Daniel Craig makes the most out of his final outing as James Bond, in a film that is visually immaculate and filled with exhilarating action set pieces, while also packing a punch on an emotional front.
Picking up immediately after the events of Spectre, No Time To Die sees a retired James Bond and his fiancee Madeline Swann being pursued by Spectre agents, whilst also battling a mysterious figure from Swann’s past known only as Safin.
Kicking off with one of the best Bond opening sequences put to screen, No Time To Die often feels like a blend between the darker, modernized style with which Craig’s films have been associated along with the adventurous tone and aesthetics of older Bond films in terms of their presentation. This includes the construction of exotic locales and extravagant villainous lairs by the production and set design teams. La La Land‘s award winning cinematographer Linus Sandgren brings his signature vibrant touch to this film, capturing picturesque landscapes, and complimenting the choreography and fluidity of the action sequences through long takes.
While some may be disappointed by the abrupt (or rather subverted) resolution of the story threads from Spectre, No Time To Die honors and acknowledges Daniel Craig’s tenure as Bond, with director Cary Joji Fukunaga and writers Neal Purvis, Robert Wade and Phoebe Waller-Bridge wrapping up a continuous story arc that was established way back in 2006 with Casino Royale.
No Time To Die also departs from prior Bond films through its sensitive and respectful handling of female characters, no doubt a contribution from Waller-Bridge on the writing team.
The film sees Daniel Craig turning in a performance as Bond more akin to his earlier performances in Casino Royale and Skyfall, comfortably stepping into the shoes of a seasoned veteran who is both haunted and committed to his duties as a secret agent. Craig’s reverence for the role is clearly visible and ensures his character arc is resolved in a successful and meaningful finale.
Christoph Waltz remains as vile and menacing as ever in his short-lived return as SPECTRE Chief Oberhauser, whereas Rami Malek’s performance as the main antagonist Safin often borders on the line of parody and camp, with his lack of screen time preventing the audience from fully exploring his character.
However, it is the addition of Ana De Armas in an extended cameo as the cheerful and bubbly spy Paloma, who stands out with her crackling chemistry with Craig, and commands and enlivens each of her scenes with her magnetic screen presence.
Hans Zimmer, in his first ever Bond film score ably balances the exciting aspects of the story with the more tender moments, drawing from a host of influences and styles to create a cohesive score.
Billie Eilish’s eponymous haunting ballad which serves as the film’s theme song similarly compliments the stylized opening credits by Daniel Kleinman with its dark, lush and cinematic sound, emerging as one of the best and most memorable Bond theme songs in the process.
Setting new precedents for the franchise and for future actors to take up the role, No Time To Die is thoroughly exciting and rewarding for fans of the Bond franchise and of Daniel Craig’s take on the character, which concludes Craig’s role on a high notes and a spectacularly stylish fashion.
Texts of A Pop Culture Buff 