'No Time to Die' film review: Final curtain drops on the Daniel Craig-007 era
The twenty-fifth and final Daniel Craig 007 flick 'No Time to Die' (opening in theaters nationwide Oct. 8) finally gives the James Bond series something the franchise has never had: a conclusion.
In short: James Bond (Daniel Craig) comes out of retirement when a mysterious villain steals a dangerous bioweapon. Also stars Léa Seydoux, Ben Whishaw, Naomie Harris, Jeffrey Wright, Rami Malek, Lashana Lynch, Billy Magnussen, Ana de Armas, Christoph Waltz and Ralph Fiennes.
The "who is the best Bond" debate will always be a heated discussion among movie fans, but it's simply not debatable that the Craig-007 era has finally given James Bond a complete arch. No spoilers will be given within this review, however, it's enough to say that 'No Time to Die' is the definitive end of the Daniel Craig films. And it's a fitting end for a five-film series that literally begins with Bond earning his 00-Agent status, while 'No Time' begins years after Bond has abandoned his duties as 007.
Bond flicks typically open with some ridiculous action sequence that throws the audience right into the chaos - yet 'No Time' goes for a more intimate, smaller opening that actually could have just as easily opened an indie spy thriller. And it immediately tips the movie's hand, signaling that 'No Time' is more character-centric than most other Bond flicks. Yes this smaller scale drama is followed up by a bonkers car chase worthy any Bond film, it's the somber cat-and-mouse opener that sets the tone for 'No Time.' The film’s eerie & intimate opening tips its hand that this 007 flick has more in common with the character-driven ‘Skyfall’ than the clunky ‘Spectre.'
Academy Award winner Rami Malek gets second billing - but doesn't really become an on-screen threat until the film's second half. Malek's character mainly works in the shadows during the first half and doesn't become an active on-screen character until the second half of the film. While this allows the film to squarely focus on Bond, it does sap some of the energy from the film, as Bond spends most of the first half just trying to get some vague weapon out of the hands of some vague enemies who have some vague agenda. Every movie audience craves a threat and conflict they can firmly grasp - leaving so much of the conflict so vague for so long just reduces 'No Time' down to "Bond is trying to stop someone from doing something for some reason" for way too long.
More Malek in 'No Time' would have been nice, but more Ana de Armas in the Craig-series would be even better. The 'Knives Out' actress is really only featured in one part of the 'No Time,' but she absolutely makes her mark on the Bond series. She's a fun mix of nervous, bubbly rookie operative and total badass CIA agent - a weirdly perfect foil for the effortlessly smooth, veteran Bond. Along with the addition of Lashana Lynch, whose no-nonsense MI6 operative has taken over the title of 007, 'No Time' hints that the spygame has simply moved on after Bond's self-imposed retirement. The world still needed saving after he quit saving the world - and there will still be capable agents to take his place after Bond's time as a 00-agent ends.
Audiences should know 'No Time' clocks in at just under 3 hours of runtime - luckily this well-paced flick never makes the audience feel the rather long runtime. The plot twists and turns keep the audience totally dialed into the action. And just when the runtime does start to become a factor, 'No Time' jettisons all the sound and fury, and becomes powerfully and unexpectedly moving ... in a way Bond films almost never reach.
Although 'No Time' is the end of Daniel Craig's run as 007, audiences can take solace with the end credit's promise that "James Bond will return."
Final verdict: The Craig era elevated Bond beyond gadgets & high-concept pursuits to character-centric drama. 'No Time to Die' is a thrilling, exciting & emotional endcap for the Daniel Craig-007 era.
Score: 4/5
'No Time to Die' opens in theaters nationwide on Oct.8. This action adventure has a runtime of 163 minutes and is rated PG-13 for sequences of violence and action, some disturbing images, brief strong language and some suggestive material.
