August 31, 1997 -- That seemingly immortal secret agent, James Bond, is up to his old tricks again. He's outlasted numerous directors, producers, actors, the Cold War, and is now zeroing in on the new favorite villain of the information age, the media mogul.
A fine actor, Jonathan Pryce, is the latest in a long line of villains in this, one of the longest running series of films in history. Pryce plays Elliot Carver, a megalomaniac who heads up a world-wide empire of television and print news outlets.
Carver has an interesting approach to the news. In order to beat the competition, he actually creates the news by having people killed. He writes the stories before the events happen. Not content with killing a few people, he plans to start a war between China and England. That will sure boost ratings!
Bond, played by the handsome and dashing Pierce Brosnan, is out to stop Carver's mad plan. He doesn't have to do it single-handedly, however, because he gets some help from a Chinese secret agent, Wai Lin (Michelle Yeoh). Although she's a bit skinny, she looks fairly convincing in the fight scenes. They make a good pair.
One expects flashy gadgets, exciting stunts and stunning beauties in Bond films and this one doesn't disappoint. There's a remote-controlled car, a motorcycle jump from one building to another over a flying helicopter and the lovely Teri Hatcher ("Two Days in the Valley"). Joe Don Baker reprises his role as Wade, the gonzo CIA operative, and the ancient Desmond Llewelyn plays Q for the umpteenth time.
Although cliches abound in this well-worn story, everyone seems to be having such a good time you can't help but like this latest spy thriller. The series doesn't seem to be losing any steam, or aplomb, either. It rates a B.
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