The debut of Pierce Brosnan in the role of Agent 007 and of director Martin Campbell behind the camera provide a much-needed injection of freshness into the stale James Bond franchise with this, the 18th in the series of spy thrillers. Since Bond tales are best reviewed not in relation to other films but in relation to themselves, here's what works: Brosnan infuses his Bond with the best of both worlds, mixing the suave, winking charm of Roger Moore with the more arch, lethal detachment of Sean Connery. Campbell, for his part, brings pace and visual flair to the proceedings, never losing sight of the class fans have come to expect, while eschewing many of the ludicrous stunts and gizmos for more believable real-world action. A team of screenwriters also wisely updates Bond for the politically correct '90s by transforming the character of M into a woman (portrayed with delightful sobriety by the great Judi Dench). And supporting players Alan Cumming and Famke Janssen are standouts in a series that prides itself on memorable villains. What doesn't work: Sean Bean as an antagonist who comes across as too dim to carry out his complex scheme, Izabella Scorupco, lifeless and boring in place of the expected exciting and sexy, and the basic plot, which bows to the graying maxims that Bond must never grow or develop and that Russians make the best villains. GoldenEye is a mixed bag, but a promising start for a star and director who could do better with improved material.