Directed by Terry Jones and written and starring Monty Python (Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, and Michael Palin), Monty Python’s Life of Brian is the story of a young man who is born on the same day as Jesus Christ at the hut next door where he is later mistaken to be a messianic figure. The film is a satire of sorts that discusses some of the fallacies of religion as well as ideas of faith and life itself. Also starring Python cohorts Carol Cleveland and Neil Innes along with Terence Blayer and Sue Jones-Davies. Monty Python’s Life of Brian is an outrageous yet hilarious film from Monty Python.
It’s 33 A.D. Judea where a young man whose disdain for the Romans has him join a group only to get himself into a series of misadventures where he is mistaken to be a messiah as people listen to him and misinterpret what he’s saying. That is what the film is about as it play into people trying to find some meaning in life while creating their own interpretations into its ideas as a young man is caught in the middle of all of this chaos as well as a conflict between Romans and various anti-Roman factions. The film’s screenplay by the Monty Python troupe focuses largely on this young man in Brian Cohen (Graham Chapman) who was born on the same day at a hut next to Jesus Christ where three wise men mistake him for the Messiah on his birth date only to realize it’s the wrong baby.
Brian is smitten with a young woman in Judith Iscariot (Sue Jones-Davies) who is part of anti-Roman faction in the People’s Front of Judea who spent more time coming up with ideas and arguing amongst with one another and other separate factions rather than fight the Romans. Brian would prove himself for PFJ yet an attempted invasion of the home of Pontius Pilate (Michael Palin) would go wrong with Brian get himself into these misadventures involving aliens and all sorts of shit. The script play into these ideas of faith and religion and how they can be misinterpreted and used for the wrong reasons with Brian being a martyr and scapegoat of sorts when he never did anything wrong. Even to the point that his mother (Terry Jones) tries to tell his followers that he is not the Messiah, he’s a very naughty boy.
Terry Jones’ direction definitely plays with the ideas that is expected with religious iconography and imagery while infusing it with some humor. Shot on location in Tunisia, the film does play into the period of those times where it opens with the three wise men going into a hut where Brian’s mother is watching after her newborn baby thinking it’s the Messiah only to realize it’s at the next hut. The film would also feature Jesus Christ’s Sermon on the Mount where it is presented in a medium shot and then the camera pulls back into a wide shot as it play into this historical moment yet there’s people shouting “speak up” as they misinterpret what he’s saying leading a funny moment of confusion. While much of Jones’ compositions in the close-ups, medium, and wide shots are straightforward with some long takes to play into the humor. It still add to this offbeat humor where scenes such as an old man being stoned for saying Jehovah’s name with women dressed up as men wearing fake beards or an argument among the PFJ about the Romans where some reminded that Romans brought many things to Judea.
Jones’ direction also play into this air of absurdity about the idea of messianic figures where there’s a street in Judea of a row of messiahs trying to spread their ideas while Brian is trying to hide from the Romans at the PFJ’s secret compound. Jones also play into some of the silliness of the Roman empire as Pontius Pilate is a man with a bad speech impediment while there’s other things that do make the Romans somewhat incompetent. It is all about these ideas of people trying to follow an idea or look for something to be guided by yet Brian is trying to say some of the most sensible things out there in a world where no one has any common sense. Overall, Jones crafts a witty yet whimsical film about a young man who is mistaken as the Messiah.
Cinematographer Peter Biziou does brilliant work with the film’s cinematography in its usage of natural lighting as well as some stylish bits for some of the scenes at night that help play into the atmosphere of the locations. Editor Julian Doyle does excellent work with the editing as it uses rhythmic cuts to play into the humor as well as some of the absurd aspects of the film. Animation/production designer Terry Gilliam and art director Roger Christian do amazing work with the look of the homes of a few of the characters as well as some of the exteriors of the Roman buildings while Gilliam’s animation for the film’s opening credits and a sequence of Brian briefly meeting aliens is just hilarious. Costume designers Charles Knode and Hazel Pethig do fantastic work with the look of the Roman uniforms and robes to the more ragged look of the common folk including some of the more posh look of some of the rich people in Judea.
Hair/makeup designers Elaine Carew and Maggie Weston do terrific work with the look of the wigs and hairstyle of the characters as well as the fake beards the women wear to participate in the stoning. Sound recordist Garth Marshall does superb work with the sound in capturing the atmosphere of some of the sermons as well as the chaos that goes in involving large crowds. The film’s music by Geoffrey Burgon is wonderful for its mixture of bombastic orchestral music that is synonymous of biblical films while it features a couple of original songs including its theme presented in a style similar to James Bond films and the playful Always Look on the Bright Side of Life that play up into the idea of existence and life itself.
The film’s incredible cast include some notable small roles and appearances from Spike Milligan as a prophet speaking with other prophets, John Young as the watchmen for the PFJ, Neil Innes as a weedy Samaritan, Gwen Taylor as the wife of Big Nose, Terence Bayler and Carol Cleveland as a rich couple in Mr. and Mrs. Gregory respectively, Kenneth Colley as Jesus Christ, and one of the film’s executive producers and financiers in George Harrison in a cameo appearance as a mount owner in Mr. Papadopoulos. Sue Jones-Davies is fantastic as Judith Iscariot as a member of the PFJ who falls for Brian as she tries to make sense of all of the chaos while believing that Brian is doing some good for the world.
In multiple role, the members of Monty Python all do tremendous work in the multiple characters they play with Terry Gilliam as a man misinterpreting what Jesus said as well as small roles as a dirty prophet, a follower of Brian, a jailer, and a deaf aide of the crucifixion ceremony. Terry Jones’ performances as a silent holy man who fails his vow of silence, a saintly passerby who stupidly carries someone else’s cross, and Brian’s mother is hilarious with him being at his funniest as Brian’s mother. Eric Idle is great in the various roles as PFJ member Stan who wants to be a woman named Loretta, a Jewish prankster, a haggler, the woman who threw the first stone, a dumb youth, a member of the crucifixion ceremony, and a man crucified who leads the sing-a-long.
Michael Palin’s performances as a man named Big Nose, an ex-leper, one of the wise men, a prophet that doesn’t say anything exciting, a member of the PFJ, and other various roles including Pontius Pilate with a speech impediment is just so funny in the way he makes Pilate look like a fool. John Cleese is amazing in the roles of one of the wise men, a high priest who organizes the stoning, a centurion leader, an overzealous follower of Brian, and PFJ leader Reg who tries to get some ideas going only to not go through with them. Finally, there’s Graham Chapman in a phenomenal performance as the titular character as this young man who is mistaken as a messiah while trying to rebel against the Romans while Chapman also does some funny brief roles as one of the wise men and Pilate’s friend Biggus Dickus.
Monty Python’s Life of Brian is an outstanding film from Monty Python. Featuring gorgeous visuals, soaring music, amazing set design, a great cast, and compelling themes about faith, religion, and the faults of humanity using faith in the worst ways. It’s a film that isn’t afraid to take shots at some of the ideas of religion and do it in a way that is extremely funny. In the end, Monty Python’s Life of Brian is a tremendous film from Terry Jones and Monty Python.
Monty Python Films: (And Now for Something Completely Different) – Monty Python and the Holy Grail - (Live at the Hollywood Bowl) – Monty Python's the Meaning of Life - (Almost the Truth (Lawyer’s Cut))
© thevoid99 2018
Directed by Mel Damski and written by Graham Chapman, Peter Cook, and David McKenna with additional work by David Sherlock, Yellowbeard is about a pirate who goes on the search for his lost treasure while trying to avoid the Royal Navy who want to increase his 20 year tax evasion sentence by 140 years. The film is an offbeat comedy that has Graham Chapman in the titular role as he copes with changing times and other rivals trying to vie for the treasure. Also starring Peter Boyle, Cheech Marin, Tommy Chong, Peter Cook, Madeline Kahn, James Mason, Eric Idle, Peter Bull, Martin Hewitt, Michael Hordern, John Cleese, and Marty Feldman. Yellowbeard is a very silly but whimsical film from Mel Damski.
The film revolves a notorious pirate named Yellowbeard who had stolen some treasure from a Spanish despot only to eventually to captured and sent to prison for 20 years on tax evasion only to escape after learning his sentence has been extended to 140 years. Upon his escape, he learns from his estranged wife that he has a 20-year old son while stowing away on a merchant ship that had been taken over by his former first mate and a henchman. The film’s screenplay does have a straightforward narrative yet it is very messy as it relates to many of the situations that is happening as well as the multitude of characters involved that all want a piece of this long-lost treasure. Some of the characters are interesting but others such as Yellowbeard’s son in Dan (Martin Hewitt) aren’t so interesting as he is introduced to the world of piracy and the only reason Yellowbeard has him around because he has the map on top of his head.
Mel Damski’s direction is definitely all over the place in terms of trying to capture all of the natural elements of comedy as well as do whatever to keep the laughs going. Shot on location in England and the scenes on the beach set in Mexico, the film definitely plays into this very chaotic world of piracy where much of Damski’s compositions are straightforward but also playful. Still, the weak aspects of the script doesn’t give Damski a lot to do in creating scenes to help drive the story more in favor of trying to bring in as much laughs as he can. Some of it is very funny and definitely help create moments that are enjoyable yet there are moments where the attempt at humor feels forced. Even as it tries so much to really create something that is exciting and fun where it would succeed for some of the film’s climax but would also fall flat in some parts as it relates to Yellowbeard seeing women and raping them. Overall, Damski creates a worthwhile but very messy film about a pirate trying to reclaim the treasure that he had buried twenty years ago.
Cinematographer Gerry Fisher does excellent work with the cinematography as it play into the sunny locations of the beach and the island as well as some unique lighting for the scenes at night. Editor William H. Reynolds does terrific work with the editing as it mostly straightforward to play into the comedy and sense of adventure in the film. Production designer Joseph R. Jennings does brilliant work with the design of some of the interiors in the frigates as well as in the designs of some of the places in England and on the island. Costume designer Stephen Miles does nice work with the costumes from the ragged clothing of the pirates as well as the lavish clothing of the Spanish despot and his majordomo. Sound mixers Brian Simmons and Manuel Topete do superb work with the sound in capturing some of the action as well as the funny moments in the film. The film’s music by John Morris is wonderful for its bombastic orchestral score that play into the adventure as well as some of its humor.
The casting by Michael McLean is fantastic as it feature notable cameo appearances from Peter Bull as Queen Anne, Susannah York as Lady Churchill, Spike Milligan as a flunkie, and David Bowie as a shark. Other notable small roles include Greta Blackburn as a prostitute disguised as a naval officer, Beryl Reid as Lady Lambourn, Nigel Planer as Commander Clement’s aide Mansel, Stacey Nelkin as the despot’s daughter Triola, Kenneth Mars in a dual role as a naval officer and the despot’s torture machine creator Verudo, and James Mason in a terrific role as the naval officer Captain Hughes. John Cleese is terrific as a blind spy named Harvey Pew who works for the government and for anyone that pays him while Madeline Kahn is wonderful as Yellowbeard’s estranged wife Betty who told him about Dan and wants a share of the treasure. Michael Hordern is excellent as Dr. Gilpin who helps Yellowbeard in the quest while Peter Cook is hilarious as Lord Lambourn who also joins the journey as he has some funny moments.
Cheech Marin and Thomas Chong are superb in their respective roles as the Spanish majordomo and despot with Marin as an insubordinate who always insults his leader while Chong acts as a buffoon who thinks he’s a god. Martin Hewitt’s performance as Yellowbeard’s son Dan is really dull and awkward where he never does anything to make the character interesting as he‘s just there. Eric Idle is brilliant as Commander Clement as a Royal Navy officer who is determined to find the treasure and bring ruin to Yellowbeard as well as become a ruler of his own. Peter Boyle is amazing as Yellowbeard’s former first-mate Moon who betrayed Yellowbeard as he pretends to be a naval officer just so he can find the treasure and keep it for himself. Marty Feldman is great in his final film performance as Gilbert as Moon’s friend who escapes prison as he tries to do whatever to help Moon while being very funny in anything he’s in. Finally, there’s Graham Chapman in a crazed and fun performance as the titular character as it’s very over-the-top but it’s never dull as he just does whatever he can to bring laughs as well as be a very despicable yet fun character.
Yellowbeard is a good but very messy film from Mel Damski. While it does have a great ensemble cast and some funny moments, it’s a film that definitely isn’t for everyone in terms of its offbeat humor though it is entertaining no matter how messy it is. In the end, Yellowbeard is a fine film from Mel Damski.
© thevoid99 2017
Directed by Charles Crichton and John Cleese and screenplay by Cleese from a story by Crichton and Cleese, A Fish Called Wanda is the story of a diamond heist crew who try to double-cross each other as they try to find the lost diamonds while getting a captured criminal’s barrister involved. It’s a film that plays into a world where a bunch of people are motivated by greed as a lot of hilarity ensues as it involves involving two American criminals doing their heist in London. Starring John Cleese, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kevin Kline, Tom Georgeson, Maria Aitken, Cynthia Cleese, Patricia Hayes, and Michael Palin. A Fish Called Wanda is an absolutely ripping and enthralling film from Charles Crichton and John Cleese.
After a diamond heist involving two Britons and two Americans that succeeded only for its aftermath to go wrong where the diamonds are lost and one of its lead criminal figures gets arrested. The American con-artist and her weapons-man boyfriend try to find the diamonds as the former tries to seduce a barrister into getting information only to fall for him. It’s a film that plays into the world of greed as many characters all try to double-cross each other to get the diamonds and run away to South America with the loot as a lot of mayhem and hi-jinks ensue. Yet, it’s really more about a group of individuals who all seek a better life or some kind of hefty payment as two of them are these Americans in Wanda (Jamie Lee Curtis) and her boyfriend Otto (Kevin Kline) as the latter is a loud-mouthed man who hates the British and thinks of himself as an intellectual.
Among the crew they’re with is the gangster George Thomason (Tom Georgeson) who would be arrested for the heist as he awaits trial and his right-hand man in an animal lover named Ken (Michael Palin) who has a bad stutter. John Cleese’s screenplay plays into many events that unfold where Wanda would try and seduce George’s barrister Archie (John Cleese) as she would eventually make Otto very jealous as he would confront Archie in very troubling ways. Yet, Archie falls for Wanda as he sees her as a chance to escape the unhappy life he has with a wife (Maria Aitken) who treats him like shit and a spoiled daughter (Cynthia Cleese) as he would eventually go on board to try and find the diamonds. One notable subplot that is integral to the story involves Ken’s attempt to kill an old lady (Patricia Hayes) who is a witness to George’s case where it plays into elements of black comedy. It adds to the film’s offbeat humor that includes some very funny dialogue and one-liners which often involve Otto’s hatred towards the British as he would always yell “asshole” towards a driver in his way.
The film’s direction by Charles Crichton, with Cleese serving as an un-credited co-director, is quite simple in terms of compositions and such. Notably in the way Crichton and Cleese would set up some of the comedy as they would shoot the film entirely on location in London as well as parts of Heathrow Airport. The film’s heist sequence that happens early is quite engaging for some of the angles that Crichton would create along with key shots that would play into the story. Critchton’s approach to dark humor that involves Ken’s attempt to kill an elderly witness has this strange mix of cruelty and hilarity as it relates to Ken’s love for animals and what he was trying to do. Other scenes involve Otto’s love to say things in Italian and Russian to turn Wanda on which is inter-cut with the life of Archie and how drab it is. The humor also has elements that are quite cartoonish as well as offbeat moments such as a scene where Archie meets Ken in the third act as Archie waits for Ken to give him some answers. Its climax at Heathrow wouldn’t just contain some of the funniest moments in the film but would also become one of its most adventurous. Overall, Crichton and Cleese create a very thrilling and hilarious film about a group of thieves trying to get back some diamonds.
Cinematographer Alan Hume does excellent work with the cinematography as it‘s quite straightforward for many of its daytime scenes along with some nice lighting for some of the scenes set at night. Editor John Jympson does amazing work with the editing as it‘s very straightforward with some rhythmic cuts for the heist scene and the film‘s climax at Heathrow. Production designer Roger Murray-Leach, with set decorator Stephenie McMillan and art director John Wood, does fantastic work with the look of the loft that Ken lives in as well as Archie‘s posh home and the place he and Wanda would go into for sex until a family comes in.
Costume designer Hazel Pethig does nice work with the costumes from the stylish clothes that Wanda wears to the more casual look of the men. Sound editor Jonathan Bates does terrific work with the sound from the way Otto screams “asshole“ in a few scenes to some of the comedic moments that occur in the film. The film’s music by John du Prez is brilliant for its score as it ranges from orchestral to very playful pieces as it adds some spark to the film’s humor and some string-based pieces into Otto’s antics.
The casting by Priscilla John is wonderful as it features some notable small appearances from Stephen Fry as a Briton Otto meets at the airport, Geoffrey Palmer as the trial judge, Cynthia Cleese as Archie’s spoiled daughter Portia, and Patricia Hayes as the old lady with the three Yorkshire Terriers who saw George during his escape. Maria Aitken is terrific as Archie’s very un-loving and pretentious wife who is more concerned with her riches rather than her marriage. Tom Georgeson is excellent as George as a gangster who leads the heist as he would be arrested as he hopes that Archie would get him out. Michael Palin is brilliant as Ken as an animal-loving man with a stutter who bungles his way to get rid of a key witness as Palin brings a lot of humor including some scenes where he is eyed by Otto as if he was gay or the scene involving some chips.
Kevin Kline is incredible as Otto as an Anglophobe man who hates being called stupid as Kline manages to steal the show with such energy and charm as he continuously brings in a lot of laughs from the things he says to some of the things he does in the film. Jamie Lee Curtis is fantastic as Wanda as a con artist who is eager to get the diamonds and double-cross Otto so she can escape from his clutches but finds herself falling for Archie when she’s supposed to seduce him as Curtis brings a lot of spark to the role. Finally, there’s John Cleese in a remarkable performance as Archie as a barrister who is roped into the scheme as he falls for Wanda while dealing with Otto and his own family life where Cleese brings a low-key approach to the humor as well as a very funny exchange against Kline in the film’s climax.
A Fish Called Wanda is a phenomenal film from Charles Crichton and John Cleese that features great performances from Cleese, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kevin Kline, and Michael Palin. The film is truly one of the finest comedies ever created as it plays into the world of heist films as well as taking shots at the idea of intellectualism and American superiority. Even as it’s not afraid to be very silly as well as engage itself into very dark humor. In the end, A Fish Called Wanda is a magnificent film from Charles Crichton and John Cleese.
© thevoid99 2015
Directed by Terry Jones and Terry Gilliam and written and performed by Jones, Gilliam, Eric Idle, Graham Chapman, John Cleese, and Michael Palin, Monty Python and the Holy Grail is a parody film that explores the story King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table in their quest for the Holy Grail. The film is the first proper film by the Monty Python comedy troupe that is composed of entirely new material under the control of the group as it plays to the Arthurian legend plus ideas of death, mystique, coconuts, swallows, and all sorts of silly things. Also starring Python cohorts Carol Cleveland, Connie Booth, and Neil Innes. Monty Python and the Holy Grail is a very ridiculous, absurd, idiotic and… on second thought, it’s one of the funniest films ever made.
The film is an absurdist take on the legend of King Arthur and his quest for the Holy Grail where he and his Knights of the Round Table go into this quest to seek the Grail. While it sort of plays true to the legendary story, the Monty Python troupe decide to add a lot of inane things into the story. Some of which involve a lot of historical inaccuracies, dramatic liberties, coconuts, theories about politics, and of course, swallows. The first act of the script is about King Arthur forming the Knights of the Round Table and going on the quest to find the Grail. The second act involves the Arthur and his knights each venturing on a separate journey where they endure all sorts of things from a castle full of virginal women, a wedding, a three-headed knight, and the Knights who say “Ni!” The third act has the group reuniting to face more mysterious forces and face the Bridge of Death. It’s a script that has a lot of humor that is offbeat while being very loose in its tone and dialogue.
The film’s direction by Terry Jones and Terry Gilliam definitely showcased a contrast of two very different styles of presentation as the former was about the humor and its timing while the latter was more about the visuals. Gilliam’s approach to the fogginess of some of the scenes as well as the way some of the visual aspect of the film does give it a richness that isn’t seen much in comedies. That is balanced by Jones’ approach to humor where things are very loose as he would find ways to put Gilliam’s animation sequences to help play into the story. Much of the direction not only use some wide and medium shots as well as close-ups while finding ways to give the humor the chance to be off the wall. Even as it includes scenes where the fourth wall is broken in some places as it would add to the absurdist humor of the film. Overall, the Monty Python troupe creates a film that is absolutely insane in terms of the way it told the story of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table.
Cinematographer Terry Bedford does amazing work with the cinematography from the look of the scenes in the fog to the scenes where King Arthur treks into a small, muddy village. Editor John Hackney does excellent work with the editing with its unique rhythmic cuts to play into the film‘s humor and musical numbers. Production designer Roy Forge Smith does brilliant work with the set pieces from the look of the castles to the design of the Trojan Rabbit, the dark cave, and the Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch. Costume designer Hazel Pethig does wonderful work with the costumes from the look of the robes and costumes of the King Arthur and his knights as well some of the other characters in the story. Makeup artists Pam Luke and Pearl Rashbass do fantastic work with the makeup for the look of some of the characters like the knights, Tim the Enchanter, and the Bridgekeeper.
The special effects work of John Horton with additional photography by Julian Doyle are terrific for the mixture of animation and live action in some scenes as well as some of the weirder moments in the film involving rabbits and other crazy things. Sound mixer Hugh Strain does superb work with the sound to create some sound effects and some scenes on the film’s locations. The film’s music consists of classical music to play into that period along with some original songs by Neil Innes like the Camelot musical number and the songs that Sir Robin’s minstrels sings.
The film’s cast includes some notable small performances from John Young as a historian and a dead body who isn’t dead, Rita Davies as the historian’s wife, and Connie Booth as a woman accused of being a witch. Other funny small roles from Python cohorts include Carol Cleveland as the castle Anthrax leader Zoot and her twin Dingo and Neil Innes in various roles as Sir Robin’s singing minstrel, a laughing French knight, a baton minstrel, the head of chanting monks, and a page who gets constantly injured. Terry Gilliam is excellent in his various roles as King Arthur’s page Patsy, the Bridgekeeper/soothsayer, the Green Knight, the film’s animator, and a knight who is killed by a treacherous creature. Terry Jones is amazing in his lead role as Sir Bedevere while also playing the mother of a very political man, a three-headed knight, a French knight, and the effeminate Prince Herbert who just wants to sing a song about… stop that, stop that!
Eric Idle is superb as the Not-so-Brave Sir Robin who is always acting like a wimp as Idle also plays a dead collector, a singing knight, Sir Lancelot’s squire, a monk, Roger the Shrubber, and a confused castle guard. Michael Palin is brilliant as the pure Sir Galahad whose purity is his gift while he also plays the role of a political theorist, a three-headed knight, a king who hates music, a monk, and the head knight who says “ni”. John Cleese is fantastic as the very brave but over-doing Sir Lancelot as well as notable small roles like the Black Knight, Tim the Enchanter, and the taunting French knight. Finally, there’s Graham Chapman in a phenomenal performance as King Arthur as he has that gravitas to play the role he also has some small roles in one of the three knights and the voice of God.
Monty Python and the Holy Grail is a magnificent… no, it’s a stupendous… no it’s a… no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no you stupid blogger, you stupid critic. This film is not very good. It is terrible. It is…. Shut up!!!! *cuts the arm off of someone* It’s just a flesh wound! *scuffle* You stupid American writer! Your mother smells of elderberries and… I’m sorry. Let’s try this again. Monty Python and the Holy Grail is one of the greatest comedies ever and see it now or that Frenchman will taunt you a second-timer!
Monty Python Films: (And Now For Something Completely Different) - Monty Python’s Life of Brian - (Live at the Hollywood Bowl) - Monty Python's The Meaning of Life - (Almost the Truth (Lawyer’s Cut))
© thevoid99 2014
Directed by Terry Jones and written and performed by Jones, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, John Cleese, Graham Chapman, and Michael Palin, Monty Python’s The Meaning of Life is a film that consists of various sketches performed by the Monty Python comedy troupe about life itself. Through various subjects matters in the evolution of living, the film spans through different styles musicals and satire. Also starring Python cohort Carol Cleveland. The Meaning of Life is a rip-roaring and witty comedy from Monty Python.
The film is an exploration through a series of sketches about the meaning of life from birth to death. Most of it is presented in forms of absurd humor from the ideas of birth control, war, adolescents, and even death. It’s a film that is quite loose in its presentation where it’s all based on sketches and such to play into the ideas of existence and what does it all mean. Though the film doesn’t give out any answers, it does provide a lot of questions as well as ideas about life and all of its absurdities. Though some of the sketches that the Monty Python troupe doesn’t really work, it is balanced by some fantastic sketches that play into some of the flaws about how life works and such. The film opens with a 17-minute short film written and directed by Terry Gilliam called The Crimson Permanent Assurance about a group of aging employees of a British firm who rebel against their new and younger corporate bosses as they fight against corporations as if they’re pirates.
It’s among the many aspects of the film that showcases a sense of ambition in not just the troupe’s presentation but also in Terry Jones’ direction as he is going for something that is pretty big. Most notably the sequence for the song Every Sperm is Sacred as it is this lavish musical number with children and adults singing about birth control with some critiques towards religion such as Catholicism and Protestants as the latter makes critiques towards the former over not wearing condoms during sex. Much of the segments are structured in a narrative from birth to death as the first sketch is about a baby’s birth where doctors are more concerned about machines and such instead of the actual birth. It’s among these very offbeat sketches that plays into life’s evolutions such as a scene where a teacher showcases his students how to perform sex with another woman as it is later followed by a brutal rugby match where young kids are playing against adults.
Most of the sketches do play into silly ideas of war and such as well as a sequence in which Gilliam’s short tries to be in the main film at one point. Though some like the ones about conflict doesn’t entirely work as well as one very strange sketch about an American couple eating at a dungeon-themed Hawaiian resort as well as a talk-show sketch. The ones that do work do push the envelope of what can be done in comedy such as a man choosing his idea on how he would like to die. Yet, it is the Mr. Creosote sketch in which Terry Jones plays an obese man who vomits continuously and eats a massive meal at a posh French restaurant. The overall result is a messy yet very whimsical comedy about life and existence through the good, the bad, and the downright strange.
Cinematographer Peter Hannan does excellent work with the film‘s cinematography in providing many different palettes for the different sketches in the film with Roger Pratt providing the photography from Gilliam‘s short. Editor Julian Morris does terrific work with the editing in playing to the rhythm of the film‘s humor as well as create some stylish cuts for some of the sketches. Production designer Harry Lange, with art director Richard Dawking and set decorators Sharon Cartwright and Simon Wakefield, does fantastic work with much of the film‘s lavish set pieces from the look of the Every Sperm is Sacred sequence to the finale as the look also includes contributions from art director John Beard for the set pieces in Gilliam’s short film.
Costume designer James Acheson does brilliant work with the different array of costumes for the film for the actors to wear in the many different characters they play. Hair and makeup designer Maggie Weston does wonderful work with the look of the different characters the actors wear including the look of Mr. Creosote. Special effects supervisor George Gibbs does nice work with some of the film‘s visual effects such as the troupe playing fishes in a fish tank commenting in the film. Sound mixer Garth Marshall does superb work with the sound to play into some of the sound effects in the film while Debbie Kaplan does much of the sound for Gilliam‘s short. The film’s music by John du Prez is definitely delightful in terms of its playfulness along with some of the darker moments as well as it features some original songs written by the troupe.
The casting by Michelle Guish and Debbie McWilliams is great as it features some notable small appearances from Matt Frewer as a corporate executives attacked by the people of Permanent Assurance firm, Patricia Quinn as a woman who would have sex with a teacher for his class, and longtime Python cohort Carol Cleveland in a number of small roles including a receptionist and some voice works in Gilliam’s animated sketches. Finally, there’s the Monty Python troupe as they all give very exemplary performances in the many different characters they play. Terry Gilliam provides some pretty funny moments in his role as a Rastafarian getting an illegal liver transplant and a restaurant hostess along with some other small characters.
Terry Jones brings in some very memorable performances such as the wife of a million children, a priest, an army captain in battle, and most of all, Mr. Creosote. John Cleese plays the roles of the sex teacher, a priest, the grim reaper, an illegal organ dealer, and the waiter serving Mr. Creosote as he is just hilarious. Eric Idle plays the role of a Protestant housewife, a “meaning of life” singer, a posh restaurant waiter, a one-legged officer, and a Noel Coward-like singer that just showcases his talents as a singer and funny-man. Michael Palin is amazing in the many roles he plays such as a hospital administrator, a father of millions of kids, an army base sergeant, a female TV presenter, and a chaplain at the choose your death sketch. Finally, there’s Graham Chapman who is just superb in the different roles he plays such as a Protestant man, a doctor, a transvestite, a lounge singer, and the man in the choose your death game.
Monty Python’s The Meaning of Life is an extraordinary film from Terry Jones and the Monty Python troupe. While it doesn’t have the consistency of their previous films, it is still a fitting bow from the troupe as they at least create something that is compelling and funny about life in all of its mysteries. In the end, The Meaning of Life is a sensational film from Monty Python.
Monty Python Films: (And Now for Something Completely Different) - Monty Python & the Holy Grail - Monty Python’s Life of Brian - (Live at the Hollywood Bowl) - (Almost the Truth (Lawyers Cut))
© thevoid99 2014
Directed by Terry Gilliam and written by Gilliam and Michael Palin, Time Bandits is the story of a boy who goes on an adventure with a group of time-traveling dwarves where he travels to different periods in time. The film is an exploration into the world of fantasy and man trying to fight the impossible as it is the first part of a trilogy of films about dreamers. Starring John Cleese, Sean Connery, Michael Palin, Shelley Duvall, Ralph Richardson, Ian Holm, Katherine Helmond, Peter Vaughn, and David Warner. Time Bandits is a funny yet enjoyable fantasy film from Terry Gilliam.
A young boy named Kevin (Craig Warnock) enjoys reading adventures about all sorts of things while his parents (David Daker and Sheila Fearn) are more obsessed with household appliances and TV shows. One day, a gang of time traveling dwarf bandits come out of his closet looking for a time hole as they carry a map that get them through each time hole in order to steal riches from different periods of time. Leading the pack is Randall (David Rappaport) as he admits to stealing the map from the Supreme Being (Ralph Richardson and the voice of Tony Jay) as Kevin finds himself being part of the adventure. There, Kevin and the bandits land in the Napoleonic wars where the bandits find themselves having to entertain Napoleon Bonaparte (Ian Holm) where they successfully steal some treasure.
After finding themselves in the Middle Ages where they meet Robin Hood (John Cleese) where they end up having their take being given to the poor, Randall and the bandits ponder where to go next. Unaware that a sorcerer known as Evil (David Warner) is watching them, the bandits continue their journey where they’re being chased by the Supreme Being as Kevin finds himself in Mycenaean Greece where he saved the life of King Agamemnon (Sean Connery). Being happy around King Agamemnon, Kevin hopes to stay there until the bandits finally appear to steal more riches and take Kevin where they find themselves in the 20th Century on a ship. Randall believes that through the map that there’s a place into the unknown that can lead them to something that is considered to be the most fantastic object of the world. Kevin reluctantly joins them where they encounter more trouble where Kevin realizes what is going on forcing he and the bandits to fight Evil.
The film is essentially the story about a young boy who joins a group of time-traveling dwarves into an adventure into different periods of time where they steal riches while going after something that is to be even better than riches unaware that they’re watched by an evil sorcerer. That’s pretty much what the story is about though it is a film that is about a boy trying to find a place where he belongs as he feels out of place with the modern world as his parents are just obsessed with the technologies of the times. Throughout this adventure with this gang of dwarves that likes to steal and do things, this young boy would encounter worlds that are very different from the modern world as he feels like he belongs there.
The screenplay by Terry Gilliam and his Monty Python cohort Michael Palin does have a traditional structure into the motivations of how young Kevin sees things throughout his journey. Notably as the journeys he takes would play into his development and understanding of the world itself. He enjoys going back in time but he doesn’t like what the dwarves do as things get more complicated in the third act when the dwarves begin to doubt Randall over his obsession with going into this mysterious world. Particularly as they’re all unaware that they’re being watched by this evil sorcerer who wants the map they can carry to spread evil into the world. While the script is essentially a fantasy story, it’s also very comical since a lot of the situations are absurd and things do very silly such as the fact that the characters often drop in on a couple (Michael Palin and Shelley Duvall) and ruining their moment.
Terry Gilliam’s direction is definitely big in terms of its presentation where it is all about these elaborate set pieces, different locations, and all sorts of hi-jinks the characters encounter. Through some amazing compositions where Gilliam puts a lot into the frame in order to establish the world the characters encounter. He also makes sure that it’s about this group of dwarves and this young boy while he does take his time to establish what the evil sorcerer wants to do. The direction also includes some vast wide shots of some of these elaborate set pieces where things often feel offbeat such as the climatic world in the third act. Still, Gilliam manages to find a way to keep things offbeat in its humor and intentions while creating something that can appeal to a young audience. Overall, Gilliam creates a fantastic film that plays up to world of imagination and the yearn to escape from the doldrums of the modern world.
Cinematographer Peter Bizou does excellent work with the film’s cinematography from the very sunny and vast look of the King Agamemnon sequence to the more dreary look of the dark world that the sorcerer lives in. Editor Julian Doyle does wonderful work with the editing by creating some unique rhythms for the film’s action scenes along with some stylish slow-motion cuts for some of its intense moments. Production designer Milly Burns and art director Norman Garwood do amazing work with the vast set design that is created from the look of King Agamemnon’s palace, the castle where Napoleon is being entertained, and the dark underworld where the sorcerer lives in.
Costume designer James Acheson, with additional work from Hazel Cote, does terrific work with the costumes to capture the many different periods from the robes of King Agamemnon, the look of Robin Hood, and uniform worn by Napoleon. Hair and makeup work by Maggie Weston and Elaine Carew is superb for the look of some of the characters including the evil sorcerer that is over the top. The sound work of Allen Hurd is very good for the atmosphere that is created in parts of the films including the party scene at King Agamemnon’s hall. The music by Mike Moran is a delight to hear not just for its bombastic orchestral score but also for its playfulness as it serves as a great accompaniment to the film’s humorous moments. The music also includes a song by one of the film’s executives producers in George Harrison that plays up to the film’s whimsical charm.
The film’s cast is incredible for the ensemble that is created as it features some noteworthy small roles from Jim Broadbent as a game show host, Peter Vaughn as an ogre named Winston, Katherine Helmond as the ogre’s wife, David Daker and Sheila Fearn as Kevin’s parents, and Michael Palin and Shelley Duvall as a loving couple often interrupted by the appearances of the dwarves. Other appearances that are definitely played for laughs include Ian Holm as Napoleon Bonaparte and John Cleese as a somewhat dim-witted Robin Hood. Sean Connery is superb as King Agamemnon where he displays a great sense of prestige in his role. David Warner is terrific as the sorcerer Evil who is very over-the-top while Ralph Richardson is wonderful as the very witty Supreme Being.
The performances by the dwarves in Tiny Ross, Mike Edmonds, Jack Purvis, Malcolm Dixon, and Kenny Baker are definitely amazing to watch as well as Jack Rappaport as the conniving leader of the gang in Randall. Finally, there’s Craig Warnock in a marvelous performance as Kevin who is intrigued by the world of adventure and imagination as he deals with his journey as well as the evil forces that he later has to fight.
Time Bandits is an extraordinary yet witty film from Terry Gilliam. Armed with a great ensemble cast and amazing set pieces, the film is definitely among one of Gilliam’s best films. Notably as it’s also a very accessible film that offers something more to a wide audience including children. In the end, Time Bandits is a whimsical yet adventurous film from Terry Gilliam.
Terry Gilliam Films: Jabberwocky - Brazil - The Adventures of Baron Munchausen - The Fisher King - 12 Monkeys - Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas - The Brothers Grimm - Tideland - The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus - The Zero Theorem - The Auteurs #38: Terry Gilliam
© thevoid99 2013
Based on Ian Fleming’s stories, Die Another Day is the story of James Bond trying to find a betrayer within the British government who had him imprisoned for a year in North Korea as he gets help from an American agent. Directed by Lee Tamahori and screenplay by Neal Purvis and Robert Wade, the film has Bond take on new foes as well as team up an agent who is considered an equal of his as Pierce Brosnan plays Bond for the fourth and final time. Also starring Halle Berry, Toby Stephens, Rick Yune, Rosamund Pike, Michael Madsen, John Cleese, Samantha Bond, and Judi Dench as M. Die Another Day is a film that has some fine moments but is hampered by its hackneyed script and nonsensical action sequences.
After a mission in North Korea goes wrong that left the rogue Colonel Moon (Will Yun Lee) dead, Bond is imprisoned where he’s tortured for 14 months until he’s released by Moon’s father General Moon (Kenneth Tsang) as a prisoner exchange for Colonel Moon’s henchman Zao (Rick Yune). After being suspended for supposedly leaking information to the North Koreans, Bond escapes his hospital stay to go to Hong Kong where he meets Chinese agent Mr. Chang (Ho Yi) who tells Bond about Zao killing a few Chinese agents as Bond travels to Cuba. After getting some information from a cigar manufacturer in Raoul (Emilio Echevarria), Bond meets up with an American agent named Jinx (Halle Berry) as the two make separate missions to a secret island where Bond finds Zao who was trying to have surgery. Things go wrong until Bond finds some diamonds that belongs to a billionaire named Gustav Graves (Toby Stephens).
Bond decides to meet Graves at a country club in order to find out more about the diamonds as Graves invites Bond to a ceremony he’s having in Iceland. After regaining his 00 status from M who also wants to know more about Graves, Bond is sent to Iceland where Bond learns that Graves’ assistant Miranda Frost (Rosamund Pike) is a MI6 operative also investigating Graves. Jinx also arrives at Iceland to continue her mission as she and Bond make a discovery about not just Graves but who is he in league with. Also learning about the satellite that Graves created which is really a weapon, Bond decides to report this to M where he learns about the person that betrayed him to the North Koreans. With some help from Jinx, the two travel to South Korea to stop Graves from unleashing his weapon in order to start a war.
While the premise of the film has Bond taking on a billionaire who could be in cahoots with a North Korean terrorist in order to start a war is an interesting one. It starts off great in which Bond tries to infiltrate a meeting where he meets this rogue colonel and his friend that is involved with diamond smuggling where suddenly things go wrong as Bond is betrayed and sabotaged. Then the story starts to devolve into a premise where Bond has to share his time with another agent as they work together to find a terrorist and this billionaire where the results aren’t very good.
Part of the problem with film’s screenplay is that Gustav Graves as a villain isn’t very interesting at all. Sure, there is a twist about him that is revealed in the film’s second half that explains his motivations but it is handled with such silliness that he is just a villain who likes to have stupid gadgets around him to defeat his villains. The Zao character is a bit more interesting as a henchman but ends up becoming a second-banana to Graves by the film’s second half. It’s not just some of the characterization and situations that doesn’t work but also some of the dialogue where it’s not as humorous as it used to be while some of it feels forced in its delivery.
Lee Tamahori’s direction does have some engaging moments in terms of the way he builds suspense as well as the film’s opening prologue scene that establishes a lot of what is to come. Yet, Tamahori seems to be taken by the idea of creating a film that goes into a lot of locations like Iceland, Spain, and Britain as well as setting it in places all over the world. Since he couldn’t go everywhere, he has to utilize CGI backgrounds to create shots of Hong Kong and some places where it doesn’t very realistic. It’s not just that some of the set pieces and visual-effects driven moments don’t work at all.
Some of the film’s action sequences get into very silly moments where it’s not just the use of CGI that hampers these moments. Tamahori’s emphasis to give into the conventions of action-style editing and shooting styles ends up creating a film that is incomprehensive to watch at times. Notably with the twists that are later unveiled in some of the dramatic moments where Tamahori makes some editing decisions that really kills the impact that it should’ve had. Despite a few decent moments in the film, Tamahori ends up creating a film that is just a flat-out mess.
Cinematographer David Tattersall does nice work with the cinematography for some scenes in the exteriors including some lighting schemes in Graves‘ secret base scene. Editors Christian Wagner and Andrew MacRitchie do some OK work with the editing in the film‘s suspenseful and light-hearted moments but ends up playing to the rapid-cutting style of most action films where not much makes sense in the fights and action scenes. Production designer Peter Lamont, with set decorator Simon Wakefield and supervising art director Neil Lamont, does some fine work with some of the set pieces such as the MI6 offices but the ice-made hotel that Graves lives in easily the worst set piece of all of the Bond films.
Costume designer Lindy Hemming does very good work with the costumes in the dresses that Miranda Frost and Jinx wears to the tuxedos that Bond wears Special effects supervisor Chris Corbould and visual effects supervisor Mara Bryan do some decent work with some of the special effects but the CGI work is truly poor and shoddy. Sound editor Martin Evans does some terrific work with the sound to capture the atmosphere of the action scenes as well as the party at Graves‘ ice palace. The film’s music by David Arnold is wonderful for some of the orchestral music that is played for some of the film’s action scenes though the electronic stuff isn’t very good. The title song by Madonna is truly one of the worst Bond theme song ever thanks to some bad production and the use of a vocoder that makes Madonna sound like Cartman.
The film’s ensemble cast is pretty good for the people that is hired as it features some notable small roles from Emilio Echevarria as Bond’s Cuban contact Raul, Ho Yi as Bond’s Hong Kong contact Mr. Chang, Michael Madsen as Jinx’s superior Damian Falco, Will Yun Lee as the rogue Colonel Lee, and Kenneth Tsang as Lee’s father. The worst small role comes in the form of Madonna as a fencing instructor named Verity where Madonna puts on a shitty British accent that makes her sound like a jackass. Bond regulars such as Colin Salmon as MI6 official Charles Robinson and Samantha Bond as Miss Moneypenny are very good while John Cleese is quite funny as Q. Rick Yune is terrific as the henchman Zao who tries to kill Bond while sporting a disfigured face while Judi Dench has some fine moments in her role as M.
Rosamund Pike is excellent as the MI6 agent Miranda Frost who is a skilled swordswoman as well as someone who isn’t keen on Bond’s charms. Toby Stephens is terrible as Gustav Graves due to the fact that Graves is a pretty lame villain who has to rely on an electric suit and swagger to get things done. Halle Berry is quite good as the agent Jinx as she is a woman who can kick ass and get things done as Berry does have chemistry with Pierce Brosnan. It’s just that she’s not given enough material to make her into someone really compelling as well as the fact that Jinx gets some pretty lame one-liners. Finally, there’s Pierce Brosnan in his final outing as James Bond where Brosnan maintains his sense of charm and wit to the role as well as a sense of grit but the script’s shortcomings really bog the character down as it doesn’t give Brosnan enough room to make Bond more engaging to watch.
Of the films in the James Bond series, Die Another Day is truly the weakest film of the entire franchise. Due to awful decisions from the part of director Lee Tamahori, misguided use of visual effects, a very weak villain, a lackluster script, and ridiculous action scenes that involves an invisible car. It’s a film that just puts James Bond into situations that are way too silly. While there are some moments that keeps the film from being a total disaster, it’s not enough to make it a worthwhile moment. In the end, Die Another Day is a terrible film from Lee Tamahori.
James Bond Files: The EON Films: Dr. No - From Russia with Love - Goldfinger - Thunderball - You Only Live Twice - On Her Majesty's Secret Service - Diamonds are Forever - Live and Let Die - The Man with the Golden Gun - The Spy Who Loved Me - Moonraker - For Your Eyes Only - Octopussy - A View to a Kill - The Living Daylights - Licence to Kill - GoldenEye - Tomorrow Never Dies - The World is Not Enough - Casino Royale (2006 film) - Quantum of Solace - Skyfall - SPECTRE - No Time to Die
Non-EON Films: Casino Royale (Climax! TV Episode) - Casino Royale (1967 film) - Never Say Never Again
Bond Documentaries: Bond Girls Are Forever - True Bond - Everything or Nothing: The Untold Story of 007
© thevoid99 2012
Based on Ian Fleming’s James Bond character, The World is Not Enough is the story of James Bond trying to protect a billionaire’s daughter from a madman who plans to create chaos through a nuclear meltdown as Bond gets help from a nuclear physicist to stop it from happening. Directed by Michael Apted and screenplay by Bruce Fierstein, Neal Purvis, and Robert Wade from a story by Purvis and Wade. The film has Bond taking on new foes that includes this madman terrorist who is impervious to pain as Pierce Brosnan plays Bond for the third time. Also starring Robert Carlyle, Sophie Marceau, Denise Richards, Robbie Coltrane, John Cleese, Samantha Bond, Desmond Llewelyn, and Judi Dench as M. The World is Not Enough is a decent and fun film from Michael Apted.
After the assassination of Sir Robert King (David Calder) as James Bond tries to catch the assassin (Maria Grazia Cucinotta) that left her taking her own life. Bond learns that the money he retrieved for King was a trap as he and M believe that King’s daughter Elektra (Sophie Marceau) is the next target as she had just survived a kidnapping which her father was to pay the ransom. After getting assigned to project Elektra as she is trying to finish her father’s project to build an oil pipeline all across Asia and Europe. Bond learns that the person that is trying to go after Elektra is a former KGB agent who has turned into a terrorist as he wonders what Renard wants. After some encounter with men going after Elektra, Bond talks to Russian mafia boss Valentin Zukovsky (Robbie Coltrane) about what he knows as Elektra also meets him at Zukovsky’s casino.
When Bond learns that Elektra’s security head Davidoff (Ulrich Thomsen) is in cahoots with Renard, Bond gets rid of him to board a plan to a Russian base in Kazakhstan where he meets American nuclear physicist Christmas Jones (Denise Richards) to investigate what is going on. Bond finally meets Renard who was stealing some plutonium as things get into trouble only for Bond and Jones to escape. After the incident, Bond becomes suspicious about what Renard is up to as he and M learn that a bomb is attached to one of the King pipelines as Bond and Jones try to defuse it. Inside the pipeline, the two makes a horrifying discovery as Bond realizes what is going on. With M suddenly captured, Bond asks Zukovsky for help as Zukovsky also learns what is really going on. This would force Bond to stop Renard from blowing up Istanbul in order to create chaos.
When James Bond is assigned to protect the daughter of a friend that M personally knows, Bond realizes that something is up about a man’s assassination as it involves a terrorist who wants to create chaos in the world. This would then lead to Bond realizing that things are much more complicated as it involves complete control of the oil refineries for Europe and Asia with everyone being played for fools. With the help of a nuclear physicist, Bond would do whatever he can to save the world and his boss.
It’s a premise that is interesting and does play into what is expected in a James Bond story. The problem is that there’s a twist that is revealed in the middle of the second that would change things as a lot of the intrigue and suspense is suddenly gone. It creates a story that becomes uneven as it loses some momentum in the second half where it doesn’t do enough for Bond to really go out there and save the day. While characters like Elektra King and Renard are interesting, the one character that ends up being a nuisance is Christmas Jones as she doesn’t really do much but help Bond out a bit and be involved in whatever nuclear catastrophe that is out there.
Michael Apted’s direction does start out with a bang as it involves a meeting where Bond fights his way out and later a boat chase on the Thames river. Notably in the way the whole action sequence is presented as he does a solid job in keeping up with the momentum of the action. The film’s first half is strong due to the intrigue and suspense that would eventually lead to Bond’s first confrontation with Renard. By its second half once the twist is revealed, the momentum gets lost as it becomes a different film of sorts where Bond has to save M and save the world. Apted does maintain in creating some interesting compositions that includes a climatic battle inside a submarine. Yet, he doesn’t really do anything new that hasn’t been seen before in Bond films. Overall, Apted does a fine job in creating a film that is thrilling and exciting but loses steam in its more action-driven second half.
Cinematographer Adrian Biddle does some excellent work with the cinematography for many of the film‘s interiors in the King estate as well as the island where Renard stages his big plan along with some nice exteriors of the locations in London and Istanbul. Editor Jim Clark does terrific work with the editing by using a lot of stylish cuts including dissolves for the transitions along with rhythmic cuts to play up the film‘s action. Production designer Peter Lamont, with set decorator Simon Wakefield and art director Neil Lamont, does nice work with the set pieces such as the King estate as well as the submarine that Renard takes. Costume designer Lindy Hemming does some fine work with the costumes such as the glamorous dresses that Elektra wears to establish her heiress persona.
Special effects supervisor Chris Corbould and visual effects supervisors Steve Broughton and Mara Bryan do some superb work with special effects for some scenes including a meeting scene where M and Bond are briefed about Renard. Sound editor Martin Evans does wonderful work with the sound to capture the hollow sounds of the pipeline bomb scene to the array of layered sounds in some of the film‘s action sequences. The film’s music by David Arnold is brilliant for its thrilling score that plays up to the bombast of the action scenes as well as creating nice uses for the famed Bond theme. The title song performed by Garbage is a pretty decent track that mixes alt-rock with lush strings as it’s sung adequately by Shirley Manson.
The casting by Debbie McWilliams is stellar for the ensemble that is created as it includes some small appearances from Maria Grazia Cucinotta as King’s assassin, jungle music star Goldie as Zukovsky’s bodyguard, Ulrich Thomsen as Elektra’s security head Davidoff, Serena Scott Thomas as a physician Bond seduces, Colin Salmon as MI6 chief of staff Charles Robinson, and David Calder as Elektra’s father Sir Robert King. John Cleese is very good in a funny role as Q’s successor R while Samantha Bond is wonderful as Miss Moneypenny. In his final appearance as Q, Desmond Llewelyn gives a very delightful performance as the inventor as he goes out in grand style. Robbie Coltrane is excellent as Russian mafia boss Valentine Zukovsky who aids Bond in finding out what Renard is up to. Judi Dench is superb as M as she takes on personal interest to help Elektra only to realize what is really going on as she finds herself taken.
Denise Richards is absolutely awful as Dr. Christmas Jones as she says some really bad lines while exhibiting clothing that baffles people into thinking that she is a nuclear physicist as she does live up to the title as the worst Bond girl ever. Sophie Marceau is very good as Elektra King by displaying a great sense of sensuality as well as complexity about what she wants. Robert Carlyle is quite fine as the villainous Renard in his motivations and the fact that he’s impervious to pain although Carlyle doesn’t really get to do enough to make Renard more memorable. Finally, there’s Pierce Brosnan in a remarkable role as James Bond where he displays his sense of charm and wit to the role while also being the badass although the script doesn’t really give anything new to do despite the fact that he makes Bond a fun character to watch.
The World is Not Enough is a pretty good film from Michael Apted that features Pierce Brosnan as James Bond. While it does have a lot of moments that keeps fan excited and such, it does get hampered by an underwhelming second half that loses its intrigue due to a twist in the story. While it is one of the weaker films of the James Bond franchise, it is still better than most action-adventure films that are out there. In the end, The World is Not Enough is an enjoyable film from Michael Apted.
James Bond Files: The EON Films: Dr. No - From Russia with Love - Goldfinger - Thunderball - You Only Live Twice - On Her Majesty's Secret Service - Diamonds are Forever - Live and Let Die - The Man with the Golden Gun - The Spy Who Loved Me - Moonraker - For Your Eyes Only - Octopussy - A View to a Kill - The Living Daylights - Licence to Kill - GoldenEye - Tomorrow Never Dies - Die Another Day - Casino Royale (2006 film) - Quantum of Solace - Skyfall - SPECTRE - No Time to Die
Non-EON Films: Casino Royale (Climax! TV Episode) - Casino Royale (1967 film) - Never Say Never Again
Bond Documentaries: Bond Girls Are Forever - True Bond - Everything or Nothing: The Untold Story of 007
© thevoid99 2012
