The World is not Enough (1999)
1st January 2000
After Bond retrieves a large amount of money for the oil tycoon Sir Robert King, and friend of M, King travels to MI6 to collect it. However, during the celebrations he is killed by a bomb in the MI6 headquarters and Bond pursues the female assailant down the Thames.Upon confronting the attacker she commits suicide in fear of retribution from her boss, the terrorist and anarchist Renard.
Renard, who from a previous meeting with Bond, has a bullet wedged in his brain and causes him to feel no pain. He has been attempting to destroy the oil pipeline Elektras father tried so hard to build and Bond is assigned to protect his daughter from further terrorist threats. However, things don't run to plan as further terrorist actions cause M to fly out to help.
The picture quality is first-rate, but only manages to produce an average bit-rate. There is no artifacting or outlining, although I thought the indoor pictures were a little too soft. However this was the only glitch in an otherwise excellent picture.
The best part of this film is the sound. We normally expect high sound standards from the Bond films and we are certainly not disappointed. There are numerous deep rumbling LFE explosions giving the subwoofer a serious job to perform, plus the rear channels are constantly in use by the atmospheric sounds, not to mention the ricocheting of bullets and numerous helicopters. The best surround yet on DVD?
The animated menus are also impressive, although they attempt to over impress and some of the menus had too many pregnant pauses whilst the next menu was loaded.
The bond franchise is certain to continue for sometime yet and some of the regular cast are getting on a bit. Desmond Llewelyn though it would be a good time to leave and be replaced by a new mentor, R. Little was he to know that, indeed, it would be his last adventure as he was sadly killed in a car accident. Although originally touted as the best Bond film yet, I would have to disagree. I still think Goldeneye is the best, and I can't wait for the special edition treatment it deserves.
This film has far too little screen time for the villain and I felt that Robert Carlyle was not the best person for the role. As the Brosnan Bond outings have continued we have started to see a much darker side to 007. I hope this will continue to develop as I'm am sure a man in his position would have many crosses to bear.
This special edition is loaded to the hilt with useful and interesting extras, plus a poignant tribute to Desmond Llewelyn which even manages to produce a lump in throat as it highlights his illustrious career with James. Even the "collectors" booklet is interesting and I hold out high hopes that MGM will treat all the other bond films with this sort of dedication. Well done MGM!
- Audio Commentary Featuring Director Michael Apted
- Audio Commentary Featuring Production Designer Peter Lamont, Second Unit Director Vic Armstrong and Composer David Arnold
- Making Of Documentary
- The Secrets Of 007
- Music Video by Garbage
- Original Theatrical Trailer
- Collectable Booklet
- "Bond Cocktail" Documentary
- "Bond Down River" Documentary
- Tribute to Desmond Llewelyn
- Playstation Game Trailer
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