June Review: Tomorrow Never Dies (1997) (Patreon)

I love Bond movies. Whether classic originators of the suave spy or the more modern unrelenting action hero, these films are the kind of big action blockbuster that just scratches a particular itch for me. Despite this, I don't think they're all good movies. Tomorrow Never Dies (1997) is probably not one of the good ones, but boy is it fun.

Tomorrow Never Dies (1997) is an entry into Pierce Brosnan's time as 007, and is chock full of hokey one-liners, over-the-top set pieces, and incredibly 90's gadgets. It feels as though it knows the pieces of a Bond film, but doesn't always put the puzzle together to see the full picture. The lines are unearned, replacing "hell yeah" catharsis with a sort of corny chuckle. The stunts have pyrotechnics to spare, but the spies themselves move very little, or fling themselves through the space without direct confrontation. The gadgets are just good, I don't have any notes on that one just some wonderful, nonsensical 90's gadgets. It all combines to create the shadow of a Bond film, a recognizable shape with nothing of substance within.

Despite their failure to make a notable movie, it can't be said that director Roger Spottiswoode doesn't cast an entertaining one. Following Agent 007 (Pierce Brosnan) as he thwarts the schemes of a Newsman creating the news for his own benefit, Elliot Carver (Jonathan Pryce), Tomorrow Never Dies (1997) presents ample opportunity to do some good ole fashioned globe-trotting spy business, even though it largely focuses on the South China Sea. Joined by Wai Lin (Michelle Yeoh), Bond's Chinese counterpart and more kick-ass Bond girl, the cast is chock-full of returning Bond performers solidifying why they're great in the role, notable Judi Dench's M and the legendary Desmond Llewelyn's Q. Once again, all the pieces and players were there for a phenomenal action flick, but Tomorrow Never Dies (1997) fails to give this all-star line-up much to do besides say half-hearted one-liners and jump out of various widows and openings. Even the plot, which on the surface is a clever twist on a villainous plan, creating the news before it even happens, falls short of glory, largely revolving around the perceived snub on the part of Carver's news network not having broadcast rights in China, rather than the disasters he's been fabricating and all their interesting complication.

For all my wishes the film would do more, push more, I still enjoyed the watch. Maybe it's an unusually high tolerance for big dumb action movies, maybe I'm more enamored with Michelle Yeoh than is healthy, but regardless Tomorrow Never Dies (1997) is a fun watch. It's campy and cartoonish action is repetitive but still over-the-top, and harkens back to the days of Dr. No (1962) and it's downright silly brand of spying. It could do with a bit more of the suave side of James Bond, but brings it on the creative action set pieces. A personal favorite is the swipe-to-activate car steering cellphone, allowing Pierce Brosnan to participate in an action scene while barely sitting up from the backseat.

Overall, Tomorrow Never Dies (1997) is bad. It's not a great Bond movie, in fact it's barely a Bond movie. Brosnan's 007 could be any tough-guy with a sardonic sense of humor and the plot would be unchanged. But if what you want is big-ish action, a few good quips, and some utterly delightful 90s tech, then you could do a heck of a lot worse.

6 out of 10 Cellphone Gadget Abilities