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THE WORLD IS NOT ENOUGH (PG-13)

Reviewed November 20, 1999 - Check out The World Is Not Enough Website.

Studio Synopsis: Pierce Brosnan returns as sexy super-spy James Bond. The agent's assignment is as follows: he must protect Elektra King (Sophie Marceau), the sole heir of a British oil tycoon, from terrorists' influence. Unfortunately, she double-crosses him and the world's oil supply is put in peril. Now, he must take on a villain who feels no physical pain (Robert Carlyle), with the help of do-gooder scientist Christmas Jones (Denise Richards).

Fuzzydog Review: The World is Not Enough is a Bond film through and through.  It's high-tech gadgetry, curiously twisted villains and beautiful women, all wrapped around a paper-thin plot used as an excuse to blow up as many objects as possible within a two-hour period.  I'm not saying that all of this is bad, mind you, just that it's "Bond."  Fans of the long-running series surely wouldn't have it any other way. 

For The World is Not Enough, Pierce Brosnan once again reprises his role as agent 007, and does so with just the right mix of dashing debonair and hyper-destructive mischief.  Brosnan is, as many have noted, seemingly made for this part, and he definitely adds to the appeal of recent Bond efforts.  Sophie Marceau, as the double-crossing villain/victim, also adds to the sordid fun, keeping both Bond and the audience guessing till the end.  As for the rest of the film, it's pretty much a "seen it, done that" affair, with the gadgetry and Bond girl elements falling just slightly below average.  Most notably, Denise Richard seems completely overmatched in her role as nuclear physicist Jones, with her weak lines worsened by her even weaker delivery.  Yikes.

All in all, The World is Not Enough is a mixed Bond bag.  It's great if you're looking for a bit of action with the good old British Intelligence crew; otherwise, it offers little that's new or surprising in the 007 saga.

Responses from cyberspace--thanks for writing!

Chad013@hotmail.com gives this movie  stars: "I think this movie was great...Denise richards playin in these movie probably helped its rating a little however she is agreat actor." (5/25/00)

darth_davo@hotmail.com gives this movie  stars: "With a poor atmosphere from a James Bond film, regurgitated action, its length far too long and horrible acting, its just not worth it. Really disappointing." (12/9/99)

stranger_1981@hotmail.com gives this movie  stars: "The World Is Not Enough is the latest installment, in the long running James Bond franchise. But what is it that makes Bond movies such a success? Maybe it is the action and explosions, maybe it is the intriguing villains, with the insane plots, or maybe the woman. Who knows? Or maybe in our fantasies, we all want to be James Bond. He is debonair, a spy, and he gets to save the world. Or the movies are just great fun. Well, that is what they are to me. And the latest Bond movie is no different. Bond is once again played by Pierce Brosnan, in the best bond, starring him, yet. I don't know what it is, but out of all the Bond movies, he just looks like a James Bond. I can't explain it. Oh well, he has a sly wit, and a sense of action. He is the perfect choice, and I will be sad when he leaves the role. What Bond movies are known for is a traditional set of events: 1) A sensational opening action sequence. This time we go from a double cross, to a shoot out, to a speed boat chase, to a hot air balloon explosion. 2) The villian, this time played by Robert Carlyle, sets up his devious plan. 3) We are taken through a series of chase sequences, and dangerous predicaments, in which Bond must survive in order to save the world. This movie has a spectacular ski chase, and underground shoot out, a battle between razor helicopters and Bond's latest car, and a bomb defusing scene, at a high speed, through a tunnel, that is only big enough for a tire. 4) Bond sleeps with various woman, a must for Bond movies. 5) And a final show down between Bond and the villain. All of these elements are required for a Bond movie, and none are left out. In this movie, they are all top notch, and very exciting. The plot of the movie. Bond must stop the evil Renard, from stealing a nuclear bomb, and blowing up an entire city. He discovers his plot, and is then thrust into a deadly game of, who can you trust? People aren't who they turn out to be, and secrets are let out. But what makes this Bond movie special, besides the great action, and intriguing plot, is that there are a lot of heart felt scenes, in between the high energy action. Take for example scenes with the villain. His name is Renard, and he has a bullet in his head, which causes him to feel no pain. There are some interesting scenes, in which he is saddened by his state. Especially when he can't make love to a woman. Those scenes are handled gently, and very dramatically. The movie has a lot of great comic timing as well. Bond seems to know the right thing to say, at the right time. There are a lot of sexual jokes, that are timed correctly, for some big laughs. It will be a shame to see Brosnan go from the role of Bond. He is my second favorite. My first being Sean Connery, but I don't think anybody will ever beat him at the role of Bond. Brosnan seems to be very comfortable in the role. His facial expressions are perfect, for the jokes, and the action scenes. A lot of the supporting characters are good as well. I mentioned Robert Carlyle, but I also liked a lot of other supporting characters as well. First is M, played for the third time by Judy Dench. She is stern, and convincing, as the chief of MI6. The next is Christmas Jones, played by Denise Richards. She has some great scenes as a nuclear physicist. But one thing that is sad to see, was the last appearance of Q, played by Desmond Llewelyn. He has been in every bond film since, From Russian with Love. It is a shame to see him go, but he is replaced by R, played by John Cleese. He explains that Bond's new car has titanium armor and 6 beverage cup holders. WOW! For the 19th bond film, this franchise is not losing its welcome. It keeps on staying fresh and new, but still true to tradition. What usually separates bond films are its villains. This villain, wasn't one of the best, but he measures up as a worthy adversary for bond. But what makes this film special, is that they pay attention to a lot of the quiet scenes, and add more detail and feeling. It will be interesting to see the last installment in the Brosnan era as bond. But who will be next to take on the legendary role??" (11/26/99)

gillianlover@hotmail.com gives this movie  stars: "Some actions scenes are quite visually appealing, as are the locations, but the storyline has been done to death by other Bond films (psycho terrorist wants to take over the world and kill a beautiful young woman, who may or may not be a baddie herself) and it is just far, far too long. Had it been 40 minutes shorter, it would have been a roller-coaster ride of high intensity. But by the end, after some dreadfully bad jokes, we just don't really care anymore. Some high points, however, are Robbie Coltrane, Judi Dench and a killer line at the end -- the final line of the entire film. Standard fare overall however." (11/24/99)