James Bond has returned — and was there any surprise? “Die Another Day,” the latest entry in the long-running film series, arrives at local movie theaters Friday.
Technically, “Die Another Day” is the 20th Bond film, although there are various stragglers to the official canon. Not counting the numerous spoofs (and their often subsequent sequels), Sean Connery stepped back into the role in “Never Say Never Again,” released in 1983. “Casino Royale,” circa 1967, was notable because it was based on an Ian Fleming novel; Fleming originally created the character.
Folks who complain about Bond’s predictability as of late are perhaps not familiar with the film series as a whole. With each subsequent release, the Bond films have become increasingly refined to a formula that revolves around specific archetypes.
In a somewhat chronological order, the elements of necessity for a Bond flick are as follows: An opening action sequence, titles with thin and scantily-clad women, things blown up, a few chases (using some kind of technologically advanced vehicle), one or two villains, which may include a woman. Bond gets the girl, kills the bad guy and everything is reset for the next time.
There was a point when Bond films were based — either by title, or content — entirely on Ian Fleming’s novels. Those who may argue that such earlier films had more integrity to them probably don’t remember some of the entries from 1970s.
In many ways, “GoldenEye,” Pierce Brosnan’s first foray as Bond — and the fifth actor to (officially) play the character — is the edgiest film of the series. When the film was released in 1995, the character had taken a six year moratorium after “License to Kill”, part of the late 1980s Timothy Dalton-era.

In “GoldenEye,” the film’s producers were able to take some chances, namely by having an awareness of the post-Cold War, ultra-politically correct setting to jab at Bond’s misogynist ways and instituting Dame Judi Dench as a
female “M,” Bond’s boss.
In many ways, “Tomorrow Never Dies,” and “The World Is Not Enough,” the other two Brosnan-led Bond flicks that followed “GoldenEye,” are mundane exercises. These films have further pronounced that the character’s name and formula are the only thing required to appeal to the masses and make a successful (read: profitable) flick.
Whether “Die Another Day,” will continue to follow the set, formulaic trends remain to be seen. There are a few positive things indicating otherwise, however. Three years have lapsed between Friday’s release and “The World is Not Enough,” the last entry into the series.
This is the second-longest gap between releases in the Bond series, and perhaps it gave the writer, director and producers sufficient time to create a more quality product. Also, Oscar-award winning actress Halle Berry stars as Jinx, a female, Bond-like counterpart — so much so that producers have even discussed the possibility of her having her own spin-off film series.
Sadly, this will be the first official Bond flick not to include “Q,” played timelessly by the late-actor Desmond Llewelyn. John Cleese, who appeared in the last film as “R,” has been promoted to the new “Q.”
Brosnan has signed on to play Bond for another film after “Die Another Day.”