Tomorrow Never Dies (1997)

My Review

“Tomorrow Never Dies” is the 18th Eon Production of the James Bond movie series where everyone’s favorite secret agent has been assigned to prevent a crazed media mogul from succeeding in his plans to start a war between the United Kingdom and China, which would secure broadcast rights in China for his growing media empire. Director Roger Spottiswoode (“Air America” 1990) and screenwriter Bruce Feirstein have given the old franchise a fresh look with computerized gadgets controlled by a diabolical media boss bent on starting World War III.

Pierce Brosnan has hit his stride in his second round as 007. His humor and agility rival that of both Sean Connery and Roger Moore. Co-stars include Jonathan Pryce as media boss Elliot Carver (who mysteriously resembles Rupert Murdock), Michelle Yeoh as a Chinese agent, Teri Hatcher as Carver’s wife, Joe Don Baker as the CIA agent, Geoffrey Palmer as a Royal Navy Admiral, Julian Fellowes as the Minister of Defense, Vincent Schiavelli, Rick Jay, and Gotz Otto as Carver goons, Judy Dench as M, Colin Salmon as M’s assistant, Samantha Bond as Miss Moneypenny, Hugh Bonneville and Gerald Butler as UK military officers, and Desmond Llewelyn in his 17 appearance as Q, the head of M16’s research and development department.

The very watchable “Tomorrow Never Dies” was the fourth highest grossing film of 1997 for producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, Eon Productions, United Artists, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, and MGM Distribution Company. It was filmed in the United Kingdom, Thailand, France, Germany, and Mexico. This was the first Bond film produced after the death of Albert R. “Cubby” Broccoli – the tribute is mentioned in the end credits. Cubby Broccoli started the James Bond movie franchise so may years ago in 1962 with “Dr. No” with his partner Harry Saltzman.