'No Time To Die' Review: Daniel Craig Bids Farewell To Bond With A Thrilling Culmination Signifying The End Of An Era

Arlington TX

10 October, 2021

6:21 PM

Description

By Joe Friar, Fort Worth Report October 10, 2021 In the history of 007's, where does Daniel Craig fall? I grew up in the Roger Moore era, my parents leaned more toward Sean Connery, and we all rallied for Pierce Brosnan. After a remarkable debut in "Casino Royale" and now with five Bond films under his belt, Craig went from being my #2 007 to claim the top spot. In hindsight, he was the closet representation of the character Ian Fleming created almost 70 years ago. Cary Joji Fukunaga gives the 53-year-old English actor a proper sendoff leaving fans with a thrilling, often majestic (see it in IMAX), Bond adventure that despite its almost 3-hour run time, kept me entertained from start to finish. The climax will leave fans shaken not stirred as it marks the end of an era. Before the haunting vocals of Billie Eilish fill the theatre with a symphonic performance of the 25th Bond film's theme, "No Time to Die" begins with a prologue that features Léa Seydoux's character Madeleine Swann, Bonds main girl in "Spectre" as a young child who witnesses the death of her mother at the hands of a masked assassin. Forward to the present day as James and Madeline frolic along the ravishing Italian coast of Matera — a scene meant to be enjoyed on an IMAX screen. Within minutes, a ghost from the past haunts Bond, an explosive moment rocks the idyllic vacation, and the former British MI6 agent is back at square one, "Who can you trust?" This leads to a gangbusters moment heightened by Monty Norman's iconic theme featuring 007's traditional Aston Martin DB5, as he shoots his way out of a trap in a quintessential moment that represents all things Bond. Electrifying! Fukunaga succeeds at accomplishing two things. One, remind fans what we love so much about this character, and two, give Craig a vehicle that showcases how the Chester, England-born actor went from the new kid on the block to the best Bond ever after "Casino Royale," "Quantum of Solace," "Skyfall," and "Spectre," led to the all-encompassing performance in "No Time to Die." To read the full article, click here. Fort Worth Report is a nonpartisan, nonprofit news organization that produces factual, in-depth journalism about city and county government, schools, healthcare, business, and arts and culture in Tarrant County. Always free to read; subscribe to newsletters, read coverage or support our newsroom at fortworthreport.org.