Update: Read our review of the No Time to Die UHD 4K Blu-ray.
My parents rented a VHS video recorder in the early 80s, and one of the first films we watched was For Your Eyes Only, starring Roger Moore as James Bond. I watched that film repeatedly, becoming a devoted Bond enthusiast. Throughout the series’ various iterations, each perceived conclusion diminishes my interest to some degree. The initial lull occurred after Licence to Kill in 1989, when rights disputes and other issues halted the British agent’s adventures for six years. The return of Pierce Brosnan reignited my interest, and despite Roger Moore being my quintessential Bond, I appreciated Brosnan’s films, even though Die Another Day presents some challenges. Another hiatus followed in 2002, lasting four years until Daniel Craig assumed the role. This time, only Judi Dench remained as M; everything else underwent a reboot. While I appreciate individual Craig films, particularly Skyfall and Casino Royale, I find the other two less compelling. Attempting to rewatch Spectre before seeing No Time To Die, I stopped midway. Craig’s films lack a certain charm, and I approached Daniel Craig’s final performance as James Bond with some apprehension, anticipating another end to the series.
The premise of No Time To Die involves James Bond (Daniel Craig) having retired from MI6, leading a secluded life in Jamaica. He is contacted by his old friend Felix Leiter (Jeffrey Wright) for one last mission, an offer he cannot refuse.
No Time To Die is a unique entry in the Bond filmography, drawing inspiration from the entire series while simultaneously focusing on the five preceding Daniel Craig films. This is exemplified by Bond referring to Felix Leiter as his “brother” and best friend, despite their limited interaction in the Craig era, and Leiter’s previous adversarial role. The plot acknowledges their close friendship from earlier films, including attending each other’s weddings. Furthermore, elements of the plot, including lines and music, are borrowed from On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. As a result, No Time To Die functions somewhat as a remake of the 1969 classic, creating a confusing and complex narrative.
Unlike earlier films with loose references to previous plots, No Time To Die should be viewed as the fifth installment in a continuous series that began with Casino Royale. This film serves as a conclusion, tying together various narrative threads. However, the nearly three-hour runtime does not fully resolve the arcs of some characters. The handling of the Spectre organization and Blofeld (Christoph Waltz) is, in my opinion, disappointing and inadequate.
The primary antagonist, Lyutsifer Safin (a name with obvious connotations), is portrayed by Rami Malek. Malek is a talented actor, as evidenced by his Oscar-winning performance as Freddie Mercury in Bohemian Rhapsody and his work in Mr Robot. However, his performance here feels restrained, as if he is constantly in a meditative state. The character lacks impact, and while the initial scene is promising, the portrayal diminishes thereafter.
While there isn’t a Swedish Bond girl this time, David Dencik appears as the unsympathetic scientist Valdo. Dencik seems to have been given considerable freedom in his interpretation, which occasionally results in a performance that is overly animated. Certain sequences involving sneaking and fleeing resemble a farce, with movement patterns that feel incongruous with the film’s overall tone.
The film’s pacing is generally well-managed, and despite its considerable length, No Time To Die remains engaging. The action sequences are well-executed and innovative. The inclusion of the classic Bond car, the Austin Martin DB5, in a prominent early scene is a highlight. The film features several novel sequences, a remarkable achievement for a franchise nearing its sixtieth year.
I watched No Time To Die with a friend who is less familiar with the Bond films. She enjoyed the film immensely, and I acknowledge that No Time To Die, as a standalone film, is exceptionally well-made, approaching the highest rating. However, as a Bond film, it is somewhat lacking. It attempts to evoke the spirit of the classic films while simultaneously undermining their core tenets. As a long-time Bond fan, I felt a degree of fatigue towards the end.
The Bond saga concludes, for now, with the traditional end-credits declaration that James Bond will return. The manner and form of this return remain uncertain. Numerous actors are being considered for the role, including Idris Elba, Tom Holland, Henry Cavill, and Tom Hardy. The character of James Bond may no longer fully resonate in the modern world. As the character adapts to contemporary sensibilities, something essential to the films’ identity has been lost, resulting in more generic action fare. The producers have stated that the selection of the next Bond will not be addressed until the following year, leaving the future of the franchise unclear. Film number 26 will likely represent a significant departure, for better or for worse.
In conclusion, I found it challenging to assign a definitive rating to the film. Ultimately, after careful consideration, I offer a warm recommendation for No Time To Die. The review should prioritize the film’s merits, rather than solely focusing on how it aligns with my personal vision of an ideal Bond film (although fan perspectives are important, they should be secondary). As a standalone action film, it is impressive and presents a worthy challenge to the new Mission Impossible.
