The World Is Not Enough Blu-ray Review

"The World is Not Enough" Blu-ray release brings the film into the high-definition era with a 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 transfer, maintaining the movie's original 2.35:1 widescreen aspect ratio. While it showcases a significant upgrade from its DVD predecessor, offering notably sharp detail and vivid color reproduction in several scenes, it's apparent the remaster doesn't reach the heights of some of the more meticulously restored entries in the Bond series. The presentation's color palette, although generally well-rendered—from the drab London exteriors to the sporadic bursts of exotic hues—struggles with consistency. Specific sequences shine with filmic quality, yet conversely, there's a prevalence of bland, almost monochromatic locations that detract from the overall vibrancy expected of a Bond film.

Interestingly, despite being a rather recent entry in the franchise, "The World Is Not Enough" does not seem to have received the comprehensive restoration treatment afforded to older Bond films. The transfer appears to be sourced from the same master used for its initial DVD release, sprinkled with minor digital enhancements. This results in a presentation that, while never abysmal, oscillates between adequacy and mediocrity. Noteworthy issues include visible Edge Enhancement artifacts and a subdued contrast range, leading to a picture that at times feels soft and lacking in depth. Blacks and whites alike suffer from a lack of richness, with shadows appearing washed out and fine details blurred, especially in motion.

What this transfer gets right, however, are its moments of brilliance—certain sequences burst with a lushness and clarity that hint at what could have been had a more rigorous restoration been undertaken. Nevertheless, the transfer's inconsistency in detail and color fidelity, coupled with technical flaws such as Edge Enhancement and Digital Noise Reduction artifacts, render it a mixed bag. This rendition of "The World Is Not Enough" unfortunately mirrors the movie's own reception: competently executed but falling short of its potential for greatness.

The audio presentation of "The World Is Not Enough" on Blu-ray brings with it the expected prestige of the MGM lossless 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio track, optimizing the film's auditory landscape for a potentially immersive experience. Dialogue clarity is a standout feature, maintaining coherence and dominance in frontal channels, while subtly stepping aside for the film's varied action sequences. These sequences, from the high-octane opening boat chase to the thrilling ski pursuit and the explosive caviar factory confrontation, benefit from a rich tapestry of sound effects; engines roar, gunfire cracks, and explosions rumble with a bass that enlivens the living room. However, despite these moments of auditory excellence and a score that adeptly carries the Bond theme, the soundtrack occasionally wavers in its ambition, with some criticism pointing towards an overly aggressive mixing style that prioritizes volume over nuance.

Notably, the film's less aggressive approach than its predecessors does not detract from its quality audio presentation. The subtlety is intentional, allowing for extended dialogue-driven scenes that never suffer from intelligibility issues. Yet, it's during the action that the soundtrack truly comes to life, with commendable use of rear soundstage and bass that adds depth to the viewing experience. However, the mix has faced criticism for its tendency to blend actions into a somewhat indistinct mass of sound during high-stakes scenes, and for an underwhelming use of the surround channels, often resorting to gimmicky effects rather than creating a truly enveloping sound field.

Critiques aside, the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track on this Blu-ray edition of "The World Is Not Enough" ambitiously strives to elevate the film's auditory experience. While it achieves moments of brilliance with well-rendered dialogue and impactful action sequences, it occasionally falls short in delivering a consistently immersive soundscape. The track oscillates between loud, action-packed segments and quieter, dialogue-focused scenes with varying degrees of success, making for an audio experience that, while not without its flaws, effectively captures the essence of a Bond movie.

The Blu-ray release of "The World Is Not Enough" distinguishes itself with an abundant array of supplemental materials that are bound to captivate Bond aficionados. Key among its offerings is a compelling feature-length commentary by director Michael Apted who shares captivating insights into the film's production and his unique take on the Bond franchise. Coupled with a second commentary featuring the expertise of Peter Lamont, David Arnold, and Vic Armstrong, the disc goes beyond standard behind-the-scenes fare, delving into the intricacies of the filmmaking process. Despite certain extras skirting into promotional territory, the collection boasts substantial content including behind-the-scenes featurettes, deleted and extended scenes enriched by Apted's narration, as well as a host of other engaging materials aimed at providing a comprehensive view of the movie's creation. The inclusion of entertaining yet promotional pieces like the making-of featurettes and the music video by Garbage adds a lighter touch to an otherwise meticulously detailed compilation. This Blu-ray not only celebrates the legacy of Desmond Llewelyn but also serves as a treasure trove for fans seeking depth and detail, even though some may find the vast amount of promotional content less appealing.

Extras included in this disc:

• Feature-Length Audio Commentary Featuring Director Michael Apted: A deep dive into the film's production.
• Feature-Length Audio Commentary Featuring Peter Lamont, David Arnold, and Vic Armstrong: Insights from key production team members.
• Declassified: MI6 Vault: A selection of behind-the-scenes material.
• Deleted & Extended Scenes with Introductions by Director Michael Apted: Additional content with director commentary.
• James Bond Down River – Original 1999 Featurette: Overview of the boat chase sequence.
• Creating an Icon: Making the Teaser Trailer: Insight into the teaser trailer production.
• Hong Kong Press Conference: Pierce Brosnan discusses his role as James Bond.
• 007 Mission Control – Interactive Guide Into the World of The World is Not Enough: An interactive feature.
• Exotic Locations Featurette: Details on the film's various locales.
• Mission Dossier: Additional behind-the-scenes footage.
• The Making of The World Is Not Enough: EPK content.
• Bond Cocktail: A look at the formula behind a Bond film.
• Tribute to Desmond Llewelyn: Honoring the actor behind Q.
• The World Is Not Enough Music Video by Garbage: The official music video.
• The Secrets of 007: Alternative Video Option: Alternate takes and storyboards.
• Release Trailer: Promotional material.
• Image Database Galleries: Stills and behind-the-scenes photos.

In Pierce Brosnan’s tenure as James Bond, "The World Is Not Enough" emerges as a significant, albeit contentious, installment that tests the bounds of the revered franchise. This third outing for Brosnan is marked by an ambitious blend of the classic Bond formula with a modern twist, yet the execution falls into a familiar pattern that lacks the creative boldness of its predecessors. From its intriguing premise that involves Bond protecting Elektra King (Sophie Marceau), an heiress entangled in international terrorism and nuclear threats, to Robert Carlyle's role as the menacing yet underutilized antagonist Renard, the film attempts to balance traditional espionage thrills with the evolving cinematic expectations of the late '90s.

The casting choices, particularly Denise Richards as nuclear physicist Dr. Christmas Jones, have garnered their fair share of criticism for straying into implausibility, thereby underscoring the challenge of refreshing Bond's world while maintaining its fantastical elements. The film's action sequences and gadgetry, staples of the Bond saga, are executed with professional aplomb but lack a certain verve and innovation—save for memorable set pieces like the extensive boat chase on the River Thames, which showcased Brosnan’s Bond at his most audaciously charming. Despite these endeavors to marry character-driven narratives with high-octane action, the movie often feels like it's treading water, encapsulating both the potential and pitfalls of late '90s blockbuster filmmaking.

On Blu-ray, "The World Is Not Enough" is presented with solid visual and audio quality, faithfully upgraded from its DVD releases without fully exploiting the advanced capabilities of high definition. As Brosnan brandishes wit and grit in equal measure, this incarnation aims to be a definitive statement of his embodiment of James Bond. Nonetheless, while the film furnishes some enjoyment for 007 aficionados and features a poignant farewell to Desmond Llewelyn’s iconic Q, it struggles to shake off the feeling of being an intermediary chapter waiting for a revitalization that would only come with later entries in the franchise.

'The World Is Not Enough' on Blu-ray presents an interesting dichotomy for James Bond enthusiasts and casual viewers alike. The transfer to Blu-ray format is undeniably impressive, providing a visual and auditory experience that significantly enhances the film's numerous action sequences and the iconic, albeit cheese-laden, one-liners characteristic of the Bond franchise. Unfortunately, the film itself is not without its shortcomings, most notably the miscasting of Denise Richards as a nuclear physicist—a role for which her performance has been widely criticized. Her lackluster portrayal detracts significantly from the film's attempt at a serious narrative, leaving much to be desired in the realm of character development and believability.

Despite these flaws, the Blu-ray edition does shine in its comprehensive supplementary content, likely one of the most extensive among its peers within the Bond series re-releases. This feature alone may offer some solace to die-hard fans seeking to dive deeper into the world of 007. However, the release struggles to rise above mediocrity, hampered by a formulaic approach that fails to revitalize or innovate within the series, thus reflecting a broader issue plaguing the latter part of Pierce Brosnan's tenure as the iconic spy.

In conclusion, 'The World Is Not Enough' on Blu-ray is a mixed bag. While it excels in presentation quality and supplementary material, firmly placing it as a worthwhile addition for completists and hardcore fans, its appeal may not extend far beyond this demographic. The film itself remains a middling entry in the Bond canon, hindered by underwhelming performances and a lack of fresh direction. It stands as a testament to what could have been, rather than what was achieved, rendering it more suitable for occasional viewing rather than a staple of one's Bond collection.