The World Is Not Enough (1999)

Ebert praises the film as a splendid comic thriller that is exciting, graceful and endlessly inventive. He singles out the logical flow of the plot and the more three-dimensional villain played by Robert Carlyle.

Apted brought a welcome grit and realism to the Brosnan-era Bond, resulting in the best film of that period with deeper character moments. The director's eye for dramatic substance between the action elevated the franchise.

The film returns to gritty glamour with a topical oil-pipeline plot and strong action, including a spectacular boat chase; Apted blends the elements effectively and Brosnan is comfortable in the role.

The film checks off all the expected Bond elements with panache and is a solid addition to the canon, though a little too pat and familiar, with strong turns from Marceau and Carlyle but some lumpen comedy.

Maslin finds the film allows Bond to grow up a little, with Brosnan giving a more human performance. She singles out Sophie Marceau's mischievously sexy turn as Elektra for making Bond more interesting.

This is one of the more watchable Bonds thanks to efficient direction and an impressive opening sequence, even if the story is overloaded with too many locations and puns.

The film sticks closely to the Bond formula with strong set pieces and production values, but the director is faulted for trying to add emotional depth and character complexity that clashes with the series' escapist fantasy.

The film delivers spectacular opening sequences and maintains a high-velocity pace overall, with Brosnan confidently in the role. However, the plotting becomes creaky after the first 20 minutes and the villain feels commonplace.

The review finds the entry undone by villainous scripting and misguided casting in key roles, though it has moments like the pre-credits boat chase and solid work by Brosnan and Marceau. It singles out the capable but straightforward staging by Apted.

The critic finds the film less feeble than recent Bond entries thanks to Sophie Marceau's character but ultimately a biannual disappointment that is mundanely choreographed and fails to recapture the myth's original frightening, sexy and exotic qualities.

Lane enjoys the explosive opening sequences but finds the rest of the film an anticlimax marked by sameness. He singles out the lack of fresh air and style once the initial boat chase ends.

The critic highlights the film's dizzying pyrotechnics and Brosnan's commanding, angry Bond performance amid the usual gadgetry and one-liners, while noting that the convoluted plot is quickly forgotten after viewing.

The critic calls it the worst of the Brosnan Bonds and finds the film boring and convoluted after a strong opening. He singles out the jet-boat chase sequence for praise as one of the best Bond openings.