TOMORROW NEVER DIES 1997
A film review by Timothy Voon
Copyright 1997 Timothy Voon
3 :-) :-) :-) for 007
Cast: Pierce Brosnan, Jonathan Pryce, Michelle Yeoh, Teri Hatcher, Gotz Otto, Judi Dench, Desmond Llewelyn, Samantha Bond, Geoffrey Palmer, Joe Don Baker Director: Roger Spottiswoode Screenplay: Bruce Feirstein
In the secret place of every man's heart, there lies a fantasy to be perfection incarnate. In this fantasy the gentleman is a distinguished soldier, a polished diplomat and an insatiable lover all rolled into one. Immaculately clothed, ingeniously armed this warrior/lover creation of Ian Fleming emerges once again after forty year of immortal existence. Bring out the caviar, serve the champagne and watch the spectacular display of destructive fireworks caused by Bond, Mr James Bond.
It must be Bond's legacy to taste every woman from every walk of life. If women could be compared to fine food, then my favourite Bond dishes would be the delectable Honey Ryder submerged in layers of chocolate, the Pussy Galore dipped in whipped cream, and Alotta Fagina with Alotta Fagina - sorry that's a missing page from my Austin Powers cook book. Like any good Bond film, this movie begins with the usual culinary delights of finger food appetisers, before moving on to the spicy main course. Terri Hatcher, better know as Superman's girl, tries her hand with Bond, but only lasts a good undressing and bedding before being murdered by a jealous husband. Having served the purpose of a cocktail, the next course is the perfect example of exquisite oriental cooking, the sort that wriggles and sizzles on your plate. I'm referring to the sumptuous Michelle Yeoh. I freely admit to being a sucker for woman in dark leathers with multitalented use of their hands and legs. I haven't been this fascinated by the thinking/fighting woman well, since Bambi and Thumper decided to go group action with Bond.
Once again, the question asked is how does this James (Pierce Brosnan) compare with the other Bonds? Well he's not as manly as the heartthrob Connery of the sixties, not as clean cut as the single dimensional Moore of the seventies, and not as emotional as the ordinary Dalton of the eighties. Brosnan is like the corporate executive of the nineties deciding he needs a bit of Rambo in his life. So far he's doing a good job interpreting the nineties Bond and should hold together for another decade.
The plot surrounds events of news making ground breaking news. Evil Media Mogul Elliot Carver (Jonathon Pryce) has decided that there is no better news than bad news, and the best publicity usually comes from oneself. Why wait for heaven and hell to arrive when you can create it yourself. Now that the Soviet Union is no longer considered a serious threat to world peace, the Chinese have become unwitting victims for beginning WWIII with the British. Carver's plan basically surrounds the use of stealth boats downing naval vessels of both sides and antagonising all concerned.
In summary, TOMORROW NEVER DIES is what every Bond film should be. A mixture of light-hearted humour sprinkled over the noisy, undertones of special effect driven action, with a coating of classy babes to help the food go down with as little indigestion as possible. My compliment to Cubby Brocolli for once again bringing as back the Bond that every man wants to be.
Timothy Voon e-mail: stirling@netlink.com.au
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