release year: 1995
genre: James Bond
viewing setting: home DVD, 2/29/00
what I expected: n/a
what I got: pretty action-packed debut for a new Bond
synopsis: A renegade Russian general steals the controlling device of an orbiting EMP beam weapon.
impressions: Lots of action, less intrigue and Bond-ian moments that some of the better Bond films of days past. The script seemed to be all about a great deal of change - female "M", new Moneypenny who can resist Bond's charms, new CIA liason, and so on. A great deal of time was also spent analyzing Bond's loyalty to his government. Notable: agent 006 turning bad, early Minnie Driver role, lots of computer hacking, the mighty TANK CHASE, the not-so-mighty Joe Don Baker as CIA man Jack Wade.
acting: Pierce Brosnan did a good job as Bond. Sean Bean was also menacing as the main villain. Famke Janssen was interesting as a murderous henchwoman who derived orgasmic pleasure from killing.
chase scenes: The TANK CHASE. Need I say more?
mass fight at end: none
neat gadgets: auto CD player that faxes pictures, tricked-out BMW Z3, belt with grappling hook and cord, pen grenade, laser watch
confirmed Bond kills: unknown (too many machine guns involved)
confirmed Bond nooky: 2
obnoxious female name: Xenia Onnatop
defining Bond moments:
- messes with girl sent to psychologically evaluate him
- casually inserts self into someone's yacht
- cold-cocks Xenia
quotable:
girl: "I enjoy a spirited ride as much as the next girl..."
girl: (a short time later, as lady passes in red Ferrari) "Who is that?"
Bond: "The next girl."
guy in meeting: "Unlike the Americans, we prefer not to get our bad news from CNN."
Bond: "Governments change...the lies stay the same."
Bond: (after watching demonstration of grenade pen) "They always said the pen was mightier than the sword."
Q: "And thanks to me, they were right!"
Wade: "Jack Wade, CIA."
Bond: "James Bond, stiff-assed Brit."
Natalya: "Do you destroy every vehicle you get into?"
Bond: "Standard operating procedure."
Natalya: "How can you act like this? How can you be so cold?"
Bond: "It's what keeps me alive."
Natalya: "No, it's what keeps you alone."
final word: Good debut, entertaining and packed with action and stunts.
rating: C+