The James Bond movies are 40 years old. They comprise the longest-running, and overall most successful film series in the history of the medium, now clocking in at 20 official entries-23 if you count the unofficial ones. Their formulas are tried and true, and at this point can even be deemed classic. Everyone knows the stories, the characters, the archetypes-007 and his world are as much a part of the American pop culture experience as any other.
It is because of this legacy that certain flexibilities must be applied when reviewing the Bond films of today. Pierce Brosnan’s Bond is still the suave, quick-witted British agent that Sean Connery made his own back in 1962, but, let’s be honest, folks, the films themselves have long since degenerated into bombastic action spectacles where interesting plots of spying, international intrigue and espionage take a back seat to how many cool gadgets and pyrotechnics can be crammed into one frame.
In that regard, ‘Die Another Day’ is no different, and it would be immeasurably easy to dismiss it as a limply plotted blockbuster action romp using the James Bond name to give itself a chance at credibility. We could blast it for its bland lead villain (a foppish Toby Stevens doing the ageless megalomaniac-bent-on-world-domination-or-something thing), or for the fact that its lead ‘Bond girl’ is far more interesting than its femme fatale. We could groan at its plot device (another frickin’ space laser used to hold the world hostage?!), and bitch for hours about the fact that Madonna’s title track might just be the absolute worst of all the cheesed-out Bond themes.
But the film works because of the legacy, because its audience knows the characters and the formula and the way things ‘ought to be.’ It is not an improvement on the action-driven Brosnan Bonds, nor does it even come close to the heights the series has scaled before, but is still a great time at the movie theater. This formula is one that will never run out of steam. Seeing a James Bond film is like hearing an old joke: you know what to expect, yet it still gets you where it counts.
With that, ten reasons why ‘Die Another Day’ should be considered a respectable Bond entry:
1. The Car After destroying BMWs for many years now, 007 finally gets back to his roots, outfitted with an Aston Martin with one very curious special feature that makes for some of the best sequences in the movie. More points for the fact that such a beautiful ride isn’t squandered; unlike previous efforts, it is a central accessory in this film, and doesn’t just appear for five minutes only to be carved up or blown to pieces.
2. Rick Yune A Chinese action star whose screen charisma injects life into one of the most interesting concept villains since Oddjob first beheaded a young lass with that nasty hat of his. He’s a vengeful and violent bad guy with a face covered with diamond lacerations…cool.
3. John Cleese We miss Desmond Llewelyn. We miss our Q. But if somebody has to fill those mighty shoes and be on the receiving end of 007’s ‘juvenile quips,’ it might as well be John Cleese. Welcome aboard.
4. Halle Berry An Oscar-winning actress as a CIA agent and Bond girl? Not a bad marriage, it seems, if Halle Berry is involved. Refreshingly more relaxed after her Oscar win (and for that matter, ridiculously overrated turn in the ridiculously overrated ‘Monster’s Ball’), Berry is convincing, if just enough, and having fun at the same time. Plus, as Jinx, she’s got a pretty cool Bond girl name. Bonus points.
5. A darker edge, if only for a short while The first half hour of the film gives us a much different Bond that we’ve always known before he roars back into action. A torture sequence, botched diplomacy, and the disconcerting site of 007 hooked up to an EKG add a quick flavor long missing from these films.
6. Sheer visual delight If there’s one thing the Brosnan Bonds have in spades, it’s mind-blowing visual effects. Everything delights the eye here: from raucous, ear-splitting explosions, to magnificent locations and enchanting sets, including an astonishing ice palace that sets the stage for an eye-popping, truly Bondian showdown between hero and villain.
7. Bond’s first sword fight Strange as it may seem, this film exhibits Bond’s first ever on-screen sword fight. And it’s a thriller: clashing, clanging, breaking things, innocent bystanders, well-choreographed. Nothing wrong with a little swashbuckle in your shaken, not stirred.
8. Technical prowess In addition to visual excellence, ‘Die Another Day’ is extremely well edited and boasts sound effects that would make even the most discerning ear perk up. For those of you who were looking for a film in 2002 that really makes great use of a Dolby Surround theater, look no further.
9. In-jokes and homage They come in all manner throughout the film, from the obvious homage that all fans of the 40-year-old series can enjoy, to the subtlest of in-jokes that would reward only fanatically devoted 007 fans. 40 years is quite a milestone, and boy, does this film celebrate that in style.
10. It’s Bond, baby Let’s face it; James Bond will be packing theaters until the end of time. Even if ‘Die Another Day’ manages only a passing grade, it still ads to the bragging rights of one of the greatest of all film legacies.