Daniel Craig's Tenure as James Bond Comes to an End with the Thrilling and Action-Filled "No Time To Die"

 

My introduction to James Bond was when I was maybe 12 or 13. I remember sitting down with my dad to watch a VHS copy of Goldeneye (1995), Pierce Brosnan's first outing as Bond. I didn't really know who James Bond was at the time, nor was I aware of the vast filmography that spanned decades before Goldeneye, but I do remember thinking it was one of the coolest movies I had ever seen. James Bond is a generational character. My dad grew up seeing Sean Connery, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, and one-off George Lazenby, and he indoctrinated me with the lore of the spy who could woo any woman and wield any weapon. From the gadgets, to the action, to the snarky quips and uber swag, James Bond has resonated with audiences for years, and is one of my favorite cinematic characters. Because he's generational, everyone has "their Bond," the one that started it all, and the one that cannot be bested. For me, that was Pierce Brosnan, and his tenure as Bond will forever hold a special place in my heart. Daniel Craig, the most recent to portray Bond, concludes his tenure with this weekend's No Time To Die, his fifth and final outing, capping a truly unique and franchise-changing run.

What makes Craig's Bond films so unique is that this was the first time we've gotten to see a serialized Bond narrative. Every iteration before was a single outing, a one-off experience with a new baddie, uninhibited by narratives that came before. However, these last five films have taken us on a journey across Bond's unforgettable career, weaving a five-film narrative arc that culminates in a grand and truly unsuspecting way. No Time To Die takes place about five years after the events of Spectre (2015). James Bond has left active service, his relationship with Madeleine (Léa Seydoux) is put into question, and he soon finds himself thrust into action once more when Felix Leiter (Jeffrey Wright), an old friend from the CIA, turns up asking for help. This leads Bond onto the trail of a mysterious villain named Safin (Rami Malek), who is unfortunately armed with dangerous new technology. It's an action-packed film filled with some of the most Bond-esque elements, while also being the most unique and emotional Bond film of the whole bunch.

Daniel Craig is a fantastic Bond, and despite his well-documented frustrations with playing the part and his will-he-won't-he dance with doing this last film, his run has been nothing but memorable. Casino Royale (2006) will forever be one of the greatest Bond movies of all time, introducing us to this new grittier action style and a Bond with a freshly issued license to kill. He was less polished than his predecessors, and that change to the character was refreshing and welcomed. Quantum of Solace (2008) then did what no other Bond movie did before it: it continued the story set out from the previous film; it was the first Bond sequel, if you will. Many people didn't like this film, mainly due to its dull villain and slow pace, but it still packs a punch, not to mention one of the coolest opening car chases ever put to screen. Skyfall (2012) then swooped in and blew everyone's minds with its insane set pieces and action sequences, while once again doing what no other Bond film had really done either: give Bond a backstory, a history, a humanistic aspect. Of the five, I think I would place it as the best of the bunch. Spectre furthered the narrative even more, widening the world that this franchise had established, and now No Time To Die has completely changed the world of Bond forever. Delving into specifics as to why or how would be spoiler territory. But, I will say that with all the gadgetry, action, and what was easily the most Bond-esque villain of these five films since Javier Bardem's Silva in Skyfall, No Time To Die is by and large the most emotional Bond film ever, and a strikingly fitting end to this particular franchise...and I still don't know how I feel about that.

Just like the other films before it, this one gives us a lot of what we already know and love, while also delivering new and exciting elements. Lashana Lynch plays Nomi, a new 00-agent who goes toe-to-toe with Bond, and man was she awesome. I could watch an entire film centered around that character, and it would be fantastic. I'm not saying that's where the franchise is going or anything, but if it did, I wouldn't be mad. What makes her dynamic with Bond interesting - and this was well documented long before the movie came out so I don't think it's really a spoiler at this point - is that, because of Bond's leaving, Nomi is the new 007. The importance of that number is addressed between the two and it's really intriguing and wonderful. Ana de Armas has a brief appearance in this movie as Paloma, an agent of sorts that is friends with Felix, and her entire sequence was one of the more memorable moments of the piece. Of course we get returnees Ben Whishaw as Q, Naomie Harris as Moneypenny, and Ralph Fiennes as M, all of which  were great as expected. But the surprise performance for me was from Rami Malek. Safin is as villainous as they come, but he balances between over-the-top and deliciously evil - the sweet spot for any Bond villain. I found his inclusion really great. 

What you would expect from a Bond film is all here on display: adrenaline-charged action sequences, quippy one-liners, gadgets and gizmos a plenty, cool cars, tuxes and Vodka Martinis (shaken, not stirred), and an incredible score by Hans Zimmer, who uses the Bond theme brilliantly throughout. Billie Eilish's opening number "No Time To Die" is just as awesome, delivering a haunting and foreboding tone to the film, and the movie delivers on all the spectacle and mayhem you would want in a Bond movie. However, as I said earlier, it - once more - does what no other Bond movie has done before by creating such an emotional arc and send-off for Craig that it makes you appreciate his tenure even more, while also leaving you wondering what will happen with this franchise next; what will they do to inject new blood into it, like they did at the beginning of Craig's run? Only time will tell. I loved this movie; I thought it was narratively wonderful in how it ties up threads set out from the previous films. It also left me a bit shaken, rather than stirred, by the time the credits rolled, but that only makes me love it - and the films before it - even more.

As I said at the beginning, Bond is generational. My father's Bond was Sean Connery and Roger Moore. My Bond was Pierce Brosnan. For many, Daniel Craig has been their introduction to the British spy, and whatever comes next will set the stage for new and returning fans alike. That doesn't mean what has come before isn't still great. I have loved Daniel Craig's run as Bond, and I've enjoyed each of his films - he will be missed, for sure. But James Bond has lasted for this long for a reason, and until the time comes for a new Bond to step up to the plate, there's plenty of Bond to go around - and No Time To Die is one of the better ones for sure.