Where to watch Tomorrow Never Dies
3 1/2 Stars
Agent James Bond 007 (Pierce Brosnan) is on a mission which includes a media tycoon, his former lover and a Chinese Agent. Elliot Carver (Jonathan Pryce) wants to complete his global media empire, but in order for this to work, he must achieve broadcasting rights in China. Carver wants to start up World War III by starting a confrontation over British and Chinese waters. Bond gains the help of Wai Lin (Michelle Yeoh) on his quest to stop him, but how will Bond feel when he meets up with his former lover, Paris (Teri Hatcher), who is now Carver’s wife.
Bond purists often cite Goldeneye as the definitive Pierce Bronson-led outing. While I admire that film from a technical standpoint and for colorfully reinstating 007 back into the forefront of public awareness, Tomorrow Never Dies is superior in almost every aspect; it’s bigger, grander, and loaded with some of the most exhilarating action set pieces in the modern Bond era. This high-energy affair is well-crafted by veteran action ace Roger Spottiswoode. The series has never been about the creative hand behind the scenes; the routine formula is trotted out time and again, and audiences essentially understand what they should expect from a James Bond picture. On those very simple terms, ‘Tomorrow’ ranks amongst the greatest entires in the entire series.
These films have always hinged on the level of villain presented to us. Just think back to some of your favorite Bond films, and I am sure the likes of Jaws, Odd-Job, Blofield, etc. are bound to appear. This installment features Elliot Carver, a crazed media mogul bent on instigating a war between China and Britain to create a press frenzy, which would drive up the sales of his magazines, newspapers, and the ratings of his news programs. So once again MI-6 calls in agent 007, played with flair by second-timer Bronsan, to infiltrate the Carver Media Group and spoil their plans or a global war. Bond must rekindle a lost romance with Paris Carver, a former lover now married to the Rupert Murdoch-esque Elliot Carver.
All of which is done in a quick fashion to make way for three of the most technically astounding action set pieces. Starting with a car chase, controlled by a Bond in the back seat, dodging henchmen as he navigates the car from a remote video device. Also of equal entertainment is a cleverly designed sequence that ends with Bond on a motorcycle squaring off against a looming helicopter. I won’t give away all the pleasures that this gargantuan thrill machine possesses, but I will assure potential viewers that the energy, humor, and craftsmanship are well above any other Bond films in the Bronsan period.
Directed by: Roger Spottiswoode
Written by: Bruce Feirstein, Ian Fleming
Starring: Pierce Brosnan, Jonathan Pryce, Michelle Yeoh
This is one of my personal favorite bond films and the only one I saw in Theatres so far. I think it was the first time American audiences got to see Michelle Yeoh in an action film. Good review
Ya this is a good one. Brosnan has been my favorite Bond since GoldenEye, and still is even though Craig is a damn good Bond as well.