No Time To Die - Theatrical Review

In No Time To Die, Bond (Craig) is enjoying his romantic and retired life with Madeline Swann (Léa Seydoux) from Spectre. Soon enough though, people are trying to kill Bond as he learns a huge secret about Madeline that forces him back into the 007 life he left behind. Spectre is alive and well, but there is a new villain in town by the name of Lyutsifer Safin (Rami Malek), who seems to have Bond's number with aspirations for world domination. Through the usual tropes and explosions, Bond must confront the villain and save the day.

No Time To Die is the third-best Bond film in the Daniel Craig series, behind Casino Royale and Skyfall, but in front of Spectre and Quantum of Solace. It might have been last on the list if it weren't for some of those excellent action sequences and new characters giving audiences some great comedic-action scenes. But for most of this end tale, there's nothing new or anything relevant that would truly give this Bond a great sendoff.

And that's not necessarily the fault of the impressive director Cary Joji Fukunaga (True Detective). Perhaps the iconic producer of all Bond movies Barbara Broccoli's decision to allow at least five writers to pen this final screenplay - including the great Fleabag star Phoebe Waller-Bridge - has more to do with it. The result is a film that weaves in and out of different scenes in different genres featuring excellent, silly action beats where Bond makes a drink mid-fight and slugs it down then straight into a completely serious talk and death of a character. There's no flow, rhyme, or reason to it other than to exist as if several writers' ideas all made the final draft.

The trouble here is that Malek's Safin doesn't show up until mid-way through the three-hour film and even then, his disfigured face and zero motive to be the bad guy does nothing for the story. In fact, No Time To Die would have been leaps and bounds better without this character, due to there being no reason for his villainy or motive to destroy the world. Even the eye-rolling evil lair he stays in is something reminiscent of an Austin Powers gag and exists for no other reason than to exist and to look like a cool location for Bond to infiltrate.

What works better is Nomi (Lashana Lynch (Captain Marvel), who is a fantastic addition to the 007 universe. Her way of handling Bond and the bad guys showcases outstanding verbal and physical prowess against anyone that stands in her way. If that wasn't enough, the one new character that nearly steals the film is a rookie agent named Paloma played by Ana De Armas (Knives Out). She enjoys the best action sequence with Bond that flawlessly mixes the best comedy and action elements than in any recent Bond film. Truth be told, Hollywood should take note to give this character her own franchise film because her bubbly personality and exquisite charm were some of the best elements of the entire show.

Other familiar characters show up and have their time, but are not utilized in a great way, where other new characters simply exist to occupy the long run time. Another good aspect to this concluding Bond film is the finality of seeing James happy, in love, and taking on different roles other than a well-suited assassin. These moments are presented well and are earned in the climax of the movie, but in the end, No Time To Die could have benefitted from a much simpler story like in Skyfall. Instead, there are too many characters and convoluted plots that have no need to be inserted here. It was a matter of throwing everything and the kitchen sink in here and see what sticks with no real editing out the fat.

It's sad to see Daniel Craig hang up the guns and tuxedo, but his portrayal of Bond has been something altogether elegant, thrilling, and fun. He's had a long good run as 007. In No Time To Die, his character has had a full transformation, and it's exciting to watch that element of his personality as this is the first time we actually get to say "goodbye" to a Bond actor before he's unceremoniously recast. Storywise, this film is just clunky and that's the shame of it. Other than a few other small standout performances and action scenes - No Time To Die just doesn't make the cut. Certainly not the worst Bond outing, and again the third-best for Craig, but less would have been worth a lot more. Absolutely Worth A Look!  

Watch No Time To Die in theaters Friday - Order your tickets on Fandango!