And so, it begins, yet another addition (the Twentieth no less!) to the inexhaustable Bond franchise. Cue gun- barrel view beginning and trademark music. We are then treated to a pre-credits sequence that starts off like any other previous Bond-flick, but you are in for a surprise, because Bond doesn't get his own way this time and the movie suddenly becomes very dark in tone, as we see our hero being tortured to near death while Madonna's uniquely techno theme-tune plays over the top. When its all said and done, over a year has passed and ol' James looks more like Grizzly Adams than our usually trim and confident spy. He is returned to the hands of MI5, but nobody is happy to see him, he is under evaluation for being a possible traitor and our hero is on his own.
Now, you're thinking 'Wow! This is unlike any Bond movie I've ever seen! This is full of twists and surprises, never even dared before, this is gonna be good!.....' Then all your hopes and dreams are shattered, because Bond is soon back to his usual self, designer suits, sipping cocktails and bedding his usual quota of highly attractive female spies (must be a job requirement), and of course, the one-liners that only he can pull off with such charm as he bounds around, killing bad guys like there is no tomorrow, and to be honest, I wouldnt have him any other way!
Pierce is fantastic as usual, even at the age of 49 he can still pull off the action sequences with ease. Halle Berry seems to be getting better with each movie, she almost steals the show in every scene she is in, looking totally comfortable in the part and relishing in the glory of it all. The evil-doer this time Gustav Graves (Toby Stephens) starts and finishes like all baddies previous, over the top and cheesy, but the back up cast including Dame Judi Dench (wonderful on screen chemistry with Brosnan), John Cleese and Samantha Bond make this a joy to watch. Oh, watch out for a brilliant scene between Moneypenny and Bond.
The bad points about this movie are the sometimes dreary pacing, over the top gadgets (the Aston Martin can disappear in this one, ...for goodness sake!) and an Ice Hotel, yes there really is such a thing, but nowhere near the size and design of this one, which looks like something out of the Wizard of Oz, and looking not in the slightest bit cold. Still, this is Bond at his best, I only hope Pierce still has one left in him, because he's showing how it should be done, so sit back down Vin Diesel, this is the ultimate spy! Just keep sucking in that gut on the topless scenes Pierce! |
