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Ranking James Bond Films: #19 – “Tomorrow Never Dies” (1997)
And yes, I know this is three straight Brosnan films in a row. That says something, doesn’t it?
“James Bond sets out to stop a media mogul’s plan to induce a war between China and the United Kingdom.”
Director: Roger Spottiswoode
Writers: Bruce Feirstein, Ian Fleming
Cast: Pierce Brosnan, Jonathan Pryce, Michelle Yeoh, Teri Hatcher, Judi Dench, Desmond Llewelyn, Ricky Jay, Samantha Bond
Release Date: December 19, 1997
IMDB
After the high of GoldenEye, the 007 universe was due for a letdown. They got it with Tomorrow Never Dies. The second Pierce Brosnan venture centers around James Bond tangling with a media mogul, Elliot Carver, who is steadfast on starting World War III and profiting off it.
Jonathan Pryce plays the part of Carver, and it’s one of the few times in the Bond franchise where the casting of the villain is wrong. The misstep with the antagonist is reminiscent of Octopussy and Quantum Of Solace. Pryce’s part of villainy isn’t intimidating, scary, or, frankly, all that smart.
It’s a bit damning to Tomorrow Never Dies that its most thought-provoking aspect is its portrayal of the media and how it generates its own headlines. Newspapers are no longer the vessel for breaking news, but the idea of the media feeding upon itself and wishing for hardship to create more profit is nothing new. There is no denying that the worse the world is, the more money and attention media outlets get.
And how about this for a fun fact. Anthony Hopkins was meant to play Carver. He was signed and on set…but only for three days. The production process for Tomorrow Never Dies was so chaotic that Hopkins pulled out of the role and ventured onto the set of The Mask Of Zorro (1998). For that, one can be eternally grateful. Martin Campbell strikes gold again.
And yes, I know this is three straight Brosnan films in a row. That says something, doesn’t it?
STANKO RATING: C-
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