Month: October 2022

“They’ll print anything these days.” —James Bond

Today’s quick review: Tomorrow Never Dies. British secret agent James Bond (Pierce Brosnan) travels to Hamburg, Germany, to investigate Elliot Carver (Jonathan Pryce), a media mogul with a plan to ignite a war between China and Britain. To stop Carver’s operation, Bond must rekindle his relationship with Paris (Teri Hatcher), an old flame now married to Carver, and join forces with his Chinese counterpart Wai Lin (Michelle Yeoh).

Tomorrow Never Dies is a spy action adventure and the eighteenth film in the James Bond franchise. Pierce Brosnan’s second outing as Bond has the same emphasis on action as the first, matching GoldenEye in terms of extravagant stunts and destrction. This—along with a globe-trotting plot, a couple of neat gadgets, and a capable co-star in Michelle Yeoh—is enough to make Tomorrow Never Dies a worthwhile entry into the series.

In spite of its solid core, Tomorrow Never Dies faces stiff competition from other Bond films. Elliot Carver and his henchman Stamper (Gotz Otto) make for lukewarm villains, although the media angle is a welcome change of pace for the series. The plot is workmanlike, delivering plenty of action but few surprises. And while Wai Lin makes a good partner for Bond in the field, their relationship is missing the dynamism it needs to stand out.

Give Tomorrow Never Dies if you’re looking for a bit of popcorn action. Although it lacks the tact of the best Bond films, its raw spectacle is enough to make it an enertertaining watch, while its plot hits all the beats it needs to. Fans who prefer the more realistic, plot-focused Bond movies will want to steer clear. For a Bond film with a similar premise, try Thunderball or The Spy Who Loved Me.

6.5 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 for solid action and a decent plot.

“I am invincible!” —Boris

Today’s quick review: GoldenEye. When General Ourumov (Gottfried John) steals the key to GoldenEye, a Russian satellite system that can fire an EMP at any target on Earth, British agent James Bond (Pierce Brosnan) is sent to track him down. Bond crosses paths with Natalya Simonova (Izabella Scorupco), a GoldenEye programmer who can help him shut the system down. But first Bond must defeat Alec Trevelyan (Sean Bean), a British spy long thought dead.

GoldenEye is a spy action adventure and the seventeenth film in the James Bond franchise. GoldenEye marks a return to the classic Bond formula: cunning gadgets, explosive stunts, and dry one-liners. The movie strikes a nice balance between the two extremes of the series. Bond’s quips and a few exotic flourishes keep the tone light, but the story still has high stakes and a serious conflict. The result is a thoroughly enjoyable popcorn watch.

GoldenEye’s main allure is its sense of spectacle. The movie doubles down on its action in a way that few other Bond films can match, supplementing the usual gunfights, chases, and close scrapes with an extra helping of explosions and a couple of impressive set pieces. Pierce Brosnan fits the more action-oriented role perfectly, sacrificing the hard edge of Sean Connery or Timothy Dalton in exchange for a breezy charisma that holds the film together.

GoldenEye is a well-rounded movie that will appeal to action fans of all stripes. Memorable stunts, a well-paced aventure, and the signature Bond flair all make it a welcome entry to the series. Fans of the more serious side of the character may find GoldenEye to be a bit too fanciful. But viewers who are in the mood for some big-budget fun should look no farther.

For a similar flavor of over-the-top action, try The Rock. For a spy adventure with less action but some of the same flavor, try The Saint. For an even lighter Bond film about a rogue Russian general, check out Octopussy.

7.2 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 to 7.5 for high-octane action.

“Then I guess it’s a farewell to arms.” —James Bond

Today’s quick review: Licence to Kill. When drug kingpin Franz Sanchez (Robert Davi) attacks Felix Leiter (David Hedison), British secret agent James Bond (Timothy Dalton) goes rogue to get revenge. Traveling to South America, Bond recruits the help of Pam Bouvier (Carey Lowell), a tough pilot and one of Leiter’s informants. But when Sanchez proves tougher to kill than expected, Bond must go undercover into the heart of Sanchez’ operation.

Licence to Kill is a spy action movie and the sixteenth film in the James Bond franchise. Timothy Dalton reprises his more serious take on Bond, this time on a personal mission of revenge against a ruthless drug lord. Licence to Kill tels a compelling story with clear stakes and plenty of action. However, the movie’s darker tone and more realistic conflict will make it a hard sell for fans of the classic version of the character.

Licence to Kill takes a much more grounded approach than other Bond films. There are few of the series’ stylistic flourishes, with only a couple of gadgets and a few returning characters to mark it as a Bond film. Robert Davi makes for a suitably menacing drug lord as Franz Sanchez, but he lacks the eccentric, memorable quality of other Bond villains. And while the action is still flashy, it’s less grandiose than other films in the series.

For all that Licence to Kill changes, it still gets a lot right. The plot is tense from start to finish, with several stages to Bond’s revenge and a few important setbacks along the way. The film finds ways to work in series staples like Q (Desmond Llewelyn) without compromising its serious tone. The only real drawback of Licence to Kill is how much of its identity it sacrifices; there is very little to distinguish it from other action flicks.

Licence to Kill is worth a shot for anyone in the mood for a serious action thriller that still has plenty of spectacle. The movie’s solid craftsmanship when it comes to its plot and action makes it a worthwhile pick for anyone who doesn’t mind the darker tone. But those expecting a classic Bond romp may want to steer clear.

For another Bond film in the same style starring Timothy Dalton, try The Living Daylights. For a more fanciful showdown between Bond and a drug lord, try Live and Let Die. For a modern, dramatic take on Bond, try Casino Royale and its successors. For an even darker thriller about a battle with a drug cartel, try Sicario. For another action movie about the drug trade, try Bad Boys or Miami Vice.

6.6 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.5 to 7.0 for solid thrills without Bond’s usual flair.

“Madam, are you quite sure you’re dying?” —Sir James Bond

Today’s quick review: Casino Royale. When SMERSH starts killing British spies, Sir James Bond (David Niven), the original gentleman-spy, comes out of retirement to deal with the situation. Recruiting a whole new crop of “James Bonds” to confuse the enemy, Sir James sends baccarat expert Evelyn Tremble (Peter Sellers) and millionaire Vesper Lynd (Ursula Andress) to Casino Royale to bankrupt Le Chiffre (Orson Welles), a top SMERSH agent.

Casino Royale is a spy comedy very loosely based on the novel by Ian Fleming. David Niven leads an ensemble cast on a psychedelic adventure that spoofs the spy genre as a whole and James Bond in particular. Talented comedic actors and a catchy soundtrack set the stage for a light romp. However, Casino Royale tries to go in too many directions at once, resulting in inconsistent comedy and a story that is nearly impossible to follow.

Casino Royale struggles to tell a cohesive story. Important developments happen offscreen, characters disappear for long portions of the movie, and the style of the movie varies wildly as different directors take the reins. Casino Royale also grows more erratic as the movie goes on, evolving from an odd but fairly grounded parody to a fever dream with no internal consistency. Meanwhile, the comedy suffers due to the low density of jokes.

Even with all of these faults, Casino Royale does have a certain quirky charm to it. David Niven, Peter Sellers, Orson Welles, and Woody Allen do well with the material they are given. The comedy may not be handled well on the whole, but many of the individual jokes hit their mark. The soundtrack is the heart of the movie, a brassy and playful composition from Burt Bacharach. And while the plot is jumbled, it toys with some interesting ideas.

Casino Royale is a niche pick that will only appeal to certain fans of the 60s. As a James Bond parody, its value is compromised by its incoherent plot and poor use of its characters. As a standalone comedy, it suffers from scattered jokes and the lack of a story to build on. Fans of the psychedelic side of the 60s may want to give it a shot simply as an experiment, but most viewers would be better off skipping it.

For a 60s spy parody with a more coherent plot and better comedy, check out Our Man Flint. For a modern spoof of the Bond films with a better sense of identity, try Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery. For another outrageous comedy starring Peter Sellers, try Doctor Strangelove or Murder by Death. For a much more dramatic take on the same source material, try the Daniel Craig version of Casino Royale.

5.2 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.0 for a talented cast in an incoherent story.

“I just hope my wire fighting team is ready!” —Fat Bastard

Today’s quick review: Austin Powers in Goldmember. When Dr. Evil (Mike Myers) joins forces with eccentric supervillain Goldmember (Mike Myers) in a plan to take over the Earth, Austin Powers (Mike Myers) brings FBI agent Foxxy Cleopatra (Beyonce Knowles) forward in time from the 70s to help stop them. But before the two spies can take on Dr. Evil, Austin must first patch up his relationship with his estranged father Nigel (Michael Caine).

Austin Powers in Goldmember is a spy comedy and the third Austin Powers movie. Goldmember is a refinement of the formula established by the previous two movies. It keeps the same expansive cast, colorful world, and slapstick humor, but it drops the 60s throwback angle in favor of even more pop culture references and an original story. The result is a smooth watch doesn’t hit the comedic highs of the rest of the series but still carves out its own niche.

Goldmember takes advantage of the groundwork laid by its predecessors. Story dynamics like the rivalry between Dr. Evil’s son Scott (Seth Green) and clone Mini-Me (Verne J. Troyer) are taken for granted, letting the movie dive into its adventure without a lot of preamble. Newcomers like Foxxy and Nigel fit comfortably into the canon, and the 70s flavor feels like a natural progression from the 60s focus of the previous films.

Even so, Goldmember is missing some of its spark. It relies heavily on repeated jokes and celebrity cameos, while its new comedy gimmicks are a mixed bag. Goldmember still earns plenty of laughs, both with its callbacks and its new material, but its jokes aren’t as fresh or unexpected as they could be. In spite of an enjoyable story and quite a bit of creativity on display, Goldmember feels like it’s playing things a little too safe.

Austin Powers in Goldmember is an entertaining comedy and a worth sendoff for the series. Although it is a slight step down from its predecessors in terms of energy and originality, its fun sense of humor and talented cast hold the same appeal as ever. Fans of the other Austin Powers movies should give Goldmember a shot. Viewers who dislike crass humor will want to give it a pass.

6.2 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.5 to 7.0 for solid craftsmanship and reliable comedy.

“Yeah, baby!” —Austin Powers

Today’s quick review: Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me. When Dr. Evil (Mike Myers) use a time machine to steal Austin Powers’ (Mike Myers) mojo, Austin follows him back to 1969 to take it back. There, he meets his perfect match: Felicity Shagwell (Heather Graham), a CIA agent who’s just as groovy as he is. But to foil Dr. Evil’s plan, Austin and Felicity must first defeat his new minions Fat Bastard (Mike Myers) and Mini-Me (Verne J. Troyer).

Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me is a spy comedy that picks up where the first Austin Powers movie left off. The sequel features the same style of outrageous humor as the first: wild characters, raunchy jokes, shots at the spy genre, and cultural references galore. The Spy Who Shagged Me scores a solid hit with its comedy, thanks to a talented cast and some well-chosen running gags. However, it lacks the consistency of its predecessor.

The Spy Who Shagged Me has a harder time balancing its story and its comedy. The plot is as light and enjoyable as the previous film, but it takes a couple of clumsy twists at the beginning to set everything in motion. The film has a knack for ridiculous humor that’s hard to resist, but its reliance on crude humor will be too much for some viewers. The Spy Who Shagged Me has flashes of brilliance, but it’s still a step down from the original.

Give Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me a shot when you’re in the mood for lowbrow humor that packs a comedic punch. Memorable characters, quotable dialogue, and a handful of excellent gags make the movie worth a watch in spite of its weaknesses. But those who disliked the cruder aspects of the first film may want to steer clear.

For more in the same vein, try Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery or Austin Powers in Goldmember. For an even raunchier comedy with some of the same appeal, try Team America: World Police. For a ridiculous comedy that doubles down on sight gags and parody, try Airplane! or Top Secret!.

6.6 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 for strong humor with a few rough spots.

“Oh, behave!” —Austin Powers

Today’s quick review: Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery. When his nemesis Dr. Evil (Mike Myers) cryogenically freezes himself to terrorize the future, 60s superspy Austin Powers (Mike Myers) has no choice but to follow him into the 90s. Waking up to a world very different from the one he left, Austin Powers teams up with Agent Vanessa Kensington (Elizabeth Hurley) to hunt down Dr. Evil and foil his plot to hold the world ransom.

Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery is a spy comedy written by and starring Mike Myers. Austin Powers is spoof of the spy genre, playing up the free love attitude of the 60s and poking fun at iconic moments from the James Bond films. The movie brings a lot to the table: vivid characters, sight gags, cultural humor, and a wealth of spy cliches to lampoon. These elements combine to make Austin Powers a memorable and enjoyable watch.

The heart of the movie is Austin himself, the living embodiment of the 60s party scene. His promiscuous attitude and boundless confidence are the driving force behind most of the film’s humor. At the same time, Austin has an innocence about him that keeps him from coming on too strong. Meanwhile, Dr. Evil balances out the film perfectly, a fumbling pastiche of grandiose Bond villains like Blofeld.

The one major downside of the film is that it has a strong flavor to it. The jokes are crude and sexually charged, the characters are ridiculous, and Myers’ style of humor depends on a very specific balance of absurdity and charm. Austin Powers usually hits the mark with its comedy, giving it some appeal even for viewers who dislike the overall tone, but for some viewers, it still may be too much.

Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery is well worth a watch for anyone who doesn’t mind a bit of raunchy humor. Although often crass, its jokes score hit after hit, thanks to its colorful characters and inventive script. Anyone interested should give it a shot, especially fans of Mike Myers or Bond films. Those looking for a more polite comedy should look elsewhere.

For another comedy from Mike Myers, try Wayne’s World or So I Married an Axe Murderer. For a 60s spy comedy with a similar attitude and less raunchy humor, try Our Man Flint. For a somewhat less enduring spy parody with an even greater emphasis on sight gags and physical humor, try Spy Hard.

7.0 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 to 7.5 for fun jokes and an original premise.

Today’s quick review: Modesty Blaise. When Gabriel (Dirk Bogarde), a criminal mastermind long thought dead, targets a shipment of British diamonds, Sir Gerald Terrant (Harry Andrews) calls in Modesty Blaise (Monica Vitti), a renowned thief and adventurer, to protect them. With her roguish accomplice Willie Garvin (Terence Stamp) in tow, Modesty searches for Gabriel and hatches a plan to steal the diamonds for herself.

Modesty Blaise is a spy adventure comedy based on the comic strip of the same name. Modesty Blaise aims to be a light romp with an enticing mixture of humor, action, and intrigue. But although the movie has plenty of quirky charm, it does not hang together well. Jumbled storytelling, tangled character motivations, weak choreography, and a general lack of grounding all keep Modesty Blaise from being the simple fun it’s meant to be.

Modesty Blaise’s main issue is that it has too much going on. Modesty’s eccentric personality, her colorful past, her contacts around the globe, and her gadgets and tricks are already plenty to keep track of; once the supporting cast gets involved, it all becomes overwhelming. The film does a poor job of orienting the viewer. Even the film’s most clever ideas tend to miss the mark simply because the viewer hasn’t been prepared for them.

Modesty Blaise will still hold some appeal for the right viewer. Its light tone, 60s style, and bevy of charming ideas are all rare qualities. But the film has enough problems with the way it presents its material that casual viewers will find it to be a rough watch. Most viewers would be better off looking elsewhere.

For an animated adventure that captures the same spirit but with more artistry, try The Castle of Cagliostro or The Advntures of Tintin. For an even more stylized adaptation, try The Avengers, Dick Tracy, or The Spirit. For a similarly campy adventure with more character, try Hudson Hawk or Charlie’s Angels. For a spy comedy with similar flaws, try Hammerhead.

5.1 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 5.5 for a spirited but badly flawed adventure.

Today’s quick review: In Like Flint. When Cramden (Lee J. Cobb), the head of Z.O.W.I.E., stumbles onto a plot to replace the President (Andrew Duggan) with an impostor, he calls in world-famous spy Derek Flint (James Coburn) to investigate. Following a trail of clues, Flint discovers an even larger conspiracy: Fabulous Face, a health resort in the Virgin Islands that serves as a front for a cabal of women plotting to take over the world.

In Like Flint is a spy adventure comedy and a loose sequel to Our Man Flint. James Coburn reprises his role as Derek Flint, a suave spy with an eclectic set of skills. Like its predecessor, In Like Flint is a light-hearted take on the spy genre, dropping its hero into perilous situations that he has to think, fight, or charm his way out of. But in spite of its breezy tone and sense of adventure, its plot and overall payoff leave something to be desired.

In Like Flint is missing some of the tact of the original. Its humor is more overt, with a sharper line between plot-critical scenes and scenes that are meant to be jokes. Flint’s investigation has some entertaining moments, but it lacks focus, bouncing between thinly-connected clues. He also doesn’t get enough screen time with Lisa (Jean Hale), the head of Fabulous Face, which keeps their final confrontation from having the impact it deserves.

In Like Flint will appeal to fans of light adventure and 60s sensibilities. Its foundation is a likable protagonist, an inventive story, and a pleasant setting. But the movie makes a few missteps with its execution, including a roundabout plot, lackluster villains, and some miscalibrated humor, putting a crimp in an otherwise enjoyable setup. Those interested should approach with caution.

For a cleaner take on the same character, try Our Man Flint. For a James Bond film cut from similar cloth, try Moonraker.

6.2 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.5 for a light tone and some notable flaws.

Today’s quick review: Our Man Flint. When an evil organization called Galaxy holds the world ransom with a device that can control the weather, Cramden (Lee J. Cobb), the head of Z.O.W.I.E., calls in debonair superspy Derek Flint (James Coburn) to save the day. Using his unique set of skills, Flint tracks the culprits to Europe. There he matches wits with Gila (Gila Golan), the beautiful Galaxy agent in charge of the weather control operation.

Our Man Flint is a spy adventure comedy that puts a light-hearted spin on the spy genre. James Coburn stars as Derek Flint, a retired Z.O.W.I.E. agent with an opulent lifestyle and an impressive array of skills. Our Man Flint pokes fun at iconic spies like James Bond, cranking up its protagonist’s competence to an absurd degree. What follows is a carefree romp that showcases Flint’s skills and the adventurous side of the spy genre.

For a parody, Our Man Flint hangs together surprisingly well. The tone hits a sweet spot: light and silly, but still coherent. The movie happens to take place in a world of exotic locations and extreme feats of derring-do, and within that world, it tells a complete and satisfying story. Unlike other parodies, Our Man Flint bears no malice for its source material. Instead, it is a loving send-up of the excesses of spy adventures.

Whether you like Our Man Flint will come down to taste. The tone is campy, the plot is straightforward, and the setting is a simplified fantasy. If those things sound appealing, Our Man Flint makes for a breezy watch with some charming flourishes. If you’re looking for a more incisive parody, you may want to look elsewhere.

For a spy comedy in a similar vein, try Get Smart. For a raunchier Bond parody, check out the Austin Powers films. For a campy sci-fi adventure with a similarly multitalented protagonist, try The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension.

6.5 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 for simple fun.