Well everyone, we’re back with the James Bond marathon once again. Tonight, we review what happened to be the very last 007 film, in which Pierce Brosnan starred as James Bond. Not to mention that this particular James Bond movie is turning twenty years old, come two years from now. Man, does time really fly fast! Anyway, let’s spend time with Pierce Brosnan, as he had one last hurrah with James Bond before Daniel Craig would take over a few years later. The one and only 007 film, 2002’s Die Another Day!
Plot: After getting betrayed by someone in the British government, while on a mission in North Korea, James Bond (Pierce Brosnan) spends the next fourteen months in a North Korean prison. After getting released, can James Bond now track down the people who screwed him over, as well as prevent a British terrorist (Toby Stephens) from creating world domination on North, and South Korea, and the rest of the world?
You all may have heard me mention before that I hadn’t watched a whole lot of stuff relating to James Bond growing up, yes? Well, all the more reason that you all may be glad for me to confess that 007: Die Another Day was one of the rare films of this franchise that I watched when I was younger. I remember really enjoying it, especially this one scene, where one character makes some rather shocking remarks to another one. I can’t say how that scene went, but let’s just say that I was both shocked by it, and cracked up about it at the same time, if I recall correctly. Watching it again, is this film, overall, as good as I remembered? Well, not quite. Yes, yes, it’s still good. However, there were some areas where this film could have been better. First off, if any of you saw last 007 film, 007: The World Is Not Enough, you know how James Bond seemed to be a much more critical thinker, and could sense when something was not right, or even knew when to trust, or not trust certain people? Well, this time around, some of that seems to be thrown out the window. In fact, James Bond seems to act rather naive when it comes to certain situations this time around. While rewatching this film, part of me had wondered if maybe James Bond should have maybe had a crossover with say Jack Bauer from 24 (as Bauer spent around twenty months in a Chinese prison anyway). Why? Well, because Jack Bauer might have reminded James Bond what being an agent is all about, and that there are going to be moles along the way (moles, as in people who turn out to be untrustworthy, that is). Anyway, there were areas around the middle, where some of the writing seemed to act strange, and possibly unrealistic at times. There were times in that area if the film, where you might find yourself thinking that even those moments caused one to say that this film had some potential in some parts that seemed to get squandered in the end. Finally, there were one, or two sexual innuendo moments that were unnecessary in the end.
In spite of these few flaws, 007: Die Another Day does make up for many redeeming qualities that make this film very watchable. To begin, there are the special effects. Now, many of us can probably agree that when it especially comes to action movies that have especially been released nowadays, special effects end up being a major highlight for many of us, yes? Well, let me tell you guys something, there ends up being something about the special effects that appear to make them more special, and more magical this time around. So much so that if you she enjoyed the Disney World, or even Disney Land theme parks, you might find yourself wishing that there was a ride at somewhere like MGM Studios that involved James Bond, and his crew, 3D glasses, and effects, and yes, us as the audience too. Don’t believe me. Just imagine it, and you’ll likely know what I mean. In addition to all of this, there are some of the villains. Going along with what I said earlier about how some of the writing was weird, and could have improved, while most of the villains were developed well, there were one, or two that should have been written up a little differently than they were in the end. Oh well! Oh, but I should mention that one of the villains had diabolical schemes, as well as had a very skewed view on specific areas of life. Hard to explain? Well, again, watch this film, and you’ll know what I mean. The script is also very good as well, including some moments that could be rather hilarious. As for the character development overall, it surprising to find how well the characters stand out, for the most part, this time around. There are even one, or two, that maybe aren’t exactly bad guys, but possibly just good guys, who might just feel conflicted, and/or sympathetic on the inside. As for the theme song, while it could feel outdated by today’s standards, it is still a very catchy song. Finally, 007: Die Another Day can teach some very valuable lessons about how, first off, we need to be careful to not always trust certain people that may come into our lives temporarily, or even longer than that. Second, there’s the lesson about how we shouldn’t always trust what others say. That is especially since it might be too good to be true.
And that’s my review for 007: Die Another Day. Well, 007: Die Another Day May not have been the best 007 film to go out with a bang. However, even if 007: The World Is Not Enough was better, 007: Die Another Day had a great many qualities that make this film worth seeing even today. If you’re looking for a James Bond film that’s the best of the best, you won’t find that here. On the other hand, if you’re okay with a 007 film that’s still fun to watch from time to time, then all the more reason to see this film. Since this was Pierce Brosnan’s grand finale as James Bond, and this movie had a lot of good things in it, this is one that you need to check out, if you haven’t, and see what you think!
Final Grade: B+
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