‘No Time to Die’ Review: A Fitting Farewell to Bond

Daniel Craig is arguably one of the best actors to portray James Bond in the character’s nearly 60 year presence on the silver screen across 25 separate films. No Time to Die marks the fifth and final appearance of Craig in the role and is a strong sendoff for his character. While the moniker of James Bond will live on forever, Daniel Craig has carved out one of the most memorable and entertaining chunks of the franchise. No Time to Die is his swan song as the film delivers some of the biggest set pieces of the Craig era and entire franchise to date.

After all his years of service to the MI6 and the British government, Bond has turned in his gun and badge and officially retired, now spending his days in a secluded villa in Jamaica. But it isn’t long before his old friend and CIA agent Felix Leiter (Jeffrey Wright) comes knocking looking for help. A terrorist named Safin (Rami Malek) has got his hands on a top secret bioweapon named “Project Heracles” that has the ability to target and wipe out individuals based on their DNA. Before you know it, Bond is once again back in action on a mission to foil a plot that threatens to destroy the world and all of society, and only he can stop it.

No Time To Die is your typical Bond film featuring some world-ending scenario concocted by a gimmicky madman wrapped around a plot filled with action, explosions, and sex appeal. It’s a formula that has been with the franchise since the beginning, and no one brings that swagger to Bond better than Daniel Craig, who has no difficulty slipping into the suit one last time. The espionage thriller wastes no time jumping into the action with some downright fantastic and exciting set pieces, opening with a huge chase sequence through the city. We’ve seen them do it in film’s past, but it never gets less exhilarating to see Craig run, drive, and shoot his way out of an ambush, all while looking as cool as ever. Five films later and it still looks like he does everything with such ease.

Craig is rarely alone in his exploits during the film, and No Time To Die features some of the best supporting cast for a Bond film. Returning characters such as Wright’s Felix Leiter, Léa Seydoux’s Madeleine Swann, and of course the whole MI6 team (M, Q, and Moneypenny) are great, but it’s the newcomers who shine. Lashana Lynch joins the team as Nomi, the new 007 agent who has replaced Bond and assists him when he returns to the field. There is some obvious tension between the two when Bond finds out that his moniker has been reassigned but the banter is always playful and fun. Of course, Nomi has the skills to back up her being the new 007 and gets in on plenty of the action alongside Bond. Ana de Armas also has a standout and scene-stealing performance as the young CIA operative Paloma. She’s essentially fresh from training and joins Bond in one portion of his mission. The entire scene with her character is fantastic and full of action and witty banter that actually brings down the characters to something more believable. Bond is practically a superhero going on all these deadly missions and always coming back beaten but never down for the count no matter the odds. Paloma is a reminder that all agents start somewhere and that even though they might look badass shooting guns and walking away from explosions, there is still room for fear in their mind. Ana de Armas is amazing in the role, and I only wish she was featured more in the film. Better yet, give her her own spin-off. The spy genre needs more Paloma.

My biggest complaint about No Time To Die is that too often it gets wrapped up in its own plot devices. It tries too hard to explain the technology behind this superweapon that targets people based on their DNA. The mechanics of how it works and the various rules it adheres to are too complex and confusing, especially when delivered by long, monotonous monologues by the villains. At times how it works is all too convenient to the plot as it constantly changes to fit whatever works at any given moment. The more you think about it, the more confusing it all becomes, so it’s best to just ride the wave out and enjoy the ride without thinking too hard about it. Ignorance is bliss in this case.

Overall, No Time To Die is a fitting end to the Daniel Craig era of the James Bond franchise. There’s no doubt that things will continue on without him, as they have time and time again with past Bonds. But Craig has without a doubt left a massive impression through his portrayal of the character, leaving a big suit to fill for whoever comes next.