Last Update: September 30, 2021, 11:55 AM IST
Daniel Craig in No Time to Die.
No Time To Die Movie Review: The Daniel Craig film is one of the most dazzlingly beautiful and heartbreakingly romantic Bond movies ever made.
no time to die
Director: Cary Joji Fukunaga
Cast: Daniel Craig, Léa Seydoux, Ben Whishaw, Naomie Harris, Jeffrey Wright, Christoph Waltz and Ralph Fiennes
Driving the spectacular winding roads of Matera in Italy, Madeline (Léa Seydoux) asks an aging James Bond (Daniel Craig) at the wheel, “Can we go faster?” He replies, “We don’t have to go any faster, we have all the time in the world.” The statement sounds ominous, as it should, but is also an ironic reference to Craig’s last time as Bond, and the long wait to see him on the big screen on the other side of the pandemic.
There are many ways to describe No Time to Die. This is the 25th film in the 60-year-long James Bond franchise and the swansong of Daniel Craig, who returned after much persuasion. It’s also long-awaited, having been delayed by two years due to the pandemic, and also survived a quitting director (Danny Boyle) due to ‘creative differences’. It is clear from the very first frame that the film has overcome many hurdles to emerge as one of the most dazzlingly beautiful and heartwarmingly romantic Bond films ever made.
The plot has too many supernatural parallels with real life. agent is called back from his downtime in Jamaica to assist Felix Leiter in a mission to rescue a scientist kidnapped by Rami Malek’s Lucifer Safin. Craig’s retirement is a reflection of the actor’s own resignation from the Bond film franchise, and a reluctant re-entry to the role cannot be imagined. Craig added much-needed emotion to the Bond long ago, we just see the culmination of it all in this one. A look of determination balanced with inner turmoil, ruthlessness against vulnerability – it’s a more well-rounded bond than ever. Unfortunately, this is the last one from Craig.
The Bond movies have their own tropes, and this one takes them even further. The franchise has evolved, although progress seems a bit half-baked. We also have Ana de Armas in a great sequence fighting goons in a ball gown and heels, as a nod to the Bond girl stereotype. The film deviates from the norm of handing over the 007 badge to a woman of color, but there’s very little of the Lashana Lynch we get to see. In the climax, she hands Craig the center and walks off to the side, which makes you wonder if the franchise has really moved on.
Reading: Daniel Craig gets emotional as he says goodbye to James Bond film No Time to Die
More menace was expected from new Bond villain, Rami Malek as Safin. He starts off with a bang, but as soon as Bond enters the scene, you know the film belongs to him. Malek’s restrained performance pales somewhat in front of Craig’s brilliance and you have the camera and direction to blame for that. Craig Lee meets his match in Lea Seydoux, and together they deliver some of the most emotional scenes in the film where we see Bond at his most vulnerable.
The makers knew they had to make the best of Craig’s last Bond appearance, and that’s evident from every scene that’s veered towards glorifying him. A viewer without much background in Bond may not understand why the ‘License to Kill’ spy is not subject to unanimous love. Add to this the humanizing yet glorifying aspect of No Time To Die that makes the Bond character almost godlike. And you forgive the makers for it because you are too busy admiring the view.
It is a beautifully made film. The production design, stunts, action sequences, look and feel of each character have been crafted with such care that even when the story seems long, you want to keep watching. Every Bond film has stunning backdrops, remarkable frames and heart-stopping moments, and No Time To Die takes it to another breathtaking level. It’s a visual and emotional treat, which is satisfying but will leave you feeling unfulfilled in the end.
read all breaking news, breaking news And coronavirus news Here