Review Detail

It's been a long time since I watched No Time To Die properly. I only saw it once when I went to the cinema, which is rare for me as a Bond fan. When a new film is out, I go to see it as many times as I can. This was different. I felt like I watched my childhood getting thrown into a bonfire and Daniel Craig smirking back with glee as he did it.

I was angry, disappointed but most of all, depressed. After two years of lockdowns and social distancing, I for one was looking forward to going back to the cinema. I wanted fun, entertainment but most of all, an escape from the real world. That's what cinema should do, provide a sweet distraction for an hour or two. Even back in the 1930's, the film industry got that. Shame, they don't get that now.

While my biggest issue with the film was the ending, I did feel that the film was disappointing in other areas. Firstly, the opening sequence was far too long and dumb moments like, release the sheep or you'll die and Vesper's (conveniently located and impressively sized) mausoleum. Bond screaming, how did they know he was there. Really?

After escaping SPECTRE, why does Bond put Madeline on a train and part ways with her (doesn't that make her more vulnerable to getting caught, like in the previous film??). Why was there little to no security in a building developing a biological weapon signed off by MI6? Why would someone like Mallory (M) go against his morals as seen in previous films to sign off on such a project in the first place. Because, a twist. Lazy and inconsistent writing. I'm sick of this trope in films these days, unintentional villains.

Some of the dialogue was a bit off too, like Bond's rant at Blofeld, too flippant, even for Bond. The juvenile dialogue back and forth between Bond and Nomi at MI6. Be professional, guys. Please? You're grown adults, talk like it. Then there's, Safin. Safin.... Ugh.... Another missed opportunity there. A villain blander than a rice cake. Even Kamal Khan (one of the most pointless villains in the Bond series) had more presence than Safin. Even if he was a jewel smuggling dandy, better that than Mr Whispers in No Time To Die.

Things I did like, Bond and Felix's friendship. I really loved this. Shame this too was wasted in part, too short a reunion. But I did cry in the cinema as I did when I watched the fanedit during Felix's death.

Paloma. Ah, Paloma. You firecracker, you! So bubbly, warm and energetic. Nice to have these kind of characters back in the series. Again, too short. More Paloma, less Nomi. If you had Paloma's character replace all of Nomi's bits, you have a better movie and tighter narrative. Another missed opportunity.

The score is stunning. One of the better scores during Craig's era. Especially after the bland score for Spectre. Not so fond of the title track by Billie Ellish. Then again, I'm not a fan of Ms Ellish's work or of contemporary pop music in general. Too mumbly, like the poor lass needs a throat lozenge or something. Oh dear.

Bond and Madeline's relationship does come across much stronger here than in the previous film which is a little jarring at first but gradually improves. The action sequences are as always still impressive.

While No Time To Die will never be a strong favourite for me, this fanedit however has made it a film worth re-watching. The new opening is tighter and straight to the point. Some minor cuts here and there, much better pacing than the original. The prologue edited into a flashback during the appointment with Madeline was beautifully cut in, improves the narrative and milks the mystery for a rewarding reveal.

The late Alfred Hitchcock once said, "The length of a film should be directly related to the endurance of the human bladder." He was right.

The original theatrical version was too long and as I recall, my bladder was beginning to hurt two thirds of the way into the film. This is where the overall pace of the new edit is, again, much better. This is a Bond film, not Tolstoy. A Bond film should be streamlined and not overly complicated. Scott Crane understands this.

The whole reason this fanedit was worth the wait was the new ending. A nice little coda to end this era of Bond. With all the loose ends finally tied up. Bond and co. can finally live in peace without looking over their shoulders. Had the original film ended this way, it would have felt less contrived and cliched. Another reason I detest most films these days, killing off the hero is getting increasingly dull and predictable. More than that, it's unnecessary and depressing. Remember when films used to be fun?

Scott Crane, you saved James Bond and cured my depression. When's my next appointment, Doctor Crane?