"Still you jest, defiant to the last. Your people have abandoned you, your very existence denied!"There are those Bond fans who see the latest Bond film as the embodiment of fantasy and entertainment and those who wish to see a realistic portrayal of Fleming’s hero with all the attributes we’ve come to expect. With the promise of something bigger and better once again in addition to the fact that Bond would be celebrating 40 years on the screen, Die Another Day was perhaps the most highly anticipated film in the series, and in November 2002 the disappointment filled the screen and enraged the most ardent of fans. Bond is essentially about both fantasy and integrity as an action adventure. By throwing everything into the mix, Die Another Day loses credibility after the first half an hour and becomes a farce in the same vein as Moonraker.
Bond returns to the mission after bedding Miranda Frost in the ice palace
Madonna’s title theme and resulting cameo are one of many misfires with Bond 20, to give it its original and actually more appealing name. The credits however, whilst teasing some kind of torture sequence rather than giving it to us on a plate, are actually quite cleverly designed by Daniel Kleinman. The idea of Bond for once being captured on a mission is also an appealing and well conceived one, even if he would look far more dishevelled than that after 14 months. The film goes downhill from here with the introduction of the Aston Martin ‘Vanish’, the CGI which really is the worst thing to ever appear in the Bond series because of how totally unnecessary it is, and nonsense dialogue for an otherwise beautiful, dynamic Halle Berry. Giving her the name Jinx was the nail in the coffin for the character.
Hands down the worst Bond moment ever - the day that Bond almost did die
Bond returns to the mission after bedding Miranda Frost in the ice palaceMadonna’s title theme and resulting cameo are one of many misfires with Bond 20, to give it its original and actually more appealing name. The credits however, whilst teasing some kind of torture sequence rather than giving it to us on a plate, are actually quite cleverly designed by Daniel Kleinman. The idea of Bond for once being captured on a mission is also an appealing and well conceived one, even if he would look far more dishevelled than that after 14 months. The film goes downhill from here with the introduction of the Aston Martin ‘Vanish’, the CGI which really is the worst thing to ever appear in the Bond series because of how totally unnecessary it is, and nonsense dialogue for an otherwise beautiful, dynamic Halle Berry. Giving her the name Jinx was the nail in the coffin for the character.
Hands down the worst Bond moment ever - the day that Bond almost did dieThere are some great nods here and there to past Bond films – the best are the ones that are not forced in your face. The scene with John Cleese’s Q interacting with Bond is actually one of the more enjoyable moments in the film. Seeing Rosa Klebb’s shoe, the jet pack and the acrostar jet are great little memories of 40 years. A villain with shards of diamonds embedded in his face and an action sequence devised totally around lasers then completely undermine any of the great moments.
In a scene supposed to rival Ursula Andress in Dr No (it doesn't), Jinx emerges from the water to meet Bond
In a scene supposed to rival Ursula Andress in Dr No (it doesn't), Jinx emerges from the water to meet BondDie Another Day should have been a great balance of fantasy and intrigue. In moments this is achieved and Pierce Brosnan gives a largely charismatic performance as 007 but the 40th anniversary should have given us a film to remember and should certainly have given us a great swansong for Brosnan. As Michael Madsen’s Falco orders, “You put your house in order” and bring us back to basics Bond. It seemed that despite fan opinion, James Bond would return to die another day. Cubby may have been turning in his grave at the CGI and crass dialogue but as we approach the 50th anniversary, all we can say is thank the lord for Daniel Craig and Casino Royale.
