Last Sunday, I went to see the new James Bond Film No Time to Die at Landmark Cinemas in Waterloo. Oddly enough, this was my first time ever seeing a film from this franchise (yes, I do still call myself a film student – I can’t possibly watch every film). As I was told after leaving the theatre, this wasn’t the best Bond film to see as a newbie.
With a hefty runtime of over two hours, this Bond film (as I now know) shouldn’t be someone’s introduction to the franchise. However, I can still appreciate the new movie as a film student.
The cinematography of No Time to Die is astounding. Every scene is crafted in a masterful way, showing the care and dedication of all crew involved in the film’s creation. However, my favourite sequence of the film (to the amusement of those I went to see the film with) is the opening title sequence. Billie Eilish’s track is fittingly haunting for the visuals present in the iconic title sequence, introducing the audience to the “vibe” that the film will have.
Further, the performances by all the actors involved were well done. Of course, the one actress I had been excited to see (Ana De Armas) didn’t have a large role. Her role is more for comedic effect as she beats up bad guys in high heels and a dress that defies gravity. However, seeing her play opposite Daniel Craig again was nice to see and a much-needed addition to the film.
Unfortunately, choosing Rami Malek as the “bad guy” for this Bond film was a poor choice in my opinion. While I respect Malek as an actor, his Bond villain wasn’t particularly threatening and was almost humorous at times.
Even more interesting to consider is the ‘infection’ that Bond and his allies must eliminate from the world. Being in a world where a pandemic is still crippling many countries, this element of No Time to Die’s plot feels too close to the truth and does take away some of the fictional barrier present. While the infection in No Time to Die is silly and Scooby-Doo villain-esque, it still feels a bit too on the nose for the current situation society is facing.
Overall, I enjoyed No Time to Die in an aesthetic sense. I can understand how this franchise is important to so many people and why it has survived and developed over time. Of course, there were many references and Easter eggs that went over my head. However, as someone coming in with no knowledge of any previous plotlines, I could mostly understand everything going on over the film’s runtime.
Will I go back and watch more James Bond films? Yes. Will I be a major fan? Likely not, but not every franchise will touch every person in the same way.