presence of Sean Connery, just like
nowadays action stars lack the exhilarating display of Bruce Lee. But still
Brosnan did a good job.
The visual effect and cool gadgets are certainly an eye candy experience,
combines well with the charismatic villains, usual Bond formula, sexy and pretty
Bond girls and the presence of Brosnan making the James Bond franchisees to Die
Another Day. (Andrew, 2002/edited 2003)
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