James Bond (Daniel Craig) in NO TIME TO DIE, an EON Productions and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios film Credit: Nicola Dove © 2020 DANJAQ, LLC AND MGM. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Movies

“No Time To Die” Review Roundup: A Thrilling, Emotional Conclusion to the Daniel Craig Era

September 29, 2021
By The Credits

The reviews are in for No Time To Die, the long-awaited 25th Bond film that also doubles as Daniel Craig’s final turn as 007. No Time To Die has been delayed repeatedly during the pandemic, and while that was frustrating for fans and the cast and crew alike, it was both necessary and wise. And now, with the film making its start-studded world premiere at last night’s Royal Albert Hall in London and the reviews pouring in, it feels like the right time for Bond. So, what are the critics saying?

“Daniel Craig’s best incarnation of an iconic role, an iteration that sees Bond travel to emotional spaces the character has never been to before, at least not since On Her Majesty’s Secret Service or in certain passages of Ian Fleming’s books,” writes The Wrap‘s Jason Solomons. “No Time to Die is a terrific movie: an up-to-the-minute, down-to-the-wire James Bond thriller with a satisfying neo-classical edge,” Variety‘s Owen Gleiberman writes. Meanwhile, Peter Bradshaw of The Guardians says “No Time To Die is startling, exotically self-aware, funny and confident, and perhaps most of all it is big: big action, big laughs, big stunts.”

You get a sense from a lot of the reviewers that, once again, Daniel Craig has given every ounce of himself to the role, that Ana de Armas is a fantastic new addition, and that the longest Bond film ever is absolutely packed with sensational set pieces, thrilling action, and emotion.

No Time To Die is centered on Bond being lured back into action (he was attempting retirement) to face a threat even greater than Christoph Waltz’s Blofeld (Blofeld is back in No Time To Die) in Safin (Rami Malek), a villain who co-writer/director Fukunaga promised would be the incarnation of everything Bond has been fighting against. To take on Safin, Bond reunites with his old comrades, plus former paramour Madeline Swan (Léa Seydoux), who factors into the plot in a major way. Newcomers include Paloma (Ana de Armas) and Nomi (Lashana Lynch), a new double-o agent on the scene.

So onto some of the early reactions and reviews! We’ve kept these spoiler-free, of course.

For more on No Time To Die, check out these stories:

“No Time To Die” Makes its Star-Studded World Premiere in London

Ticket Pre-Sales For “No Time To Die” Appear Biggest Since “Avengers: Endgame” in U.K.

“No Time To Die” Is Officially the Longest Bond Movie Ever

Breaking Down the Somber, Thrilling Final Trailer For “No Time To Die”

Best of Summer: Daniel Craig’s Final Mission as James Bond is Nigh

Meet James Bond’s Most Dangerous Adversary Yet

“No Time To Die” Drops Sensational Second Trailer

No Time To Die Writer/Director Cary Fukunaga Pitched an Insane Original Premise

Featured image: James Bond (Daniel Craig) in NO TIME TO DIE, an EON Productions and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios film. Credit: Nicola Dove. © 2020 DANJAQ, LLC AND MGM. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

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The Credits

The Credits is an online magazine that tells the story behind the story to celebrate our large and diverse creative community. Focusing on profiles of below-the-line filmmakers, The Credits celebrates the often uncelebrated individuals who are indispensable to the films and TV shows we love.