{"id":71928,"date":"2021-10-20T16:35:31","date_gmt":"2021-10-20T15:35:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/?p=71928"},"modified":"2021-10-20T16:35:31","modified_gmt":"2021-10-20T15:35:31","slug":"no-time-to-die-cements-daniel-craigs-bond-legacy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/2021\/10\/no-time-to-die-cements-daniel-craigs-bond-legacy\/","title":{"rendered":"‘No Time To Die’ Cements Daniel Craig’s Bond Legacy"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you\u2019re looking for a well-made, thrillingly tense, and surprisingly emotional action film, No Time to Die<\/em> will more than satisfy you.<\/strong><\/h4>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

The film\u2019s plot is an almost direct continuation of the previous Bond film, 2015\u2019s Spectre <\/em>– but presents a marked improvement in nearly all areas. We start our foray into Daniel Craig\u2019s last outing as super-spy James Bond with a beautifully shot flashback to a foundational memory of one of our main characters, that sets the tone for the rest of the film\u2019s action set-pieces: oozing the sort of tension you\u2019d be hard-pressed to find outside a horror movie, or a thriller. From then on, Bond is set up to continue his usual globe-trotting, villain-hunting antics, nothing so revolutionary as Skyfall\u2019s<\/em> portrayal of Bond playing defence, but nevertheless entertaining. I do take major issue with the main villain\u2019s plan – we\u2019ve all seen Bond films of the past raise the stakes arbitrarily high, and No Time to Die<\/em> is an unfortunate misstep in what was otherwise a refreshing break from that formula in Craig\u2019s era of Bond. That\u2019s not to mention the unfortunate resemblance of a semi-biological superweapon that threatens a global pandemic. It certainly explains why the film was delayed for so long, but given how this era of Bond has leaned away from escapism to a more gritty take, it doesn\u2019t really take you out of the film. The film may drag its feet slightly in getting Craig back into action as 007, but it ends triumphantly, and with the sort of emotional climax that surpasses even those of Casino Royale<\/em> and Skyfall<\/em>.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

The cast give grounded, well-acted performances, with Craig and Seydoux as the standout examples – providing the emotional core of the movie with believable chemistry, as well as by instilling an ever-pervasive sense of vulnerability, reacting to plot circumstances that put them and their loved ones in constantly increasing jeopardy. The decision to have most of the film\u2019s excellent action set-pieces place Bond not only at risk of harm, but at risk of great personal tragedy through harming others, masterfully ratchets up the tension beyond what most other films would be able to do. This is of course amplified by Daniel Craig\u2019s 15 year turn as James Bond, as we\u2019re by now fully invested in his character. Going into the film knowing that all bets are off for the future of Craig\u2019s James Bond counters any sense of invulnerability that the character has portrayed in the past.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

The action scenes themselves are astounding. The choreography is clearly trying to take a leaf out of John Wick\u2019s<\/em> book, and there\u2019s very little in the way of large CGI spectacle, which is good news for anybody feeling a little superhero fatigue. The film can\u2019t totally emulate the top-tier technicality of the action seen in John Wick<\/em>, but it\u2019s made up for by the emotion and tension that the film is inundated with, which absolutely carries through into the action. The locations are beautiful, and well shot, and Craig\u2019s portrayal of vulnerability continues to the action scenes as well. Of particular note are two sequences in the last third of the film – a car chase leading to a claustrophobic gunfight in a fog-filled forest, and the infiltration of Safin\u2019s base, with specific mention to a one shot scene where Bond must fight his way up a staircase, that somehow turns the claustrophobia and vulnerability up to 11.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

With regards to the rest of the cast\u2019s performances, Lashana Lynch and Ana de Armas give excellent shows as supporting super-spies that I would certainly like to see in future Bond films. The only other significant commentary to make is that I feel somewhat let down by the performances of the villains. For the portrayal of the two main villains in Christoph Waltz\u2019s Blofeld, and Rami Malek as Safin, you find serviceable portrayals that by no means carry the film. Perhaps it\u2019s an issue with the direction, or the writing, but for two great actors with 3 Oscars between them, I was disappointed. Blofeld and Safin will not find themselves among the great Craig era Bond villains like Javier Bardem\u2019s Raoul Silva, or Mads Mikkelson\u2019s Le Chiffre. Furthermore, David Dencik as a corrupt scientist – responsible for development of the film\u2019s MacGuffin bioweapon – could be at best referred to as a homage to the goofy villains of Bond past, and at worst, underdeveloped and sort of immersion-breaking.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

All in all, No Time to Die<\/em> is a more than competent re-tread of what made Craig\u2019s turn as Bond so great. Emotional vulnerability and great, gritty action turn this into the perfect capstone for the formula that made Casino Royale<\/em> and Skyfall<\/em> so great. It cements Daniel Craig\u2019s legacy as perhaps the best James Bond, and I would definitely recommend you watch it.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

If you\u2019re looking for a well-made, thrillingly tense, and surprisingly emotional action film, No Time to Die will more than satisfy you.<\/p>\n

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To borrow the title of another James Bond film, it seems he will have to \u2018Die Another Day\u2019, as the\u00a0global release of \u2018No Time To\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Films"","block_context":{"text":"Films","link":"https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/category\/films\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/no-time-to-die.jpg?fit=595%2C595&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/no-time-to-die.jpg?fit=595%2C595&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/no-time-to-die.jpg?fit=595%2C595&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":60044,"url":"https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/2020\/02\/hans-zimmer-releases-first-ever-bond-score-on-her-majestys-deccaservice\/","url_meta":{"origin":71928,"position":1},"title":"HANS ZIMMER RELEASES FIRST EVER BOND SCORE (ON HER MAJESTY’S DECCASERVICE)","author":"Essentially Pop","date":"19\/02\/2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Following last night\u2019s captivating performance by Grammy-winners Billie Eilish and Hans Zimmer at the BRIT Awards, Decca Records announces the release of Zimmer\u2019s first ever Bond score: the official soundtrack to the latest film in the James Bond saga, No Time To Die (2020). Released globally on 27 March 2020,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Films"","block_context":{"text":"Films","link":"https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/category\/films\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/no-time-to-die.jpg?fit=595%2C595&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/no-time-to-die.jpg?fit=595%2C595&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/no-time-to-die.jpg?fit=595%2C595&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":65366,"url":"https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/2020\/10\/no-time-to-die-exclusive-tracklist-reveal-ahead-of-james-bond-day-2020\/","url_meta":{"origin":71928,"position":2},"title":"‘NO TIME TO DIE’ Exclusive Tracklist Reveal Ahead of James Bond Day 2020","author":"Essentially Pop","date":"02\/10\/2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Decca Records today reveals further details of a special orchestral compilation album of all 25 Bond themes throughout the decades, expertly reimagined for the first time and performed by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. The iconic British label also shares the full tracklist for the official soundtrack to No Time To\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Films"","block_context":{"text":"Films","link":"https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/category\/films\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/bond-25.png?fit=454%2C454&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":71522,"url":"https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/2021\/09\/hans-zimmer-proves-that-for-the-bond-soundtrack-genre-this-is-no-time-to-die\/","url_meta":{"origin":71928,"position":3},"title":"Hans Zimmer Proves That For The Bond Soundtrack Genre This Is \u2018No Time To Die\u2019","author":"Steve Holley","date":"27\/09\/2021","format":false,"excerpt":"There are few movie franchises that have created a whole music genre by themselves but this is exactly what the Bond movies have achieved.","rel":"","context":"In "Album Of The Week"","block_context":{"text":"Album Of The Week","link":"https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/category\/music\/album-of-the-week\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/No-Time-to-Die-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C1092&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/No-Time-to-Die-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C1092&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/No-Time-to-Die-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C1092&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/No-Time-to-Die-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C1092&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/No-Time-to-Die-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C1092&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":78191,"url":"https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/2022\/10\/come-join-the-fun-as-rian-johnsons-glass-onion-a-knives-out-mystery-starring-daniel-craig-is-released-as-a-special-sneak-preview-event\/","url_meta":{"origin":71928,"position":4},"title":"Come Join The Fun As Rian Johnson’s ‘Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery’ Starring Daniel Craig Is Released As A Special Sneak Preview Event","author":"Lisa Hafey","date":"11\/10\/2022","format":false,"excerpt":"You're invited to play the game. 'Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery', starring Daniel Craig, will be screened in select UK cinemas for one week, commencing 23rd November. This release will happen a full month before its Netflix debut, on 23rd December.","rel":"","context":"In "Entertainment"","block_context":{"text":"Entertainment","link":"https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/category\/entertainment\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Glass-Onion-Knives-Out.jpg?fit=1200%2C886&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Glass-Onion-Knives-Out.jpg?fit=1200%2C886&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Glass-Onion-Knives-Out.jpg?fit=1200%2C886&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Glass-Onion-Knives-Out.jpg?fit=1200%2C886&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Glass-Onion-Knives-Out.jpg?fit=1200%2C886&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":75108,"url":"https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/2022\/04\/well-known-pop-culture-references-from-the-gambling-industry\/","url_meta":{"origin":71928,"position":5},"title":"Well-Known Pop Culture References From The Gambling Industry","author":"Essentially Pop","date":"15\/04\/2022","format":false,"excerpt":"The very aura of gambling speaks of thrill, excitement, and an adrenaline rush that is hard to forget. Time and again, pop culture has used the gambling theme to attract a huge audience and has, indeed, done it without fail. From films and songs to video games, here are some\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Editorial"","block_context":{"text":"Editorial","link":"https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/category\/editorial\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/IMG_202204150942081.jpg?fit=1080%2C717&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/IMG_202204150942081.jpg?fit=1080%2C717&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/IMG_202204150942081.jpg?fit=1080%2C717&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/IMG_202204150942081.jpg?fit=1080%2C717&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/IMG_202204150942081.jpg?fit=1080%2C717&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/71928","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/87"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=71928"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/71928\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/71937"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=71928"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=71928"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/essentiallypop.com\/epop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=71928"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}