Review of Die Another Day (2002) by D.j. C — 11 Oct 2010
This is a classic case, of a movie of different halves.. the first half of the film, from opening gun barrel to the fencing sequence in London was actually quite good, and entertaining. We get to see Bond fail and tortured (gasp!) in the pre-title/title sequences.
He has been ousted by MI6, and is left to rely on himself to hunt down the person who set him up from the beginning of the film.. But from the moment Bond confronts M in a secret Q lab to the end credits, this film spirals out of control into a black abyss that it never recovered from.
From the overly sensational ice palace, to a giant death laser in space, to a CGI Bond para-sailing on a giant CGI tidal wave, to the subplot of DNA reconstruction (used to change the appearance of the main villain) - this part of the film just ramps up the absurdity.
. even the decent climax, which takes place on a huge cargo jet is ruined by the inclusion of a body suit capable to electrocuting a person to death - not to mention the giant death laser makes a second appearance.
. since this film was released on the 40th anniversary of Dr. No - it felt like it was trying to hard to play on the nostalgia and camp factors of the more "silly" Bond adventures like Diamonds Are Forever and Moonraker - rather than paying homage to a down to earth spy/action thriller.
.. Sadly this was Brosnan's last film, and what a way to go out on - but that's ok, in the eyes of this Bond fan, i'll remember him more for Goldeneye than I will this epic disaster.
This review of Die Another Day (2002) was written by D.j. C on 11 Oct 2010.
Die Another Day has generally received mixed reviews.
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