No Time Die and What We Want from a James Bond Movie
Runtime: 2hr 43 mins
Director: Cary Joji Fukunaga
Cast: Daniel Craig, Rami Malek, Lea Seydoux, Naomi Harris, Lashana Lynch, Ralph Fiennes, Jeffrey Wright
It's funny how this franchise means so many things to different people. Bond movies have been coming out for over 50 years, and it's evolved in a unique way that invites comparison, debate, and generational divides. My father still considers Connery as the definitive 007. Meanwhile, I grew up with the moral ambiguity of Daniel Craig and think of Pierce Brosnan as my favorite take on a classical version of the character. Then there are millennials and Generation Z kids who find the concept outdated, and see Bond himself as a walking monument to British Imperialism and toxic notions of manhood.
The James Bond franchise at its worst often proves these critics right (it's uncomfortable how much casual assault is in those earlier movies) but the best Bond movies transcend these trappings by imbuing its hero with a much needed sense of pathos. While No Time to Die occasionally struggles with the franchise's indulgent subtext, it still balances out with a sense of humanity and delivers a satisfying conclusion to this era of 007.
I’m so happy Daniel Craig got to end his run on his own terms. This is the first time that a definitive ending was written in mind for any Bond (as supposed to before when the actors would just keep playing the role until they age out) and that finality gives the whole affair a sense of weight. This is probably the most meaty character stuff Craig has gotten to explore since his debut in Casino Royale (which is still the best!).
The movie is more character based than most modern action films, as it’s about an older Bond at the end of his career grappling with his regrets. There's resolutions to many Craig era stories, including his friendship with Felix, relationship with Blowfeld, and the ghost of Vesper’s betrayal, but the movie never feels overly sentimental when it brings up the past. No Time to Die has plenty of classic Bond elements, but is never insecure enough that it won't portray a character as old as Bond as out of step with a modern context.
Perfect example: Lashana Lynch’s Nomi and her rivalry with Bond was a lot of fun. It’s always entertaining when Bond has to go up against an agent that’s his equal (which is why The Spy Who Loved Me is one of my favorites) and honestly the whole movie could have focused on them out doing each other and it still would have been awesome.
Honestly though, as fun as pairing Bond up with younger agents or incorporating modern technology is, No Time to Die is still hesitant when it comes to examining the outdated ideals of the franchise. Bond's a product of the Cold War, when the idea of the world ending wasn't yet something people had grown dull to, and citizens still trusted their governments to do the right thing. The plot is willing to pay lip service to these criticisms but never fully engages with them.
For instance, the villain's plan hinges on a biological weapon that Fiennes' M develops off the book, which later turns out to have to be potential instrument of mass genocide. M spends the first half of the movie trying to cover it up, but other than a verbal confrontation with Bond after the truth comes out, the movie doesn't acknowledge the horror of his actions, nor are there any consequences for the character. He merely states he'll "take responsibility" if it goes wrong and the subject is dropped. I don't expect this franchise to go full deconstruction and have James Bond turn rogue to destroy the entire system, but after contemporary spy flicks such as Kingsman or Mission Impossible have committed to these ideas, it highlights what a big blind spot it is for this series.
Directing wise the movie is great. Beautiful lighting, exciting action, and inventive cinematography throughout the whole thing. I was never confused about the emotion of a scene because everything in the frame feels very purposeful. Also, the opening credits are great; Billie Eilish’s song really sets up the movies more somber tone.
One of my few problems with the movie was the villain. Rami Malek is giving it his all, and I love how he’s got all the old school villain gimmicks while still feeling modern and serious (he has a secret island base and garden filled with poisonous plants). But the script does a poor job of giving him a consistent motive, and I left the theatre not understanding what makes the character tick. It doesn’t help that he lacks any presence during the first half of the movie.
Overall, I’m glad to have one more outing with this cast before the inevitable reboot. And I’m glad that in a series that often relies on self indulgent power fantasies, we got a thoughtful film about aging gracefully and what kind of legacy we want to leave behind.
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