The World Is Not Enough

In his 19th screen outing, Ian Fleming's superspy is once again caught in the crosshairs of a self-created dilemma: as the longest-running feature-film franchise, James Bond is an annuity his producers want to protect, yet the series' consciously formulaic approach frustrates any real element of surprise beyond the rote application of plot twists or jump cuts to shake up the audience. This time out, credit 007's caretakers for making some visible attempts to invest their principal characters with darker motives--and blame them for squandering The World Is Not Enough's initial promise by the final reel.

By now, Bond pictures are as elegantly formal as a Bach chorale, and this one opens on an unusually powerful note. A stunning pre-title sequence reaches beyond mere pyrotechnics to introduce key plot elements as the action leaps from Bilbao to London. Bond 5.0, Pierce Brosnan, undercuts his usually suave persona with a darker, more brutal edge largely absent since Sean Connery departed. Equally tantalizing are our initial glimpses of Bond's nemesis du jour, Renard (Robert Carlyle), and imminent love interest, Elektra King (Sophie Marceau), both atypically complex characters cast with seemingly shrewd choices, and directed by the capable Michael Apted. The story's focus on post-Soviet geopolitics likewise starts off on a savvy note, before being overtaken by increasingly Byzantine plot twists, hidden motives, and reversals of loyalty superheated by relentless (if intermittently perfunctory) action sequences.

Indeed, the procession of perils plays like a greatest hits medley, save for a nifty sequence involving airborne buzz saws that's as enjoyable as it is preposterous. Bond's grimmer demeanor, while preferable to the smirk that eventually swallowed Roger Moore whole, proves wearying, unrelieved by any true wit. The underlying psychoses that propel Renard and Elektra eventually unravel into unconvincing melodrama, while Bond is supplied with a secondary love object, Denise Richards, who's even more improbable as a nuclear physicist. Ultimately, this World is not enough despite its better intentions. --Sam Sutherland Amazon.com

Entertaining but flawed

Brosnan's third Bond movie, The world is Not Enough, is high on action but weak on plot. Robert Carlyle is a pretty good villain but his motivations seem a bit unclear. Sophie Marceu is also very good as the main Bond girl, while Denise Richards' performance is weak and she's completely miscast. Leonard Maltin wrote that the movie makes M (Judi Dench) seem foolish, and he's right. From the earlier movies, I took her to be a bright woman, but in this one she's unbelievably stupid, considering she's the head of an intelligence agency (no pun intended).

I wish they had done some more rewrites on the script and replaced Denise Richards. It's still an enjoyable movie, but not as good as it could have been. October 21, 2008

Classy and Stylish

Personally, I am a big fan of Pierce Brosnan as James Bond. He is one of my favorites. This DVD is strongly recommended by me because it holds a very reasonable price tag as well as the fantastic film reproduction in DTS 5.1 which gives awesome sound quality.

Do not miss out on this excellent DVD. Look out also for other James Bond series that has been digitally reproduced for the ultimate viewing experience! April 9, 2008

Great 007 flick

A fantastic adventure with 007 in the famous speedboat flipping scene. This movie really makes you forget the popcorn. Excitement deluxe. March 9, 2008

The World is Not Enough VHS

I felt this was a very entertaining and wonderful movie. Sophie Marceau
is the hit of this movie as well Deniece Richards. Two beauties for the
price of one eh? But Sophie was oh so beautiful and might I add
breathtaking as well. December 17, 2007

[3.5] "There's no point living if you can't feel life"

And there is no point in watching this movie unless you are a serious Bond fan who wants to keep up with every film. The World Is Not Enough has two great things going for it, and thats the extent I got out of this film. Its not a bad movie, its just not up to par with the other so many great Bond films out there. The pre-credits scene is the best pre-credits action scene ever in a Bond film - and its the best part of this movie. The other great thing is the character Elektra King. Her chemistry with Bond and her own secrecy was quite mysterious.

It's sad when I am waiting for the ending of a Bond movie to come. Some parts of the movie were very good, and then there are others that just made me feel like ugh. The story was never interesting, as much as I tried to get into it. I won't say it was the easiest thing to follow either. I was captivated, however, by any events surrounding Elektra. She fooled Bond for quite some time - and me too, believing she was an innocent woman. Though she really isn't the main villain in this film, her character was strong enough to hold the role. The main villain, Renard, was a big dissapointment. He had the ability to be a very original villain, being shot in the head once and escaping death. The result - he cannot feel anything, including any pain. One would think such a villain would destroy his enemies in the fight scenes. One would think. The final fight between Renard and Bond felt very weak, despite the creativity that they are fighting in a submarine that has fliped vertically.

The action was actually limited in this film too. The action scenes that are presented, felt rather dull. Though there is some originality with the copters that have hanging blades and saws from their base, cutting everything in sight, that was about the only interesting scene of action. As mentioned earlier, its the pre-credits scene that steals the show. It is the most amazing boat chase, involving the Q boat piloted by Bond, who ends up taking shortcuts through the streets and buildings in London, before landing back on the water.

Pierce Brosnan actually did pretty good in this film, maybe a bit better than his previous two films. The role of Bond seems to now fit him well, and he has found a comfortable level of flow. Aside from Elektra, the rest of the characters were rather dull. Again, the villain Renard is easily forgettable, and Denise Richards as Christmas Jones was embarrassing - specifically, she just can't act. Most Bond villains have decent henchmen, but not here. The closest we get is a guy named Bull, who is all show and no action.

Ok movie overall, but one of the most uninteresting Bond films ever. One of the best female charcaters and a great pre-credits action scene are the higlights. Die hard fans will still find enough to appreciate it, but for those who are comfortable with films like "Goldfinger" and "Spy Who Loved Me", this just can't compare.

Acting - 3
Action - 3.5
Characters - 3.5
Story - 3
Overall - 3.5
December 5, 2007

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