A satisfying and exciting send-off to Daniel Craig’s turn as 007 in a celebration of what has made this character an icon.
After numerous delays due to the spreading of COVID-19, Sony’s long anticipated swan song for Daniel Craig’s run as James Bond has finally arrived. In Bond’s 26th adventure, No Time to Die, Bond finds himself living a peaceful life in Jamaica having retired from active service. In typical fashion, Bond is unexpectedly thrust back into perilous situations fully equipped with gadgets, villains ready to be chased, and stunning locations prepped to be littered by gunfire. With all of the delays, behind-the-scenes drama, juggling directors, and a script written on the fly, No Time to Die was poised to be Craig’s most colossal failure in his five film run. In a surprising turn, No Time to Die is a thrilling conclusion to what seems to be the consensus’ best James Bond.
This saga begins and ends with Daniel Craig. Having been noted as someone who looks a bit too “rough and gruff” to be a charming Bond, Craig’s ability to step into the suit and bowtie defies that. What makes this era of Bond special is that the “rough” look of his face and hands is offset by his ability to be charming, soft-spoken, sweet, calm, and empathetic. In a way, this era has turned Bond into a bit of a reluctant hero, and comparing that to other eras of Bond, it’s quite refreshing to see a character who is more than just an icon. There’s depth, emotional drive, as well as clear cut desires to reach a destination that isn’t driven entirely by sex. There are staples to Bond, absolutely, but to see that evolve into something a bit more realistic and tangible is rewarding. When you consider that it seems like he hated being a part of Bond in the Sam Mendes era with Skyfall and Spectre, to see him step into the role one last time and deliver his best performance yet, showcases the passion he has for this character that Mendes never uncovered. When you compare where this era of the franchise began, and what it's grown into, it’s incredible to see five movies having spanned 15 years of film and one constant being Daniel Craig. Especially in an era where reboots and recasts are a normalcy.
No Time to Die takes off with a thrilling chase through the streets of Italy, and Cary Fukunaga sets the stage for the best action in a Bond film yet. With Hans Zimmer lacing every scene with booming sound that weaves Billie Eilish’s theme song into it, there’s a constant sense of urgency. The stunts are scored with swoons, booms, and chords being strung that feels like a classic James Bond adventure meant for the silver screen. There’s an air of romanticism to it from all the behind-the-scenes talent that is clearly invested in this sandbox and what they can do within it. With all of the history that James Bond has behind him, the action scenes haven’t particularly stood out since Craig’s inception in ‘06. We have notable scenes from a few Sean Connery led films, but they’re so few and far between. In No Time to Die, every action sequence is a stunning orchestra of sight and sound. Whether it's a revving Aston Martin, the trappings of a stairwell, or a fog covered forest with gunfire ripping through trees, there is a sequence that bolsters each act and amps up the intensity. This is something that has evolved in this era, and I can’t wait to see what they coordinate in the next wave of films.
In nearly two decades worth of franchise films eager to wrap up stories to set up the next spin-off or sequel, No Time to Die is a refreshing and welcome conclusion to a story. I hadn’t realized until a day or two after I’d seen it, that this movie actually has a conclusion. It’s not an ending that leads us to believe it’s going to pass the mantle, or reintroduce a previous character due for a spin-off on a streaming service next Winter. It just ends. When you see it you almost can’t believe it because we’ve become so accustomed to credit scenes, or sequences dedicated to setting up something that has nothing to do with the story that’s supposed to be unfolding in front of us. There is such an affinity and warmth to allowing this decades old character to lead his stories from beginning to end, instead of becoming the next Iron Man.
No Time to Die is imperfect, but it’s surprising, exciting, and deeply rewarding. As the first movie that pivoted due to COVID-19, there’s something poetic about it being one of the highlights of the last quarter of 2021 in the wake of 2020. Daniel Craig is the best he’s been since Casino Royale, and Cary Fukunaga leads the charge in the right direction. The script may overreach or underwrite some of it’s bizarre first act developments and eliminate consequence, but it’s such a joy to watch as a proper celebration of character. It isn’t egregious or annoying, and when every Bond fan is rewarded young or old, you know they did a great job. If you’re new to James Bond I’d recommend starting with the classic hits Goldfinger, Dr. No, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, From Russia With Love, and Goldeneye. Of course you should watch the entire Craig saga from the beginning, but the highlights above are massive influences on No Time to Die and a keen eye or ear will notice a few easter eggs that don’t draw attention to themselves. In a year dominated by frustratingly poor blockbusters that are more concerned with what comes next than what needs to happen right now, this is one of my favorite films of the year. It satisfied every taste bud and made me salivate for more blockbusters that are passionate and romantic about the world they’re a part of. No Time to Die wears its heart on its sleeve and tightens a bowtie on top of a really nice gift I didn’t expect to receive.