REVIEW: Daniel Craig Stuns One Last Time as James Bond in ‘No Time to Die’

MGM’s No Time to Die, starring Daniel Craig, premiered in London on September 28, including a simultaneous premiere for critics at the iconic TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, California.

The film will hit theaters for the public October 8 for 163 minutes of pure 007 action. After numerous delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic, fans are excited to see Daniel Craig as Bond for his fifth and final time over his amazing 15-year career with the film’s franchise in this estimated 250-Million dollar budgeted blockbuster, making it the most expensive movie ever made.

Cary Joji Fukunaga directs the film with returning cast Ralph Fiennes (M), Naomie Harris (Moneypenny), Rory Kinnear (Tanner), Léa Seydoux (Madeleine Swann), Ben Whishaw (Q), and Jeffrey Wright (Felix Leiter). New to the film are Ana de Armas (Paloma), Dali Benssalah (Primo/Cyclops), David Dencik (Party Guest), Lashana Lynch (Nomi), Billy Magnussen (Logan Ash), and Rami Malek (Lyutsifer Safin).

The film begins with Bond in bliss with Swann in Italy before Bond visits the grave of Vesper Lynd, the lover who died in “Casino Royale.” Bond is hit with an explosion and is angry at how anyone could find his location with fingers now pointed at Madeleine. 

Bond pushes her on a train stating she will never see him again. Years pass as he continues his retirement from active service, enjoying a peaceful life in Jamaica. He’s interrupted by his friend Felix Leiter from the CIA in need of his help. Felix explains the proposed mission, which is to rescue a kidnapped scientist. 

It turns out to be way more dangerous than they both realize. The mission leads Bond right into the hands of a mysterious villain, Lyutsifer Safin, that is armed with a dangerous new biological weapon he had stolen from a London laboratory that can change the world as we know it. 

The film has some amazing female actresses that highlight the Bond franchise and move him into current times. Léa Seydoux as Madeleine is the first bond girl to be seen in the franchise twice, appearing as a surprisingly serious love interest of Bond’s and also having a connection to his adopted brother and villain Ernst Stavro Blofeld (Christoph Waltz).   

Ana de Armas is a delight as she shows up in Havana to slay villains at a high society event which takes the action to the streets with Armas fighting skills and charm, really showing off why she landed the role. 

Bond crosses paths throughout the film and butts heads repeatedly with MI6 agent Nomi (Lashana Lynch), who’s taken the codename 007 in Bond’s five-year absence. Lynch gives a no-nonsense portrayal of a 00 agent able to spew one-liners amid fight scenes, all while keeping Bond on his toes. 

The visuals for No Time to Die are stunning, with the majority of scenes shot on location in London, Italy, Jamaica, and Norway. The opening scene is absolutely breathtaking, and we expected nothing less from the filmmakers, Wilson and Broccoli. 

They were quoted in a recent press release stating, “We’re thrilled to return to Jamaica with Bond 25, Daniel Craig’s fifth installment in the 007 series, where Ian Fleming created the iconic James Bond character and Dr. No and Live And Let Die were filmed.”

The Havana party scene in all of its fanfare and costumes is reminiscent of past films, including Spectre’s ‘Day of the Dead’ festival where Bond is draped in a tailored suit, armed with a beautiful woman, and jumping across rooftops without breaking a sweat. It’s completely in line with many of the opulent parties that lend to Bond’s luxurious lifestyle spanning across most of the films; lavish and tropical locations with Black ties and cocktails all around. 

No Time to Die was written by Neal Purvis & Robert Wade, Scott Z. Burns with Cary Joji Fukunaga, and Phoebe Waller-Bridge, who give a deep dive into everything we love about Bond; an amazing story, gadgets, cars, and lots of action. This time we have some surprising elements not normally seen in the Bond films appealing to a wider audience, keeping up with the times to include more realistic details but not forsaking the fantasy of James Bond that we have come to love. 

For those keeping tabs at home, James Bond is the longest-running, and one of the most successful franchises of all time, with twenty-five films produced, including No Time to Die. Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli succeeded Albert Broccoli and collaboratively produced the past eight Bond films.

Daniel Craig bodied the role of Bond one last time and did not disappoint. This film was 2 hours and 43 minutes of 007 bliss. No Time to Die is simply stunning with incredible visuals and a great story. The stunts, gadgets, cars, locations, and cast were simply everything. So run to the theaters and preferably IMAX; you don’t want to miss this film.