NO TIME TO DIE: Daniel Craig Goes Out with an Incredibly Satisfying Bang

Up to this point in the James Bond series, no other Bond actor had ever been granted a fitting exit to their tenure as 007. In most instances, as in the cases of Sean Connery, Roger Moore, and Pierce Brosnan, they fizzled out, carrying the role right up to its expiration date before departing without much in the way of pomp and circumstance. For George Lazenby and Timothy Dalton, their legs were cut out from underneath before they could take the role where they wanted to. All men have enjoyed varying degrees of success in playing the part, but none have been given a proper farewell.

Which brings us to our sixth official Bond actor, Daniel Craig. More than any of his predecessors, the incumbent Bond’s films have largely been defined by eschewing an episodic approach to storytelling in favor of building a more connected universe, bolstered by the heavy serialization efforts seen in 2015’s Spectre. While the release of that film led to heavy uncertainty of Craig ever returning to the role (the post-release press was tumultuous at best), we now have No Time To Die, which is being boldly promoted as Craig’s final outing as Bond.

Following years of delays, the film is now ready to be released into theaters to finally be seen by all. With the monumental expectations of wrapping up storylines established across the previous four films and delivering, at the very least, an adequate sendoff to cinema’s most beloved secret agent, the question persists: is No Time To Die any good? The answer, dear readers, is indubitably.

The 25^th official Bond film is an absolute triumph, not just as a thrilling conclusion to Daniel Craig’s era of Bond, but also as one of the best in the series. Handily Craig’s strongest film since his 2006 debut in Casino Royale, No Time To Die is a nourishing filmgoing experience, exceeding expectations while also delivering remarkable new surprises. The lofty runtime might weigh heavily on some, but for those who grew up in the world of 007, this is as exciting and emotionally gratifying as the series can get.

All the Time in the World

When we last left James Bond (Daniel Craig), he had effectively ridden off into the sunset with Dr. Madeleine Swann (Léa Seydoux), leaving Her Majesty’s Secret Service and the world of MI6 behind him. Now enjoying life as a retired 00 agent, all seems well in the world, though the former superspy can’t quite shake the habit of looking over his shoulder everywhere he goes. When a visit to the grave of Vesper Lynd unleashes the wrath of SPECTRE, Bond and Madeleine are painfully separated, their relationship devastated by a final act of betrayal.

No Time To Die commences with the franchise’s longest pre-title sequence yet, kicking things off with an extended prologue featuring a young Madeleine Swann. While living with her ailing, couch-ridden mother in a reclusive, snow-bound home, Madeleine witnesses a masked intruder named Lyutisfer Safin (Rami Malek) enter her residence and gun down her mother before setting his sights on her, barely escaping with her life. The film then whisks away to modern-day Italy, where a pained visit to Vesper’s final resting place forces Bond into action once again, evading SPECTRE forces in a tricked-out Aston Martin DB5. It’s a fantastic opening sequence and a dynamic introduction to Craig’s final adventure as Bond.

Coming into the franchise to send Craig off is director Cary Joji Fukunaga. The helmer of previous films as Jane Eyre and Beasts of No Nation (but perhaps best known for being one of the guiding voices on season one of True Detective), it’s evident from the outset that Fukunaga treats the project as a labor of love. No Time To Die is a rich, beautifully realized experience, loaded with superb moments of nostalgia while still very much forming a voice of its own. Fukunaga’s vision is carried out with impeccable lensing by cinematographer Linus Sandgren, who makes great use of the film’s exotic locales and delivers a stunningly gorgeous Bond picture (arguably the finest-looking one too, next to Skyfall at least).

And even though it was released nearly twenty months prior to the film’s release, Billie Eilish’s title track works quite splendidly in context, delivering an icy cool ballad atop a striking title sequence (fans of Dr. No will be tickled by a visual callback to that film). Actually, the real musical surprise goes to the outstanding scoring efforts by Hans Zimmer. Traditionally a domineering composer, Zimmer hits some real sweet spots on the soundtrack, perfectly evoking the feel of classic Bond. John Barry would be proud.

When we return to the action, a clandestine MI6 laboratory is raided by SPECTRE agents with deadly precision, and “Project Heracles,” a bioweapon that utilizes DNA-targeting nanotechnology, is stolen. Meanwhile, Bond has absconded to Jamaica to live out the rest of his life in solitude. Five years have passed since the pre-title sequence, but the assault on the lab springs the agent back into the fold yet again, courtesy of a call from old pal Felix Leiter (a joyous Jeffrey Wright) and his CIA colleagues Ash (Billy Magnussen) and Paloma (Ana de Armas).

Now that the theft of Project Heracles has unleashed discord upon world leaders, M (Ralph Fiennes) tasks Agent Nomi (Lashana Lynch), the newly-appointed 007, to track down the bioweapon down herself. Despite being incarcerated, Ernst Stavro Blofeld (Christoph Waltz) still appears to be pulling strings behind bars, forcing Bond and Co. to infiltrate the organization as they travel from Jamaica to Cuba to London again, all in pursuit of the mysterious Heracles and the power it holds. All roads eventually lead to the maniacal Safin, who bears a grudge of his own and holds his own nefarious plans for advanced nanotechnology.

The Proper Function of Man is to Live

Let’s talk about the man of the hour. For his fifth entry, Craig feels completely reinvigorated to fill the shoes of 007 for one last go-round, promising to make his departure a memorable one. Following three steely performances, Craig effectively re-captures the charm that made his inaugural turn in Casino Royale so memorable, even daring Bond to (*gasp!*) be funny again. Part of this must be attributed to Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s contributions to the screenplay, whose sharpness and wit can be felt throughout. It’s exhilarating to watch Craig save some of his best work for last.

As great as Craig is, it’s the women of No Time To Die who truly make the film shine. Gifted with a rare returning Bond Girl role, Seydoux finds new layers of intrigue to play the part of Madeleine, capturing Bond’s heart while still harboring some secrets of her own. Lynch makes a nice and formidable addition as Nomi, deadly with her quips and even deadlier with her accuracy, ensuring the mantle of 007 has a secure home with her, should future installments choose to pursue this avenue. Stealing the show is de Armas, injecting liveliness into the proceedings as Paloma, a high-kicking, dual-wielding agent who can hold her own in a fight. I’d happily watch a spin-off about her.

Our series regulars also return with immensely enjoyable results. Fiennes remains an impressive M, his staunch, diplomatic pragmatism contrasting nicely with Bond’s shoot first, ask questions later protocol. Naomie Harris adds much-needed levity to the MI6 office as Moneypenny, carefully balancing out the dire consequences M faces as the result of losing Heracles. But best of all is Ben Whishaw as Q, reluctantly aiding Bond from the comfort of his own home, supported by two cats. Since his introduction in Skyfall, Whishaw has fit as snugly into the role as one of his warm sweaters — he’s an absolute delight.

If there’s any weak link in the film, it lies with Safin and his bloodthirsty quest for vengeance. The result of a failed poisoning as a child, Safin has big plans with our MacGuffin, complete with a secret lair and dreams of worldwide domination. Even with these deadly ambitions, Safin is largely relegated to the final third of the film, popping up here and there before enacting the final showdown on his own private island. As the villain, Malek leans into his own preternatural creepiness, but the performance still comes across as a bit mannered, especially when compared to the strong work of the performers around him.

At a towering 163 minutes, No Time To Die sits comfortably as the longest Bond film yet. If the runtime feels like it could be potentially cumbersome, fret not; the film handles this extended length rather agreeably, taking its time to measure out the excitement without ever missing a beat. Even the business with Heracles goes down smoother than most villainous subplots, ensuring audience engagement is not left in the dust for the sake of complexity.

As relaxed as the film’s pacing is, Fukunaga magnificently roars to life during the robust action sequences, offering Craig’s Bond more opportunities to flex his muscles as a killing machine. One highlight takes place inside a Cuban hotel, where Bond and Paloma team up to take on a swarm of SPECTRE agents that surround from all sides. Another pits Bond in the middle of a misty forest, generating terrific atmosphere as Bond tracks down his prey in a woodsy location. When it comes to the action, No Time To Die delivers the goods.

(Plus, it’s not every day you see a Bond film replicate Roger Moore’s finest moment from For Your Eyes Only. Fukunaga should be awarded a medal for that alone.)

No Time to Die: Conclusion

Where No Time To Die ultimately goes, I wouldn’t dare spoil, but I will say that the film earns its ending, delivering one of the most emotionally resonant conclusions in the series (fans of On Her Majesty’s Secret Service will be doubly pleased). As for Daniel Craig, it’s been an incredible pleasure to watch him grow and make the character his own, finally paying off a satisfying emotional arc and delivering one of the greatest performances as cinema’s most celebrated superspy. I thank him for his service.

The future may forever be cloaked in mystery, but we know one thing’s for certain: James Bond will return.

What do you think? Is No Time To Die a fitting end to Daniel Craig’s tenure as Bond? Let us know in the comments below.

No Time To Die was released in theaters in the UK on September 30, 2021, and in the U.S. on October 8, 2021.

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