Review of Die Another Day (2002)

Die Another Day (2002), the 20th official James Bond film, marks the end of Pierce Brosnan’s tenure as 007, and while it’s filled with the franchise’s trademark action, gadgets, and suave charm, it also ventures into some questionable territory. Directed by Lee Tamahori, the film leans heavily into the larger-than-life spectacle that the Bond series had evolved into by the early 2000s, but it struggles to balance its outrageousness with the character-driven depth that made earlier entries in the series so iconic. Despite this, Die Another Day is still an entertaining and high-energy Bond film with plenty of memorable moments, even if it falls short of being a classic.

The film celebrates the 40th anniversary of the James Bond franchise, and it showcases Bond in what is arguably one of the most over-the-top plots in the series. With its mix of exotic locations, high-tech gadgets, and extreme action sequences, Die Another Day is a spectacle of its time, reflecting the influence of the new millennium’s action films. However, it’s also infamous for its excessive reliance on digital effects, some implausible plot twists, and the introduction of one of the most outlandish Bond villains to date. While it may not be as enduring as some of its predecessors, it’s still a quintessential Bond adventure, with a certain nostalgia and flair that has earned it a place in the series’ history.

Plot: The Ice Palace and the Icarus Project

Die Another Day opens with an action-packed sequence where James Bond (Pierce Brosnan) is captured in North Korea after a dangerous mission goes wrong. Bond had been attempting to stop a weapons deal between North Korean military officials and an arms dealer named Zao (Rick Yune). After being tortured for 14 months in a North Korean prison, Bond is released in a prisoner exchange and returns to MI6, now a man seeking revenge for his time in captivity.

However, Bond’s return is far from simple. He’s been branded as a traitor, and his reputation is in tatters. In a bid to clear his name, Bond embarks on a mission to track down Zao, who has undergone a dramatic transformation after being involved in an experiment linked to a larger plot. The villain of the film, Gustav Graves (Toby Stephens), a wealthy businessman with an obsession for ice and high-tech weaponry, is revealed to be the key figure behind an ambitious plan to use a space-based laser satellite called Icarus to control the world’s weather and create economic chaos.

Bond teams up with a beautiful and mysterious woman named Jinx (Halle Berry), a CIA agent with a personal stake in the mission. Together, Bond and Jinx must uncover Graves’ true intentions while navigating an increasingly dangerous web of deceit, betrayal, and near-impossible odds. Along the way, Bond confronts a series of elaborate and over-the-top action sequences, including a hovercraft chase, a sword fight, and a final showdown in an ice palace.

The Digital Effects and Action Sequences

One of the most striking aspects of Die Another Day is its reliance on digital effects, which, while cutting-edge at the time, have not aged particularly well. The most infamous example is the surfboard scene, where Bond performs an almost absurd stunt, riding a wave of ice with an explosion behind him. While this moment was meant to be a thrilling and visually stunning spectacle, it has since become a symbol of the film’s over-reliance on CGI, detracting from the more grounded action that the series is known for.

On the other hand, the action sequences that do not rely as heavily on digital effects are far more successful. The hovercraft chase through a minefield is a standout moment, providing an exhilarating and tense sequence that’s both original and exciting. The sword fight between Bond and Zao, set against the backdrop of a luxurious hotel suite, is another highlight, adding a personal and intimate touch to what could have been a simple action scene.

Despite the occasional misstep in CGI-heavy action, the film’s set pieces are undeniably ambitious, and they often pay off in terms of excitement and spectacle. The film embraces the idea of Bond as a larger-than-life hero, and these sequences reflect that mindset, often pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in an action film.

Pierce Brosnan: A Bond in Transition

Pierce Brosnan’s portrayal of James Bond in Die Another Day is in many ways the culmination of his tenure as 007. By this point, Bond has become more of a caricature of himself, with the film leaning heavily into his iconic catchphrases, charm, and near-superhuman feats. Brosnan’s Bond is suave and confident, but there’s also a certain vulnerability beneath the surface, especially after his 14 months of captivity in North Korea.

What makes Die Another Day stand out in terms of Brosnan’s performance is the personal stakes for Bond. His capture and subsequent treatment at the hands of his captors weigh heavily on his character throughout the film. Bond is no longer the cool, unflappable agent of earlier films; instead, he’s a man struggling with his own identity and seeking redemption. The tension between his suave exterior and his internal conflict is what gives the film some emotional depth, even if the larger-than-life action doesn’t always reflect it.

Despite the increasingly outrageous nature of the plot, Brosnan’s performance remains one of the film’s strongest elements. His Bond is a man in transition, struggling with the consequences of his actions and dealing with the consequences of his mission. While his portrayal of Bond doesn’t have the grit or intensity of Daniel Craig’s later performances, Brosnan’s Bond is still a likable and engaging character, and his chemistry with Halle Berry’s Jinx adds a playful dynamic to the film.

Halle Berry: Jinx and the Bond Girl Formula

Halle Berry’s introduction as Jinx is one of the most memorable aspects of Die Another Day. Jinx is a CIA agent who shares Bond’s charm, confidence, and deadly skills, and Berry’s performance is a notable departure from the traditional Bond girl. Jinx is far from a damsel in distress — she’s every bit as capable as Bond, and her character is given more agency and depth than many of the female characters in the franchise.

However, while Jinx is a step forward for the Bond girl trope, her character’s arc is still somewhat underdeveloped. She gets plenty of screen time, but her motivations and backstory are somewhat glossed over, and she largely serves as an action counterpart to Bond. That said, her presence brings a refreshing energy to the film, and her banter with Brosnan is fun and charismatic.

The film also plays into the idea of Bond and Jinx being fated to work together, with a sexual tension that is both flirtatious and humorous. Jinx’s role in the plot, however, feels more like an accessory to Bond’s journey than a fully fleshed-out character in her own right. While she’s not as iconic as some of Bond’s previous leading ladies, Jinx does provide a modern twist on the Bond girl formula.

Gustav Graves and the Villain Problem

One of the key issues with Die Another Day is its portrayal of the villain, Gustav Graves, played by Toby Stephens. Graves, with his obsession with ice and a twisted vision of global domination, is a classic Bond villain in many ways, but he is ultimately one of the weakest in the series. His motivations are muddled, and his character arc feels forced and underdeveloped.

Graves’ transformation from a charming businessman to a megalomaniacal villain is mostly explained away through some convoluted plot twists, and his final confrontation with Bond lacks the tension or emotional stakes of other iconic Bond villain showdowns. Despite a solid performance from Stephens, the character of Graves feels more like a caricature than a fully realized antagonist.

The film also introduces Miranda Frost (Rosamund Pike), Graves’ enigmatic aide and a key player in the film’s final act. While Frost serves as a more complex villain than Graves, her character is ultimately one-dimensional, and the eventual reveal of her true allegiance feels like a predictable and rushed plot point.

Themes: Legacy, Technology, and Excess

One of the central themes of Die Another Day is the tension between legacy and technology. The film plays with the idea of Bond as a relic of the Cold War era, and it contrasts this with the high-tech gadgets and weaponry of the modern world. The Icarus project — a space-based laser that can manipulate the weather — symbolizes the growing technological power of the 21st century, and the film explores the potential dangers of such advancements in the wrong hands.

However, while the film attempts to balance these themes, it often veers too far into the realm of excess. The gadgets and technological marvels, while entertaining, often detract from the film’s more grounded themes. The film’s over-the-top nature can be both thrilling and exhausting, and its final moments feel almost cartoonish, which is at odds with the character-driven plots that have made Bond films so memorable.

Conclusion: A Decent, If Overblown, Bond Adventure

Die Another Day is a Bond film that encapsulates both the strengths and weaknesses of the series in the early 2000s. It’s packed with thrilling action, exotic locations, and glamorous set pieces, but it often leans too heavily into CGI, exaggerated characters, and a convoluted plot. While Brosnan delivers a solid performance as Bond, and the film provides a fun and fast-paced ride, it’s clear that the series was beginning to show signs of excess and stagnation by this point.

Ultimately, Die Another Day is a Bond film that’s best appreciated as a high-energy spectacle, even if it’s not one of the franchise’s more memorable entries. It may not stand up to the legacy of earlier Bond films, but for fans of the series and those looking for a nostalgic trip through early 2000s action cinema, it offers a decent — if occasionally ludicrous — adventure.