Die Another Day

Although it's clearly not the greatest Bond film to date, Die Another Day does in fact solidify Pierce Brosnan's role as 007 once and for all. As one of the most successful film franchises of all-time moves into the 21st century, it's quite apparent that the trademarked "suave secret agent" angle is starting to wear thin. To upgrade itself, Die Another Day balances the classic qualities of the series while upping the intensity and explosiveness that modern action films tend to shove down our throats. The absurd plotline hasn't changed one bit though, as Bond must once again save the world by any means necessary, even if it means pulling off stunts that are humanly impossible and, frankly, hard to swallow. Die Another Die has moved Bond into a higher realm of action film, as the franchise tries to compete with the current blockbusters to show that 007 still has a place on the big screen. Jinx, the dreamy Bond Girl played by Halle Berry, emerges from the water as a tribute to Ursula Andress, from the first Bond entry, Dr. No. And you have to wonder if this is a tip-of-the-hat to the classic Sean Connery films is an apology for where it's about to take this franchise, stripping Bond flicks of their charm and originality and pumping them full of an American cast that comes laden with explosions and special effects. Die Another Day is quite entertaining and thrilling at times, but it's a new breed of action that just doesn't compare to the gems from the '60s. This double-disc DVD comes packed with a "making of" documentary, which is always the greatest asset to a DVD, as well as mini-documentaries on the film's car chase and other action sequences. There's also the horrid Madonna music video and if that's not enough cheese, you also get the "making of" the video. Yikes! Extras: "making of" documentary; featurettes; photo gallery; story board comparisons and more. (MGM)