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When it comes to James Bond plots, most of them start to feel dated after a couple of decades—especially the ones centered around the Cold War or the shadowy organization known as SPECTRE. Even a revenge-driven story like “Licence to Kill” is unmistakably a product of the ’80s, complete with its drug lord villain. But if there’s one Bond film that still feels surprisingly relevant today, it’s 1997’s “Tomorrow Never Dies”.
In “Tomorrow Never Dies”, James Bond faces off against media mogul Elliot Carver, who orchestrates international crises to boost ratings and expand his global news empire. When a British warship is mysteriously sunk in Chinese waters, Bond is sent to investigate and uncovers Carver’s plan to spark a war between the UK and China. Teaming up with Chinese agent Wai Lin, Bond races against time to stop Carver from manipulating world events and triggering global conflict—all for the sake of headlines.
Carver was clearly modeled after media titans like Ted Turner and Rupert Murdoch, but nearly three decades later, it’s just as easy to see shades of him in today’s tech billionaires—think Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, or Jeff Bezos, who, notably, owns The Washington Post. While Carver’s empire revolves around old-school outlets like newspapers and a TV network, swap out ratings and print sales for likes, views, and algorithmic reach, and his brand of manufactured chaos feels eerily in step with the digital age.
Carver himself even looks the part of a modern tech billionaire—slim, physically unimposing, and constantly flanked by bodyguards to keep him out of harm’s way. True to Bond tradition, he has a private army of mercenaries at his command, led by the imposing Mr. Stamper—a towering figure who looks like Hitler’s fantasy brought to life, with his square jaw, muscular build, blond hair, and icy blue eyes.
And of course, Bond wouldn’t be Bond without a capable woman by his side. This time, he teams up with Chinese secret agent Wai Lin, played by Michelle Yeoh in her first English-speaking role. In my “GoldenEye” review, I mentioned how the ’90s marked a turning point, introducing Bond girls who would go on to have real careers, often beyond their home countries. Michelle Yeoh is the prime example: an Oscar-winning actress for Best Actress and a global star who recently appeared in last year’s blockbuster “Wicked: Part 1”.
Then there are the two other essential ingredients that make a Bond movie unmistakably Bond: the stunts and the gadgets. The stunts in “Tomorrow Never Dies” are some of the most memorable and ambitious of the Brosnan era, blending classic Bond spectacle with a sleek, modern edge. From the high-octane motorcycle chase through the crowded streets and rooftops of Saigon—where Bond and Wai Lin handcuffed together maneuver through tight alleys and even leap over a helicopter—to the HALO (High Altitude Low Opening) jump and explosive stealth ship finale, the film never lets up. Practical effects take center stage, giving the action a visceral, grounded feel that still holds up today. Michelle Yeoh, already a martial arts legend in Hong Kong cinema, brings authenticity and physicality to her role, even performing many of her own stunts, which gives the film an extra layer of credibility and kinetic energy. Unlike Pierce Brosnan, whose stunt double is often noticeably stepping in during the action.
The gadgets in “Tomorrow Never Dies” may not be as outlandish as in some other Bond outings, but that’s precisely what makes them stand out—they’re surprisingly grounded in reality. Q equips Bond with a tricked-out Ericsson mobile phone that doubles as a remote control for his BMW, complete with a fingerprint scanner, stun gun, and lock-picking device. While it might’ve seemed futuristic in 1997, today it feels eerily prescient in the age of smartphones and connected cars. The film leans into plausibility rather than fantasy, making the tech feel like a natural extension of Bond’s resourcefulness rather than a deus ex machina. It’s one of the rare instances where the gadgets feel not only cool but also genuinely believable.
But it’s also this lack of grandeur that makes “Tomorrow Never Dies” feel like a solid, yet somewhat generic ’90s action flick. A good one, to be clear—but still very much a product of its time. The film lacks a truly iconic villain; Jonathan Pryce clearly has a blast playing Carver, and his mimicking of karate moves are a bizarre but memorable highlight, yet his henchmen are instantly forgettable. The movie misses that extra bit of flair someone like Alan Cumming brought to “GoldenEye“, where his gloriously hammy performance helped elevate even the smaller moments.
The same can be said for the theme song. Sheryl Crow’s track is serviceable, but it doesn’t come close to cracking the upper tier of Bond themes. Interestingly, Moby released an EDM-infused remix of the Bond theme as part of the film’s marketing push—clearly riding the wave of the remixed “Mission: Impossible” theme from the year before. It’s a decent take, but perhaps a little too loyal to the original to stand out on its own. Just like the film itself, it plays the hits well—but rarely surprises.
The finale also feels fairly by-the-numbers, with Bond and Wai Lin storming through endless corridors on Carver’s stealth boat, mowing down wave after wave of henchmen in a flurry of machine gun fire. It’s classic Bond action, but without much in the way of creativity or suspense. The climax wraps up with the obligatory “talking villain” moment, which is expected in this kind of film—but in Carver’s case, it feels especially tired. He’s been running his mouth the entire movie, and on multiple occasions, his need to monologue gives Bond exactly the openings he needs to turn the tables. For a man supposedly controlling global narratives, he makes a few too many amateur moves. A truly cunning villain would be orchestrating everything from a safe distance, not wandering around the battlefield like a megalomaniacal news anchor with a death wish.
Still, while it doesn’t reach the heights of “GoldenEye“, “Tomorrow Never Dies” remains a solid, grounded Bond entry—one that feels surprisingly relevant today thanks to its timely themes of misinformation, media manipulation, and the power of narrative control.
