What a ride it has been for Daniel Craig. He first slid into the tuxedo of the dapper 007 back in 2006. Fifteen years and five movies later Craig wraps up his terrific run with the 25th installment in the James Bond franchise, “No Time to Die”. Due to several reasons (a global pandemic chief among them), we haven’t had a Bond film since 2015. That’s a long time, but I’m happy to say it was well worth the wait.
I was pretty lukewarm on James Bond movies until Craig came along. His first entry “Casino Royale” blew me away. I like his second film, the flawed “Quantum of Solace” more than most. I loved his third movie “Skyfall” but was more mixed on his fourth, “Spectre”. With “No Time to Die”, Craig is given the chance to end his tenure on a sky-high note. And boy does he.
Directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga, “No Time to Die” comes packaged with everything you want from a Bond movie – big action, even bigger characters, plenty of style, and a special dash of heart. But Craig’s movies have added grit to that list. His Bond carries the weight of loss, and his pain often pushes him outside the bounds of agency protocol. That emotional burden and his willingness to cross the line are traits that set his 007 apart from all the rest.
This near $300 million sequel comes with a collection of old familiar faces as well as a few new ones. And once again this latest world-saving mission takes Bond (and us) to locations across the globe – Italy, Jamaica, Cuba, Norway, and of course London. And then you have the story itself which is not only thrilling blockbuster material, but it nails the tricky task of completing Daniel Craig‘s story arc. And it does it in an profoundly satisfying way.
The film begins with James having retired from MI6 and enjoying what resembles a normal life with Madeleine (a returning Léa Seydoux). But while on a romantic getaway in the exquisitely shot Matera, Italy, the couple are reminded why they’re always looking over their shoulders. Assassins sent by the nefarious crime syndicate Spectre ambush James leading to an exhilarating action sequence through the heart of the scenic city. Bond and Madeleine manage to escape, but he suspects her of betraying and the two split up.
Five years and one Billie Eilish Bond theme later, James is living in seclusion on a beach in Jamaica when he’s contacted by old friend and CIA field officer Felix Leiter (Jeffrey Wright). Felix needs Bond’s help tracking down a kidnapped scientist (David Dencik) who has developed a DNA-targeting bioweapon known as “Project Heracles”. Obviously, in the wrong hands the bioweapon could be catastrophic. And those hands happen to belong to Lyutsifer Safin (Rami Malek), a soft-spoken yet vengeful terrorist leader who has an axe to grind with Spectre and has a rather gnarly connection to Madeleine’s past. And just like that, Bond is back in the game.
From there the road gets curvier. Bond butts heads with MI6, particularly M (Ralph Fiennes) and a brash young 00 agent named Nomi (Lashana Lynch). The devilish Ernst Blofeld (Christoph Waltz) is still running Spectre from prison. And of course Madeleine resurfaces, now working as a psychotherapist for MI6, a job that puts her right in the crosshairs of the string-pulling madman Safin. And there are even more characters with parts to play including CIA agent Paloma (a wide-eyed and delightful Ana de Armas) who assists Bond in Cuba. And of course Q (Ben Whishaw) and Moneypenny (Naomie Harris) make welcomed returns.
But this is very much Bond’s movie. Not just in the traditional sense, but personally and emotionally. From its action-packed earliest frames, “No Time to Die” has a different pull than Craig’s other films in the franchise. Part of it may be psychological. We know this is Craig’s last ride and that realization inevitably adds some extra feeling for fans. But it’s also a conscious move from Fukunaga who manages to keep his film tonally in-tune with the others while putting a warm and empathetic spotlight on the weary and pained super spy. It’s a slippery balancing act, but Fukunaga nails it.
Also, the movie looks amazing. Whether he’s capturing a location or shooting an elaborate action sequence, Oscar-winning DP Linus Sandgren always gives us something worth looking at. I mentioned the stunning opening in Italy. There’s also an impeccably shot edge-of-your-seat car chase/shootout in Norway. And of course, the big finish which features one particularly jaw-dropping close-quartered gunfight up a flight of stairs. Sandgren is constantly treating us to one breathtaking shot after another and frequently reminding us of why movies are always better on the big screen.
But what may be most impressive is how the movie flies by despite a hefty running time of 2 hours 43 minutes. I only checked my watch once and that was out of curiosity rather than boredom. Much of it has to do with Fukunaga’s crisp pacing and steady mix of drama and action. He never lets things get bogged down. At the same time, he never loses sight of his characters. Again, it’s a balance the film maintains that keeps it lively and engaging.
So how does “No Time to Die” match up with Craig’s other Bond movies. Well, I’m not ready to put it next to the superb “Casino Royale”, but it’s only a step or two below it. Not only has Cary Joji Fukunaga made a good Bond movie, but this is the kind entertainment I look for out of blockbusters. But perhaps most important for 007 fans, Fukunaga gives Craig a swan song that does him and his fifteen years spent On Her Majesty’s Secret Service justice. It’s a top-to-bottom fabulous finish for (dare I even say it) my favorite Bond of the franchise. “No Time to Die” opens today in theaters.
VERDICT – 4.5 STARS
Keith & the Movies 
Excellent review as always, Keith! I was much more mixed on this film. To me, it highlighted the problems of the Daniel Craig era.
Thanks my friend. I admit, I was locked into it from the start. Not sure how they’ll top Craig’s run. I’m curious to see what’s next.
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I have really enjoyed Daniel Craig’s run as Bond . I’ve been a Connery man but Craig in this run of movies has equaled and moved ahead. I going to see this one in IMAX in a week and after reading your review that cannot come soon enough. As usual, great review .
Thanks my friend. And it will absolutely stun on the IMAX screen. Enjoy!
Glad it’s good, will see it but sorry, not sitting in a cinema for nigh on 3 hrs, my bladder and spine won’t take it!
I understand. It flew by for me which (if I’m honest) was surprising. So much fun.
I won’t read all of this until after seeing it. Your rating tells me I need to see it.
Absolutely see it. I had such a good time and hope to catch again before it leaves the big screen.
I’m hoping to really see this this weekend or next weekend with my mom as I was trying to buy tickets yesterday for Sunday through Fandango but things got difficult. I’m hoping to try again next weekend. This is a screening for my dad.
BTW, who do you think should be the next James Bond? I am honestly pulling for a Black British James Bond. Mainly as a “fuck you” to their racist futbol fans for going after the 3 young rookies at the Euros this past summer for losing to Italy.
Off the top of my head, I nominate Chris Hemsworth or Sam Worthington
I think Chris Hemsworth is already established enough and has a good thing going. Sam Worthington, he’s just cold right now. I don’t think he’s got the charisma to play Bond.
I kinda think Worthington is a bit underrated. But you’re right. He is a bit cold at the moment.
I think Worthington has gotten sucked into the black hole of filming endless Avatar sequels, people have nearly forgotten about him. I wonder if Ewan McGregor could pull it off.
Could be. Hasn’t thought about that. He was in “Lansky” earlier this year, a good gangster film that largely went unseen.
I have no idea. I’ve heard a lot of suggestions but none of them sound right. It’s such a unique role to fill, especially after what Craig has done with the character.
🔴 Australia wants Simon Pryce to be the next James Bond 🎶 🔴
I’ve never been so angry after seeing a movie. What makes it so infuriating is not that it’s a bad movie -it’s a great movie. Until the end. What a kick in the balls! I use to think “Licensed to Kill” was the worst Bond film. But that was just a shitty movie. This is far worse. It’s a theft. They thrill you with everything you love about these movies for 2 1/2 hours then yank it all away.
Cannot freaking wait to watch this! 15 years as Bond, insane, where has the time gone?!?!
I thought the same thing. Hard to believe.
I saw this one yesterday, and I absolutely loved it, but I definitely get how some people are not going to be happy with it, especially the ending. The Daniel Craig movies took risks that you didn’t see in any of the other Bond movies, especially considering how each of Craig’s movies tied each other together in an overall arc. It was brilliant, really. It was risky, and while some of those risks didn’t really pay off, it made for a far more interesting character dynamic than what we’ve been used to seeing. No Time To Die took a lot of huge risks for a final Bond movie. I would rather have a movie take risks and fail than not take any risks and end up being another generic movie. No Time To Die is going to be very divisive, but I think time will kindly on it. I loved it personally as it gave James Bond something more to fight for than Queen and Country. The movie could’ve been about 10-15 minutes shorter and they wouldn’t have lost any momentum, but as it stands, No Time To Die is a hell of send-off for Daniel Craig’s tenure as James Bond.
Glad you liked it too. It has stuck in mind and I’m hoping to see it one more time before it leaves theaters.
I’m passing on reading your review for now, I hope to be able to see this in the next couple of days and I am REALLY chomping at the bit for it! I have actually bided the time since it was supposed to have been out (several times last year at least) by watching other great movies so really, the time hasn’t felt so long. But I don’t want to know very much at all, even though a Bond film isn’t ever known for its award-winning plot. (I do have a review coming up for one of those, however and I cannot wait to share it.)
I had such a good time with it and I don’t blame you for passing on reading this. I did the same until after I watched the movie and wrote my thoughts. I had high hopes for it but was surprised at just how good it turned out. Hope you enjoy it.
Good write up! I pretty much agree with you, although I would place it below Skyfall as well.
I liked “Skyfall” a lot. Really glad this one ended up well.
Definitely looking forward to eventually watching this one, I’m excited to see how Craig’s last Bond movie will look like. As always, great review Keith, looking forward to your future ones as well!
Thanks so much. You should definitely give this one a look. I really wanted to get back to the theater to see it one more time before it left the big screen. Unfortunately there’s just so much else I’m needing to watch.
Nice movie😊🙏
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It’s a fantastic sendoff! I was hooked the entire time, and the ending was quite different!
Me Too! I have the 4k Bluray now and am planning on rewatching it soon.
Nice! I have the DVD and am planning on binging all the Craig Bond movies.
That’ll be a great time. I just rewatched Casino Royale. Still great.