Pierce Brosnan has matured in his second outing as the "decadent western agent" in this 18th EON adventure of the James Bond series. The movie opens on the Russian Border, "our man's in position" signals the start of more action and excitement. 007 saves the world by flying out a plane with nuclear missiles in the opening sequence - much improved on the opening flying sequence in GoldenEye. I liked his opening one-liners about smoking - "filthy habit" ( don't tell Bonds 1 to 4 ! ) and disposing of his passenger - "Back seat driver".

With the sinking of the HMS Devonshire in the South China Sea, Bond has to go after the Carver Media Group led by Elliot Carver played by Jonathan Evita Pryce. This latest villain believes "There's no news like bad news !" and somebody should give him some typing lessons ( Note. Bond producer Michael G. Wilson's 2nd cameo following his St. Petersburg seated appearance in GoldenEye on Carver's big video screen ).

After learning Danish in Oxford, Moneypenny describes 007 as "a cunning linguist" and later she lets the beans out about his past relationship with Mrs. Carver, James didn't believe "it was public knowledge" and she gets the last word by replying "Queen & Country". Enjoyable banter continues when M asks 007 to "pump her for information".

On arrival in Hamburg James meets up with Q who gives him a new BMW 750 with tricks & gadgets ( shades of tv's Knight Rider - K.I.T.T. ). At the party posing as a banker, 007 meets up with Carver, his future buddy Chinese agent Wai Lin ( the excellent Michelle Yeoh ) and Paris Carver ( Teri Hatcher - Lois Lane of tv's Superman ) who greets him with a slap on the face.

The movie's pace never lets up as 007 moves on to Saigon with a great bike stunt helped by David ID4 Arnold's good score which makes better use of the James Bond Theme than Eric Serra's GoldenEye score. Totally agreeing with Mr. Arnold that k d Lang's ending Surrender tune is miles ahead of Sheryl Crow's opening theme ( she didn't even sing and promote her song in the UK ).

Supported by a great cast including a brief cameo by GoldenEye's Jack Wade ( Joe Don Baker ), Tomorrow Never Dies is an improvement with Brosnan, slightly heavier to throw his weight around, plus action girl Yeoh who definitely holds her own with this 007.

Worth the 2 year wait, so roll on Bond 19 as Carver might say "Let the mayhem begin !"

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