Tomorrow Never Dies is an action-packed spy thriller film from 1997, directed by Roger Spottiswoode and starring Pierce Brosnan and Jonathan Pryce. As the second installment in the James Bond film series starring Brosnan, the movie follows the iconic British spy as he races against time to foil a global media mogul's sinister plot to start a war between China and the United Kingdom.
The movie opens with 007 on a risky infiltration mission to recover a stolen military GPS encoder from a terrorist arms bazaar in a fictional country in the South China Sea. In the meantime, media kingpin Elliot Carver (Jonathan Pryce) is hatching a plan to trigger war between China and Britain by manipulating the news and selling exclusive broadcasting rights to the highest bidder. Carver's wife Paris (Teri Hatcher) is a former lover of Bond and eventually gets caught up in the middle of the dangerous game.
As the story progresses, Bond uncovers Carver's elaborate scheme and works to sabotage his plans while battling his henchmen and assassins. Complicating things further, Bond is teamed up with Chinese secret agent Wai Lin (Michelle Yeoh) who has her own agenda to protect her country's national interests.
The film's narrative is based on current world events of the time, particularly the relationship between China and Hong Kong. The audience might notice the political undertone in the movie as it explores the sensitive topic of China's rise to power and Western imperialism.
As with all James Bond movies, the special effects and stunts are an integral part of the movie. The filmmakers did a great job of creating some truly spectacular action scenes. From Bond's high-speed car and bike chases to the underwater harpoon fight, to the climactic battle on a remote stealth boat, the movie never fails to keep the audience on the edge of their seats.
One of the highlights of the film is Brosnan's portrayal of 007. He is as charming, suave, and witty as ever while also demonstrating that he can handle the physical demands of the role. In addition, the Bond girls in this film are strong, independent, and as capable as Bond himself. Michelle Yeoh's Wai Lin, in particular, stands out with her martial arts skills and her no-nonsense attitude. The film's villains are also memorable, with Pryce's Elliot Carver being a cunning and megalomaniacal figure who makes for a formidable adversary for Bond.
The film's soundtrack is also noteworthy. David Arnold's score complements the movie's fast-paced action and adventure sequences, and Sheryl Crow's theme song "Tomorrow Never Dies" is a catchy tune that perfectly captures the essence of the Bond franchise.
Overall, Tomorrow Never Dies is an entertaining and well-executed James Bond movie that delivers on all fronts. The film's action scenes are thrilling and beautifully choreographed, the acting is solid, and the narrative is engaging. Bond fans are sure to enjoy this film, and those looking for a good old-fashioned action blockbuster will likewise find plenty to love here.
