**YOU ARE NOW ENTERING SPOILERTOWN**
Plot: Carver attempts to start WWIII between China and the UK, making it look as though the Brits will blow up Beijing, allowing the military chief to take over and grant Carver exclusive broadcast rights in China forever.
Foiled by: Bond, with the help of Wei Lin and his old flame Mrs. Carver, uncovers the plot and the stealth ship and spills the beans to everyone (and disarms the missile) before it goes tits up. Honestly, a little anti-climactic. “Hey guys! The boat is over there!”
Intriguing Setting(s): South China Sea | Hamburg | Vietnam
Bond: Pierce Brosnan
Villain(s):
- Eliot Carver – News media mogul
- Harry Gupta – played by master magician Ricky Jay!
- Dr. Kaufman
- Stamper
Bond Girl(s):
- Paris Carver
- Wei Lin
- Inga Bergstrom – Oxford professor of Danish that gives James a few oral exams
HL’s Hot Take: Better than I remember, but ultimately so formulaic it’s painful. Villain is absurdly one dimensional, all clichés are met (beefy right hand henchman, climactic fight in lair, bumbling Americans, etc.) and the sexual innuendo is strained rather than cheeky. WAY overdoes it on the puns, even for Bond. And for fuck sake JUST SHOOT THEM FOR ONCE!
Head Librarian Rank: 17/24
Critical Rank: 19/24
TRIVIA SECTION!
Odds & Ends:
- Teri Hatcher found out she was pregnant right after being cast, so her scenes were shot early and quickly and this is also why she is particularly busty. Supposedly she accepted the role to fulfill her husband’s dream of being married to a Bond Girl.
6 Degrees Cameos: Gerard Butler is on the ship at the beginning of the movie!
Gadgets: tricksy cell phone and a remote controlled car
Cars: Aston Martin DB5; BMW 750i
Awards: Golden Globe nod for Best Song – “Tomorrow Never Dies”
Release Order: 18/25 (1997)