(Review by Edgar Z.)
Die Another Day is not only the title of the new James Bond movie,
but a well-fit description for a forty-year movie franchise, that with this latest installation,
seems primed to never "die another day."
Yes, we have been hit with every product tie known possible to consumer from cars to lipstick to
Madonna's latest hit song in preparation for the 20th James Bond movie release, but not even
an ejection seat in an invisible car should keep you from seeing this one.
As the series has developed, Bond has increasingly become more human, he is caught more easily (as easily
as James can be caught that is..) and seems to receive more chastising talks from the now matronly "M" played by
Dame Judi Dench, but all the elements of the classic James Bond film, including the gadgets, girls and action are back.
While I pause to mention any detail, (that is like giving someone a map before they get on a roller coaster warning of all
the upcoming loops), I will mention a few highlights, like the opening surf scene which is amazing
while not totally believable, a lot of fun to watch. Pierce Brosan is Bond for his fourth movie and brings
the character back with more charm and substance than before especially with the newest Bond Girl Halle Barry
lending more spark than ever as Jinx. Jinx is Bond's match and with all the buzz will be back again, if not another movie,
a new series produced by the Broccoli's (daughter Barabara has been manning the Bond Helm from her father's previous
reign). Halle is great and with the exception of one or two scenes, is in perfect, continually breathtaking action
movie queen shape. Toby Stevens is great as the villian and hits my list as the best "fight" scene between Bond and a villian
in a flawless sword fight.
And, yes there are cameos, as in the past, only sometimes those cameos (such as hip hop star
Goldie in The World is Not Enough ) aren't as noticable as Madonna in a great part with excellent "madonna-esqe" dialogue.
And yes you will figure it all out in a matter of scenes, but the action scenes are so Bond-original that you will forget all
about that invisible car. Bond is back!
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