No Time to Die presents a strong opening. True Detective director Cary Joji Fukunaga‘s twenty-fifth Bond film – Daniel Craig’s final outing in the role and significantly delayed due to the pandemic – arrives on Ultra HD 4K Blu-ray. As a showcase for home theater systems, it excels. As a Bond film, its merits are more debatable.
Henric has previously detailed the film’s plot in his theatrical review. This assessment focuses on the UHD 4K release. Linus Sandgren‘s impressive cinematography delivers a thrilling opening, characteristic of the Bond franchise: an enigmatic antagonist, stylish location shots, exotic Mediterranean environments, and high-speed action sequences on precarious bridges near an Italian cemetery. The HDR color palette is vibrant yet retains a cinematic naturalism, immersing the viewer. The Norwegian landscapes are beautifully rendered, offering a degree of vicarious travel during current restrictions. The film, shot on 35mm, 65mm, and IMAX cameras, translates exceptionally well to the home theater environment. A high-quality display (Panasonic JZ2000 OLED) paired with a capable sound system (Paradigm speakers) driven by a powerful amplifier (Yamaha Aventage A2080) is ideally suited for films of this scale. The Swedish distributor, SF Studios, appears to have utilized the same 4K native transfer as the US edition, resulting in exceptional detail, contrast, and sharpness.
The audio presentation is also noteworthy. Craig’s farewell is complemented by a rich Dolby Atmos track, providing an active and immersive surround experience with carefully crafted ambient effects and impactful bass during action sequences. While Hans Zimmer’s score may not be his most iconic, the incorporation of classic Bond themes evokes a familiar and satisfying feeling.
Unfortunately, the supplementary material is lacking. The Swedish edition includes no extras, even on the Full HD Blu-ray disc. While the bonus content for the US release of No Time to Die is not essential, its absence is a significant omission for a UHD 4K edition, often favored by collectors. This contrasts with distributors like Studio S, which frequently enhance their releases with new supplementary material, incentivizing repurchase. Furthermore, the inclusion of worthwhile extras strengthens the argument for purchasing a physical copy over renting or streaming in 4K, especially given the superior picture and audio quality offered by UHD 4K physical media.
While the UHD 4K edition offers exceptional visual and auditory fidelity, it cannot fully compensate for the film’s narrative shortcomings. No Time to Die suffers from an overextended and somewhat convoluted plot. The initial scenes are promising, but the film’s momentum gradually diminishes, culminating in a somewhat unsatisfying conclusion. One primary issue is its uncertain direction and target audience. The film attempts to integrate contemporary elements and values while simultaneously preserving the established character, setting, and tone of the franchise. No Time to Die becomes an uneven mix of old and new, lacking finesse. Bond is depicted as a retired and somewhat sentimental figure, while a capable female agent assumes the 007 designation. Concurrently, Bond confronts a villain named Luitsyfer (a thinly veiled reference to Lucifer), who speaks with a stereotypical Russian accent and resides in an underwater laboratory. The film’s juxtaposition of progressive elements (strong female characters, sensitive male leads) with outdated tropes (caricatured Russian villains) feels disjointed and may alienate both modern viewers and longtime Bond enthusiasts. While updating certain aspects of the franchise (e.g., the portrayal of female characters) is appropriate, attempting to appeal to an entirely different audience can be detrimental. A degree of focus is necessary to avoid diluting the core appeal of the series.
In 2022, the Bond franchise celebrates 60 years as a significant part of film and popular culture. While some installments have aged poorly, the series boasts a total of 25 generally worthwhile films, including this one. The central question is whether Bond remains relevant in the modern era, or whether the character should be confined to a period setting. Tom Cruise‘s Mission Impossible films (with the seventh installment forthcoming) arguably execute the Bond concept more effectively and with greater contemporary relevance. The Bond franchise, meanwhile, appears to be undergoing an identity crisis and is currently seeking a new lead actor, who will reportedly be a British man. Perhaps James Bond has reached the end of his journey, and the conclusion of this film provides a fitting farewell to a series that should consider concluding on a high note. It may be time for a new type of agent for the 2020s. Perhaps it is indeed Time to Die for Agent 007, James Bond.
The UHD 4K edition is certainly To Die For. Those with an interest in the film series or in showcasing their home theater setup should consider adding it to their collection. It is also available in a Steelbox edition for a more premium presentation.
SF Studios provided a review copy of this film. The provision of materials does not influence our editorial evaluations. Our independent reviews are intended for the benefit of our readers (consumers).
