‘allo, ‘allo, ‘allo, what’s all this then? Why it’s another episode in our series “Get ‘em, Jimmy!” wherein we discuss the highs and lows of the James Bond franchise. Last week we talked about a film that is generally regarded as one of the best Bond films; this week we’re talking about one that . . . um . . . is not. Yes, this week we’re jamming diamonds into our faces and revving up our invisible cars to talk about “Die Another Day,” one of the Pierce Brosnan Bond outings, with guest star Halle Berry (and by “guest star” we mean “person we wish the movie had been about”). And who else shows up? Why it’s Agent Madonna! No really, the Material Girl provides the theme song (go ahead; try to remember any of that song. I dare you) and provides minutes of what could be construed, broadly, as entertainment; she plays that classic Bond supporting character that everyone knows: Verity the Fencing Instructor. Remember when all the kids were dressing up as Verity the Fencing Instructor for Halloween . . . ? When was that? Oh right: never. What’s the problem with this movie? Would there were only one. Give a listen and see what sort of a rum go we’re in for, wot wot?
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Jinx should have been Bond in this movie, Haley berry was fantastic. The cable station here, Prise 2, has been playing all the Bond films this past week. Maybe you guys are plugged into the zeitgeist or something!
Well, that sounds uncomfortable! Those zeitgeist plugs always itch. But thanks for letting us know that we’re hip, daddy-o!
Max
I love this series! It’s probably the best series of movies you could have chosen for a series on, well, a series. Is there anyone you would have liked to see as Bond? Would you classify Bond into different eras apart from different actors? Also, do you think Bond is still relevant in this post-Cold-War age of extrajudicial renderings and terrorism? Personally, I feel like he doesn’t work nearly as well when playing against, say, terrorists.
Very kind of you to say so, good sir!
Interesting questions, too. Hmm. Who would we have liked to see as Bond . . . well personally I was disappointed when it turned out the new Bond wasn’t going to be Idris Elba. I think he would have been amazing.
I agree that Bond is better when he’s dealing with a singular, distinctive antagonist; he’s fine going up against S.P.E.C.T.R.E but there was always one person who was the face (or voice) of S.P.E.C.T.R.E, like Dr. No or, of course, Ernst Blofeld. It’s certainly more complicated these post-Cold War days, with no Evil Empire to go up against. And they can’t just be lazy and make the Chinese the bad guys because they want the movies to sell in China. Definitely more complicated.
Wow, those are excellent questions. Wonder if we should try and work those into the last episode. What you think, Max?
I think that could be an interesting way to close it this series!