ROGER SPOTTISWOODE

Bil’s rating (out of 5):  BBBBB.  United Kingdom/USA, 1997.  Eon Productions, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, United Artists.  Screenplay by Bruce Feirstein, based on characters created by Ian Fleming.  Cinematography by Robert Elswit.  Produced by Barbara Broccoli, Michael G. Wilson.  Music by David Arnold.  Production Design by Allan Cameron.  Costume Design by Lindy Hemming.  Film Editing by Michel Arcand, Dominique Fortin.  Golden Globe Awards 1997.

The second Bond installment to feature the dapper Pierce Brosnan as the womanizing, gun-toting hero. Part of the fun involves the fact that director Roger Spottiswoode doesn’t expect you to take the hammy plot (media mogul Jonathan Pryce wants to start World War III in order to gain broadcasting rights in China) seriously at all: it is James Bond after all, the villains have to be as colourful and silly as the rest of the film. Biggest plus is Michelle Yeoh as the best Bond girl ever, a match for the virile superspy if ever there was one. Great action scenes, giant and beautiful sets by Allen Cameron and a totally healthy sense of fun, plus glamourous Bond girl Teri Hatcher looks fabulous.