James Bond – No Time to Die

No Time to Die is a 2021 spy film and the twenty-fifth film in the James Bond series. The film is directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga and stars Daniel Craig, Rami Malek, Lea Seydoux, Lashana Lynch, Ben Wishaw, Naomie Harris, Jeffrey Wright, Christoph Waltz and Ralph Fiennes, Rami Malek, Lashana Lynch, Billy Magnussen, Ana de Armes, David Dencik and Dali Benssalah. The film centres around bond who is dragged out of retirement one last time to rescue a kidnapped scientist from a mysterious villain. No Time to Die has everything you would expect a bond film to have right now, solid action and a strong performance from our lead as well as a satisfying end to Daniel Craigs run as the character.

The direction of the film is good. The action in the film is particularly great as expected of a modern James Bond film. There also some great visually please shots littered throughout. Although there is nothing camera wise within the film, I would call mind blowing everything was presented in a very professional and stylistic way making it feel very much akin to these new James Bond films, coupled with some great fight scenes and car chases which are standard practice for the franchise. The acting for the most part is good. Daniel Craig as always gives a good performance as bond. After five films he really embodies the character and gives some genuine emotion to the film’s final moments. Lea Seydoux is good as bond girl Madeleine, with the context of the previous films the character is given a layer of depth to her and is very much a driving force for bond as a character. Lashana Lynch does a decent job as Nomi. The idea of her being the new 007 is an interesting one and she works well as a good female spy counterpart for bond. Rami Malek as Safin is honestly the weakest part of the film. Although not terrible his charter doesn’t have the menace or presence of previous bond villains allowing the character to feel somewhat underwhelming. Ben Whishaw does a good job as Q. When his character was first introduced, I found it strange for Q to be played by a younger actor but over the course of the films he has proven me wrong and goes a good job in the role. Finally, there is Ralph Fiennes who does a good job as M a character that has some genuine anger and conflicting emotions towards bond throughout the film, but it is obvious that he cares about him.

The writing in the film is also good. Although most of the plot is standard James Bond affair with a world ending chemical that only James can stop that doesn’t stop the film form being any less fun and entertaining. The film still has a smorgasbord of good character moments punctuated by intense scenes and action and violence. The added emotion within the story dealing with bonds life, his relationships with others and the final moments of the film really help to give the film some genuine heart. The cinematography is good all the action is well done and clearly directed in such a way to make it clear what is happening. There are also some mice stylistic shots later in the film witch really help especially during the climax to the film.

The special effects are also good. The use of practical car chases really helps with the overall feeling of excitement and tension throughout the film. This is also relevant with the gun fights with blank bullets flying everywhere and practical blood squibs really sells the action of the film.

Overall, No Time to Tie acts as a good send off to Daniel Craigs run as bond giving the character some genuine emotion and a satisfying and moving ending to this chapter in the bond saga.