The World Is Not Enough

The World Is Not Enough. It is the nineteenth installment in the James Bond film series produced by Eon Productions and the third to star Pierce Brosnan as MI6 agent James Bond. The film's narrative centers on Bond's protection of an oil heiress, Elektra King, following the murder of her father, a plot that leads him into a confrontation with a terrorist and former KGB agent seeking vengeance. Directed by Michael Apted and featuring a score by David Arnold, the film was released in late 1999 to a mixed critical reception but was a commercial success.

Plot

The film opens with an assassination at the Bank of England in London, leading M to assign James Bond to protect oil heiress Elektra King. Bond escorts King to her family's operations in Azerbaijan, where she is targeted by the terrorist Renard, a former KGB agent who cannot feel pain due to a bullet lodged in his brain. Bond's investigation takes him to the Caspian Sea and the Bosporus in Istanbul, where he uncovers a plot involving a stolen nuclear submarine and a plutonium bomb. He discovers King is secretly in league with Renard, seeking revenge against MI6 for her earlier kidnapping, and their plan is to trigger a meltdown at the Straits to monopolize the oil market. The climax occurs inside a decommissioned Soviet submarine pen, where Bond thwarts the detonation and kills both villains.

Cast

Pierce Brosnan reprises his role as James Bond, with Judi Dench returning as his superior, M. Sophie Marceau portrays the complex oil heiress Elektra King, while Robert Carlyle plays the antagonist Renard. Denise Richards appears as nuclear physicist Christmas Jones, and Robbie Coltrane returns as former KGB agent turned ally Valentin Zukovsky. The film features the final full appearance of Desmond Llewelyn as Q, who introduces his successor, R, played by John Cleese. Supporting roles include Samantha Bond as Miss Moneypenny, and Colin Salmon as Charles Robinson.

Production

Principal photography commenced in January 1999 under the direction of Michael Apted, with key locations including the Pinewood Studios backlot and the Château de Chantilly in France. Major action sequences were shot at the Millennium Dome in London and along the Bosporus in Turkey. The pre-title sequence, featuring a high-speed boat chase on the River Thames, was filmed at the real MI6 headquarters. The production faced challenges, including Brosnan injuring his knee during a stunt at the Sultan Ahmed Mosque. The film's special effects were handled by a team that included veterans from Industrial Light & Magic.

Music

The film's score was composed by David Arnold, marking his second work for the James Bond series following Tomorrow Never Dies. The title song, "The World Is Not Enough", was performed by the American rock band Garbage and co-written by Arnold and the band. The soundtrack album, released by Warner Bros. Records, blends orchestral themes with electronic elements and includes the opera piece "Cavatina" from The Marriage of Figaro during a key scene. Shirley Bassey, famed for earlier Bond themes, was initially considered to perform the title track.

Release and reception

The film premiered at the Odeon Leicester Square in London on November 8, 1999, before its wide release in the United States by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. It grossed over $361 million worldwide against a $135 million budget, performing strongly in markets like the United Kingdom and Japan. Critical reception was divided; reviews in The New York Times and Variety praised the action and Brosnan's performance but criticized elements of the plot and some characterizations. The film was nominated for a BAFTA Award for Best Special Visual Effects and won a BMI Film Music Award.

Video game

A tie-in video game titled The World Is Not Enough was developed by Eurocom and published by Electronic Arts for the Nintendo 64 and PlayStation consoles in 2000. A distinct game for the Game Boy Color was developed by Black Ops Entertainment. The console versions were first-person shooters featuring voice acting from Pierce Brosnan, Judi Dench, and John Cleese, with original missions expanding on the film's plot in locations like the Swiss Alps and a volcanic island.