Director: Roger Spottiswoode
Year of Release: 1997
Should you watch it? Yes
Why?
This is by far the best Pierce Brosnan James Bond film and just a fun film in general. They cracked the code with how to make Brosnan work as Bond, they had a very funny villain with an insane plan (use tech to trick world powers into war to get ratings for his new cable news company and to sell papers), the best Bond Woman ever, and just a bunch of fun shit happening from beginning to end. It also did not hurt that that they managed to trim some fat from the film and get the first Bond film in under two hours in quite some time.
How is the Bond?
They really cracked how to do a Brosnan Bond character here. He is a romantic. There is a former life he had before he was in this world. They easily accomplish this with Teri Hatcher’s character. She is an EX of Bond. This Bond once actually had a personal life. It allows him to then just have an all-business/platonic relationship with the actual Bond Woman – Michelle Yeoh (the kiss at the end was as obligatory as it gets). Brosnan is not a convincing sex pest. Huge improvements.
How is the Bond Woman?
What a concept when casting the female lead for a James Bond movie: casting a great action star. Simply by existing Michelle Yeoh becomes one of the greatest female characters ever in a James Bond movie. It’s a low bar. But still.
How is the Bond Villain?
Jonathan Pryce effortlessly synthesizes Steve Jobs and Charles Foster Kane to make the most evil person ever. It is very funny. One of the best Bond villains ever without a doubt.
Does the film irresponsibly present the West as the hero of the world and thus promote imperialism and colonialism as inherently positive?
Yes.
The Reel World 