Following the assassination of Sir Robert King, an oil tycoon and old friend of M, Bond is assigned to watch over his daughter Elektra, played by Sophie Marceau. Elektra had previously been kidnapped by anarchist Renard, played by Robert Carlyle, who survived an assassination attempt which has left him unable to feel pain. Anyway, Renard is back and plotting to steal plutonium while targeting Elektra again. Bond must investigate with the aid of nuclear physicist and alternate girl of the week Christmas Jones, played by Denise Richards, but soon suspects that his charge isn't all that she seems.
This one seems up and down. There is some great action, like a boat chase across the Thames ending at the Millennium Dome, a ski chase with parahawks, and an attack by logging helicopters. I also think the twist is a good one for your typical spy thriller. Robbie Coltrane also makes a welcome return as Valentin.
Christmas Jones seems interesting enough, but she doesn't seem to do that much other than spout technical exposition. However, my biggest issue is with Bond. At the beginning, he falls from a hot air balloon and dislocates his shoulder, but seduces the MI6 physicist into clearing him for duty. This gives him an opportunity to be a handicapped badass. Sometimes they use this, but other times they just ignore it. You need to be consistent with something like that.
This one seems like a generic run-of-the-mill Bond film, although they did try something different. They just could have executed it a little better.
One other thing before I wrap this up; this was the last film in the series to feature Desmond Llewellyn as Q, as the actor was killed in a car accident after the film's release. However, it's discussed within the film that Q was retiring and is grooming a replacement, John Cleese as R.
Well that's about it. The calm before the storm, as I know how much of an utter headache the next one is. So much so I plan to justify a mistake I made at the beginning of the marathon.
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