NO TIME TO DIE (2021) - First Reactions vs. Current Reactions

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  • Posts: 7,507
    LizW wrote: »
    AstonLotus wrote: »
    As much as I enjoyed Ana De Armas in her brief appearance,it’s unfortunate they had to hammer home that Bond isn’t the womaniser he used to be in that she shows no interest in him.He wasn’t with Madeline at this point in the story and they could have gotten him together with her.Sean and Rogers Bonds would have had her in bed in 5 mins flat.

    But this is 2021,showing a straight white male seducing women is unacceptable apparently 🙄

    It's not unacceptable but - I hate to break this to you - it's not inevitable. You see, inconveniently, we have preferences. And those don't include everyone. We're sort of like men. Who knew?

    Haha :))
  • 4EverBonded4EverBonded the Ballrooms of Mars
    Posts: 12,480
    I am happy to read that you many of you will see the film more than once in the theater. B-)
  • DenbighDenbigh UK
    Posts: 5,970
    I've already seen it twice and will be seeing it a third time at some point haha :D
  • Idk about Craig and De Armas hooking up, she's too young. It would give me Moore era vibes again, with all due respect to him.

    The womanizing is not a deal breaker to me, but I think people have to recognize even back during the Thunderball days they had to turn this concept on its head because it was getting predictable. Remember Fiona Volpe? Idk that showing some naive doe-eyed women falling for Bond would get more than eye rolls at this point from the audience (hello, woman from the Spectre opening sequence!). Personally I prefer if the woman is in on it and is getting something out of Bond too, not just being deceived and thrown away.

    As long as they keep the sensuality and glamour in these films, I don't really mind.
  • Jordo007Jordo007 Merseyside
    Posts: 2,641
    I loved Paloma's last line "stay longer next time" loved the way Ana delivered it too. The Cuba sequence was a highlight of the film for me
  • 4EverBonded4EverBonded the Ballrooms of Mars
    Posts: 12,480
    Yes. And this film has so many sequences, set pieces, moments that are truly some of the best in the whole history of Bond films. So memorable! Everybody really on their game. Just my opinion, of course. I was so pleasantly surprised by the high quality, beauty of the cinematography, acting, action ... all of it. It definitely exceeded my expectations.
  • sandbagger1sandbagger1 Sussex
    Posts: 942
    The obligatory multiple sexual partners was never something that was important to me in a Bond film, though you do need several glamorous women. And I think 'fridging' the women in order to give Bond a personal stake in the mission will increasingly draw fire from the press and public if it feels too mechanical.
  • Fire_and_Ice_ReturnsFire_and_Ice_Returns I am trying to get away from this mountan!
    Posts: 25,133
    Thank You DC, for myself 3 of your films were fantastic, you were a good James Bond.
  • Loved it and going to see it again tomorrow night. So much to enjoy and goosebump emotional music.
  • Fire_and_Ice_ReturnsFire_and_Ice_Returns I am trying to get away from this mountan!
    edited October 2021 Posts: 25,133
    The stair well scene near the end was awesome, I was on the edge of my seat.
  • 4EverBonded4EverBonded the Ballrooms of Mars
    Posts: 12,480
    Yes, all the action scenes are truly top notch. Great direction throughout.
  • Fire_and_Ice_ReturnsFire_and_Ice_Returns I am trying to get away from this mountan!
    Posts: 25,133
    Loved it and going to see it again tomorrow night. So much to enjoy and goosebump emotional music.

    Glad you enjoyed the film, I thought it was up there with CR.
  • DCisaredDCisared Liverpool
    Posts: 1,329
    The stair well scene near the end was awesome, I was on the edge of my seat.

    +1
  • DoctorKaufmannDoctorKaufmann Can shoot you from Stuttgart and still make it look like suicide.
    edited October 2021 Posts: 1,261
    bondywondy wrote: »
    One of the bizarre, ironic aspects of Bond dying is it (sort of) vindicates the CraignotBond group. They can say "Craig's Bond is a loser. He dies. He's not the hero. Fans supported a loser Bond for fifteen years."

    Had Craig's Bond survived NTTD he is the winner. He can go off with Madeleine and Mathilde and have a family life or still remain an active 00. He retains his inherent heroic status.

    By ending Craig's tenure with Bond atomized (!) it plays into the hands of anti Craig Bond fans. "See, we told you he wasn't right for the role. Barbara Broccoli appeased him too much and you get a crappy, depressing ending."




    Except he was intoxicated by Safin with these nanobots, so happy family life would not really be possible. Or do you mean, Safin did not get Bomnd intoxicated? And either my eyesight is getting worse than I expected, but I did not see Bond getting atomized. Yes, there was the detonation, but Kananga being blown up and then in peaces (maybe the most ridiculous death of a Bond villain) was more expolicit.
  • DoctorKaufmannDoctorKaufmann Can shoot you from Stuttgart and still make it look like suicide.
    Posts: 1,261
    AstonLotus wrote: »
    Does anyone think they should have had a tribute to Sean and Roger in the credits?

    As somebody posted some pages ago, the only occasion EON included a tribute in the end credits, was in GE for Derek Meddings, who had worked at this and other earlier Bond movies, as he died before the film opened. And, of course, to Cubby in TND. No tributes to Harry Saltzman, Terence Young, Peter Hunt, Ken Adam, Lewis Gilbert, Guy Hamilton, Bernard Lee, Richard Maibaum, John Barry, etc.
  • Posts: 526
    Birdleson wrote: »
    The more I think about it, it’s not even that they killed him that bothers me (again, I admittedly still need to see the picture). I think I said in another thread, I would probably feel really sad if any of the other actors died in the role, but not Craig. I think he’s a great Bond, but I’ve never felt that attachment to him. What bothers me, I would guess, really happened with QOS (which I greatly enjoy) and this, NTTD, is just the fulfillment of it. From the moment they decided to turn this era into an overarching saga I have been displeased with that direction. I love QOS, but it could have stayed essentially the same, without having such a direct connection to CR. Actually, keep Mr. White and Quantum, and carry on without the Bond/Blofeld backstory and leave out any major future references to Vesper. That’s all you need, a thin thread of continuity. I would’ve thought the EON would’ve learned a lesson from SF, and realize that the standalone pictures are a hit the audience after that one. Also that film gave us that great denouement, which told us we are back to square one, we are ready to go. My two biggest problems with SP were that it was boring, and that it tried too hard to force this continuity upon us. Now with this latest one they put it all out there. That this Era is so important that this figure has this neat little arc, and of course it must end in his death. The brazenness of the whole thing has always bothered me. Before this latest twist. That this arc had to be treated as it’s own thing. But aside from that, looking at CR and SF, it’s at least three, maybe four, great standalone exciting, Bond adventures, one foot in tradition, with the new look and a new bite to it. More than the death, I think it’s that. Because I realized that if there was a one shot Brosnan film, taken out of continuity, giving us an old man Bond. at the end of his days, and then they killed him off, I’d be fine with it.

    I really think it comes down to it bothering me that EON took itself and this last run of films so seriously and so preciously. It’s not the death.

    Agreed. I love QoS, and it was the direction I was eager for the Bond series to go in. The films didn't need bloody Q and gadgets. They'd proved that with the fantastic CR.

    Much as I like SF (it's still overrated) and I enjoyed this last film, i still think it's a shame they almost got cold feet and went all formulaic on us with regards to Bond’s MI6 environment.

    Plus 1. You and I think exactly alike on this.
  • SeveSeve The island of Lemoy
    edited October 2021 Posts: 422
    To those who want to be assured Bond is alive, I think we should pitch this to EON:
    When the iris opens up for the next Bond film, SURPRISE, it's Daniel Craig on a yellow life raft at sea.
    Bond looks directly at the camera like Lazenby and says "You were expecting someone else?"
    Lol! Now that would be perfect
    ...all they had to do was not spell it out by showing us DC JB catch fire, wail, melt, evaporate and steam off into the upper atmosphere (to join Jaws, no he survived ), to avoid most of the controversy here.

    And therein lies your answer, Bond (and Jaws) has appeared to be doomed or killed so many times in previous Bond movies that the audience nolonger believes in that aspect of the movie. Instead of being horrified they just chuckle and wink at each other. The veteran Bond audience was never going to really buy into it unless they spelt it out and left absolutely no sintilla doubt whatsoever

    If they had shown DC JB, mortally wounded, stuck on this island... in the dingy with explosions suddenly going off on the island, even showing the aftermath but without spelling it out, ala Sessame Street, most of us would have left the theatre remembering Matera, Jamaica, Cuba and Craig’s era fondly , enjoying the film and taking our own interpretation of the ending away with us.

    But that is exactly what they wanted to avoid;- the situation we've seen in so many Bond movies before. This time they want the audience to leave the theatre knowing that Craig-Bond is really dead and will never reappear.

    Instead we have the melting and fizzing DC ending. No room for any ambiguity there. Sorry for not being a film buff but did they really need to draw it in crayon?

    Imply Bond is dead sure, (Bond being more than just one actor), but give us a kernel (colonel/commander) of hope at the least.

    Which would defeat the point they were trying to make (like it or not)

    The Daniel Craig incarnation of Bond has died, but do you feel that Connery-Bond is dead? Or Rog-Bond? I know I don't. Even though Sir Sean and Sir Rog have both passed on to that great health spa in the sky, in my mind their Bond characters are still out there floating about in the Caribbean, in their respective dinghys or inflatable life rafts, with a martini in one hand and a beautiful girl under each arm

    James Bond will continue, so keep calm and carry on
  • R1s1ngs0nR1s1ngs0n France
    edited October 2021 Posts: 2,148
    I have just returned from my first viewing of NTTD (went with friends).
    As someone who went to see this movie with very low expectations based on all that has been posted in this thread so far, I must say I quite enjoyed the movie and I think it does not hurt the franchise's legacy in any way.
    It will definitely not find its way into my top 10 but it is nevertheless a solid entry that is without a doubt my favorite of all Craig's outings.

    The things that impressed me:
    Daniel Craig - by far his best performance as Bond. Despite the films's glaring shortcomings, he single handedly makes it all work thanks to a wonderful performance that blends equally well both the emotional stuff and the more light-hearted moments.
    One of my biggest gripes when it came to Craig was that he couldn't do humour very well, either because the jokes/quips themselves fell flat or because his delivery seemed forced.
    This time around he's definitely honed his craft in that regard and most of the jokes delivered (which are still few and far between as this is still a DC Bond movie) manage to hit the mark (the drinking jab at M is a particular highlight).
    I also found that he moved much more gracefully than in previous movies.
    PTS- gunbarrel was ok, but what followed was very, very good. A definite highlight. It's such a shame that Safin ended up being such a disappointment, after having shown great promise in that sequence.
    The Woods - an eerie and beautifully shot scene.
    The pacing - at almost three hours, this movie relatively flies by. An impressive feat, thanks to solid directing and excellent editing.

    The things I didn't care for:
    Nomi - a completely unnecessary character that doesn't add anything to the proceedings. Lynch is serviceable at best.
    Blofeld - Contrary to general consensus, I actually prefered him in SPECTRE. At least in that movie it was Waltz playing himself rather than doing a poor Hannibal Lecter impession. And his death is one of the worst in the series, just embarassing.
    Safin - like previously stated, could have been a great villain following his PTS introduction but in the end, it's his cool lair and garden that stick more to mind.
    Not a great fan of Malek's performance as well. Relies too much on his creepy eyes (Pleasence was clearly an inspiration) without giving his character any real nuance.
    Zimmer - in all honesty, I can't even say if I liked the score or not as I barely remember any of it.
    But the track accompanying Bond's death scene was just unbearable and ruined what otherwise could have been a genuinely moving scene. Sometimes less is more, Hans.
    The use of WHATTITW - some things should remain untouched and this is definitely such an example.
    Metal Gear Bond - MGS fans will surely aknowledge that the writers, whether knowingly or not, 'borrowed' key elements from Kojima's beloved video game saga:
    Daniel Craig as Solid Snake
    Christoph Waltz as Liquid Snake
    Rami Malek as Ocelot
    Ralph Fiennes as Colonel Roy Campbell
    Lea Seydoux as Meryl Silverburgh
    Heracles = Foxdie
    Not to mention the stairwell fight and Bond's final moments closely mimic some of the franchise's most memorable moments.

    Scenes/characters that should have made an impact but left me relatvely indifferent:
    Paloma/Cuba - the Cuba sequence and De Armas are often cited as movie highlights but for me they are just fine, nothing more.
    Felix's death - Wright is a fine actor but his Felix never really managed to make an impression on me or make me believe he and Bond were truly pals.
    That's also why Dalton's revenge in LTK felt much more satisfying, compared to Craig's dispatch of Logan (another weak villain).

    On a last note, the Bond/Madeleine/Mathilde plot thread was for the most part deftly handled so I have no major quibbles about that aspect of the movie. Again, this is largely thanks to Craig's superb performance.

    I've never watched a Craig Bond movie more than once, but will definitely go a second time (this time with the wife) - at the moment it's a solid 7 out of 10 for me.
  • Fire_and_Ice_ReturnsFire_and_Ice_Returns I am trying to get away from this mountan!
    Posts: 25,133
    I think NTTD is one of the best Bond films, it will be interesting to see how people think about the film in 2 years time. *Pin my comment*
  • DoctorKaufmannDoctorKaufmann Can shoot you from Stuttgart and still make it look like suicide.
    Posts: 1,261
    genuinely surprised by the lack of collective mourning and shock and the sympathy deficit for those touched by it all. Yes, it is fiction. Yes, they can reboot. But the timing, symbolism and tonal irregularity it creates in the sacrosanct craig era now? baffling. I am genuinely in shock, even though i need a kick in the arse for that.

    I can only speak for myself, but I can't mourn for a fictional character, and Bond is a fictional character. I prefer to mourn the death of family members, relatives, and close friends. But everybody to his/her own liking. And you dislike Bond's death. You are entitled to do so.
  • DoctorKaufmannDoctorKaufmann Can shoot you from Stuttgart and still make it look like suicide.
    Posts: 1,261
    PG007 wrote: »
    I didn’t imagine it did I, Bond refers to Madeline and Mathilda as ‘family’, but the word was muted.

    I noticed this too on my second viewing. Not sure why this was edited out :/

    It's strange, because in the German dub it is very clearly audible that he says "Familie"/family and it actually got a bit of a laugh in the theatre because he says it with a very incredulous facial expression. I couldn't hear him say anything, when I watched it again in the original English, which I find weird. Maybe somebody who has seen the film in another language can chime in? It seems like it is in the script and Craig clearly said it, but they decided to change it in post, but didn't tell the voice over houses producing the alternate language versions? Strange.

    This happens occasionally in German dubbing. In DAF Bond says something during the fight with Bambi and Thumper, but Connery's lips don't move. In ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST Henry Fopnda says "Pacific, eh?" while watching MNortimer die. In the English version he does not say anything. Odd.
  • Fire_and_Ice_ReturnsFire_and_Ice_Returns I am trying to get away from this mountan!
    Posts: 25,133
    I don't mourn DC Bond, he died a hero and I respect him.
  • Creasy47Creasy47 In Cuba with Natalya.Moderator
    Posts: 40,976
    I'm happy to continuously hear how great the pacing is. I was worried with the film stretching to nearly three hours that it'd have some sections that would drag.
  • imranbecksimranbecks Singapore
    Posts: 984
    Creasy47 wrote: »
    I'm happy to continuously hear how great the pacing is. I was worried with the film stretching to nearly three hours that it'd have some sections that would drag.

    With how exciting the movie was, the 2hrs 43mins runtime of the movie really flew by. And I even stayed till the end credits!

    JAMES BOND WILL RETURN.
  • Fire_and_Ice_ReturnsFire_and_Ice_Returns I am trying to get away from this mountan!
    Posts: 25,133
    Just listened to score for the thousandth time, its awesome.
  • TripAcesTripAces Universal Exports
    Posts: 4,585
    In the theater...ten minutes until the start!!! See ya on the other side!!!
  • edited October 2021 Posts: 2,402
    I am now at a point after my second viewing tonight where NTTD not only earns a perfect 10 from me, it has landed somewhere among my top 50 films, a section which is also occupied by...

    Casino Royale.
  • slide_99slide_99 USA
    Posts: 693
    ToTheRight wrote: »
    km16 wrote: »
    Birdleson wrote: »
    But surely you can see how it dampens our enthusiasm for going into the theater and seeing a new James Bond film. I mean we’re sitting there knowing it is leading to his death. There’s nothing pleasant about it from this perspective. How are we supposed to enjoy everything in between? I don’t need some grand arc to define the Craig Era. I just wanted a fun Bond film. I’m so disappointed and, rational or not, angry.

    That about sums it up, yup. I've had enough death in my life this year. A coworker, a pet, my father taken by cancer. I was looking forward to an escapist Bond film to bring me out of my hole, not sink me further into it watching my favorite fictional hero get offed.

    Same here. This film doesn't exist as far as I'm concerned, especially after a six year wait.
    Eon should be paying the audience to sit thru this cop out dreck.
    Not interested. They just lost another fan, and I won't be going to see any new film at this point. It would only just get worse.

    I feel the same way. What a baffling decision, to make a movie like this at a time when everything is going to crap and the world specifically needs a hero who prevails instead of succumbs at the end. And it all seems like it was done because the actor wanted it.
  • RoadphillRoadphill United Kingdom
    Posts: 984
    bondywondy wrote: »
    jobo wrote: »
    bondywondy wrote: »
    One of the bizarre, ironic aspects of Bond dying is it (sort of) vindicates the CraignotBond group. They can say "Craig's Bond is a loser. He dies. He's not the hero. Fans supported a loser Bond for fifteenth years."

    Had Craig's Bond survived NTTD he is the winner. He can go off with Madeleine and Mathilde and have a family life or still remain an active 00. He retains his inherent heroic status.

    By ending Craig's tenure with Bond atomized (!) it plays into the hands of anti Craig Bond fans. "See, we told you he wasn't right for the role. Barbara Broccoli appeased him too much and you get a crappy, depressing ending."




    What a completely pointless argument to make. The people on "CraignotBond" have made up their mind anyway. Why should the producers care about them? Why should we care?

    Well, maybe they can laugh (a bitter sad laugh) that his casting led to the death of James Bond. Had fate shown its fickle hand in another way Eon might have cast another actor, one that had no desire to see Bond dead.

    I've noticed one telling omission from the last 80 or so pages on this thread.... no-one has attributed any blame to Daniel Craig? Not aware of such comments. Clearly Craig wanted his Bond to die so when I see guys like The Bond Experience giving sycophantic interviews with Craig and Craig seemingly totally oblivious to the negative reaction Bond's death has generated in Bond fandom, I can't help but feel CraigisnotBond people got the final laugh. They achieved a very perverse victory. Be you pro or anti Craig's casting and his four subsequent Bond films, the harsh truth is had Eon never cast Craig we wouldn't have some fans (I stress some, not all) using words like "betrayal" to describe the ending of NTTD.

    Maybe when NTTD has ended its theatrical run worldwide Mr Craig can give a post Bond career interview and say "sorry if we upset any fans with the death of Bond."

    I have doubt such words will ever be uttered by the man.

    I didn't like it, but are we to assume that Craig wrote the script?

    I very much doubt it was his choice. He obviously didn't push back too much otherwise it wouldn't have happened, but still? Don't put the blame on him.
  • Fire_and_Ice_ReturnsFire_and_Ice_Returns I am trying to get away from this mountan!
    Posts: 25,133
    NTTD = Masterpiece
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