Is ‘Tomorrow Never Dies’ the Most Relevant Bond Film for Today’s World?

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Recently, I analyzed the ontological predicament of the James Bond series, and since then, numerous comments have supported my viewpoint that this intellectual property seems to be drifting aimlessly.

Currently, I’m not only moving forward with my work but also making my way through an old collection (on traditional media, as you might guess) and I just revisited “Tomorrow Never Dies“. Frankly, this movie is severely undervalued and could be considered the most relatable to reality of any in the entire series.

Genre Film vs Relevancy

In every Bond film, there’s been an ongoing debate: Are they just traditional spy movies or do they offer commentary on contemporary global issues? Initially, the films were more like Cold War thrillers compared to their later incarnations filled with high-tech gadgets. The movie From Russia With Love exemplifies this early Bond style, as it follows a classic Cold War espionage plot about acquiring a Soviet coding machine. However, the film introduces an unexpected element: the rise of the rogue organization SPECTRE, which becomes a recurring theme in the series.

After that moment, Ernst Stavro Blofeld, the distinctive bald-headed leader of SPECTRE, with his Mao jacket and beloved fluffy white cat, takes center stage as the primary antagonist. Other villains make appearances – assassins, drug lords, or even shady space shuttle contractors – but they pale in comparison to Blofeld’s enduring impact on popular culture.

1. In “The Spy Who Loved Me” and “For Your Eyes Only,” there were hints of Cold War tensions, but the first film essentially revisited themes from “You Only Live Twice,” replacing space capsules with submarines. The second movie, in a way, was like a reverse of “From Russia With Love.” Instead of a Soviet code machine, it featured a contested British one.

2. In “The Spy Who Loved Me” and “For Your Eyes Only,” there were traces of Cold War influences, but the former was essentially a re-imagining of “You Only Live Twice” with submersibles taking place of spacecrafts. The latter could be seen as a mirror image of “From Russia With Love,” where instead of a Soviet decoding device, it involved a British one in dispute.

3. The films “The Spy Who Loved Me” and “For Your Eyes Only” echoed the political climate of the Cold War, but the first film largely resembled “You Only Live Twice,” substituting submarines for spacecrafts. The second movie was similar to a reflection of “From Russia With Love,” with a British decoding device instead of a Soviet one being at stake.

4. “The Spy Who Loved Me” and “For Your Eyes Only” depicted elements of the Cold War, but they were essentially variations on earlier themes: The former resembled “You Only Live Twice” by using submarines in place of spacecrafts, while the latter was akin to “From Russia With Love,” with a British decoding device replacing its Soviet counterpart.

5. In “The Spy Who Loved Me” and “For Your Eyes Only,” we saw echoes of Cold War tensions, but these films essentially revisited familiar themes: The former was reminiscent of “You Only Live Twice” with submarines taking the place of spacecrafts; on the other hand, the latter had similarities to “From Russia With Love,” where a British decoding device was used instead of a Soviet one.

Essentially, what I’m trying to convey is that the primary focus of these movies revolved around James Bond, his encounters with danger, the devices he uses, and the women he interacts with during his adventures.

It’s clear that the initial two Pierce Brosnan films are particularly memorable, and here’s why: Brosnan’s portrayal of Bond is exceptional, even surpassing Sean Connery in many aspects. His unique blend of ruthlessness and charisma sets him apart among all Bonds. For instance, the tank chase scene through St. Petersburg was both nerve-wracking and comical at the same time, perfectly fitting the situation. The high-speed pursuit in the parking garage during “Tomorrow Never Dies” is a close runner-up, with Brosnan skillfully maneuvering his tricked-out car as if it were a handheld game console.

Both movies held a more profound aspect as well. “Goldeneye” delved into the aftermath of the Cold War, giving us a glimpse of a world that suddenly ceased to exist almost immediately. On the other hand, “Tomorrow Never Dies” eerily foreshadowed the growing influence of a global and digital media landscape in shaping real-world events.

Weaponizing Information

Back in 1997, when the movie Tomorrow Never Dies released, I found the villain to be somewhat over-the-top. By that time, the 24-hour news cycle was already established and the Clintons were continuously campaigning, making it hard to believe that a media tycoon would instigate World War III for amusement and gain. The character of Elliott Carver, portrayed by Jonathan Pryce, seemed to be modeled after influential figures like Ted Turner and Rupert Murdoch who significantly influenced the opinions of the English-speaking world. To my knowledge, neither of them owned a stealth catamaran, which was an interesting Bond-esque twist in the film.

In simpler terms, I found the movie quite enjoyable, yet, like many others at that moment, brushed aside its underlying meaning with a laugh.

I’m not laughing now.

As a passionate cinema-goer, I’ve come to realize that the potential danger a media mogul might pose to a free society pales in comparison to the menace that arises when the media and government conspire to shape narratives and stifle opposing perspectives. From the overblown pandemic hysteria to the persistent Russia hoax, it seems we’re confronted with more Elliot Carvers than ever before, and these individuals are not just working against but in cahoots with various spy agencies like the CIA and MI6. These organizations have become the problem, not the solution.

On a positive note, traditional media has largely lost its credibility. Channels like CNN and MSNBC are hanging by a thread, while legacy networks struggle against the rising popularity of podcasts and freelance journalists. The 2024 election served as proof that it’s possible to circumvent media bias and communicate directly with the public.

Tomorrow Never Dies is undeniably the most pertinent Bond film among all others, primarily due to its unique aspect. However, let me add another point:

Tomorrow Never Dies stands out as the most relevant Bond movie for a specific reason, and there’s more to it.

Among the many Bond movies, Tomorrow Never Dies is the one that stands out the most, and here’s why:

[Follow up with additional points if needed]

The Rise of Communist China

In the Bond films starring Connery, Communist China and North Korea played significant roles in “Dr. No” and “Goldfinger,” but their involvement was more about financing the action rather than controlling it. This was because China was a closed nation, kept secret from the West by what was known as the “Bamboo Curtain.” It wasn’t until Richard Nixon opened China in the 1970s that significant contact and exchange, including cultural and entertainment interactions, began to occur, but this was limited until the 1980s.

1989’s Tiananmen Square Incident had a significant impact on Sino-foreign ties, but by the end of the 1990s, mainland China began to emerge from seclusion and assert a greater role in global affairs.

In Tomorrow Never Dies, Michelle Yeoh’s character, Wai Lin, is introduced as a Chinese Communist spy. Initially, she crosses paths with Bond in an adversarial manner. However, in true Bond style, they eventually team up to combat the villain, and there may even be some romantic sparks along the way.

As a cinephile, I must say that Yeoh’s performance is simply outstanding! The high-speed, urban motorcycle chase scene where we were both handcuffed was nothing short of iconic – it’ll be remembered for years to come.

A Creature of Its Time

In Tomorrow Never Dies, there are scenes that reflect its era, such as the widespread use of print newspapers and outdated technology. Some humorously dated cultural references might also be puzzling to today’s younger audience members. However, the filmmakers successfully portray Judi Dench’s character, “M,” overcoming her initial disdain for Bond and eventually granting him a cautious acknowledgment of his abilities.

I haven’t gotten around to re-watching the rest of the Brosnan films, but if I’m not mistaken, none of them possessed the magic that this one does. Now, I understand some people might criticize the 90s, and Bond films in particular, but this one had its merits, and “Tomorrow Never Dies” was definitely one of them.

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2025-03-12 19:30