(18 votes, average: 2.78 out of 5)
Loading …Rent Movie.com movie reviews presents The World Is Not Enough movie review a 1999 film starring Pierce Brosnan, Sophie Marceau and directed by Michael Apted James Bond protects an oil tycoon’s daughter while battling her former kidnapper, a terrorist who can’t feel pain. When British oil tycoon and M’s friend Sir Robert King is killed in a bombing at the MI6 headquarters, it becomes James Bond’s new assignment to protect his daughter and heir Elektra from further harm. Renard, a man who can’t feel physical pain due to a bullet in his head, seems to play an important role in the sabotage of the ongoing construction of the new King pipeline, which can give oil to all the world for the future. The three competing pipelines all end up in Istanbul, whereas the King pipeline is being laid elsewhere, and therefore is an easy goal to anonymous attackers. James Bond involuntarily teams up with emancipated Dr. Christmas Jones, and they soon find out that there is more threat to the situation than just some pipeline sabotage. 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
Comment by Joanna Daneman
# December 31, 2006,
I thought I’d never say this, but Pierce Brosnan is about the best Bond since the very young Sean Connery (slurp, drool.) This Bond film is really about the best I’ve seen so far. It delivers what we all expect from Bond films-action and plenty of it, gadgets, intricate plot, one bad girl and one good Bond girl. The Bond girl here is Denise Richards (Starship Troopers) who works as an unlikely atomic physicist in shorts and tee shirt (think Lara Croft) and has an even more unlikely name “Christmas Jones.” She is outshone, however, by lovely Sophie Marceau as Electra King, poor little rich girl gone bad.
In fact, what makes this film so great is that the supporting cast is so excellent. Lead bad guy Renard is well played by Robert Carlyle, Judy Dench makes an admirable (if somewhat stupid) M, and we get to see Desmond Llewlyn as “Q” one last time. The direction by Michael Apted is tight. The film never falters.
The stunts are spectacular, including an opening boat chase on the Thames that makes you appreciate the art of stunt filming without the assist of CGI graphics. The predictable helicopter makes its appearance, but with a real twist-dragging some kind of tree-trimming sawblades that do amazing things to buildings.
The only quibble I have is that the villain –a man who feels no pain is a ridiculous concept. There are people who feel no pain, and they end up pretty much incapacitated, not to mention that a bullet even brushing the medulla oblongata stops your breathing . Too unbelievable and really, the lack of pain part was not even needed for the script. Dumb.
The DVD surround sound quality was distinct. The extras include scenes of “how we did this” material that can be brought up as an option-nice for subsequent viewings.
Comment by Victoria Tarrani
# December 31, 2006,
I can always count on 007 James Bond to take me on an action packed adventure. “The World is not Enough” is one of the best of the series as it explores a deeper side of James Bond. This film is character driven. The actions follow the intricate plot in revealing dark, unexpected motives. The actions, explosions, threats, and character dynamics do not seem to be scripted or contrived.
These villains are complex and shrewd, and the seductive Elektra is capable of capturing Bond’s heart. The reasons for Elektra and Rinard’s actions are plausible and more human than in other Bond films. It does not necessarily make them sympathetic, but there is a great sense of loss captured in the scenes between Rinard and Elektra.
The action scenes are complex and should be viewed more than once to enjoy the full impact. I am a Bond fan, so I always see the movies more than three times. The character development in this film gave depth that has been missing in James Bond. He is human and does care deeply, but he will not let emotions control him. This makes Pierce Brosnan’s Bond equal to Sean Connery’s — and I can think of no higher compliment.
The DVD features are excellent. Commentaries, interviews, and a music video that is exotic, erotic, and seductive, as any James Bond love theme should be. The band Garbage takes us on an incredible journey to a high tech world where a beautiful female android is created. Her kiss of death and the song makes it is easy to see similarities to the plot.
Since this was released in late 1999, I am looking for another 007 movie with Pierce Brosnan soon. I do hope that Michael Apted will be the director.
This is a top-notch film worth watching again. I will watch the commentaries several times and definitely the music video; it is 5 stars.
Victoria Tarrani
Comment by Trusight
# June 28, 2007,
I give The World Is Not Enough 4 stars, it was a pretty good movie.