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The World is not Enough
(***1/2)
In the early 1960's, Sean Connery brought a certain light sophistication to the role of English superspy James Bond. He was nothing like what Ian Fleming envisioned, but he turned out to be everything that anyone could ever want in a movie. Where Fleming's Bond could be ruthless, Connery's Bond was rather playful. Even when he was going to kill someone, he'd always have a little quip to throw at his enemies.
This is the image that was more or less maintained over the years. However, there were attempts to give Bond back his ruthless edge, and also a glimpse into what is making the man tick. Timothy Dalton made Bond into a cold killer in many ways, and when Connery returned in "Diamonds are forever", he was rather cruel in some ways. After all, the man *was* revenging his love's (Tracy, from "On her Majesty's Secret Service") death at the hands of Blofield. But generally, Bond has been more a devonaire man than a cold spy. I assumed the Brosnan would keep this up; and I was very wrong.
I paint "The World is not Enough" to be an original film; something that is wholly different from any other James Bond film we've ever seen. It isn't. The gadgets, women, evil nemeses, the alphabet of characters at MI6 (Q, M, and John Cleese playing Q's replacement R). The film starts with a spectacular title sequence involving a boating race and a hot air balloon, although this title sequence is noticeably longer than any previous title sequence. In short, Bond is back.
In this adventure, Bond is charged to watch after Elektra King (Marceau), daughter of an oil tycoon who was offed in a big way during the title sequence. That oil tycoon was a good friend of M's (Dench), and her involvement is very personal.
Bond quickly realizes that it's more than just terrorism when he finds out Renard (Carlyle) is the terrorist. He's a man who once kidnapped Elektra for a ransom, and his personal ties make it all seem very suspicious. Renard is also one strong chap; in 1996 M sent agent 009 to kill Renard, but he failed. The bullet in Renard's head is cutting off his feelings and slowly killing him. As a result, he doesn't feel any pain. Rather a good thing when you risk getting shot every day.
Part of Renard's plan involves nuclear weaponry, and Bond sneaks along when they go to steal one from a group of scientists led by Dr. Christmas Jones (Richards); this leads to yet another great sequence.
All these fun explosions in one movie! But it's not just the explosions. This time around, Director Michael Apted gives Bond a human element, and also more of a coldness. This is a James Bond who is cool under fire, but he can easily kill you. I give credit to Apted here, who has previously directed the successful and very well done "Up" documentaries, and also several Hollywood films including "Nell", "Gorillas in the Mist", and others. He knows how to create a character, and he gives his characters a very human feel in this one.
So remember, Christmas comes more than once a year.