I took in the newest James Bond movie, "No Time To Die", yesterday. As anyone with even the slightest interest in such things knows, this is Daniel Craig's final appearance as 007 in this most lucrative of film franchises. I have liked Craig in the role, but good for him for choosing to move on.
So how was this one, and what was it about?
It was about a villain who has somehow brought about the destruction of the evil organization, SPECTRE. And he might be somehow related to Bond arch villain Blofeld? He also has developed some type of microbots that when they get on your skin does....something irreparable and terrible? Why is he doing this? Who knows and who cares? Sensible plots are about the last thing that are important or even necessary in a James Bond movie, but "No Time To Die" checks all of the other boxes and delivers another solid Bond thriller:
- A handsome and dashing Bond who looks good in a tux and still drinks his martinis "Shaken, not stirred."
- Beautiful women.
- Gorgeous costumes.
- Spectacular scenery.
- A loathsome villain in Rami Malek. His character's name is Lyutsifer, pronounced "Lucifer." Subtle.
- Chase scenes. Numerous spectacular case scenes. In cars, on motorcycles, and even on foot. Some amazing stuff.
Did I mention beautiful women? The main "Bond Girl" in this one is French actress Lea Seydoux....
...and Cuban actress Ana de Armas....
Miss de Armas played Paloma, an agent for either the CIA or MI5, I wasn't too clear on that point, who assisted Bond in an operation in some scuzzy bar in Cuba. I think it was in Cuba. She had just completed "three weeks in training school" which caused 007 to shudder a bit, but she proceded in totally kicking the asses of a battalion of Bad Guys along with James Bond, and doing so while wearing a low cut, backless, slit-up-both-sides evening dress that was spectacular, to say the least, while drinking those shaken and not stirred martinis. Her character only got about ten or so minutes of screen time, but I think I could take an entire movie based on Paloma's adventures.
My only quibble with NTTD is that it lasted for two hours and forty-five minutes. Way too long. That takes at least a half-star off of my rating.
Also, and again, if you have listened to some of the talk surrounding this movie, you know that there is a development in this movie of major importance to the entire Bond Film Franchise. Makes it hard to write really extensively about the movie without giving it away, but I think that I pulled it off here. I will look forward to talking with others who have seen it and be able to discuss what happens next.
Two and One-Half Stars from The Grandstander (would have been Three if it was about 20-30 minutes shorter.)
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