With the release of `The World is Not Enough,' the James Bond series approaches 40 years of existence. No one disputes that the series' glory days are over-they have been since the late 1960s. But the series continues to thrive--we are told that only Bond films are guaranteed to make money world wide. But the question remains, what is the future of the series? The chase scenes in the Bond films have been surpassed by other movies. The special effects are good, yet not Matrix-class. And the insistence on keeping the films' sex tame has made that aspect almost quaint today.
Well, if `The World is Not Enough' is the future of Bond films--it's a healthy one. There are several reasons for this:
1. The film has a good director, Michael Apted, who has done `Coal Miner's Daughter' and other critically blessed movies. Recent Bond films have seemed like a series of unconnected chase scenes. In `World,' Apted remains a consistent pace. 2. The plot is easily followed and not as far-fetched as some have been in the past. Bond films usually feature a villain out to take over the world. Bond's foe here is Renard (Robert Caryle), who wants to capture the oil delivery mechanism from the former Soviet Union to the West. Important-yet not apocalyptic. 3. `World' has a wonderful cast. Caryle (even though he is made up to look like Fester Addams) is one of best developed Bond bad guys ever. He is ruthless, but we almost feel sorry for him because he can no longer feel pain (something his lover taunts him about), and is dying. Sophie Marceau is both beautiful and talented as one of Bond's love interests. Robbie Coltrane and Judi Dench are back, as is Desmond Llewelyn as `Q' (although there is poignancy in Llewelyn's departure in the movie-he died after the filming), but he will be replaced adequately by John Cleese. 4. Pierce Brosnan. No one can ever replace the best Bond, Sean Connery, but Brosnan is a strong number two. He is athletic enough to convince us (unlike Roger Moore) that he could escape death on a regular basis. And notice how business-like he is. Sure he has time to bed a few beauties and to crack a few puns, but he seems focused on getting his job done.
Where to improve the series? First, the producers need to stop using starlets (Denise Richards, in this case) who can't act as Bond girls. Marceau shows there are some beautiful, talented women out there. Second, stop the double entendres. They're not funny any more. The last pun in this film is a real groaner. Other than that, the future is bright, Mr. Bond.
Well, if `The World is Not Enough' is the future of Bond films--it's a healthy one. There are several reasons for this:
1. The film has a good director, Michael Apted, who has done `Coal Miner's Daughter' and other critically blessed movies. Recent Bond films have seemed like a series of unconnected chase scenes. In `World,' Apted remains a consistent pace. 2. The plot is easily followed and not as far-fetched as some have been in the past. Bond films usually feature a villain out to take over the world. Bond's foe here is Renard (Robert Caryle), who wants to capture the oil delivery mechanism from the former Soviet Union to the West. Important-yet not apocalyptic. 3. `World' has a wonderful cast. Caryle (even though he is made up to look like Fester Addams) is one of best developed Bond bad guys ever. He is ruthless, but we almost feel sorry for him because he can no longer feel pain (something his lover taunts him about), and is dying. Sophie Marceau is both beautiful and talented as one of Bond's love interests. Robbie Coltrane and Judi Dench are back, as is Desmond Llewelyn as `Q' (although there is poignancy in Llewelyn's departure in the movie-he died after the filming), but he will be replaced adequately by John Cleese. 4. Pierce Brosnan. No one can ever replace the best Bond, Sean Connery, but Brosnan is a strong number two. He is athletic enough to convince us (unlike Roger Moore) that he could escape death on a regular basis. And notice how business-like he is. Sure he has time to bed a few beauties and to crack a few puns, but he seems focused on getting his job done.
Where to improve the series? First, the producers need to stop using starlets (Denise Richards, in this case) who can't act as Bond girls. Marceau shows there are some beautiful, talented women out there. Second, stop the double entendres. They're not funny any more. The last pun in this film is a real groaner. Other than that, the future is bright, Mr. Bond.