Well, guess who’s back in action after a short-lived retirement? Mr. 007 himself. After many push backs weather Covid related or other factors, Daniel Craig’s Bond returns with his fifth and final outing as the super-sleuth, in Bond 25. The last time we saw Bond was in 2015’s Spectre.
The title “No Time To Die” is deceiving. After 15 years, Craig turned in his license to kill and someone else un-named thus far will give the 60 year-old franchise a reboot. Black, white, male, female, we don’t know. Maybe 2022 will drop some hints to ease our curiosity. Bond requires a lot of demands and can typecast one into the fictional character. To date there have been 25 James Bond movies starting in 1962 with Sean Connery’s Dr. No, then passing the torch to Roger Moore, George Lazenby, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig. Some of the best Bonds are “Goldeneye” (Brosnan) “Dr. No” (Connery) “Skyfall” (Craig), Casino Royal (2006 version) led by Craig and “No Time To Die” (Craig).
The film opens with retired Bond enjoying Italy in the same Aston Martin last seen at the end of 2015’s Spectre with his love interest (Madeleine Swann) and “all the time in the world” James states. His vacation is short-lived as his old buddy Felix Leiter (Jeffery Wright) warning him of impending danger and requests his help in locating a missing scientist. James has competition with a new 007, Nomi (Lashana Lynch). There’s a treacherous storm brewing compliments of a crazed revengful nut named Lyutsifer Safin (Rami Malek) with great makeup. Bond accepts the challenge, teams up with Nomi and Bond 25 is up and at ’em. Of course he can’t be James Bond without weapon-equipped cars and other cool gizmos supplied by gaget guy Q (Ben Whishaw).
He encounters a acid pond that melts your skin faster than you can say Covid-19. He obviously accomplishes his mission as his fifth Bond mission comes to a shaken conclusion. Now although the film feels rushed, it moves right along while his watch will blow your mind. Lashana Lynch represents the first black female 007. Maybe she will move the needle faster and surprise all when Bond returns. Director Joji Fukunaga made our wait worth it. No Time To Die hits theaters exclusively Wednesday October 6, 2021. Billie Eilish sings the theme song as that is always a plus in any Bond films. 4 stars (out of 5).
