Opened: November 17, 1995

Directed by: Martin Campbell

Starring: Pierce Brosnan, Sean Bean, Izabella Scorupco, Famke Janssen, Joe Don Baker, Robbie Coltrane, Tchéky Karyo, Gottfried John, Alan Cumming, Michael Kitchen, Serena Gordon, Desmond Llewelyn, Minnie Driver, Samantha Bond & Judi Dench

In his first run as the iconic James Bond, Pierce Brosnan brings charm to an action-packed, continent-hopping adventure.

Nine years after Bond and fellow MI6 agent Alec Trevelyan (Sean Bean) infiltrate a Soviet chemical weapons facility that results in Trevelyan’s apparent death, a radar facility in Siberia explodes from an electromagnetic pulse. Soon, Bond discovers that Trevelyan is alive and seeking revenge against the British government.

The women bring some great energy with Famke Janssen as the sexually charged femme fatale and Izabella Scorupco as the smart sidekick, but they easily fall into the Bond tropes. M is played for the first-time by a female – the legendary Judi Dench – and having her go against Bond is a pleasing dynamic.

Though the storyline is hard to follow at times, the action is great.

Final say: A great first installment for Brosnan. ★★★★☆