Had enough Bond yet? I was thinking as I watched this latest installment that it’s a good thing they have Pierce Brosnan doing the Bond thing, because if anyone could keep this alive, he’s the guy.

Does it matter what the storyline is? Well, if it does to you, at least they got it right this time by making the North Koreans the enemy. President Bush did label them a part of the “axis of evil”, didn’t he? I seem to remember they were still dragging out Soviet guys in the last few movies and it’s about time they moved off of that dead horse. I suggest evil Iraqis for the next movie. Woops, that’s probably not politically correct.

The basic themes with Bond movies is that there is a villain, a girl, some sex and lots of double crossing. In “Die Another Day” there is all of those things, perhaps to the point of overload. Halle Berry plays Jinx, who seems to be after the same evil North Korean guy that Bond wants to get. But why? Can’t tell you that.

Rick Yune plays the evil guy. He’s called Zao and he’s the lead henchman of some rogue North Korean colonel, who is, of course, looking to get his hands on some super weapon in order to control and/or destroy the world. Hmmm, another basic Bond theme.

But none of that matters. What matters is whether or not you enjoy the special effects, the prolonged man to man fights that Bond gets himself into, and , yes, the cute wordplay and sexual innuendo that is a part of every Bond movie. For me, mixed results.

The special effects are great. Over the top, yes, but I can’t deny that I was mesmerized. At times, the computer imaging is too easy to pick out, but I’ll let that slide. As for the one on one action, check out Bond’s fencing duel at some uptight London club. That’s the humor in the past Bond movies I miss. Torn up artwork, tattered antique chairs and the horrified expressions of rich country club types. Good stuff. Compare this to what’s lacking and that I have to say is the sexual byplay. Hale Berry is miscast – yes, her body is certainly not out of place, but when she’s asked to deliver those double entendres, nah, I don’t think so. A lot of the puns fall flat – Pierce needs a better opponent and bedmate.

“Die Another Day” is easy fun, has good stunts and I just like Pierce Brosnan. That’s enough for me. I give it a “6.0”.