The World Is Not Enough (1999)
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MI6 agent James Bond must protect the daughter of a murdered oil tycoon from a dangerous terrorist while uncovering a plot to manipulate global energy markets.
The story
After the murder of billionaire oil tycoon Sir Robert King, MI6 agent James Bond is assigned to protect the tycoon's daughter, Elektra. While escorting her through various international locations, Bond must navigate a web of conspiracy involving a dangerous terrorist named Renard. As the stakes rise, Bond uncovers a plot to manipulate global petroleum prices by orchestrating a nuclear meltdown in the waters of Istanbul. Bond must navigate high-stakes environments, from a casino in Baku to a nuclear facility in Kazakhstan, to stop the threat and ensure the safety of the heiress.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
Following the death of Sir Robert King, James Bond is tasked with protecting his daughter, Elektra. During their journey, Bond encounters various allies and enemies, including the mercenary Valentin Zukovsky and the physicist Dr. Christmas Jones. The plot thickens when Bond discovers that Elektra may be working with the terrorist Renard. The conflict culminates in Istanbul, where a plan to cause a nuclear meltdown to sabotage oil pipelines is revealed. Bond eventually confronts Elektra and Renard, ultimately stopping the detonation and ensuring the safety of the region. The film concludes with Bond and Dr. Jones celebrating in Istanbul while being monitored by MI6.
- First release year
- 1999
- Runtime (minutes)
- 128
- Production countries
- United Kingdom; United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Michael Apted
- Writers
- Neal Purvis · story; Robert Wade · story; Neal Purvis · screenplay; Robert Wade · screenplay; Bruce Feirstein · screenplay
- Cast and characters
- Pierce Brosnan · James Bond; Sophie Marceau · Elektra King; Robert Carlyle · Victor "Renard" Zokas; Denise Richards · Dr. Christmas Jones; Robbie Coltrane · Valentin Zukovsky; Judi Dench · M; Desmond Llewelyn · Q; Maria Grazia Cucinotta · Cigar Girl
- Genres
- spy; action; adventure; thriller
- Themes
- espionage; terrorism; corporate greed
- Setting
- Various international locations including Bilbao, London, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Istanbul in 1999.
- Premise and plot tags
- spy; nuclear; oil
- Source material / true-story basis
- Original story
- Franchise connections
- James Bond
- Reception
- The film received mixed reviews from critics, who specifically criticized the plot and the casting of Denise Richards, but it was a commercial success, becoming the highest-grossing Bond film at the time.
- Reported review scores
- Rotten Tomatoes · score: 51% · scale: percentage · review count: 147; Metacritic · score: 57 · scale: 100 · review count: 38
- Awards and nominations
- Best Actor · Empire Award · Win; Best Actor · Blockbuster Entertainment Award · Win; Film Music · BMI Film Music Award · Win
- Production trivia
- The title is a translation of the motto on the Bond family coat of arms.; The film was the first Eon-produced Bond film released by the MGM label.; The film's title song was performed by the rock band Garbage.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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