It seems like a distant lifetime ago the world was gearing up for the release of No Time to Die. A little known virus was taking hold, but it still seemed almost to sudden to pull the release of the next instalment of one of the world’s biggest franchises. Advertising tie ins had already started to run, Daniel Craig hosted Saturday Night Live, and Billie Eilish’s song had already hit Spotify. Yet here we are, a year and a half later, and only now does Bond’s latest and lengthiest outing hit cinema screens.
The film picks up with Bond and Madeleine (Lea Seydoux) living their best lives in Italy. What could possibly go wrong? Explosions and gun battles of course. It’s a shattering opening that mixes incredible action with real emotional pathos. The thematic elements of trust and forgiveness are fully explored throughout the entire film, making this Bond’s most emotional outing to date. This is helped along by Craig and Seydoux giving their all and making the heart of the film compliment violence, action, and humour, rather than slowing it down.
Although many Bond’s have worked as stand alone films, Craig’s is the first that has had impactful connective tissue throughout his entire five film run. This includes everything from the shaping of his character due to his tragic romance with Vesper Lynd, to returning characters helping to shape a more cohesive narrative. This all culminates in No Time to Die to make it truly feel like a send off for Craig, though after his comments following Spectre, let’s not rule him out of a return just yet.
Bond and company soon discover there is a new big bad in town by the name of Safin (Rami Malek) who is up to something diabolical, but also may be helping MI6 in a roundabout way. It’s a plot strand that loses it’s tenacity come the film’s second half, where Malek goes from interesting mysterious villain, to generic madman. It’s an okay performance from Malek, though he doesn’t have much to do other than be creepy, which he does pull off.
Elsewhere in the cast we get returning veterans such as Ralph Fiennes, Jeffrey Wright, Ben Whishaw, Christoph Waltz, and Naomie Harris, all of whom serve their parts well, with Fiennes getting special note for portraying the conflict and remorse of his character so convincingly. Lashana Lynch joins as a new Double O agent which allows for some sparkly back and forth between her and Bond, though it’s Craig’s Knives Out co-star, Ana de Armas, who steals her all too brief sequence. Her joy and passion radiate on screen and become infectious for the audience.
The sad thing about No Time to Die is that the first half is absolutely fantastic. I am genuinely excited to see it again come the weekend. The pacing is phenomenal, the tone is on point, and it just manages to be utterly engaging. The climax however, is more of a paint by numbers Bond film. It’s extra frustrating that with a runtime of 166 minutes, a more contained ending could have been conceived, or some material cut. Instead it becomes bloated, predictable, and a bit of a chore to finish. It’s not bad per se, but whereas the first half is some of the best Bond of all time, the finale is mediocre.
It’s always a shame when a film doesn’t quite stick the landing. The film is utterly beautiful, especially an opening prologue that is simply a short horror film. It’s shot with such precision that it will stay with the audience come the closing credits. Another action scene set in a Norwegian forest is another highlight and Cary Joji Fukunaga’s eye for atmosphere really comes into play. The music is a delight, even harkening back to other Bond films of the past. Add to this wonderfully bad puns, cool gadgets, and plenty of drinking, and you get a Bond film that stays true to its roots, while moving forward. At least, for an hour and 46 minutes that is.
No Time To Die
Summary
Utterly beautiful with an amazing opening sequence, No Time To Die is jaw-dropping for the first two thirds but doesn’t quite pull of the landing. Still, it is easily one of the best Bond films that will delight audiences.
