There are many different genres of films: horror, action, drama, comedy, musical, and well...the Bond film. The latest James Bond venture "Die Another Die" is the 20th film in the franchise and over the years the Bond movies have developed their own specific formula that I feel would classify them as their own separate genre. Disagree if you will, but it's my review and I can say what I want! So there!

The fact that the James Bond films are very formulaic is probably why I am not very big fan. Just as some moviegoers prefer action over drama or comedy over horror, I do not particularly care for the Bond genre. Of course, I would never let this affect my review! So fear not faithful readers and diehard Bond fans, I have a plan! In order to be fair, I have decided to review "Die Another Day" as a Bond film and also as a movie overall. Therefore, fans of the Bond series can make a decision based on the Bond review and newcomers that are curious about the film can make a decision as well.

The film opens with Bond, James Bond, in Korea about to foil what is undoubtedly a very profitable diamond smuggling business. At this point, we immediately begin to deviate from the formula. Mr. Bond is "found out" and we see the dazzling opening credits, not superimposed over a flashy background and silhouettes of naked women (though they are still there, don't worry), but over shots of James spending the next 14 months being tortured in a Korean prison. This opening sequence, though devoid of explosions and sky diving, is one of the most visually astounding parts of the film. I'll let you see why for yourself. After the credits, James returns home to a not-so-warm welcome. He comes to find out that it is believed he broke under the torture and spilled a whole truckload of beans. Bonds swears he's been set up from the inside, but nobody goes for it. This leads to James going on a mission to clear his name and find out who set him up and gets the ball rolling on what looks like will be an outstanding film. Unfortunately, the film does not stay away from the formula for too long. Eventually it is discovered that Bond was indeed set up and that he is once again "useful" and it's back to "OK, here's your mission. Here are your gadgets. Go blow stuff up and drive fast." This is where the film begins to hit a downward spiral as a film...but not necessarily as "a Bond."

As a Bond film, this is the best one in a long time and definitely the best of Brosnan's efforts (yes, better than Goldeneye). The gadgets, though not very numerous, are updated for 2002 and include one specific gadget that as a film buff seems rather corny, but as human seems PRETTY FRIGGIN COOL: a car that become invisible. The Bond girl...well, what can I say? From her first appearance on screen, an ode to Ursula in "Dr. No," Halle Berry is intoxicating...visually. On a sexy scale, she shoots right to the top of the Bond girls list. Unfortunately, she does talk eventually which kills the whole vibe. Brosnan, after 3 previous Bond efforts, is started to fit the role very well. I no longer see Pierce Brosnan as James Bond, I just see James Bond. That is definitely a good thing. Bond fans will also get the action they crave like the salivating dogs that they are. (Note: For those who didn't catch it, that's a Simpsons reference. I put a Simpsons reference in every review that I write. There should be some award for whoever catches it.) We have car chases...on ice. We have explosions...on ice. We have the riding of waves with the use of a car hood for a surfboard...away from and towards ice. In case it is not painfully obvious, there's lot of ice, an object as well as an idea that is seen quite frequently throughout the film. And finally, our villain Gustav Graves is not quite what he seems. Graves as a villain is merely average at best, but he gets a special twist towards the end that really elevates his character.

As an overall film, "Die Another Day" is still worth viewing. The plot remains interesting after the return to formula and contains some nice twists. The gadgets are still cool, the chicks are still hot, and the villains are still mean. My only qualm is this: the formula is tired. We need to add another dimension to the Bond films. After all these years, it has become quite insulting to be presented with the same thing over and over and still be expected to be entertained or surprised. I would have liked this film better if the bulk of it was spent with Bond trying to prove his innocence and rely on his skills as a spy and maybe a handgun or two rather than ultra-cool gadgets. I understand that the formula is what makes a Bond film a Bond film. I guess that I just got excited when I thought I was going to get a twist on the formula after the opening sequence and then was disappointed when I did not.

To Bond fans, I have this say: Why are you still reading this? To those who are unfamiliar with the Bond films or have not seen very many and are wondering if "Die Another Day" is worth a trip to the theater: This film is worth checking out if you are looking for a good time. It's a fairly predictable, cliche, Hollywood movie full of over the top action sequences, corny one-liners, and lots of sexual innuendo. "Die Another Day" is the definition of a guilty pleasure.

As A Bond Film: 4 stars out of 4 stars

Overall: 3 stars out of 4 stars