3 replies to this topic

[manfromjapan]

THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH (Michael Apted, 1999)
Underrated James Bond film (Pierce Brosnan's third) in which the filmmakers attempt to add dimension to the female characters (okay, that doesn't include Denise Richards) and present a more vulnerable, emotional, cold-blooded 007. Whereas the previous film, TOMORROW NEVER DIES (1997) was a balls-out action flick lacking convincing drama, THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH suffers from the opposite flaw. The action scenes, whilst exciting and actually offering a spin on such scenes (a rising submarine instead of a sinking one; a ski chase where the baddies attack from above; a boat chase across the River Thames), seem slotted in at various points where the pace starts to flag. The plot when you think of it makes less and less sense (the baddies' motivations are very unclear). But with Brosnan a more human, yet supercool Bond (he is perhaps too emotional at times though), Sophie Marceau probably the most beautiful and well-written Bond girl to date and added Judi Dench (as 'M' of course), the 19th 'official' Bond film is one of the better ones, even if at times the drama threatens to bring the film to a halt. Also stars Robert Carlyle, Robbie Coltrane and in his last appearance as 'Q', Desmond Llewelyn (his assistant in the film, John Cleese, would become the new 'Q' in the next film, 2002's DIE ANOTHER DAY).

[Rene Mathis]

To me TWINE was the first real attempt in a long time to bring the films back to the serious era of the early connerys, unfortunately it doesnt really work as it came out in the 90's world which didnt really want them.
All the ground work is there for a terrific film, but it has some major problems along the way -
Boring action scenes (excluding the whole PTS, absolutely perfect IMO)

A plot that in theory is extremely clever and interesting, but which recieves very little screen time to make itself relevant

Characters that are actually quite deep and well acted (even Ms Jones to a point, but she was obviously only there to play the role of the tits that Bond will sleep with at the end and to that extent she comes across quite well), but these charactors and motivations are abadoned the minute we need some action because this movie has some serious pacing issues that can make a life long fan start checking his watch.
So I very much admire where they tried to go with this film, and some parts are fantastic, but theres just too many faults that stop it from being a good film by any means.
Ulitamtely it was just too soon to start adding all this depth to Bond movies when the viewing public were quite happy to see mindless action with little plots (it was the 90s after all, imagine releasing Casino Royale 10 years ago, it would have had no interest from any of the moviegoing public)

[ACE]

The action scenes, whilst exciting and actually offering a spin on such scenes (a rising submarine instead of a sinking one; a ski chase where the baddies attack from above; a boat chase across the River Thames), seem slotted in at various points where the pace starts to flag.

Agree.

Sophie Marceau probably the most beautiful and well-written Bond girl to date

Agree, but I would relegate her to "Bond girl". She's so much more than that!

Nice stuff, mfj.
Don't think it is underrated.
I think it is overrated.
But then when it comes to favourites, TWINE ain't mine!

[DaveBond21]

I agree it is underrated.

I love the PTS - one of the great 17 minutes of any Bond film. Unfortunately the rest of the film can never match it.

Love the farewell to Q scene though, and the skiing, and it's great to see Zukovsky back.