As an epic spy action film that concludes the Craig Era, No Time to Die is the pinnacle of what Bond can offer as a cinematic experience. It is a deeply personal finale that features precise action and No Time to Die excels in the level of individual devotion and craftmanship that has epitomized this era of the franchise. Daniel Craig is the star of the film, and gets to hand in his best performance as the iconic secret agent to bring his tenure as 007 to its best possible ending.

No Time to Die begins with James Bond retired with his lover Madeline Swann, still in the sights of the terrorist organization SPECTRE. When the mysterious Lyutsifer Safine, a figure from Madeline’s past with his own grudge against SPECTRE emerges, James Bond must reunite with new partners and old friends in MI6 to stop Safine and SPECTRE’s plans to acquire a deadly mass bioweapon.

No Time to Die is the Daniel Craig finale first and foremost, and Craig gets to shine as Bond in his final outing as the character. Craig gets every opportunity to bring a level of emotional gravitas and personal investment that he hasn’t gotten a chance to explore since Casino Royale. While Craig has always brought a level of deadpan snark and simmering lethal coolness to the character, No Time to Die gives Craig a chance to display genuine emotions like love, sadness, grief, and guilt far beyond what Bond actors typically get to do.

The rest of the cast of No Time to Die all excel within their parts, from Rami Malek’s eccentric and villainously calculating Safine to the reliably complex Ralph Fiennes in his role as M. Lea Seydoux has to bring significant emotion as the second true love of Bond’s life, Madeline Swann, and she delivers a vulnerability and intelligence worthy as the Bond Girl. Lashana Lynch and Ana de Armas are standouts, the former easily surpassing Craig when required but without outshining him as the new 007. The latter delivers a hilarious and charismatic performance in a brief but memorable role.

No Time to Die goes bigger and grander than previous Craig Bond films, both in the thrilling action sense and more literal aspects. No Time to Die clocks in at 2 hours and 43 minutes, making it the longest film in the entire Bond franchise, which flies by thanks to a gripping story and editing by Tom Cross and Elliott Graham. More importantly, every action scene brings a level of inventive thrills, thanks in large part to Cary Joji Fukanaga’s strong directorial eye and his technical team.

The standout element is Hans Zimmer’s excellent score, a technical aspect that has not always been the Bond franchise’s primary goal beyond the iconic theme. Zimmer’s score pulses and perfectly guides the tone, aided by breathtaking cinematography from Linus Sandgren. Sandgren captures the natural landscapes, underground labyrinths, and frenetic urban life that are trademark to any good Bond film, bringing a meticulous eye to the details.

No Time to Die is an ambitious Bond story, with personal being the most accurate descriptor for the story. Everything No Time to Die explores, from Bond’s guilt to his relationships with his allies and loved ones, is done through a distinctly human and somber lens. The humor is still present, with Phoebe Waller-Bridges making her touch-ups clear in many moments. However, No Time to Die is given the respect and emotional weight that the filmmakers and audiences could want from a finale.

The tricky part of No Time to Die is that there are parts, particularly in the third act, that one may find difficult to find the relevancy of. That being said, it’s also impossible to imagine a single scene being cut out entirely. Every scene in No Time to Die counts, adding to the plot, Craig’s character arc, or the simple enjoyment factor of a movie. It’s a hefty story, but that heft also means it’s impossible to tell what should have been cut, even if the vague feeling of it being required remains.

For those like myself that have enjoyed Craig’s tenure as James Bond, No Time to Die is the finale that will satisfy. It’s also an exceptional action film, filled with car chases, gun fights, and hand-to-hand brawls that keep the viewer always engaged. No Time to Die is the conclusion that everyone involved could want and the reward for that shows. Craig has given his best performance, the story grips the audience as much as its characters, and the action keeps a viewer on the edge of their seat. I have nothing but love for the newest film from Bond…James, Bond.

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No Time to Die

0.00

9

Score

9.0/10

Pros

• A gripping finale to a franchise
• Fantastic performances from the ensemble
• Personal story that grabs the viewers
• Excellent action set pieces
• Wit and humor that are trademarks of the Bond franchise

Cons

• A little long with parts that could be trimmed
• It's a Daniel Craig Bond movie; if you haven't liked them, this one won't be different