`WORLD' REALLY IS NOT ENOUGH.

Byline: Glenn Whipp Film Critic

You've seen it before and you've seen it done better. But if you're a Bond fan, that probably doesn't matter, does it? Because you could say the same thing about the last dozen entries in this tired series, and yet 007 keeps chugging along, recycling the same chase scenes and martini recipes for new generations of moviegoers.

``The World Is Not Enough,'' the 19th official entry in the most profitable series in film history, has its fun moments, but they're few and far between. It's not nearly as enjoyable as the last Bond film, ``Tomorrow Never Dies,'' which benefited greatly from the invigorating presence of Hong Kong martial arts star Michelle Yeoh. In this ``World,'' everything - the villains, the babes, the stunts - merely seems adequate. You will be neither shaken nor stirred.

While familiarity does not breed contempt for this venerable series, it does take away some of the enjoyment - unless you come up with some interesting twists on the formula. Director Michael Apted, best-known for dramas like ``Nell'' and ``Coal Miner's Daughter,'' doesn't show any inclination to put his own stamp on the series, and the screenplay (credited to three writers) creaks at every turn.

Of course, Bond's success has rarely had much to do with the writing. Indeed, ``World'' opens with a thrilling, 15-minute, pre-credits chase sequence that's one of the best in its long history. The prologue finds Bond (Pierce Brosnan) in Spain at Frank Gehry's new Guggenheim Museum, looking to collect a large sum of money recovered from a dead agent. Complications, naturally, ensue and soon 007 is jumping out a high-rise window and, a little later, pursuing a hot babe on the Thames in a wild speedboat chase.

We've seen the boat race before (``Live and Let Die''), but this is the one instance where ``World'' rewrites history to fine effect. But once the credits roll, it's all downhill with uninspired set pieces, tedious plot developments and groaningly bad acting.

Much of the latter comes courtesy of Denise Richards, who plays Dr. Christmas Jones, a nuclear physicist given to wearing hot pants and a tank top. To be fair, Richards and the movie are in on the joke, but that doesn't explain all the unintentional laughter coming from the audience every time she opens her mouth. Even playing a Bond bimbo, she's out of her league here.

Richards' more experienced co-stars include Sophie Marceau, playing a rich heiress whom Bond must protect. Marceau pulls off some nice shadings in the role and has some potent chemistry with Brosnan. The usual alphabetical suspects are also on board: M (Judi Dench) and Q (Desmond Llewelyn), who are joined by a protege, R (John Cleese, criminally underused). Robert Carlyle fills the silly villain's shoes, surprisingly to no particular effect.

Brosnan, like his predecessors, will never escape the shadow of Sean Connery, but he delivers a polished, if somewhat overly serious, performance. It's not his fault the 007 franchise is stuck in a rut. But if the series' caretakers don't shake things up soon, it will be Austin Powers, not James Bond, who will wear the mantle of superspy in the 21st century.

The facts

The film: ``The World Is Not Enough'' (PG-13; intense action violence, some sexuality and innuendo).

The stars: Pierce Brosnan, Sophie Marceau, Robert Carlyle, Denise Richards, Judi Dench.

Behind the scenes: Directed by Michael Apted. Screenplay by Neal Purvis, Robert Wade and Bruce Feirstein. Released by MGM.

Running time: Two hours, seven minutes.

Playing: Citywide.

Our rating: Two and one half stars.