MI6 Reviews the new James Bond Ultimate Edition DVD of the 1997 outing "Tomorrow Never Dies"...

DVD Review - Tomorrow Never Dies
10th October 2007

The James Bond movies have been brought into the 21st century with special 5.1 surround sound remastering, new film transfers and extra special features in the "Ultimate Editions" series. MI6 reviews the films and each of these features along with all the special new content.

Official Blurb
A deranged media mogul is staging international incidents to pit the worlds' superpowers against each other. Now 007 (Pierce Brosnan) must take on this evil mastermind in an adrenaline-charged battle to end his reign of terror and prevent global pandemonium!

Data Stream
Region: 2
Release Date: 17th July 2006
Running Time: 114 minutes
Screen Format: 2:35:1 Anamorphic PAL
Soundtracks: English DTS 5.1, English DD5.1
Subtitles: Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, Greek, Hindi, Norwegian and Swedish.

Audio Specs
English Dolby Digital 5.1 (448Kb/s)
English DTS 5.1 (768Kb/s)
English Audio Commentary Dolby Digital 2.0 (224Kb/s)
English Audio Commentary Dolby Digital 2.0 (224Kb/s)

 

Video
As with the other modern-era films, the film is presented in its original 2.35:1 aspect ratio with enhanced 16:9 from a newly remastered high-definition transfer. Background detail and image sharpness have been greatly improved over previous releases. Colour balance and tone has been adjusted for a more realistic look, and shadow detail is excellent. There are no major compression artifacts, except for some very minor background aliasing.

Audio
The new DTS audio track comes to the forefront compared to the Dolby Digital track. Both are excellent, but the DTS really gets a thorough workout with the score and special effects. Dialog is crisp and fine details can be heard, like breathing, which were not audible in previous releases. The sub-woofer gets pounded throughout and suffers a little from overuse.

On The DVD

  • DECLASSIFIED: MI6 VAULT
  • Deleted and Extended Scenes Introduced by Director Roger Spottiswoode
  • Expanded Angles Introduced by Director Roger Spottiswoode
  • Highly Classified: The World of 007
  • "The James Bond Theme" (Moby's Remix)
  • 007 MISSION CONTROL
  • Interactive Guide Into the World of Tomorrow Never Dies
  • THE COMPLETE SPECIAL FEATURES LIBRARY - MISSION DOSSIER
  • Audio Commentary Featuring Vic Armstrong and Michael G. Wilson
  • Audio Commentary Featuring Roger Spottiswoode and Dan Petrie Jr.
  • The Secrets of 007
  • Storyboard Presentation
  • Gadgets
  • MINISTRY OF PROPAGANDA, Original Trailers & Photo Gallery
 

New Bonus Features
Deleted and Extended Scenes Introduced by Director Roger Spottiswoode - Two deleted scenes: Gupta throwing cards, and Stamper killing a sleeping guard. Seven extended scenes: M and Robinson briefing Bond on his assignment, Q introducing the BMW, Carver's story before meeting Bond, Paris and Carver after the station break, the Avis rental crash, Gupta throwing a card at Bond, and the ending with Bond and Wai Lin.
Expanded Angles Introduced by Director Roger Spottiswoode - Alternate angle for the car chase sequence and for the entire pre-title sequence.
Highly Classified: The World of 007 - An hour long feature containing interviews with Bond production and crew members, actors Michelle Yeoh, Pierce Brosnan, Jonathan Pryce, Judi Dench, Samantha Bond, Teri Hatcher, behind the scenes footage of Tomorrow Never Dies including storyboards, stunts, costume design, music and miniatures.
Special Effects Reel - A nice montage of green screen elements, storyboards, and final CGI composite for a few scenes of the movie.
'The James Bond Theme' (Moby's Remix) - Moby's Bond theme video with scenes from Tomorrow Never Dies.

One Last Thing...
The Brosnan-era films are still missing the "Inside..." making-of documentaries, mainly due to the DVDs being issued subsequent to the theatrical release rather than in retrospect as with the 1962-1989 titles. 10 years have now passed, and having one of the most interesting and turbulent productions, "Tomorrow Never Dies" will one day make an interesting documentary.

MI6 Rating
Video
Audio
Special Features
Overall

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