The World Is Not Enough
for intense sequences of action violence, some sexuality and innuendo.
Reviewed by: Douglas Downs
STAFF WRITER
| Moral Rating: | Very Offensive |
| Moviemaking Quality: |
|
| Primary Audience: | Adults |
| Genre: | Adventure Drama |
| Length: | 2 hr. 08 min. |
| Year of Release: | 1999 |
| USA Release: |
| Featuring | Pierce Brosnan, Sophie Marceau, Robert Carlyle, Denise Richards, Serena Scott |
| Director |
Michael Apted |
| Producer | Michael G. Wilson, Barbara Broccoli |
| Distributor |
“The World Is Not Enough” is the 19th Bond film. Every fan of 007 has a favorite film in the series. I will keep mine to myself. If you compare this one to those of the past, “The World Is Not Enough” is, in my opinion, the least offensive—the most offensive portion being the digital graphics in the opening credits that leave nothing to the imagination. It’s the part you always try to fast-forward through when the video is released.
“The World Is Not Enough” is the story of Elektra King, the daughter of a rich oil tycoon. Her father is killed during a rescue attempt on her life. Elektra steps in and tries to fulfill her father’s dream of creating a pipeline linking the Soviet Union with Europe. There are many that are trying to stop her, especially Renard, a villain who would love nothing more than to blow up the entire line. Of course, he has other strategic steps in mind toward the usual world domination.
There are the usual chase scenes. Every time you see a Bond film, you wonder what they will think of using next in their chase sequences. We must give credit to the creativity in this department. The cinematography, too, is indeed worthwhile—not too far from watching an IMAX film. The elaborate and unbelievable escape scenes are compelling and exciting. Not as far-fetched as in the previous Bond film.
Is there anything offensive in the film? Come on now—we’re talking James Bond. Innuendo abounds, but the count is lower than in most other films of the series. James does use sex to get a female doctor to approve him for active duty. (He is injured during the opening minutes of the film and cannot take an assignment without the doctor’s approval). There are also some other brief sex scenes, and the traditional scene where James orders his fave alcoholic beverage.
The violence is very intense and sometimes darker than most Bond films. There is not so much bad language, but according to ScreenIt! there is at least 1 use of *ss, 1 d*mn, 1 h*ll, 2 uses of “Oh my God,” and 1 use of “God” as exclamations.
We all have our “love/hate” affairs with Bond films. Christians all wish that the traditional sexual parts would just be left out of this stereotyped spy film. It is mildly there with some partial nudity similar to the scenes in “Entrapment”. I do recommend the film with the above cautions.
This is not the worst of the Bond films; it’s an enjoyable time-filler that has the most action of the ones so far with Pierce Brosnan in the title role. However, there are many signs that the adventures of the international playboy spy is showing its age, especially when Bond’s long-time gadget maker, Q, makes a surprise announcement. This is fine for adults and perhaps some older teens, but beware of the double entendres (there are many), and some of the violence, which borders on being graphic. [2/3]
We have all that we expect from a Bond movie. Ingenious Q-Branch gadgets, over-the-top villains, fast chases, and the always present Bond women. The plot was kind of thin in some points and the big twist was really predictable. But Brosnan was better than ever as Bond. And John Cleese made a wonderful appearance as R.
As always the movie was heavy on sexual innuendo with some really nasty one-liners. There was no nudity per say but they came a bit to close in some points. Thankfully the violence was not very graphic. Not much bloodshed. The language was typical of this type of movie. This is not really a movie to take the kiddies to. Responsible Christians from the teen level and up should be able to enjoy this without any real problems. [3/4]
While the acting in previous Bond movies was a definitely better, the story was still full of the typical Bond action. The stunts are by far the best to date in a Bond movie, and as usual, there are the numerous sex scenes (especially the intro. YIKES!) If you loved the last two, you are certainly going to love this one! [2½/4]
The main objection some people will have is the sex parts. The jokes are now a bit more ribald (but then, so was Shakespeare) and the scenes where Bond is seen nude in bed with some woman after making out are a bit more graphic (very, very brief nudity and a scene where part of the act itself is seen via infrared camera; nothing is shown but both parties get redder and redder (heat)). Bottom Line: “The World is Not Enough” is a great movie! See it today and prove the critics wrong! [3/4]