No Time to Die Movie Explained: What’s Up With the Ending?
The world premiere of “007: No Time to Die” (No Time to Die) was scheduled for 2019, but the pandemic has made its adjustment to the theatrical release. After that, the release date of the film was changed several times, the distribution company Universal Pictures was in no hurry to release the tape even after the opening of cinemas. During this time, news appeared that the devices in the new Bond had become outdated, and the film crew had to redo a number of scenes. It seemed that the latest film with Daniel Craig as Bond would never make it to the big screens, but the spy thriller still bypassed streaming services. This week, the US premiere of the film took place, which took place a week earlier than in the United States.
007 No Time to Die
Genre spy thriller
Directed by Cary Fukunaga
Cast: Daniel Craig (James Bond), Rami Malek (Lucifer Safin), Léa Seydoux (Madeleine Swann), Ana de Armas (Paloma), Lashana Lynch (Nomi), Ben Whishaw (Q), Naomie Harris (Eve Moneypenny), Geoffrey Wright (Felix Leiter), Christoph Waltz (Ernst Stavro Blofeld), Ralph Fiennes (M), etc.
Студии Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Universal Pictures, Eon Productions
Release year 2021
Site IMDb
No Time to Die is Daniel Craig’s fifth James Bond film. He held the position of James Bond for 15 years, becoming the actor who has been 007 longer than other artists. During this time, the image of the universal killer from the British intelligence service has changed markedly. Craig (who also produced the last two films) toned down the cold-blooded hero, allowing him to be a more emotional spy attached to the people around him. Perhaps this is what will affect the perception of the new picture — it was not possible to make the best spy thriller out of it, but the creators got a sincere farewell to Daniel Craig.
So the tape is likely to appeal to those who have seen the previous four Bond films (in fact, No Time to Die became a direct continuation of the Specter film, which is desirable to review before going to the cinema). For viewers who expect to see an independent story about 007, it can be a little painful during the show. The writers decided to make a fairly large number of references to previous films, as well as to attract already familiar characters. Among them are CIA operative Felix Leiter, played by actor Jeffrey Wright (starred in Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace), as well as Bond’s half-brother, the villain Ernst Stavro Blofeld, played by Christopher Waltz (was one of the central characters in Specter).
The French actress Lea Seydoux will reappear on the screen, playing Madeleine Swann, the beloved of James Bond, who stayed in the life of an agent for more than one mission (which was not previously in Bond). The new film begins with her character’s backstory, which is also atypical for 007 films that start with gunfights and chases involving Bond.
In addition, No Time to Die shows the events taking place with Bond in the incredibly cinematic Italian city of Matera, and after the film is transferred to 5 years ahead — James completely moved away from espionage, settling in Jamaica. The idyll of seclusion is violated by an old acquaintance from the CIA, he asks Bond to find a scientist who is involved in the spread of biological weapons. Thus begins a large-scale mission, during which the hero crosses paths with former colleagues from British intelligence, and also meets people from his past, for whom he still has strong feelings.
Events are not complete without the terrorist actions of the Spectrum organization, which could not be completely eliminated. However, this time the world is threatened by a new crazy villain obsessed with nanorobots — he is played by Oscar-winning Rami Malek. He, like most other Bond antagonists, has to deal with grandiosely stupid plans to enslave the whole world, so no matter how hard Malek tries to work out the details of the presentation of the character, the villain still turns out to be ridiculous, the creators of the story made him that way. By the way, among the screenwriters of the film was Phoebe Waller-Bridge, known for the TV series Fleabag, she was asked to revive the already finished material, so she is probably responsible for the jokes flashing against the backdrop of saving humanity.
The new film picks up the thematic changes in cinema, showing the transition to new realities. James Bond, having been on vacation for some time, returns to missions and finds that intelligence has changed markedly during his absence. He, as a representative of the old school, is forced to work with younger and more daring spies. Someone greatly annoys him (this role went to actress Lashana Lynch), and someone becomes a good partner (Ana de Armas, who has already played with Daniel Craig in the detective Knives Out).
Whatever missions and people the protagonist meets along the way, No Time to Die is, first of all, the story of the development of James Bond himself, who has become more human over the years. His skills as a special agent are still flawless, but Bond can make mistakes, lose his temper and, oddly enough, become sentimental. Surely, had this happened a few films earlier, the audience might not have taken such a turn, but now, when Daniel Craig says goodbye to the image of 007, the denouement may well evoke an emotional response.
The last film with Craig was directed by Cary Fukunaga (who worked on the TV series True Detective and Maniac). He adequately directed the chases and shootouts, without which it is impossible to imagine Bond, and went too far with the length of the conversational scenes (No Time to Die lasts 2 hours and 43 minutes), which is why the film completely overlaps all the story arcs, but loses the overall dynamics.
However, all the nuances with the speed of the development of the story are smoothed out by the soundtrack by Hans Zimmer, majestically performed by the symphony orchestra. The film also features the main theme music from singer Billie Eilish. Interestingly, this composition received a Grammy Award six months before the theatrical release of the tape.
Pros: Daniel Craig; the return of familiar heroes; the film becomes a more personal and emotional James Bond story; filming locations; soundtrack by Hans Zimmer Cons: Bond villain storyline again turns out to be ridiculous; viewers who want to see an independent story about 007 will be painful to hear references to the previous parts. Conclusion:
No Time to Die did not become the best heroic action movie of the year, but the creators got a heartfelt farewell to Daniel Craig as Bond.
Originally published at https://creativejamie.com on August 6, 2023.
