James Bond has left active service. His peace is short-lived when Felix Leiter, an old friend from the CIA, turns up asking for help, leading Bond onto the trail of a mysterious villain armed with dangerous new technology.
“SPECTRE” ends on a touching, and somewhat surprising note with Bond (Daniel Craig) and Madeleine (Léa Seydoux) riding off together. It rings heavy with hope and happiness and infinite possibilities. It would be easy to end it there. But for all his wit, agility, swagger, and gadgets, Bond is endlessly unlucky. To have it all would be asking too much. “No Time to Die,” the final installment, brings forth the end giving Daniel Craig a noteworthy send-off.
Bond aficionados may revel in all the nods to Bond flicks of old, living in a bubble of sacrosanct nostalgia, but I cannot relate. Admittedly, there is a rich history of Bond that is lost on me and I have come to terms with that. And I don’t necessarily think I’ve missed all that much. Bond has been a pervasive cinematic cultural icon for decades. I did my best to avoid Bond no matter the incarnation, that is until I found myself charmed by Daniel Craig in “Skyfall.” I was forced to snuff out my initial prejudices against all things Bond, as Craig embodies a Bond of today, fully reinvigorated with a self-possessed edginess and twinge of vulnerability. There’s an underlying complexity to Craig’s Bond where others lacked. Under the constant barrage of impossible high-octane situations, Bond evolves and emotes with comparative ease. He even loves.
“No Time to Die” starts where “SPECTRE” leaves off. He is with Madeleine. And then due to unforeseen circumstances, he is not. Five years later we find Bond has been living his best life in Jamaica, retired. That is until CIA buddy Felix Leiter (Jeffrey Wright) pops up asking for some help in locating a missing scientist, Obruchev (David Dencik) who has developed a biowarfare technology involving nanobots. Bond isn’t really feeling the proposition so he’s out. Then enters MI6 agent Nomi (Lashana Lynch), who boldly explains the situation in greater detail. The rapport between the two is tense but comical with a hint of unspoken respect. Suffice it to say, Bond is on board. And situations become vastly complicated, convoluted even. Friends and enemies, old and new, make their appearances and cast their fates, with twists and turns galore.
Longer than the average Bond film, “No Time to Die” has everything you’d expect. Locations that make you choke with envy, car chases, explosions, secrets, villains, and even detachable eyeballs. It ticks all the boxes. And for some, that’s all you need to stay captivated. For others, it may drag a bit. (It’s me, I’m others). While the comfort of expectations being met is nice, it can also be boring. Or rather, not as engaging as expected. The action washes over you and the villains are pale. Both Rami Malek as main villain Lyutsifer Safin and the reprisal of Christoph Waltz as Blofeld fail to provoke the visceral and unnerving discomfort expected of villains. Their scenes simply fall flat.
Disappointments aside, “No Time to Die” is distinctive in that it gives an indelible and definite ending to a Bond that goes beyond the bounds of just being an agent. His humanity and vulnerability shine through and it should not be missed.
In Theaters Friday, October 8th
