Bond Is Back – With Two Great Co-Stars And One “Almost” Iconic Bad Guy!
As some of you know, I am rewatching and reviewing every single James Bond 007 film in order – and it’s time for the 18th film in the series!
Pierce Brosnan’s second film as the world’s most famous secret agent follows his terrific introduction to the role in “GoldenEye” two years earlier…and this one has a GREAT cast – and a wild casting change!
First, here is the trailer:
The plot in a nutshell: evil Media mogul Elliot Carver – played by Jonathan Pryce – makes plans to use his media empire to fuel flames of war between the Western world and China. Bond heads to China to stop him – with the help of Chinese secret agent Wai Lin – the legendary Michelle Yeoh!
As with “GoldenEye”, Brosnan comes out firing again in a terrific opening sequence that begins in an illegal arms bazaar and ends up with a fight inside a speeding jet!
Once again, “M” is played by Judi Dench and her role is significantly larger than before – including in the opening sequence, which results in 007 commandeering a jet and an aerial fight ensues! It’s a great action sequence that gets the film off to a strong start, going into a credits sequence with a theme song by Sheryl Crow – a good not great theme…and now, the film’s casting: look at the “Bond Girls” for this film!
Yes, Teri Hatcher and Michelle Yeoh both star in the film. Hatcher plays Eliot Carver’s wife – who had a previous relationship with 007!
A Casting Reversal!
Here’s a great piece of trivia about the film – Anthony Hopkins, who had won the Best Actor Oscar a few years earlier for his deliciously evil portrayal of serial killer Hannibal Lector in “The Silence Of The Lambs” had actually started filming “Tomorrow Never Dies” before bailing on the film!
According to trivia, Hopkins bailed out on the role after three days of filming! Reports are that he dropped out because the first few days were chaotic, and there was no completed shooting script. In stepped great Actor Jonathan Pryce, who gives a cool, understated performance as a Mogul who wants to control the world.
“There’s no news like bad news!” he exclaims after his team sabotages a missile in order to cause an international incident between the US and China.
Now, back to the two female legs – both of whom are terrific in the film. Hatcher does a great job as the Mogul’s wife who still yearns for Bond.
“I always wondered how I’d feel when I saw you again” she says before slapping him hard. “Now I know.”
She’s given a great scene that showcases more emotion than usual for the series, especially when she asks Bond why he left her. “What was it James. Did I get too close?”
Her fate int he film is well set up by these scenes. Great job Teri!
007’s Greatest Bond Girl!
In a series with many terrific female co-stars, this is perhaps the greatest bit of action from that character! Michelle Yeoh steals the film – as a Chinese Agent also trying to uncover who is trying to send the US and China into war – she is the most “ass kicking” Bond Girl ever!
Once she is introduced, the film offers up a series of action sequences that give her equal weight with Bond! There is one show stopping chase sequence that involves a motorcycle chase, and Bond and Yeo sharing a motorcycle! Look at this shot:
I read trivia that says Director Roger Spottwoode told each Actor separately to make sure they were the one driving – then filmed their real argument about who was steering the bike – and it’s a terrific moment in the film!
For the fight scene in the bicycle shop, the producers had to call in Jackie Chan‘s stunt team because none of the stuntmen wanted to do the scene with Michelle – due to her full contact stunt fighting style, which she perfected in Hong Kong action films!
There another incredible action sequence when they are chased by a helicopter – right down the middle of the crowded street!
“Tomorrow Never Dies” has explosions, torture, cold blooded murder and lots of Bond quips – Brosnan clearly is having a blast as 007 and the film moves crisply along – and Yeoh is a terrific addition to the series!
The film was another smash hit, grossing more than $330 million worldwide…and the “formula” was well executed: funny quips, an expanded role for Judi Dench as M, great action sequences and exotic locations – and this time, two great co-stars!
I’ve always considered “Tomorrow Never Dies” as a “B” level Bond film, below the greats like “Goldfiingter”, “The Spy Who Loved Me” and “”OHMSS”…but in re-watching it, I raise that to a “B+/A-” because it is well executed and hits all the right notes for the series.
As I said, this was Brosnan’s second outing as 007 – here’s my review of his first effort:
Brosnan’s first two outings were terrific fun – and reminded me of the strong of smash hits that Roger Moore had after a rocky start:
“The Spy Who Loved Me” is considered Moore’s greatest Bond film – here is my review:
Moore replaced Sean Connery, the original 007 – so many great films, but I love this one especially:
I love that tagline – here’s my review of the 4th Bond film – that was supposed to be first!
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I will be reviewing all of the 007 films this year, and next up is “The World Is Not Enough!”
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Categories: Action Films, Art, Cult Movies, Film Fight Club, Great Films, Movies, Pop Culture, Talent/Celebrities
johnrieber 
I didn’t know the bit about Tony Hopkins! Well, Pryce is so good that I just can’t see Sir Tony in the role. I also love Vincent Schiavelli’s performance as the hit man.
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Interesting to find out all these details.
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This is one great review, John! What a super cast, and the action scenes are terrific. Brosnan was my #2 favorite Bond (Connery being #1.)
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We are in agreement on all counts! Moore was fine but a bit stiff…Brosnan had the gritty charm and style that matched Connery…I’ll hold my thoughts on Craig until I get to those films soon…thanks so much for the comment!
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Well said, John!
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just finished #4 thunderball, this morning, on my journey back through the series. thanks for your reviews they fill in a lot of blanks that I’ve forgotten over the years. I thought thunderball was great, but a little long, loved the action and the jet pack and the humor
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It’s a favorite of mine but they did let it play out more than they needed to…we will see that happen in the last few films in the series and I am actually feeling a bit of trepidation heading into the Craig era soon…thanks for the comment!
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I think I’m on the same page as John in your rankings. The funny thing about this one: it checks all the boxes. When I think of bond, I think of action, a plot that I don’t need to dig too deep into, and bond being bond. It ranks higher than I probably give it credit.
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I’m rewatching them all in a row before I do the review…fresh perspective and all that…this was a much more enjoyable re-watch than I was expecting! Thanks for commenting, always great to hear from you!
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I’m not a classic bond fan. I’m certainly not the first to see them when they come out, but I’ve really enjoyed your reviews and checking out some of these movies. 😎
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Thank you for the comment – much appreciated! Another good blogging friend, Robbie Cheadle, says that “Tomorrow Never Dies” was the one and only Bond film she’s ever seen! I think the ebb and flow of quality and relevance is noticeable in the films…these are Brosnan’s highs.
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