Tomorrow Never Dies wastes no time. It opens with a chaotic arms bazaar, missile strikes, and Bond casually stealing a nuclear torpedo-laden fighter jet before the title sequence even hits. This is a movie that knows exactly what it is—slick, fast, and very much in tune with the late-90s action boom.
I give it a 3.5 out of 5. I liked it. It’s not as sharp or emotionally grounded as GoldenEye, but it’s still a damn fun ride. It’s stylish, it moves like a bullet, and Brosnan settles even deeper into the role. The villain is a little much, but the action and pacing carry it through.
Plot: The World Will Watch (Because He’s Making It Happen)
The villain here is Elliot Carver, a media mogul with a massive ego and a Napoleon complex. He’s orchestrating global chaos—sinking ships, hacking satellites, shooting down planes—not for money or power, but for ratings. He wants to be the first to break the news by making the news.
It’s a sharp, cynical concept that honestly feels more relevant now than it did in 1997. The plot may lean into the absurd by the third act, but at its core, it’s about the weaponization of information—and that gives it just enough weight to land.
Pierce Brosnan: Confidence, Charm, Carnage
This is Brosnan in full command of the role. He’s leaner, meaner, and more sarcastic. If GoldenEye showed his potential, Tomorrow Never Dies is him flexing it. He’s dangerous but charming, delivering quips with surgical precision and handling fight scenes with physicality we hadn’t seen from Moore or late-era Connery.
He doesn’t get as much emotional range to play with this time, but he doesn’t need it. This Bond is on a mission, and he makes it look easy.
Michelle Yeoh: The Co-Star Bond Deserves
Wai Lin, played by Michelle Yeoh, is a highlight. She’s a Chinese secret agent who’s every bit Bond’s equal—smart, resourceful, and more than capable of stealing scenes. She doesn’t need saving, doesn’t fall for his charm immediately, and actually helps rescue him more than once.
Their dynamic is refreshingly platonic for most of the movie, focused on mutual respect and tactical teamwork. The late-game kiss feels tacked on, but up until that point, she’s one of the most competent and believable allies Bond’s ever had.
Elliot Carver: Smarm Over Substance
Jonathan Pryce’s Elliot Carver is a weird one. He’s not threatening in the traditional Bond villain sense—no metal teeth, no facial scars, no personal vendetta. He’s just a petty, insecure billionaire who treats world politics like a content calendar.
He’s fun to watch, mostly because Pryce is clearly having a blast, but he lacks that deeper menace. The performance is all slick suits and dramatic monologues, but when things get serious, he turns into a bit of a parody. Still, the “media as supervillain” idea is solid, even if the execution is a little cartoonish.
Action: Nonstop, Mostly Excellent
The action in Tomorrow Never Dies is relentless—in a good way. The standout sequence is the motorcycle chase through Saigon, with Bond and Wai Lin handcuffed together, dodging helicopters, cars, and a bazooka. It’s fast, clever, and full of practical stunts that still hold up.
The stealth boat finale gets a bit loud and generic, but it’s saved by some solid underwater tension and Brosnan going full action hero. There’s also a great scene with Bond driving a BMW by remote control through a parking garage. Is it ridiculous? Absolutely. Is it also awesome? Definitely.
The Tone: 90s Slick, Light on Substance
This movie is very late ’90s. From the techno-inspired score to the editing style to the weird obsession with wireless devices, it’s locked in a very specific time capsule. The plot doesn’t have the emotional weight of GoldenEye, and the villain lacks depth—but the movie is so confidently made, you mostly don’t care.
It’s fast, fun, and filled with memorable beats, even if it doesn’t leave a lasting mark.
Final Verdict: Bond Goes Broadband
Tomorrow Never Dies may not reach the emotional heights of its predecessor, but it leans into action, spectacle, and pace with such gusto that it still works. Brosnan is in his element, Michelle Yeoh is an all-timer, and the film’s take on media manipulation feels almost prophetic.
It’s popcorn Bond at its finest—slick, sharp, and a little smarter than it looks.