Time For 007

007 words or less twice daily @ 10:07 AM & PM UTC+00:00
Die Another Day (2002)

How’s that for a punch line?

In Die Another Day, a diamond-scarred Zao delivers this zinger as Bond is about to comment on his “sparkling personality,” in an introspective line that quietly is one of my favorites from the movie. As Bond prepares to deliver a quip about Zao’s “sparkling personality,” the henchman cuts him off with this retort. It’s one of the only times any of Bond’s nemesis ever directly addresses 007’s witty quips and comebacks with pushback of their own.

Critics may dismiss the line as campy or cheesy, and yes, it wouldn’t be the only instance of either in Die Another Day. But I enjoy it as a unique bit of Bond dialogue. And I still can’t help but wonder if Bond was about to follow through with an even better punch line, but I guess we’ll never know.