It seems like a lifetime ago since I last reviewed a film. Because of World events, we sadly saw Cinemas around the Globe close. But thankfully things are getting back to normal, well cinematically at the very least. Giving us all a much needed escape from every day life. And despite some success with films being streamed, there will only ever be one place to watch a film, especially for the first time and that is at the Cinema. The big screen experience. There is nothing like it.
So after several false starts we have the release of Bond 25 or "No Time To Die". There is always a fanfare with the release of a Bond film but this latest Film was a whole different ball game. The arrival of a James Bond film is still a big cinema event, and that coupled with this being the final outing for Daniel Craig in the lead role makes it all the more anticipated.
There have been so many stories in the Press from ankle injuries to quitting Directors, a possible female Bond to is Dr. No back.
The main question is....
Is the film any good?
The answer is a resounding yes. But first let's discuss the film itself. The film opens with Bond and Madeleine Swann enjoying an idyllic life together, having driven off into the sunset at the end of "Spectre".
Both are revisiting their past and it certainly comes back to haunt them. Bond felt betrayed by Vesper Lynd and is history repeating itself?
An action packed sequence unfolds in the longest pre title sequence in the history of the franchise. It is brilliantly directed and contains some excellent action, very well shot and edited, a far cry from the horror that we had to endure in the opening of "Quantum of Solace".
This then takes us to the title sequence and the theme from Billie Eillish. I have to admit that when I first heard it I was not at all impressed. I just felt it was a very non sounding Bond song. But given what unfolds at the start of the film, and the song lyrics, it is a perfect mix. As one watches the imagery of the title sequence, one is reminded of another classic Bond film.
Then we jump forward five years, and the World has moved on. Bond has retired, living a relaxing life in Jamaica, MI6 are making the ultimate weapon to deal the World's bad guys, and naturally someone wants to get their hands on it, and of course does. With a little tinkering the said weapon can go from being the perfect assassination device to causing death on a huge scale.
Bond is brought back into active service but by not by her Majesty's Secret Service. He comes to the aid of longtime CIA Allie Felix Letter, expressing concern that the powers that be are not playing nicely together. Besides during his retirement Bond has been replaced by Nomi, a new 00 Agent. And boy is she everything his equal.
Bond, with the help of Paloma, crosses paths with Letter and Nomi in Cuba, trying to locate a missing Russian scientist who holds the key to Heracles, a stolen biological weapon. What follows is a brilliant action sequence, wonderfully choreographed, and features a scene stealing Ana de Amas who just lights up the screen. It is a crying shame that we see so little of her character.
Loyalties get tested and not everyone is who they seem.
With Christoph Waltz returning as Blofeld you would expect him to be our main villain, but he takes a side step to the real villain of the piece, Safin, who wants revenge for the death of his family by SPECTRE. But not only does he want to take Spectre suffer but lessen the World's population, with a plot not too dissimilar to "On Her Majesty's Secret Service". In fact there are quite a few nods to that great Bond film.
As with 007 there are some excellent action sequences, Inc a great shootout in Norway. But all these events lead to the inevitable showdown and the big finale.
Many diehard fans have been appalled by the ending, but I loved it. I think it brought the Craig Bond era to a fitting close. It was both moving and well executed.
As ever Daniel Craig excels as Bond. He has made the role his own and is up there as a truly great 007. I felt a vast improvement by Lea Seydoux in her performance as Madeline Swann. All the usual crew (Fiennes, Harris Kinnear & Whishaw) were great. But as mentioned, the two new ladies (Lynch & de Amas) were really top notch and played string female characters in a male dominated World.
I do think that Rami Malek as Safin didn't quite delivery a memorable performance. I thought he was more chilling in the pre-credit sequence than what followed afterwards. I loved what he planned to do as his masterplan, but just felt he lacked any real menace.
At almost three hours it is the longest Bond film but the time flies by, there are quite a few surprises along the way, but all in all it will stand the test of time as a great Bond film....9 out of 10
