Die Another Day: the spy who froze me? (spy-fy movie retrospective).
Die Another Day, the 2002 spy film, is the one where James Bond, played by the ever-suave Pierce Brosnan, decides he’s had enough of the tropical beaches and martinis and goes for a chilly vacation in Iceland. It’s the 20th film in the series, and boy, does it feel like it’s trying to pack in 20 films worth of action.
Produced by the dynamic duo of Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, and directed by Lee Tamahori, this film is essentially Bond’s winter wonderland adventure. It’s the only Bond film where Q, played by John Cleese, seems more like he’s auditioning for a Monty Python skit than equipping Bond with gadgets. And speaking of departures, it’s the last time we see Samantha Bond as Miss Moneypenny. Maybe she got tired of Bond’s cold shoulders in Iceland?
Now, let’s talk about the plot. Bond starts off in North Korea, trading weapons for diamonds. Because, why not? But things go south (or should we say north?) when his identity is revealed, leading to a hovercraft chase. Yes, you read that right. A hovercraft chase. Because in the world of Bond, why chase on foot when you can do it on a hovercraft?
After a brief stint as a North Korean prisoner, Bond finds himself in Cuba. Here, he meets the NSA agent Giacinta “Jinx” Johnson, played by Halle Berry. She’s called Jinx, but luckily for Bond, she’s anything but bad luck. Together, they discover a gene therapy clinic where you can change your appearance. Think of it as a spa day, but instead of a facial, you get a new face.
The villain of the story, Gustav Graves, is a British billionaire with a penchant for diamonds and ice palaces. Because when you’re that rich, why have a regular mansion when you can have an ice palace? Graves unveils “Icarus”, a satellite that can focus sunlight. It’s like a magnifying glass for the Earth, but instead of burning ants, it’s for… agriculture? Sure, let’s go with that. Bond’s car in this film is the Aston Martin V12 Vanquish, which comes with active camouflage. It’s like the car took fashion advice from a chameleon. And speaking of fashion, let’s not forget Madonna’s cameo as a fencing instructor. Because in Bond’s world, even pop stars can be deadly.
In the climax, Bond and Jinx find themselves on Graves’ cargo plane, trying to stop him from using Icarus to invade South Korea. There’s a sword fight, a plane crash, and Graves meets a… grinding end.
“Die Another Day” is a rollercoaster of a film, with more twists and turns than Bond’s love life. It’s a blend of classic Bond charm with a sprinkle of early 2000s CGI magic. So, if you’re in the mood for some icy action, diamond drama, and hovercraft chases, this is the Bond film for you! Just remember to bring a coat; it gets chilly in that ice palace.
