Tomorrow Never Dies Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

James Bond fights a media mogul who wants to start World War III to get better TV ratings, which is basically what happens every week on cable news anyway.

🍿 Tomorrow Never Dies: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Opening Sequence: Arms Bazaar

The film opens with James Bond infiltrating a terrorist arms bazaar on the Russian border. He discovers that they are in possession of a GPS encoder and two nuclear warheads. The Royal Navy tries to destroy the site, but Bond manages to hijack a jet armed with the warheads and escape the destruction.

Carver’s Plot Unfolds

Media mogul Elliot Carver plans to use the GPS encoder to provoke a war between China and the United Kingdom. He uses the encoder to send a British warship into Chinese waters, where his stealth ship attacks it, stealing a missile and killing the survivors. Bond is tasked by M to investigate Carver, as MI6 suspects his involvement in the incident.

Hamburg and Paris Carver

Bond travels to Hamburg and seduces Paris Carver, Elliot’s wife and an ex-girlfriend of Bond’s, to gather information. He infiltrates Carver’s newspaper headquarters and obtains the GPS encoder. However, Carver discovers Paris’s betrayal and orders her death. Bond finds Paris murdered and escapes, protecting the encoder.

South China Sea and Wai Lin

Bond learns the encoder was tampered with, leading the warship astray. He travels to the South China Sea to investigate the wreck, where he meets Wai Lin, a Chinese agent also investigating the case. Together, they discover a missing cruise missile but are captured by Carver’s henchman, Stamper.

Escape and Collaboration

Bond and Wai Lin escape Carver’s clutches and decide to collaborate to stop his plan. They discover that Carver intends to use the stolen missile to destroy the Chinese government, allowing a Chinese general on Carver’s payroll to take over. This would grant Carver exclusive broadcasting rights in China.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• James Bond (Pierce Brosnan): A suave and skilled MI6 agent who must stop a media mogul from inciting war between Britain and China.
• Elliot Carver (Jonathan Pryce): A power-hungry media mogul who schemes to start a war to gain exclusive broadcasting rights in China.
• Wai Lin (Michelle Yeoh): A capable and resourceful Chinese agent who partners with Bond to thwart Carver’s plans.
• Paris Carver (Teri Hatcher): Bond’s former lover and Elliot Carver’s wife, who provides key information but meets a tragic end.
• Stamper (Götz Otto): Carver’s loyal and physically imposing henchman, responsible for carrying out his brutal orders.
• M (Judi Dench): The head of MI6, who assigns Bond his mission and provides strategic oversight.
• Q (Desmond Llewelyn): MI6’s gadget master, responsible for equipping Bond with the innovative tools he needs for his mission.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Elliot Carver: “The distance between insanity and genius is measured only by success.” – Carver says this to Bond, encapsulating his megalomaniacal view of his own actions and ambitions.
• Elliot Carver: “Words are the new weapons, satellites the new artillery.” – Carver explains his vision of media as a tool for global power and manipulation.
• Q: “This is my personal favorite. I call it the ‘sting-a’.” – Q presents Bond with a modified BMW 750i equipped with various weapons and gadgets.
• M: “Sometimes I’m tempted to send you to reassignment, 007. A little tropical island, no telephone, no passport.” – M expresses her frustration with Bond’s methods, hinting at the personal cost of his dangerous work.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $110,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $125,304,276
• Worldwide Gross: $333,011,068

💥 Tomorrow Never Dies Reviews

Personal Review

I remember seeing this in the theater and being blown away by the action sequences! The remote-controlled BMW was epic. Michelle Yeoh was awesome and it was great to see a Bond girl who was Bond’s equal. I like the slightly more grounded story involving media manipulation. It was one of my favorite Bond films for a while, and watching it now, I still enjoy it as a fun action flick. Teri Hatcher was great, too, I really like the brief Bond and Hatcher’s character relation.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of James Bond movies”
  • “Action movie enthusiasts”
  • “Viewers who appreciate spy thrillers”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence”
  • “Gunfights”
  • “Brief strong language”
  • “Suggestive content”

Professional Reviews

• Empire Magazine: “Not quite the high-flying return of GoldenEye, but Tomorrow Never Dies delivers enough Bondian thrills to satisfy. Pryce makes for a memorable villain, even if his plan is a bit far-fetched.
• Roger Ebert.com: “A worthy entry in the Bond series, with Brosnan growing more comfortable in the role. The action is exciting, and Michelle Yeoh is a standout as a capable and compelling ally.
• Variety: “Tomorrow Never Dies delivers plenty of thrills and spills. The formula is polished but the novelty wears thin. Some of the CGI looks dated, and this movie isn’t as good as GoldenEye, which raised the bar for Bond movies.

Audience Reactions

Michelle Yeoh as Wai Lin is one of the best and most capable Bond girls ever.: The action sequences are thrilling and the remote-controlled BMW is a standout.

Jonathan Pryce delivers a memorable performance as the villainous Elliot Carver.: The plot, though slightly outlandish, is a relevant commentary on media power.

Overall Consensus: A fun and action-packed entry in the Bond series with strong performances and memorable set pieces, though the plot may stretch believability at times.

Awards

1. BMI Film & TV Awards (BMI Film Music Award)- 1998

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The original title was ‘Tomorrow Never Lies’, which made sense considering Carver creates the news in advance, but a typo was adopted.”
• “Michelle Yeoh performed many of her own stunts, showcasing her martial arts skills honed in Hong Kong action films.”
• “Due to difficulties securing filming locations in Vietnam, Thailand was used as a substitute, with Bangkok standing in for Saigon.”
• “The stealth ship in the film was inspired by a real-life experimental vessel, the Sea Shadow, developed by Lockheed in the 1980s.”

🖥️ How to Watch Tomorrow Never Dies?

Tomorrow Never Dies is available for streaming on various platforms. You can find it for rent or purchase on Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check local listings for possible broadcast options.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Tomorrow Never Dies, you might like these similar films:

• GoldenEye (1995): The previous James Bond film starring Pierce Brosnan, delivering a similar blend of action and espionage with a post-Cold War setting.
• The Fifth Element (1997): Released in the same year, it features high-octane action, futuristic tech, and a plot to avert global catastrophe, appealing to viewers who enjoy over-the-top adventures.
• Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation (2015): A modern spy action film with elaborate stunts, international intrigue, and a shadowy organization threatening world stability.
• The Man with the Golden Gun (1974): Another classic Bond film featuring a memorable villain (Scaramanga) and exotic locations, offering a similar sense of escapist adventure.

🛒 Tomorrow Never Dies Related Products

• 007 James Bond Collection: Volume 3 (Blu-ray): Own ‘Tomorrow Never Dies’ along with other classic Bond films in stunning high-definition. Perfect for completing your collection and reliving the adventures.
• James Bond 007: Nightfire (PC): Experience the action and espionage of James Bond in this classic first-person shooter. Featuring thrilling missions and gadgets, fans can immerse themselves in the world of 007.
• Corgi James Bond BMW 750iL (Remote Control Version): This die-cast replica of Bond’s gadget-laden BMW 750iL is a must-have for collectors. With its sleek design and iconic features, it captures the excitement of the film.
• James Bond ‘Tomorrow Never Dies’ Movie Poster: A high-quality print of the original theatrical poster for ‘Tomorrow Never Dies’. Perfect for adding a touch of Bond style to your home or office.

🎧 Soundtrack

Tomorrow Never Dies features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Tomorrow Never Dies” – performed by Sheryl Crow
• “Surrender” – performed by k.d. lang
• “James Bond Theme” – performed by David Arnold

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Fake News Explained by James Bond Villain Elliot Carver | Tomorrow Never Dies

Want to delve into the captivating world of media manipulation? Check out this clip where James Bond’s nemesis Elliot Carver cunningly explains how fake news can reshape global perspectives.

TOMORROW NEVER DIES | Tower Jump

Get ready to be amazed! This exclusive clip reveals the secrets behind the adrenaline-pumping tower jump in ‘Tomorrow Never Dies.’ Brace yourself for a glimpse into how real-life stunts come to life on the big screen!

Tomorrow Never Dies Company Car Q James Bond 007

Prepare to be dazzled! Join James Bond as he gets the keys to his tricked-out BMW in this unforgettable scene. Q’s gadgets will blow your mind, and Bond’s suave demeanor will make you want to shake, not stir!

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