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NO TIME TO DIE (2021) - Members' Reviews and Discussions (SPOILERS)

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  • GeneralGogolGeneralGogol
    Posts: 928
    goldenswissroyale wrote: »
    NickTwentyTwo wrote: »
    For me it’s the fact they didn’t drag the ending out. Bond meets his fate, they have a small toast in the office, and Madeleine drives off. If they had dwelled on it, the ending would have made it harder for this film to fit into the standard rotation IMO.

    Yes, indeed. Two brief scenes with all characters that were close Bond and that's it. More would have been too much. Imagine a funeral where they are standing at his grave while it is raining? Good that they didn't go such a cliché route.

    With the ghosts of Vesper, Mathis, Dench-M, Mr. White, Felix, and Blofeld all in attendance, welcoming Bond to the afterlife.

    That actually made me realize that all almost all the notable characters of Casino Royale have died... Dryden, Mollaka, Dimitrios, Carlos, Solange, Obanno, Le Chiffre, Gettler, and Vesper in the actual film, followed by Mathis, Dench-M, Mr. White, Felix, and finally Bond himself in subsequent films. Who survived? Just Villiers, Valenka, and Herr Mendel.
  • ToTheRightToTheRight
    Posts: 16,167
    chrisisall wrote: »
    Birdleson wrote: »
    For me it was the creative decision far more than the actual death that bothered me. I have never bought into the Craig soap opera, though I'v love the films. The death carried no emotional or narrative distress for me.

    When I say I was depressed after seeing NTTD, I don't mean it was because Bond died- it was because I had just seen a Bond film I would never watch again. And it hammered home something for me: all through Craig's tenure I was trying to enjoy his movies. QOS was the only movie I had only slight issues with, all the others had stuff I had to accept to like them, just because it's all the new Bond we've been getting.
    My favourite Bond movies I merely enjoy. I don't have to try. Well, okay, I have to 'try' a little with AVTAK...
    Anyway NTTD makes more angry than anything else.

    One of my problems overall with the Craig era is a feeling for me of necessity to accept certain choses in order to enjoy the films. When NTTD was spoiled for me prior to release, I seriously considered skipping it altogether. I've never felt that way about anew Bond film before. I still don't like these choices, and the need to accept elements in the Craig era is probably why I watch his films less often than the others.
  • mattjoesmattjoes Julie T. and the M.G.'s
    Posts: 7,021
    GeneralGogol wrote: »
    That actually made me realize that all almost all the notable characters of Casino Royale have died... Dryden, Mollaka, Dimitrios, Carlos, Solange, Obanno, Le Chiffre, Gettler, and Vesper in the actual film, followed by Mathis, Dench-M, Mr. White, Felix, and finally Bond himself in subsequent films. Who survived? Just Villiers, Valenka, and Herr Mendel.

    "I made it out of this damn franchise alive. Auf Wiedersehen."

    mendel.jpg
  • Creasy47Creasy47 In Cuba with Natalya.Moderator
    Posts: 40,976
    I'd lose my mind (in a good way) if Forster returned. It'll never happen, but a man can dream. Get nearly the whole team back from QoS and that'd be the most excited for a film I could possibly get, I think.
  • jobojobo
    edited November 2021 Posts: 7,507
    Personally I really hope they go with a new and exciting choice for B26, rather than resorting to something tried and tested like Campbell or Forster.
  • BirdlesonBirdleson
    Posts: 2,161
    Creasy47 wrote: »
    I'd lose my mind (in a good way) if Forster returned. It'll never happen, but a man can dream. Get nearly the whole team back from QoS and that'd be the most excited for a film I could possibly get, I think.

    I wouldn't complain. And another entry under two hours, that moves and zings, would be a welcome change.
  • Mathis1Mathis1
    Posts: 7,430
    Birdleson wrote: »
    Creasy47 wrote: »
    I'd lose my mind (in a good way) if Forster returned. It'll never happen, but a man can dream. Get nearly the whole team back from QoS and that'd be the most excited for a film I could possibly get, I think.

    I wouldn't complain. And another entry under two hours, that moves and zings, would be a welcome change.

    Yes, I really hope they keep the running time tighter for the next one! And I would also love to see Forster return, and with Roberto Schaefer too!
  • Creasy47Creasy47 In Cuba with Natalya.Moderator
    Posts: 40,976
    Birdleson wrote: »
    Creasy47 wrote: »
    I'd lose my mind (in a good way) if Forster returned. It'll never happen, but a man can dream. Get nearly the whole team back from QoS and that'd be the most excited for a film I could possibly get, I think.

    I wouldn't complain. And another entry under two hours, that moves and zings, would be a welcome change.

    Incredibly welcome. I miss that sort of pacing, where nothing feels like it drags or needs cut at all. QoS is easily the most rewatchable installment for me, with that being one of the main reasons why.
  • FoxRoxFoxRox
    Posts: 12,473
    I wish for shorter films again too, though I have to admit, I enjoy all of Craig’s so much - except SP - that they rarely drag much despite hefty runtimes. But yes, around a 1:45:00-2:00:00 mark I think would be cool to see return. Hoping for a lot of change with the next era.
  • jobojobo
    Posts: 7,507
    I am in the opposite end if the scale. I love the long, epic Bond films. Wouldn't mind at all if it was four hours, Lawrence of Arabia style! :P
  • VenutiusVenutius Yorkshire
    Posts: 3,152
    Creasy47 wrote: »
    I'd lose my mind (in a good way) if Forster returned. It'll never happen, but a man can dream. Get nearly the whole team back from QoS and that'd be the most excited for a film I could possibly get, I think.
    Outstanding idea. I would be so far beyond psyched, I'd be beside myself with, er, psyched-dom! Forster's got no chance of getting back in the house, though - he seems to have been cast into the bottomless pit at EON since the critics' first reviews came in. Even Craig tows the party line and recently said that QOS was a 'sh*tshow'! Ok, he's the one that had to spend six months making it, while I just sat back and gloried in it, and he's Daniel Craig, he can think and say what he likes - but he's wrong about QOS. It's an absolute triumph from beginning to end. So there! ;)
  • Creasy47Creasy47 In Cuba with Natalya.Moderator
    Posts: 40,976
    Venutius wrote: »
    Creasy47 wrote: »
    I'd lose my mind (in a good way) if Forster returned. It'll never happen, but a man can dream. Get nearly the whole team back from QoS and that'd be the most excited for a film I could possibly get, I think.
    Outstanding idea. I would be so far beyond psyched, I'd be beside myself with, er, psyched-dom! Forster's got no chance of getting back in the house, though - he seems to have been cast into the bottomless pit at EON since the critics' first reviews came in. Even Craig tows the party line and recently said that QOS was a 'sh*tshow'! Ok, he's the one that had to spend six months making it, while I just sat back and gloried in it, and he's Daniel Craig, he can think and say what he likes - but he's wrong about QOS. It's an absolute triumph from beginning to end. So there! ;)

    Indeed. It's an impossibility at this point but something I'd always love to see.
  • NickTwentyTwoNickTwentyTwo Vancouver, BC, Canada
    Posts: 7,551
    jobo wrote: »
    I am in the opposite end if the scale. I love the long, epic Bond films. Wouldn't mind at all if it was four hours, Lawrence of Arabia style! :P

    Yep, I'm with you, if it's good. Give me a 4-act, intermission-included Bond film!
  • StamperStamper
    Posts: 387
    100mn makes for unfinished Bond films.
    We can't have that anymore, unless it's a Joker style film that tries stuff ignoring all the obligatory elements of the Bond films.
  • ZarozzorZarozzor
    edited November 2021 Posts: 207
    I think the days of Bond films being around the two hour mark are over. Feel like they’re all going to be at least 140+ minutes now.
  • StamperStamper
    Posts: 387
    There's too many checkpoints to make a Bond film, to keep it under 2 hours unless you edit it all down to the death like QOS.

    Pre-credits, Opening Credits, inciting accident, M briefing, at least 4 actions scenes that kick arse, characters interconnections, plot twists, ordering Martini, Q, Moneypenny, saying Bond... James Bond, final assault on the bad guy lair etc.

    It has to be at least 2h20.
  • BirdlesonBirdleson
    edited November 2021 Posts: 2,161
    It all depends on the film. Of the five relatively long Bond films (if you discount end credits you get a better picture when comparing films, as the length of those has gone from under a minute to over five) I would say three absolutely needed that length; OHMSS, CR and SF. NTTD could, again, my opinion, I'm not trying to state facts, have used some trimming throughout, though it is still an enjoyable watch (until...). SP is too long for what it is trying to do, but I don't know if any amount of editing could save it for me.

    Really, the people to ask are the general movie going public. Most diehard Bond fans will happily absorb as much as given them. It's often an awakening to ask your friends or coworkers that aren't dedicated Bond fans about such things. Did a film drag (these epics?) or did it go by in a blur, too fast and chaotic (QOS, maybe?)?
  • MakeshiftPythonMakeshiftPython “Baja?!”
    Posts: 8,188
    I remember watching QOS for the first time and the movie lost me after the boat chase. I wasn’t prepared for how aggressively fast and loaded it was, especially with inexplicable moments like Bond handing off Camille to a stranger after rescuing her. He’s lucky that wasn’t a SPECTRE agent!
  • Last_Rat_StandingLast_Rat_Standing Long Neck Ice Cold Beer Never Broke My Heart
    Posts: 4,589
    MakeshiftPython wrote: »
    I remember watching QOS for the first time and the movie lost me after the boat chase. I wasn’t prepared for how aggressively fast and loaded it was, especially with inexplicable moments like Bond handing off Camille to a stranger after rescuing her. He’s lucky that wasn’t a SPECTRE agent!

    Imagine QOS opening night and having to sit in the front row. My neck and eyes needed therapy after that.
  • DraxCucumberSandwichDraxCucumberSandwich United Kingdom
    Posts: 208
    That’s how I felt after watching Mad Max Fury Road at the cinema. I felt I’d been pummelled and experienced an earthquake
  • chrisisallchrisisall Brosnan Defender Of The Realm
    Posts: 17,801
    DraxCucumberSandwich wrote: »
    That’s how I felt after watching Mad Max Fury Road at the cinema. I felt I’d been pummelled and experienced an earthquake

    Right?
  • DraxCucumberSandwichDraxCucumberSandwich United Kingdom
    Posts: 208
    But in a good way!
  • TroyTroy
    Posts: 342
    StirredNotShaken wrote: »
    MakeshiftPython wrote: »
    The bit in Bond’s office is just right. Aside from Madeleine and Mathilde, the MI6 crew is the only friends/family he ever had in life. So giving a toast with one glass out for Bond felt just right.

    One thing I noticed is that the person that clinks his glass is Tanner. Even though we never saw them do much beyond work, it was nice to see that gesture from Tanner.

    I've brought it up a couple of times, but Tanner actually looks the most torn up about Bond's death as it happens. Q has tears let loose, but if you look at the shot of M in profile, Tanner is out of focus in the background but he looks like he's in complete agony.

    Didn’t Fleming describe Tanner as Bond’s only friend in the Service?
  • MakeshiftPythonMakeshiftPython “Baja?!”
    Posts: 8,188
    Troy wrote: »
    StirredNotShaken wrote: »
    MakeshiftPython wrote: »
    The bit in Bond’s office is just right. Aside from Madeleine and Mathilde, the MI6 crew is the only friends/family he ever had in life. So giving a toast with one glass out for Bond felt just right.

    One thing I noticed is that the person that clinks his glass is Tanner. Even though we never saw them do much beyond work, it was nice to see that gesture from Tanner.

    I've brought it up a couple of times, but Tanner actually looks the most torn up about Bond's death as it happens. Q has tears let loose, but if you look at the shot of M in profile, Tanner is out of focus in the background but he looks like he's in complete agony.

    Didn’t Fleming describe Tanner as Bond’s only friend in the Service?

    I think it’s closest he has to a friend in the service. I think all they do is have lunch together. It’s not like Bond is Tanner’s best man at his wedding. Though I think they might have played golf once?
  • NickTwentyTwoNickTwentyTwo Vancouver, BC, Canada
    Posts: 7,551
    I know it isn't Fleming, but it is very hard to imagine Rory Kinnear in that opening chapter of FAAD where they bring Bond up after the death of the current 007. And I really think that's a great scene in the book, and a good portrayal of Tanner.
  • BirdlesonBirdleson
    edited November 2021 Posts: 2,161
    The only cinematic Tanner to work for me was Michael Kitchen. He was perfect. I really felt as though he was set to step in if M became incapacitated. Robinson, as well. Not Kinnear's Tanner.
  • NickTwentyTwoNickTwentyTwo Vancouver, BC, Canada
    Posts: 7,551
    Birdleson wrote: »
    The only cinematic Tanner to work for me was Michael Kitchen. He was perfect. I really felt as though he was set to step in if M became incapacitated. Robinson, as well. Not Kinnear's Tanner.

    100% agree.
  • MakeshiftPythonMakeshiftPython “Baja?!”
    Posts: 8,188
    I thought Kitchen was as underwritten. The only moment that a personality seeps out is when he refers to M as the evil queen of numbers. Beyond that, he’s still treated as exposition dump.
  • BirdlesonBirdleson
    Posts: 2,161
    I'm referring more to his bearing. He carried some degree of authority.
  • jobojobo
    Posts: 7,507
    Birdleson wrote: »
    The only cinematic Tanner to work for me was Michael Kitchen. He was perfect. I really felt as though he was set to step in if M became incapacitated. Robinson, as well. Not Kinnear's Tanner.


    Michael Kitchen is perfect in everything.
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