81 replies to this topic

[DamnCoffee]

Over all these years, I've seen Die Another Day as a terrible film, one of the worst, now, after some serious thought...


.... I like it.


Seriously, Die Another Day isn't that bad at all, it's just pure escapist fantasy. Brosnan shines in the role. Halle Berry isn't that annoying any more, and David Arnold produces one of the most thrilling, exciting and epic scores ever. The Brosnan era was all about action, and I praise Michael and Barbara for keeping Bond completely modern. AND, I feel that this is a perfect tribute for the 40th Anniversary, it's everything Bond should've been back in the day.

Die Another Day is everything Brosnan's Bond should be, fun, exciting and general laugh. Some on here may think it's terrible, but I feel that the 20th Bond movie was a brilliant way of bringing James Bond into the 21st Century. I am at the stage now where I can just sit back, relax and enjoy it. It's not supposed to be taken seriously, it's just pure escapism.

I was 12 years old when Die Another Day was released, and I have to say, I wasn't at all mature to grasp the prospect of a serious Bond, saying that though, Daniel Craig is fantastic in the role, and Casino Royale is one of my favorite Bond movies.

Come on people! Share the love for Die Another Day. After 7 years I've learned to like it, it's not that bad at all. I was debating whether to post this in the Die Another Day reaction thread, but I feel that this on it's own, will spark some interesting discussion.

[The Shark]

and David Arnold produces one of the most thrilling, exciting and epic scores ever.

I must have missed that. All I here are inane parodies of Barry, trip-hop beats, back beats, and a derivative Jinx theme.

[DamnCoffee]

The score is perfect for the film. It's fun and entertaining. I can live with it.

[Conlazmoodalbrocra]

Since I first saw it, I've never liked Die Another Day that much. However, I will say this: it has one hell of a PTS! One of the best in the series. I suppose once one glosses over Halle Berry's awful performance, and the poor CGI, there's a good film in there somewhere. Brosnan is competent as ever, even though at times he looks like my Dad!

As I said before, the CGI is poor, and Tamahori relies on it all too much, but the physical action, such as the car chase in Iceland, is stunning. However I refuse to accept the "invisible car" idea. That was when Bond got all too silly for me, and thank God Micky G and Babs saw the light and went for the realistic approach in Casino Royale.

That being said, it is good to see Brosnan excel as the action man he had turned Bond into. This was one of the few things he did better than some of his predecessors.

[DamnCoffee]

Sure, the CGI is terrible, and some of the set pieces look fake, especially the Ice Palace in the car chase. I think this was intentional. Die Another Day isn't meant to be mindblowing, it's supposed to be fun.

I think the latter half of the film goes for a more 'comic book' type feel. Look at the blueness during the car chase. It looks too fake. I really don't mind it at all. It's not supposed to gritty and realistic, the producers were aiming for fantasy. Who would want a gritty movie for the 40th Anniversary anyway? It would be too depressing.

It's the pefect Bond movie to watch on a cold weekend.

[Judo chop]

Of course, Mhark. I'm glad you've come to face reality. It's just the last 45 minutes that suck. (And boy do they ever. Absolutely painful.)

But for 90 minutes, it's a whole lotta fun.

[Goodnight]

Since I first saw it, I've never liked Die Another Day that much. However, I will say this: it has one hell of a PTS! One of the best in the series. I suppose once one glosses over Halle Berry's awful performance, and the poor CGI, there's a good film in there somewhere. Brosnan is competent as ever, even though at times he looks like my Dad!

As I said before, the CGI is poor, and Tamahori relies on it all too much, but the physical action, such as the car chase in Iceland, is stunning. However I refuse to accept the "invisible car" idea. That was when Bond got all too silly for me, and thank God Micky G and Babs saw the light and went for the realistic approach in Casino Royale.

That being said, it is good to see Brosnan excel as the action man he had turned Bond into. This was one of the few things he did better than some of his predecessors.

I agree some of the stuff in the film was quite insane, but as a bond film its ok to do it once then move on (ie the more realistic casino royale) otherwise it just gets all too stupid

[jrcjohnny99]

Of course, Mhark. I'm glad you've come to face reality. It's just the last 45 minutes that suck. (And boy do they ever. Absolutely painful.)

But for 90 minutes, it's a whole lotta fun.

I think this really sums it up;
excellent first 2/3rds or so but once they get to iceland (or wherever they're supposed to be)....

[broadshoulder]

Its close to unwatchable.

It was commissioned by Matt Damon to destoy the Bond series.

By any set of criteria it is a very bad film.

[O.H.M.S.S.]

What I like about Die Another Day:

- the main titles by Daniel Kleinman
- the sword fight
- Pierce Brosnan (minus some dialogue, which isn't his fault)
- Emilio Echevarria as Raoul
- John Cleese (the whole Q scene)
- cinematography by David Tattersall
- beautiful poster with the silenced pistol in the melting ice

The second half, however, is in my opinion the worst part of Bond history and DAD is still dead last on my least, the only Bond film I give a 5/10, which means I find it a mediocre movie. I give all other Bond films at least 6/10, which means they are ok movies at the very least.

[Jim]

Young Matthew is evidently off his tiny head on eggnog and cherry brandy.

[Bucky]

up to the end of the sword fight is a great film. after that is just an abomination.

[Major Tallon]

In the other DAD thread, I've unleashed some of my harshest invective at Die Another Day, but it's not a film without at least some positive moments. The ones that come to mind are: 1) The PTS, and particularly Rick Yune's performance, which caused me to believe that we were about to be treated to the most formidable villain we'd seen in a Bond film in some time; 2) The scenes in the cigar factory; 3) Bond's selection of Birds of the West Indies (a genuinely clever touch); 4) The sword fight (not the best I've seen, but decent); 5) The abandoned Underground station; 6) The "video game" sequence (Brosnan's moves were fluid and lethal; too bad they had to be part of a hologram game); 7) Parts of the car duel on the ice, and particularly Bond's use of the ejector seat to flip the Aston Martin as Zao's missile flashed past; 8) the loveliness of Rosamund Pike.

Not enough to save the film, by any means, but some bits to enjoy.

Edited by Major Tallon, 24 December 2009 - 03:38 AM.

[Bill]

I think some of DAD's critics are forgetting that DAD is supposed to be fun.

It was the 40th anniversary film of the most successful film franchise in history. It was meant to be a celebration of James Bond, and it certainly delivered. There are references--some overt, some subtle--to all of the 19 previous films througout the movie. That alone makes it unique in the series.

Yes, it may be a little overlong, and the much maligned CGI parasurfing scene is a sticking point. But hold on a second and listen to the James Bond theme blaring as Bond takes to the air. It is a purely Bondian moment--in all its corniness.

Yes there is a time for a totally serious Bond. Casino Royale proved that. However, I daresay that DAD is a better film in that it successfully combines several elements. It may be argued that Bond's torture by the North Koreans over such a long period was far more horrific then anything Le Chiffre could manage, no matter how well Daniel Craig played that scene. DAD combines the seriousness of torture with equal measures of humor, action and romance (Halle Berry is very sexy, and their relationship is a joy to watch). It is a film that, intentionally or not, manages to combine all of the different shifts in tone of its 19 predecessors and come out a winner.

Now we have a new direction for Bond. This is not a QOS thread but if anybody cares to read my prior posts on that film, they can see my reasons for thinking it the worst in the series. If the series continues with its current joyless tone (notwithstanding the fact that Craig is excellent)I seriously doubt that a 50th anniversary film could ever top the sheer enthusiasm for Bond that DAD so wonderfully demonstrates.

[BryanHerbert]

Exactly the point I was trying to get out. Thanks for agreeing Bill.

[JimmyBond]

Now we have a new direction for Bond. This is not a QOS thread but if anybody cares to read my prior posts on that film, they can see my reasons for thinking it the worst in the series. If the series continues with its current joyless tone (notwithstanding the fact that Craig is excellent)I seriously doubt that a 50th anniversary film could ever top the sheer enthusiasm for Bond that DAD so wonderfully demonstrates.

Not to take the thread off course, but I'd have to disagree with that. QoS was some of the most fun I've ever had at the cinema watching a Bond film.

As for the topic at hand though, I'm going to go agains the grain and say that the Icleand sequences are really fun. I love Bond's interactions with Miranda Frost and Jinx during the Ice Palace party, as do I love all the snooping around he does during this sequence too. Sure the car chase immediately after the rocket sled chase may be overkill, but both sequences are rip roaring good times.

[tdalton]

Not to take the thread off course, but I'd have to disagree with that. QoS was some of the most fun I've ever had at the cinema watching a Bond film.

Same for me. Quantum of Solace was a fantastic cinematic experience, as opposed to the truly dreadful Die Another Day. Like others, I actually thought the series might have ended with that film. It was that bad. Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace, on the other hand, has at least breathed some new life into this stale franchise and will hopefully serve as the foundation for a new, revitalized Bond franchise moving forward.

[broadshoulder]

I think some of DAD's critics are forgetting that DAD is supposed to be fun.

It was the 40th anniversary film of the most successful film franchise in history. It was meant to be a celebration of James Bond, and it certainly delivered. There are references--some overt, some subtle--to all of the 19 previous films througout the movie. That alone makes it unique in the series.

You know its defenders pop up once in a while with the "its meant to be fun" or "its a 20th anniversary bash" as if that wipes out its sins.

It doesnt. Both aspects of the film were done incompetently. Belive you me the references were not subtle and distracted from the film. The Thunderball jetpack had me wishing I was watching that. The FRWL shoe refernce should have been nowhere near it.

As for the point its meant to be fun is that to excuse its dumbness? Are we meant to enjoy the fact that a load of sports cars are destroyed in North Korea and ignore the shoddy DNA plot? Is the sight of a dragster on the ice meant to disguise the fact that a big stupid space ray is chasing it.

Tamahori injected the wrong fun - he injected Carry On double entendres instead of witty dialogue, he injected a panto villain instead of a menacing one.

DAD is about as much "fun" as an incgrowing toenail.

[tim partridge]

Sure, the CGI is terrible, and some of the set pieces look fake, especially the Ice Palace in the car chase. I think this was intentional.

I disagree. I get the feeling they were desperately trying to wow you, and that they genuinely fancied the eyesore Ice Palace as a rival for Atlantis or the YOLT volcano. To me, it looks more like that plastic museum from Batman and Robin. Same for the robot suit at the end, which to me looks Space Precinct cool.

I think DAD really is one of the most unintentionally cheap looking, incredibly expensive movies ever made. It's like they were throwing boat loads of money at the screen and a few pennies actually stuck to it. I don't think money neccessarily equates taste or style.

Some of DAD appeals to me. I thought Tamahori did an amazing job with John Cleese and I love the agent trade off on the bridge too. Some of Tamahori/Tattersall's visual gags are well accomplished as well, such as the use of glass panel tricks, as seen when Bond first meets M and when Q tests out the glass breaker. You can't say you ever saw those coming! The real surfing seen in the opening scene is very impressive too.

I never liked the pretitle sequence. To me it seemed too much like a less sophisticated variation on the opening to Spy Game, albeit with lots of loud explosions for no reason. Making cartoon fantasy out of North Korean seemed to be in very poor taste, in my opinion. The floating landmines looked cool though.

Edited by tim partridge, 24 December 2009 - 11:59 AM.

[plankattack]

No, it is that bad.

It didn't mean to be of course. It was meant to be fun, a la MR. But if fails on that regard because it can't really put its tongue completely in its cheek in that way that a Sir Rog raised eyebrow or "later perhaps" could sell proceedings completely. I am one of those who constantly puts MR near the bottom of the personal list, but it does have Sir Rog, John Barry, and same amazing special effects. DAD doesn't, so there is no saving grace for Brozza being stuck with "P & W special collection" of bad puns as he attempts to put some gravitas into the proceedings, Arnold's worst score and some truly iffy special effects.

I was honestly excited with the idea of homages at the time, and I would be excited if I ever spotted a new one, but considering DAD never makes it out of the box, I guess I'll never find another. Instead I'm left with the notion that the self cannibalisation of ideas is truly the mark of a series so completely bereft of new inspiration, it's left to gorge on itself to keep itself alive. Yes, the franchise has always been guilty of it, but to be so blatant is to throw up its hands in obvious defeat.

And the invisible car? No, I'll never get over it. And even if it ever becomes real technology (how many Trekkies like to claim that the communicators were the inspiration for cell phones? No, basement-dwellers, they weren't), it's still an abomination on the series. Ask yourself this question when evaluating DAD - how many of you were ever so embarrassed when explaining to your non-Bond friends "he presses a button and then the car goes invisible"?

It's easy for people to take the mickey out of fans - it's unconsienable when the series sets us up like that.

Rant over. Merry Christmas?

[SecretAgentFan]

Actually, the invisible car (more of a camouflage really) was exactly what Bond gadgets were known for: over the top and fun.

And I must agree with MHarkin - DAD is supposed to be fun, plain and simple. And it doesn´t start to lose its seriousness in the second half, my friends - it´s much earlier, exactly in the moment Bond slows his heart beat down to cardiac arrest. And if that isn´t silly enough for you, then it´s the moment when he is recognized at once in the hotel despite his beard and outgrown hair (and being a SECRET agent) and then there is the cut to Bond finishing his shaving, being perfectly coiffed. Now, if that´s not camp then what is?

But it´s deliberate camp. And that´s what Bond was at that time.

After QOS came out I saw DAD right after a screening of QOS. At first I was kind of disgusted at DAD for being so silly. But a few days later I simply realized that DAD is from another era.

So, enjoy it if you can.

And don´t if you can´t.

[Tarl_Cabot]

Young Matthew is evidently off his tiny head on eggnog and cherry brandy.

hhhm...I understand people who drown experience a similiar uphoria before they die.

[dogmanstar]

I've come to like it considerably more since I've found out the plot parallels to Moonraker. Makes it a lot more palatable to me.

[Diabolik]

Uh, yes, it IS that bad.

[plankattack]

After QOS came out I saw DAD right after a screening of QOS. At first I was kind of disgusted at DAD for being so silly. But a few days later I simply realized that DAD is from another era.

SAF I do give you that. It is from another era, but to me the issue is that, like hybrid-Bond Brozza itself, it wants to bridge eras, instead of just diving in to one. Unlike Sir Rog's TSWLM and MR, the OTT nature of DAD's second hour play directly against the early EON atmospherics of the set-up.

Going the full MR-route for the whole run-time might well have led to a more even piece of entertainment. But like many of criticisms of Bond 95-02, it's the "all things to all people" that hurts it IMHO.

The film it so blantantly homages, DAF, is camp, throwaway, and quite humourous, from start to finish, working to it's benefit. But the incongrueity of DAD's more FRWL-type first hour with its "epic" second hour do diservices to both.

Bond can be serious, Bond can be silly. But what Bond never seems to do well (maybe because it's near-impossible to pull off) is both in one film. I'd say the same about both TMWTGG and OP, both films of two personalities where one is always undermining the other.

[The Shark]

I'd say the same about both TMWTGG and OP, both films of two personalities where one is always undermining the other.

Really? I'd say they're Roger Moore's two best Bond films, and also his most serious. The humour seems pretty minimal if you ask me. Plus Barry's score helps to give the films some gravitas, which can't be said for FYEO.

[DR76]

Seriously, Die Another Day isn't that bad at all, it's just pure escapist fantasy. Brosnan shines in the role. Halle Berry isn't that annoying any more, and David Arnold produces one of the most thrilling, exciting and epic scores ever. The Brosnan era was all about action, and I praise Michael and Barbara for keeping Bond completely modern. AND, I feel that this is a perfect tribute for the 40th Anniversary, it's everything Bond should've been back in the day.

I agree that DAD wasn't that bad. Brosnan did shine in his role. When he was given good lines. And I can say the same about Halle Berry. The only real problems I had with the film were some of the dialogue, the Iceland sequence and Miranda Frost's lack of common sense.

[Judo chop]

Brosnan did shine in his role. When he was given good lines. And I can say the same about Halle Berry.

Which of her lines were 'good'?

I'm being serious. Seriously. Which one?

[Aris007]

Well there's a surprise! In the end Zen was something like a prophet with his thread, wasn't he?

Anyway, DAD is a good fun OTT Bond film. I liked it from the very first time I saw it and the only thing that I can't stand watching is the chase with this supersonic car and the windsurf afterwards which all look completely fake. In general the film is as good as all Moore's films. Sheer action, knocking out lines and the image of unbeatable Bond. Of course there were points, which should have been taken more care off like the main Bond girl role, but never mind!

When you decide to sit down and throw the DAD DVD in the player you don't expect a nerve-cracking thriller which will make you bite your nails! You expect a cool action film, which you can watch with your friends and have a good time! I know that it should have been a more thirller one but it was the 40th anniversary. Producers wanted to make a celebration film with all the elements that the general audience recognise in Bond. They didn't refer only in the fans or else they would have made another film.

I'm sure that time will change many opinions that we previously had on many Bond issues. That's what happened with Lazenby who was thought to be the worst Bond actor, but now we see(at least I do) that he's not that bad. So, don't take anything as granted!

[plankattack]

When you decide to sit down and throw the DAD DVD in the player you don't expect a nerve-cracking thriller which will make you bite your nails! You expect a cool action film, which you can watch with your friends and have a good time! I know that it should have been a more thirller one but it was the 40th anniversary. Producers wanted to make a celebration film with all the elements that the general audience recognise in Bond. They didn't refer only in the fans or else they would have made another film.

But Aris, I'm not sure it is a cool action film. Other than the neat trick of the ejector seat hatch flipping the Aston back (an homage of originality and ingenuity) there isn't one stand-alone moment or sequence where you go "oooh, never seen that before!" The PTS is a generic shoot-em-up feeling too much like the mini-epic of the previous film. There's nothing fresh about Cuba, while most of action in the ice palace and the car chase itself is "been there, done that." The final fisticuffs on the plane have been done better (it's not even the best fight sequence of Brozza's tenure) while the final stunt is questionable CGI which insults, rather than improves upon the TLD moment it references. It's the same CGI which makes a mockery of the ice-surfing, which, if it could have been done for real, had the potential to be a jaw-dropping moment which so many of the more modern Bonds have contained.

I find the sword-fight the freshest and most exhilarating action sequence of the film, and it's that moment that climaxes the first hour that conventional wisdom decrees the best part of the film.

DAD may well have wanted to be a fun, up-front action film stuntfest, Die Hard, Lethal Weapon or Bourne, but how it actually played out(sit down Tamahori, we'll never be finished with you!) is the proverbial death of it. The aspirations for DAD clearly outdid the execution of that inspiration.

Hindisght is so 20/20, but looking at Tamahori's body of work since, DAD wasn't a bad day at the office for him - it was the most that could have been expected. Good grief, Renny Harlin could have made a better shoot 'em up!