Inside The Celebrations

Forty years and twenty films later and it all came together at the Royal Premier of Die Another Day and the subsequent After Party.

Even those ignorant of the films premier knew something special was happening with part of Kensington Gore blocked to traffic and a good portion of it lined with a red carpet, it is was said that there was more red carpet at the Royal Premier then is present at the Academy Awards. Of course, this was by no means all that by-stands were to expect. The Royal Albert Hall had been decked out in hanging icicles, with a blue light and moving floating 007 logos beamed from Hyde Park completing the effect. The night’s air was undoubtedly charged with the excitement of what was about to occur.

Maud Adams, Lois Chiles, Timothy Dalton, Richard Keil, Roger Moore, Shirley Eaton, John Barry, Monty Norman, Dana Broccoli, Madonna, Pierce Brosnan, Rosamund Pike, Halle Berry; the list of guests continued on. Those lucky enough to have tickets to the premier were allowed beyond the barricades closer to where the celebrity guests gathered near the entrance. Others were able to watch the arrivals, and subsequent interviews, on three large screens; the same footage was shown on the screen on the Royal Albert Hall for the attendees’ guests who had already taken their seats.

Outside the Royal Albert Hall

Inside the Hall there was a chance for Bond fans to catch up with each other in the various function rooms. Depending on ones ticket the available food and beverages ranged from caviar and champagne to white or red wine.

Yet, despite previous opportunities, it wasn’t, perhaps, till after the majority of attendees were seated shortly after 7:00pm that the realisation of the event first became apparent for those present. Those seated scanned the theatre attempting to spot those people whom they knew, or at least recognised.

The screen dimmed, Her Majesty entered the Hall to the sound of fanfare from the Yeoman of the Guard and the audience rose to their feet.

Soon after Producers Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli took their positions and welcome to the stage Die Another Day’s main cast members. Toby Stephens was asked to present the Royal Address, not forgetting to mention that James Bond had been in service for Her Majesty for 40 years.

Some several applauses later and the 20th Century Fox logo appeared, followed by the MGM logo and finally the ever familiar James Bond gun-barrel. Die Another Day had begun.

The audiences’ response was brilliant. Numerous applauses could be heard and all of the films ‘one liners’ were greeted with laughter.

The end credits rolled and once again the auditorium was filled with applause. As the audience was reminded that James Bond Will Return two people in the Balcony Circle started one final applause.

Outside some guests were lucky enough to use the same exit as some of the cast and crew members, and even some of the other celebrities associated with the James Bond films overtime. Rosamund Pike, Colin Salmon, Timothy Dalton, Vic Armstrong and Monty Norman were just a few who were gracious enough to sign autographs. All, especially Tamahori, were eager to listen to feedback on the film. Tamahori was more than pleased when one fan declared they’d like to see him to return to helm Bond 21.

From there, it was across to Hyde Park for those lucky enough to be able to attend the Premiers After Party.

The large white marquee was specially decked out with themes from the film. Tables and chairs that had been featured in the Ice Palace could be found around the room, and in reference to the films ‘diamond’ sub-plot tables were scattered with fake diamonds and other such stones.

The ice feature at one of the two bars

The two bars, both with prominent ‘ice’ features, were serving Tynant Water and Dom Perignon. The centre water feature with ‘spray’ upon which the 007 and Die Another Day logos were projected.

The laser light water feature

Some of the cast and crew left the event early, no doubt with subsequent world wide premiers in mind. Others seemed more than happy to stay until the early hours of the morning.

And at 3:00am on Tuesday the 19th of November, the official celebrations for Die Another Day in Great Britain concluded, and those still in Hyde Park headed home, but not before collecting an indiscreet black bag filled with gifts from just a few of the films sponsors.

Photos © 2002 Daniel Dykes

Be sure to discuss CBn’s inside report in this thread in CBn’s Die Another Day Forums!

German Premiere Is On!

For all those German Bond fans out in the world, the German Premiere attended by Pierce Brosnan, Halle Berry, Rick Yune and Lee Tamahori is live on N24. Freenet.de is broadcasting it live on the web. Be sure to check it out!

Believe the hype!

Believe the hype – DAD is the tops!!!

By Rory Couper. 

As the gun barrel rolled to launch me into James Bond’s 20th cinematic adventure Die Another Day I felt that immense adrenalin rush that we all, as Bond fans get, when we see a new picture for the first time. It was heaven.

As we kick of with the surfing sequence, which brought about the first ever shot of Die Another Day back in December 2001, we see from the outset this film is different. The sombre mood tattersall creates with the scene is superb and the effect of a transformation from Maui Hawaii to the Korean coastline is pulled off with consummate ease. This sombre tone is consistent throughout the opening sequence and adds a certain grittiness to the following scenes which involve a brief but humorous identity swapping moment with Mr.Van Beere and the meeting with Colonel. Moon whose role, however small, was brilliantly executed by Will Yun Lee. Cue the much talked about torture scene, and what a scene, never have we seen a Bond so vulnerable, a Bond so beaten tortured and degraded. Anyone who’s complained in the past about Bond’s invulnerability can eat his or her words, the scene is fantastic and beautifully leads into what must be in my opinion Danny Kleinmann’s best title sequence thus far. It is simpler in terms of CGI possibly second to GoldenEye but still remaining completely ‘Bond’ and providing a perfect accompaniment to the narrative.

When we launch back into the film, and see Bond’s return in exchange for Zao there is a brilliant little moment where Bond acknowledges Robinson only to be knocked out and wheeled away. The interchange that follows between M and Bond was fantastically necessary, Bond is made to feel small, very small, when M claims ‘your freedom came at too high a price, Bond can only agree but we see that he is hurting, and this is what drives his escape. I believe this is quite a defining scene in the film, compared with the scene in Licence To Kill where Bond has his 00 status revoked Brosnan shows Dalton how such a scene should be played.

The brief scene at the Peninsula is classic Bond, where Rachel Grant provides great eye candy if only for a short time. The scene is not massively necessary and I can imagine why the ‘animal scene’ was not kept in, Hong Kong only acts as a go-between and so I am happy they kept Bond’s stay short and sweet.

Onto Cuba (or Cadiz if you want to be picky) and Bond’s arrival is met by those wonderful Cuban rhythms that add such an alternative to the bleak feel of the opening sequence. I particularly enjoyed the scenes in Cuba; again Tatersall displays his unique talent creating such an exotic yet realistic feel to the location. Raul is a great character, if only they had kept the bulk of his scenes he may have rivalled Kerim Bey as one of Bond’s most legendary allies. It’s also great to see the steamy sex scene thrown in for good measure, and the fact Jinx leaves him alone in the morning in search of Zao leaves you feeling she may just be one step ahead on the game, and Bond. This brings me to the Clinic, and art direction. Superb, is the word. The shot where Bond walks along the corridor of mirrors that contains the model DNA strand is just so brilliant, its little touches like this that can make or break a scene. The clinic itself was also brilliantly designed and shot, the orange light above the ceiling gave it an eccentric feel that I particularly loved. All in all at this point in the film – this wall to wall action I’d been hearing about was not so apparent as one may be lead to believe, the film I felt was perfectly controlled and I felt at this point, knowing of Bond’s imminent journey to Iceland that all was well balanced.

On Bond’s return to London we hear what was initially quoted as being the end credits song, ‘London Calling’ by The Clash. This works surprisingly well and I really felt it added an uplifiting feel as if Bond was onto something, and he meant business. The magazine shot of Graves was another fine touch that made me smile.

Back in London we have the customary meeting between Bond and M, followed by the standard meeting with Q. Again the scene between Bond and M is well scripted and performed, Brosnan’s Bond shows a stubbornness and a slight selfishness but at the same time you know inside he knows M trusts his instincts, and that his will to be less forthcoming is a direct result of the Korean incident. The new Q’s inaugural scene seems to be going down a treat with audiences, I think it is hard for cleese to put a foot wrong as Bond’s quartermaster and I can see we’ll grow to love him as we did, and still do the late Desmond Llewelyn.

Cue my star of the show, bad boy Gustav Graves played intoxicatingly by Toby Stephens. This is a villain. From the moment we first see Graves at Blades and experience the ensuing swordfight it is clear Graves is a player, he’s a fantastically written character considering his alter ego and he provides a brilliantly suave, psychotic, adrenaline junkie, a villain you truly believe could kill Bond. Matched with Alec Trevelyan, Graves has the edge, he is truly more hateful, he is villainous, he epitomises the evil we expect from a classic villain, he’s is intellectually more profound than elliot carver and as a psychotic opponent for Renard he has that youthful edge, and the quirkiness of his character, coupled with a jack Nicholson-esque smile that oozes evil.

REVIEW CONTINUES TOMORROW…

Official Site Updates With Coverage From Royal Premiere

The official James Bond Website has updated with some great pictures from the Royal Premiere of Die Another Day in London yesterday. Additionally there are four videos from the Premiere available, but only in poor quality and in Windows Media. Let’s hope we will get higher quality videos soon!

The website has also updated with four of the 15 clips which were out earlier this week and some new TV spots for Die Another Day!

Please discuss the updates in this thread of CBn’s Die Another Day Forums!

Bond Will Die Another Day

Reviewer: Daniel Dykes
Rating: 8/10

Forty years, twenty films and Die Another Day is the James Bond film that proves James Bond has a place in the 21st Century.

There are so many things that one can really say about the film. The first that comes to mind is David Tattersall, the Director of Photography on Die Another Day. If only one person is asked to return for Bond 21 it deserves to be David Tattersall. It may seem strange to mention the Director of Photography before the Director or the actors, but that’s just how striking his work on the film is. The last Bond outing, The World Is Not Enough, sadly tended to lack fantastic cinematography and Tattersall has easily made up for it in this film. The pre-title sequence best highlights the success of his work; the surfing sequence is filmed across two countries and three locations and yet the final product if flawlessly seamed together.

It’s hard to critique Lee Tamahori’s work as it’s not always apparent what he’s directly responsible for, however, his enthusiasm for the film, and the James Bond series in general, really shows in the film. It is obvious that he’s cut down the complexities of dialogue but the final film does deliver plot, action and one hell of an adventure.

The films editing does move away from past films in several ways. Christian Wagner makes good use of either speeding up or slowing down the film for effect, and the only time it seems contrived is during Jinx’s emergence from the sea, a slow effect is used to create a romantic moment however it comes across as almost cliché. Danny Kleinman’s titles are extremely unique for any film. He successfully tells the story of Bond’s torture at the hands of the North Koreans, however, like his last title sequence, Die Another Day’s digitised women simply lack any ‘sexiness’, but in such a surrounding it is, perhaps, appropriate. His minor reworking of the gun-barrel has brought about some criticism; however, the change is minor and was appreciated by those in the audience and is definitely a minor change that should be kept for subsequent films.

A lot of criticism was directed to particular CGI sequences in the film. While films such as Moonraker provided poor back projection, Die Another Day does not. Some scenes clearly employ CGI, but such sequences can be found in any modern film. The controversial CGI use in Iceland is definitely not as disappointing as we have been led to believe. Personally expecting something horrible, I was pleasantly surprised. While what actually happens in the scene is not possible, nor are hollowed out volcanoes.

David Arnold’s score is really top rate in the film and overtones of On Her Majesty’s Secret Service and You Only Live Twice are obviously apparent. Earlier comments that he wouldn’t be using the James Bond Theme are obviously false and there is definitely no perceptible use of the 007 Theme. With such a top rate score from Arnold it is disappointing that more of his score can’t be found on the films soundtrack.

The acting in Die Another Day is a marvel and it really seems that Samantha Bond ‘steals the show’ thanks to clever scripting by Neil Purvis and Robert Wade. In context, Moneypenny’s role in Die Another Day is extremely different to that of past films as Moneypenny has no direct contact with James Bond. Did the audience mind at all? Needless to say her short scene received the largest applause.

Pierce Brosnan definitely portrays Bond with the finesse of a professional and gives a performance that surpasses those of the previous three films. In particular fans should look out for his rescuing of a character from the Ice Palace.

Halle Berry and Rosamund Pike both give brilliant performances. Perhaps the only problem is the lack of use of Pike in the film. The character definitely had more potential which should have been explored.

Emilio Echevarría dialogue was seemingly hard to understand, however, this could be put down poor sound quality at the Royal Albert Hall. Madonna’s cameo in the film is hard to judge either way. She delivers some dialogue well, and some poorly, however, her role is far too short to make anything of. It is, perhaps, her black costume outfit on the equestrian floor that seems more out of place than Madonna herself.

Die Another Day successfully manages to push the envelope of Bond films. It’s fast and it’s gutsy. It’s raunchier and manages to be grittier at times. Understandably, it is not without faults but will definitely be appreciated by fans with an open-mind and a willing to accept that Bond movies before now are in the past, and always will be. Bond has to modernise and move with the times.

Welcome to the 21st Century Mr Bond.

First Pictures From The Royal Premiere!

Bond Is Back! The Royal Premier is being shown in St. Albert’s Hall in London which has been turned into an ice palace over the last few days while I am writing and CBn’s very own Daniel Dykes is attending the premiere! However, reports are still to come, Reuters has published first pictures from the event, which is being broadcasted by TV stations around the world by now.

 

Queen Elisabeth II with Pierce Brosnan!

Queen Elisabeth II and Madonna! Michael G. Wilson in the background

Halle Berry – what a robe!

“Jaws” Richard Kiel is arriving!

“Former Bond Girl Lois Chilles at the Premiere!

Timothy Dalton Arrives For The World Premiere

 
Roger Moore is there, too!

 
Even George Lazenby is attending!

 
Pierce Brosnan and his wife Keely!

 
Pierce and Madonna kissing outside!

 

More to follow soon!

Be sure to discuss in this thread of CBn’s Die Another Day Forums about the Premiere!

German Society Girl Wants To Become Bond Girl

Verona Feldbusch, best known in Germany for her affair with “Modern Talking” singer Dieter Bohlen and her show on TV Station RTL, wants to become the new Bond girl in Bond 21. That’s what she told the German Edition of FHM Magazine. Now FHM made some kind of promotion out of that and now you’re able to vote for or against Verona on www.veronaforbond.de. They promise to send the results of the vote to the producers, Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli.

However, chances for her to become a Bond girl are relatively low as we all know EON doesn’t like the idea of someone promoting himself by using the name of James Bond.

Be sure to discuss this topic in this thread in CBn’s Bond 21 Forums!

Pierce Brosnan To Arrive At Premiere With A Bang!

Ananova reports;

Pierce Brosnan to arrive at Bond premiere with a bang

Pierce Brosnan is emerge from a huge wall of fire at the UK premiere of new Bond movie Die Another Day.

It takes place at the Royal Albert Hall on Monday before opening at cinemas at the end of the week.

One hundred columns of flames will fire 35ft in the air as the star, who plays James Bond, arrives.

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh are also expected to attend the screening.

Commanderbond.Net will keep you informed!

Meanwhile, stay tuned in this thread of CBn’s Die Another Day Forums!

Berry Talks About Jinx Movie

Halle Berry appeared on Parkinson yesterday with Pierce Brosnan in the UK. Michael Parkinson, spoke about Halle’s Oscar win – and how she things it has changed the movie industry.

She also cleared up the rumour of her being in a Jinx spin off movie series. She wasn’t sure how the rumour came about, but all she knew was that if the oppurtunity of making a series was there – she’d go for it straight away.

With that, it doesn’t therefore seem as though she will be making one…but she did say she had quite a few upcoming projects.

Hollywood Reporter reviews Die Another Day

The Hollywood Reporter has reviewed Die Another Day and rated it positive, but they found minor faults. Like a lot of DAD reviews which are out these days, the Hollywood Reporter doesn’t like the idea of too much CGI, less developed characters and loads of action sequences.

Careful, the review is spoiler intensive! So be sure not to read it if you don’t want to get to know information about Die Another Day’s action!

Die Another Day
Nov. 18, 2002

By Kirk Honeycutt

James Bond turns 20 this month, but that doesn’t mean the lad is growing up. He still goes ga-ga over girls, gadgets and guns. So “Die Another Day,” the 20th installment in the 40-year-old franchise, does the expected, but with the ante raised in every area — stunts, visual effects, exotic locales and expense. This is a sharper, edgier Bond, in which first-time Bond director Lee Tamahori allows a smidgen of character work to creep in, and Pierce Brosnan, in his fourth outing as Agent 007, suggests the playboy spy is really a serious, hard-working guy.

Realizing the franchise is challenged by youth movies like “XXX,” the Bond producers raise the ante so James stays reasonably hip. Madonna sings the title song and even appears in one of the film’s brighter sequences. This also is the first Bond film to rely heavily on digital effects. But the best addition is Halle Berry, who instead of being a Bond Girl du jour, joins forces with 007 as a full-fledged fighting companion, matching him in ruthlessness and technology. All these pluses should drive “Die” past the $361 million worldwide boxoffice benchmark established by 1999’s “The World Is Not Enough.”

The first third of the movie, and its most interesting section, pushes 007 into unfamiliar territory as a prisoner and outcast. The opening titles, the usual kaleidoscopic melange of color and images with alluring women in silhouette, takes place over scenes of Bond being tortured by North Korean captors. When he is released in a prisoner exchange after 18 months in captivity, Bond is shunned by British Secret Service head M (Judi Dench) in the belief he cracked under torture and gave up a British spy.

Labeled useless as a spy and held incommunicado aboard a Yankee ship in Hong Kong Harbor, Bond escapes, making his way first to a hotel luxury suite, then to Cuba in pursuit of an evil Korean killer, Zao (Rick Yune). At a Cuban beach bar, the tone and focus shift to more familiar territory. It is here Bond encounters Berry’s Jinx, a goddess rising from the sea in a tangerine bikini, an homage to Ursula Andress’ Venus-like appearance in “Dr. No,” the film that launched the series in 1962. Romantic sparks fly instantly, so much so that it’s hard to say who picks up whom.

The two break into and destroy a health clinic operating on an offshore island, where DNA transplants can change the identity of bad guys like the agile Zao. Then it’s off to the races with stopovers in London (for state-of-the-art rearmament), Iceland and back to North Korea. The film bifurcates its madman villain: A Col. Moon (Will Yun Lee) harasses Bond in Asia before the spy is confronted by mysterious businessman Gustav Graves (Toby Stephens) and a secret doomsday weapon called Icarus. Only later do we realize the two men are connected.

The film’s liveliest sequence, which combines physical comedy with nimble athleticism, has Graves challenge Bond to a duel, a gentlemanly sword fight that escalates into all-out war. That warfare continues in Iceland, where Graves unveils Icarus before guests staying at his gigantic ice hotel on a frozen lake.

At this point, the stunts take over: There is hand-to-hand combat between Bond and a Maori henchman in a lab where laser cutters run amok; a deadly sunbeam sends Bond’s jet-powered ice yacht off a cliff into the sea below, where a falling glacier creates a mega-tsunami; and Zao’s Jaguar chases Bond’s Aston Martin on the frozen lake; then the Jag tails the Aston Martin up the ramps of the hotel through curtains of melting ice water as Bond races to rescue Jinx from drowning.

The problem with Bond at 20 is knowing when to climax. After the ice palace collapses, the movie feels over. Yet everyone heads back to North Korea for Icarus’ demolition of the DMZ and fierce combat between heroes and villains aboard a disintegrating Russian cargo plane. Unfortunately, audiences may be too fatigued to enjoy much of this. Competition among Bond directors and writers to top one another has provoked stupefying overkill.

Even more problematic is the series’ inability to create new heavies. These super-rich dudes with nice-guy facades masking an evil intent are getting old. Stephens struggles to make the new edition work, but Bond villains are beginning to look like the Boys From Brazil. Film newcomer Rosamund Pike as the ice princess in the ice palace displays athleticism and chilly sexuality, but the trite role hampers her.

As with all recent Bond movies, the real superheroes here are the legions of stunt performers and technicians who — along with Peter Lamont’s glittery sets, David Tattersall’s crisp cinematography and Lindy Hemming’s exuberant costumes — put together the thrill ride. That Brosnan and Berry have so little opportunity to develop their characters and relationship with each other is a shame. But the international market probably doesn’t understand the double-entendres anyway.

Thanks to forum user “Dene” for pointing the review out! And be sure to discuss it in this thread in CBn’s DAD: Mission Debriefing (Spoiler) Forums!