Icarus

It's been a while since I last watched this. I've always wanted to like the Brosnan Bonds, but they fell too far into the Moore camp style than the earlier Connery or latest Craig style. I can take some camp, but it's easy to over do it. I've also hated the cheesy over-the-top CGI sequences.
Last Survivor fixed this movie for me! It was a great watch and all the parts that bugged me are expertly removed. What is left is a fast-moving, action-packed Bond flick. Yes, there are some quips and a touch of camp, but it's just enough. Even remembering some of the major parts removed, it was seamless and nothing seemed abrupt or obviously missing. This is now my preferred version of the film to watch.

Die Another Day is a very tricky beast to tame as an editor, it's never going to come across as the perfect anniversary movie, but LastSurvivor has managed to make it an otherwise entertaining entry in the Brosnan canon. Characters are smarter, campy indulgences are scaled back, he cuts expertly around the invisi-car. Quality of the edit is top notch. I would like to echo Wilhelm Scream's suggestion of Moneypenny finally getting her man at the end, but hey, that's an idea for future editors perhaps...

I had a grand old time with this LS, "you get the point"

This is sooooo much better than the original! So many stupid moments and lines are gone. The only thing I would change is the ending, as I don't like Jinx, I would trim the VR sequence of Moneypenny and trim it so that it ends before it's revealed that it's a VR sequence, so now Bond would finally end up with the woman who's been working with him for years.

A lot better than the original movie! LastSurvivor I applaud your cut. Love the song you chose to replace Madonna's with. Loved everything you did. Only reason I rate 8/10 for enjoyment is, because this is still D.A.D., and I really disliked it.

Cannot wait to check out the other Bond's you have edited.

Oh yes! This is terrific. Icarus makes this Bond film not just acceptable, this edit makes it enjoyable!

Compliments on the narrative. Tightening the pace is spot on for what I'd expect of Bond. Reducing the quantity of gags improves the quality of what stays and brings balance to the action and humor. Cutting the ice-glider chase is seamlessly executed and removes many annoyances.
Compliments on the video editing. I watched this edit and the original side-by-side, otherwise I wouldn't have known where the cuts lined up.
Compliments on the audio editing. Equally seamless except for one edit: "Bitch". LastSurvivor, you already point this out in your commentary. If your software can do it, perhaps slow down that one word of audio (without changing the pitch) to draw it out a bit more? In "Read this. Bitch." emphasis is on "this", making the delivery of "bitch" shorter than it might be as a stand-alone word.
Compliments on the audio commentary. What a luxury! Informative and insightful. Keep 'm coming.

My one disagreement is cutting Berry walking out of the surf. She looks gorgeous doing it. More importantly, it gives continuity to the gag when Craig walks out of the surf in his debut.

On a technical side note: Icarus is DVD resolution, I'd love it even more in HD. And it would be great to include subtitles. Perhaps there is software that can easily take the original subs and cut them with the video?

In conclusion: Does this replace the original? Absolutely yes. Does this improve my appreciation of Brosnan? Also yes.