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Pierce Brosnan’s James Bond swan song is by far his least satisfying entry in the series. Die Another Day opens with Bond being captured by North Korean terrorists. Once he’s traded for another spy, M (Judi Dench) takes him off duty, concerned he may have shared intelligence with the Koreans during captivity. So for this adventure, he’s working for the Chinese, who also want the North Koreans brought to justice. Bond tracks down one of the terrorists in Cuba and discovers a mysterious connection to a British billionaire named Gustav Graves (Toby Stephens). Agents from two other international agencies (Halle Berry and Rosamund Pike) end up joining Bond in uncovering what Graves and the North Koreans are up to, which just so happens to involve a giant space laser that can ravage the world.
Die Another Day is working from an inelegant script that gets as kooky as anything from the cheesy Roger Moore years of the franchise. (Roger, you know I love you, but you know you were cheesy.) In addition to the giant space laser, the villains are involved in advanced gene therapy that changes their appearances (they even switch races), and Bond’s car literally turns invisible in this film. There are also a few far-fetched virtual reality scenes when Bond and Moneypenny (Samantha Bond) don a certain pair of glasses created by quartermaster R (John Cleese, returning for his second and, sadly, final time). The three prior Brosnan films were so much more grounded in reality, that it makes Die Another Day stick out like a sore thumb.
The pervasive incredulity is accompanied by a lack of any memorable action set pieces and a pair of boring Bond Girls. Halle Berry and Rosamund Pike are terrific actors, but their parts are underwritten and underwhelming. Madonna also underwhelms with her title song, as well as in her uncredited cameo appearance as a fencing instructor. Then there’s the poor visual effects work, including a truly cringeworthy sequence in which Bond kitesurfs on some digital waves.
Even though it’s the worst Bond film since the franchise started with Dr. No in 1962, there are a few bright spots. Production designer Peter Lamont’s ice palace set, which figures prominently throughout the middle portion of the film, is a standout. Among the cast, Toby Stephens is the most valuable player. He’s a handsome, dangerous foil for Bond who descends into Blofeld-level diabolicalness. His violent fencing match with Bond is one of the film’s better action scenes.
Directed by Lee Tamahori (Once Were Warriors, The Edge). With Rick Yune and Michael Madsen.