Both films had very interesting pre-titles sequences. In GoldenEye, we are first introduced to Pierce Brosnan. We also meet 006, played by Sean Bean, who proves to be just as witty and dangerous as 007. The sequence concludes when 006 is shot and 007 makes a dash down the runway of the facility, making for a very intense and action-packed climax. However, the only weakness of this scene is Bond's green-screened pitfall towards the falling aircraft, which is both physically impossible and unbelieveable.
Die Another Day has the hovercraft chase sequence, which is very thrilling and entertaining (almost as much as the GoldenEye runway chase), not to mention much more realistic. We also get to see Zao get several diamonds blasted into his face! Ooh the joy!
Of these two sequences, I was originally planning to choose GoldenEye over Die Another Day. However, I cannot find any incriminating evidence over Die Another Day. Therefore, Die Another Day wins the Pre-titles for me.
(DAD: 1, GE: 0)
Brosnan's performance
Pierce is a stylish, charming, and classy actor in GoldenEye. Cold like Dalton, charming like Connery, and still a little witty like Roger Moore, Brosnan pulls it off very nicely. And he's also a handsome devil!
In Die Another Day, it all changed. He began to get grey, more broad, and seasoned like a retired commando. Although he still pulled it off quite nicely, Brosnan looked much nicer in GoldenEye.
(DAD: 1, GE: 1)
Stunts and jaw-dropping action
GoldenEye has some of the greatest action sequences I have ever seen in a movie. The opening credits are a blast, as well as the archives escape, the tank chase, and train assault until the final conclusion in Cuba.
Die Another Day has some great action as well, like the opening credits, the Vanquish chase on ice, and the sword fight. However, the ending sequence was a little fakey, I thought. Still, it was a great ride.
(DAD: 1, GE: 2)
Storyline
Meh. It's James Bond! Plots are okay... they're what make the film! These films both involve satelites, which are good...
(DAD: 2, GE: 3)
Gadgets/Cars
In GoldenEye, Bond takes the Aston Martin DB5 for a wild ride at the start of the film, much to the satisfaction of the audience. Gadgets are also very cool; we get to see the almighty laser watch, the harpoon belt, and the "pen", of course. Unfortunately, James doesn't show us any of the fancy gizmos installed in his Z3.
Die Another Day has... the Vanquish. What more can I say? It's the greatest Bond car of all time! The ring is pathetic, but hey! We still get to see him use the old "watch" again!
(DAD: 3, GE: 3)
Bond girls
Natalya was one of those rare James Bond women I actually cared for. I particularily liked the scene where she was trapped in the station in Siberia as it came crashing down over her head. It showed a lot of power in her part. Xenia is a hot baddie. I especially got a bone when she was fighting Bond in the steam room. Made me feel all funny inside.
As for Die Another Day, none of the girls really stood out for me. Jinx is okay... attractive, but not the best. As for Miranda Frost, she's the backstabber. Big whoop.
(DAD: 3, GE: 4)
Villains
Alec Trevelyan; easily the greatest James Bond villian to ever hit the silver screen. Why? Because he knows Bond best! He's also every bit as deadly as 007. The perfect villian. He probably should have had a better death, though. But man, he had it hard.
Gustav Graves was also a very interesting villian. Played by a very good actor, as well. But what's with that bio-suit? Just color it orange, stamp a "Valve" symbol on the back, and James Bond would be fighting a wannabe Gordon Freeman (without the beard).
(DAD: 3, GE: 5)
Final conflict
Just thinking about that final sequence in GoldenEye makes me drool. Easily the greatest face-off between Bond and a villian I have ever seen in my life. (And way to go for those directors to encorporate elements from From Russia With Love!) Having them hang from a satelite dish suspended hundreds of feet into the air heightened the element of danger for me. A very smart move.
As I explained earlier, I wasn't much of a fan with the ending of Die Another Day. Too much CGI.
(DAD: 3, GE: 6)
Music
Love the echoey and mysterious works of Eric Serra (I listen to GoldenEye Overture all the time). Tina Turner also works out a great theme song written by Bond and the Edge.
Most of the music from Die Another Day was instrumental, like the Monty Norman James Bond theme. Nothing particularily interesting. Then, of course, there was Madonna. However, I dig the instrumental version of her song played during the ice palace party scene. Yes... by instrumental I mean the version without the vocals!
(DAD: 3, GE: 7)
Locations
GoldenEye has some wonderful locations, like St Petersburg, Russia, Siberia, and, of course, lucious Cuba. These locations in a shtew make GoldenEye a very well-made movie worth watching.
Same goes for Die Another Day. The ice palace was simply a brilliant and original location. I also liked Korea, and... that other place as well.
(DAD: 4, GE: 8)
MI6 back-up
No comment.
(DAD: 4, GE: 8)
As much as I love both movies, here is my personal result:
Die Another Day: 4
GoldenEye: 8
