Friday, November 22, 2002

DIE ANOTHER DAY

So, James Bond of her Majesty’s Secret Service celebrates 00-40 at the movies and serves up his 20^th episode titled Die Another Day - the first not to incorporate an Ian Fleming title. Long ago the hands at the control of the franchise ditched the books save for their dust jacket moniker and from time to time the results have been inspired and thrilling.

In Die Another Day, Bond is confronted with a maniacal mastermind with a weapon of mass destruction that, unless vanquished (man and machine), will cement his lust for world domination. What an original construct.

For those in search of a Bond for the new millennium, abandon all hope at the concession stand. But if you’re looking for the tried and true, this edition is suitably unchallenging, relying on old tricks and conventions to carry a diverting two hours of popcorn entertainment.

The Bond movies have evolved only somewhat over the years. He still drinks, though he no longer smokes and he continues to carouse, no, hopefully, practicing safe sex (now there’s the basis of a future plot: Bond infected through close contact with a highly contagious virus … but keep it PG-13). The villains have ranged from Cold Warriors to crazed scientists and mega maniacal captains of industry, yet all have shared the same goal.

The film’s signature includes exceptional locations, beautiful women and an eye-popping array of stunts and gadgets. It’s been a recipe for success. Which is not to say, even when following the directions religiously, that it will always turn out a tasty dish.

In this outing Bond is betrayed behind enemy lines in North Korea, taken prisoner and tortured in a setting straight out of The Manchurian Candidate. Following his release in a spy swap 14 months later (oops! Is it a coincidence Bin Laden is still at large?), he’s taken out of service. But Bond literally jumps ship to pursue the still nameless and faceless turncoat.

He goes from Hong Kong to a Cuban clinic (actually Spain) to London where he’s put back into service, Iceland and back to North Korea and one has to assume racks up a massive amount of frequent flyer points. He also encounters and beds Jinx (Halle Berry), his female counterpart, albeit an American op, Zao (Rick Yune) who sports a diamond encrusted complexion thanks to his opening encounter with Bond and Gustav Graves (Toby Stephens), the mysterious owner of a diamond mine and philanthropist. It doesn’t take much to connect these dots.

What director Lee Tamahori brings to Die Another Day is an adroit sense of action. The chases are nail biters and a sword fight between 007 and Graves is inspired. Tamahori also understands that, if you move quickly, you can drive through any plot fall of which there are many in the script credited to Neal Purvis and Robert Wade. Some basic laws of science are additionally flaunted.

Conversely, humor is completely lost on the director. Some quips, but few puns, work well enough thanks to the performers. However, efforts to create sparkling and witty repartee between Bond and Jinx are hopelessly flat-footed. The series producers appear to have a penchant for hiring dour filmmakers and if not for the presence of Dame Judy Dench and John Cleese, Bond could well find itself bereft of the light touch that’s made it such an enduring series and allows us to forgive it so many current sins.

An MGM release of an Eon Productions presentation. Produced by Michael Wilson, Barbara Broccoli. Directed by Lee Tamahori. Screenplay, Neal Purvis, Robert Wade. Camera, David Tattersall. Editor, Christian Wagoner. Music, David Arnold. Production design, Peter Lamont. Costumes, Lindy Hemming. Visual effects, Chris Corbould, Mara Bryan. Stunt co-ordinator, Vic Armstrong.

Pierce Brosnan (James Bond), Halle Berry (Jinx), Gustav Graves (Toby Stephens), Miranda Frost (Rosamund Pike), Zao (Rick Yune), M (Judy Dench), Q (John Cleese), General Moon (Kenneth Tsang).

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