The World Is Not Enough
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Distributing Corporation (MGM) | Release Date: November 19, 1999
7.1
USER SCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 217 Ratings
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Positive:
132
Mixed:
65
Negative:
20
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User scoreBy dateMost helpful
5
MovieGuysApr 24, 2014
The World is not enough is an average Bond flick with usual action and bland plot line, but nothing more to offer. The movie seems tired, and it shows in everything in it.
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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6
marcmyworksJan 26, 2020
The best part of this entry in the Bond series is the excellent theme by Garbage. Unfortunately only the first half of the movie is fun, then when Denise Richards character Dr. Christmas Jones pops up, its all downhill.
1 of 2 users found this helpful11
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5
chardr69May 23, 2011
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The nineteenth James Bond film, third for Pierce Brosnan as 007, and the only one directed my Michael Apted.

When Bond unknowingly retrieves a bomb hidden in a suitcase full of money, and returns it to its wealthy owner Sir Robert King, a construction billionaire whose company is building an eight-hundred-mile-long oil pipeline in Azerbaijan, and is a life long friend of "M"'s (Dame Judi Dench), at MI6 headquarters in London, the bomb explodes and kills King and blows a hole in the side of the building. After figuring out that the terrorist Renard (Robert Carlyle) is behind the bombing, Bond is sent to protect King's beautiful daughter Elektra (Sophie Marceau), who had been kidnapped by Renard several years earlier and held for ransom, but at "M"'s urging he never received the ransom money, and Elektra claims to have escaped on her own. 007 then finds out that Elektra suffers from Stockholm Syndrome, and is in love with Renard, and has plotted with him to kill her own father, and kidnap and kill "M". Then they will steal a nuclear device and plant it on a Russian sub and blow it up destroying three competing Russian oil pipelines, to which Elektra's family pipeline would profit exponentially. So 007 must chase after Elektra and Renard, to stop their plan and rescue "M", with the help of nuclear specialist Dr. Christmas Jones (Denise Richards).

This is the worst of four Brosnan 007 films. Not that it is his fault, he is great as usual, but what a waste of a potentially great bad guy in Renard. He really isn't in that much of the film, and Elektra comes out actually being the top villain. And let's face it, Denise Richards as a nuclear specialist is a joke, because she is a horrible actress and probably can't even spell the word "nuclear" (she's only good to look at). Dame Judi Dench is wonderful as usual, plus we see Desmond Llewelyn's departure as "Q", and the introduction of his successor John Cleese as the "New Q". A scene that is very ironic, since Desmond Llewelyn died not long after the release of the film. We also see the return of Valentin Dmitrovich Zukovsky (Robbie Coltrane) from "GoldenEye". And one last note, Sophie Marceau is one of the most beautiful women to ever be in a James Bond film.… Expand
1 of 3 users found this helpful12
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5
TyranianMar 19, 2020
Brosnan and the story are pretty good but some of the dialogue is deplorable.
1 of 4 users found this helpful13
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5
Whizzy_ElephantFeb 13, 2019
Not particularly satisfying, the one word I would use to describe this film is "heavy". The first third is excellent, yet as the darkness of the nuclear desert base comes into play the film changes tone and struggles to generate an invitingNot particularly satisfying, the one word I would use to describe this film is "heavy". The first third is excellent, yet as the darkness of the nuclear desert base comes into play the film changes tone and struggles to generate an inviting aura.

I'm not too upset by Denise Richard's performance, she isn't the worst bond girl, i'm more disappointed by just how Sophie Marceau and Robert Carlyle fail to develop a convincing chemistry. Much of the film, especially in the second half, lacks lighting and is just not interesting. We do get a variety of locations, some of them great, but almost half of the film is skippable worthy, especially concerning the side plots with Valentin Zukovsky.

Overall it's a very average film, but a fairly poor Bond entry.… Expand
1 of 4 users found this helpful13
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6
jwt7000Nov 20, 2012
Not a bad movie to be exact, but some boring scenes tend to make me sleep and the plot sometimes do not even follow to the deepen ends of this partially flawed and confusing scenario.
2 of 11 users found this helpful29
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5
WalkingDead5640Jul 10, 2013
It's a very average Bond movie with quite a lot of wasted potential, but yet I still have so much fun with this. I think there's a great relationship between Bond and the female villain. Nice sub-plot with M and I have to give credit to theIt's a very average Bond movie with quite a lot of wasted potential, but yet I still have so much fun with this. I think there's a great relationship between Bond and the female villain. Nice sub-plot with M and I have to give credit to the boat chase in the pre-credits sequence. Though Denise Richards is one of the worst Bond girls, but who cares, it was a hell of alot of fun. Nuff said!… Expand
2 of 14 users found this helpful212
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5
FilipeNetoFeb 19, 2018
Directed by Michael Apted and produced by Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson, it has script by Bruce Feirstein and Robert Wade and is the nineteenth film in the franchise. In this film, Pierce Brosnan plays 007 alongside Sophie Marceau,Directed by Michael Apted and produced by Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson, it has script by Bruce Feirstein and Robert Wade and is the nineteenth film in the franchise. In this film, Pierce Brosnan plays 007 alongside Sophie Marceau, in the role of Electra King, Denise Richards, in the role of Christmas Jones, Robbie Coltrane, in the role of Valentin Zukovsky and Robert Carlyle, in the role of Renard. In this film, Desmond Llewelyn made one of his last appearances as Q, alongside his replacement, John Cleese, in the role of R, his assistant.

In this film, James Bond will protect the life of Elektra, the young and seductive daughter of an oil tycoon, murdered by the construction of a pipeline in the Caspian Sea. Despite the orders received, Bond will discover that the girl keeps dark secrets from her past, and isn't as angelic and helpless as she seems.

Its not the first time that James Bond gives attention to problems related to oil or energy, we already saw something similar in "The Man With the Golden Gun". However, its this film that focuses more directly on issues related to oil industry and the control of oil production, either by countries or by certain firms. Sophie Marceau deserves congratulations for her excellent interpretation in this film, where she had a deeply complex character. Indeed, Brosnan's time's movies, despite its serious flaws, gave some of the most remarkable and memorable villains of the franchise. As for Brosnan himself, he continued to make his role unconvincingly or unsurprisingly, warm as a bread without salt. The film is full of errors, paradoxes, continuity failures impossible to disguise and blatant advertising of various sponsors. The machines are also worth mentioning in this film, in particular the helicopter with saws which, in the most striking sequence of the film, chases Bond cutting a BMW and a caviar warehouse as if they were butter. The opening theme of this film is the longest in franchise so far. Sung by Garbage is excellent although its too long.… Expand
1 of 12 users found this helpful111
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6
TomLJun 27, 2008
Average acting, good beginning, bad ending, average storyline, average action, average locations, average characters, pretty average in all.
0 of 1 users found this helpful
6
HeroicAge616Oct 26, 2021
While not the slickest 007 escapade, The World is Not Enough is still an enjoyable entry in the series.
0 of 5 users found this helpful05
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6
gracjanskiSep 27, 2021
Brosnan is still good and I liked the story about oil pipelines.
But as usual some action scenes are fairy tales. In addition Judi Dench is annoying as usual and get even more time in this movie. Sophie Marceau as Elektra King wasntBrosnan is still good and I liked the story about oil pipelines.
But as usual some action scenes are fairy tales. In addition Judi Dench is annoying as usual and get even more time in this movie. Sophie Marceau as Elektra King wasnt convincing in contrast to Denise Richards as Dr. Jones… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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5
liamexeDec 11, 2022
This disappoints significantly after raising high expectations. The action scenes in The World is Not Enough suffer greatly from a lack of quality. The opening boat pursuit is Bond at his best, but the subsequent action scenes fall short. TheThis disappoints significantly after raising high expectations. The action scenes in The World is Not Enough suffer greatly from a lack of quality. The opening boat pursuit is Bond at his best, but the subsequent action scenes fall short. The action scenes lacked intensity since they were never built up, and, unexpectedly, they never inspired any excitement (apart from the opening sequence). Regarding the conclusion, I must say that it was monotonous and in no way interesting or dramatic. It's a shame that the movie's conclusion couldn't have been the opening scene.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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5
GDsReviewsJun 7, 2022
What is extremely lacking compared to the other Pierce Brosnan 007 films here is a strong heroine. The movie is decent on its own, but this lack of a strong heroine compared to GoldenEye, especially Tomorrow Never Dies, and even Die AnotherWhat is extremely lacking compared to the other Pierce Brosnan 007 films here is a strong heroine. The movie is decent on its own, but this lack of a strong heroine compared to GoldenEye, especially Tomorrow Never Dies, and even Die Another Day drags down the final score massively.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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6
GIjOE54Sep 1, 2023
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The World is not Enough can best be described as good ideas with poor execution. While I got the general gist of the story, the communication of it leaves much to be desired and a lot of unfilled holes that will leave you confused. It’s unfortunate too, as there is a pretty good twist for a Bond film in this one and the plot is fairly grounded otherwise. The tonal inconsistency also does not do it any favors. Sometimes, I’d swear the dialogue was written by Christopher Nolan, other times, it’s so goofy, I thought I was watching a parody Bond film, like Austin Powers. Acting is also pretty bad by anyone who hasn’t already made an appearance in the Brosnan films that came before, which significantly detracts from the plot in this case. Music is good and sound effects have definitely improved over other Pierce films. Special effects range from good practical effects to terrible CGI. All in all, it feels like one step forward, two steps back. Not the worse Bond film by any stretch, but there is room for improvement.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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6
ScryptkeeperSep 1, 2023
“The World is Not Enough” is a run-of-the-mill Bond entry that lands squarely within the territory of a middling presentation. While there are a number of facets that keep the film from sliding too far from grace, such as its’ solid casting“The World is Not Enough” is a run-of-the-mill Bond entry that lands squarely within the territory of a middling presentation. While there are a number of facets that keep the film from sliding too far from grace, such as its’ solid casting and engaging music scores, there also are quite a few hindrances that keep it from becoming anything noteworthy when compared to its predecessors (including a muddled plot line, the waste of character potential, and a complete lack of tonal consistency). Though the film can likely be enjoyed as background entertainment if taken at face value for the niche and campy product that it is, those attempting to rationalize the movie on a more comprehensive level will likely have their work cut out for themselves.

Concerning the story, T.W.I.N.E. sets its stage by placing James Bond within a terrorist strike that wounds the iconic agent right out of the gate. Following the death of a prominent oil tycoon, Bond is swiftly introduced thereafter to the tycoon’s daughter, Elektra King, and tasked with keeping her safe after prior attempts to do so ended poorly. After another attempt is made on her life and intel is gathered from King and a past “associate”, Valentin Zukovsky, Bond heads after the primary suspect of the incidents; a man by the name of Renard. After confronting him and surviving the destruction of the facility alongside nuclear physicist Dr. Christmas Jones, the two set out to prevent Renard from using the Plutonium he obtained. After a major plot twist turns a certain character against Bond and places his boss, M’s, life on the line, the climax sees his endurance and wit put to the test as the clock ticks down to the destruction of Istanbul and the inevitable fallout of all the major oil pipelines connected to it.

Though simplistic at first glance, the film itself doesn’t go out of its way to pave the road of the plot for its viewers. Unfortunately, for the sake of the pivotal twist two-thirds into the run time, certain details such as the identity of the true antagonist and their admittedly underwhelming motives are left unspoken until the big reveal. While this could have worked had more attention to detail and nuance been granted to the core story elements that preceded it, as it stands upon the first time watching the film, the events and suspense that follow the twist felt rushed, unearned, and lacking in gravitas. As for the characters, Pierce Brosnan’s Bond worked well within his usual guise, though fell victim this time around to the same tonal inconsistencies that plagued the rest of the film; more on that later. Sophie Marceau and Denise Richards’ Elektra King and Dr. Jones (respectively) both lended well to the “Bond Girl” staple, despite a decisive lack of backstory, especially on Jones’ part. In that same light, Robert Carlyle’s performance as Renard was also undercut by the mismanaged plot he was given, though this didn’t wholly stifle his ability to make the character intimidating when he had the chance. Alternatively, Desmond Llewelyn’s “Q” was a breath of fresh air, and in as much as this was the final time he would play the role of the quirky gadget designer, his brief appearances in the film concluded his place within the franchise on a high note.

Another negative point to include here is the film’s waste of certain characters that could have added more layers to the plot if given a chance. This would include both the assassin that ends herself after getting caught at the beginning of the film, and a subordinate of Renard that is seemingly brought into the limelight for a significant purpose, only to be promptly offed shortly thereafter. Perhaps the greatest thorn in the side to this particular outing of Bond’s, however, is the aforementioned tonal inconsistencies that riddled the film with little to no break. On one hand, there are sequences of action and dialogue that feel as solid and palpable as to be expected from the franchise; all of which setting a serious tone. Yet on the other hand, there are goofy and ludicrous scenes depicting haphazard and nonsensical combat and gadgets (such as the outlandish ball-suit) that introduce comedic beats strong enough to suggest a lighthearted atmosphere; killing any tension that might have been built up. Though previous Bond films have been no stranger to mingling in a spot of humor here and there, the degree in which this movie employs it likens it more to a modern superhero film than an espionage-driven set piece, which in turn makes it hard to take seriously.

All in all, while there are elements to be enjoyed in “The World is Not Enough”, the combination of its disonant plot threads, squandered potential and chaotic tone make it a challenge to get invested in beyond a casual watch to kill time.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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6
Fixer84Mar 31, 2023
Weak villains, a thinly written plot and a sloppily written screenplay is all factors that plagues this mediocre Bond film, it is still slighly saved by Brosnan's charm and sensational action sequences.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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