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

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  • ZekidkZekidk
    edited October 2021 Posts: 3,278
    NTTD tries to tick too many boxes, and I can see why some would find it traditional. But just throwing in a bunch of Aston Martins, a dinner suit, a Vodka Martini. the traditional gadget, meaning a new watch, and 2-3 very short action setpieces, doesn't make it a classic for me. I believe it has something to do with the characters. For instance, I found Bond's invisible car in DAD to be more realistic, than the forced relationship between Bond and Madeline. Sacking P&W is high on my wish-list for B26. Bond deserves better screenwriters.
  • FatherValentineFatherValentine England
    Posts: 737
    Birdleson wrote: »
    Alright, it's pretty late, the movie didn't let out until 10:10 pm, and I had to change a tire on the way home, so this will not be an in-depth analysis of NO TIME TO DIE. To begin with, yes, it is much better than SP, in just about very way. Craig is far better here ( as are Waltz and Seydoux, as well, as has been widely reported). It looks and feels cleaner and fresher than it's predecessor, the action is far superior, as is the score.

    For the most part I enjoyed the film. As has been brought up quite a bit, some of the action scenes are the best in the franchise (though the arcade like shoot 'em up in the final act did cause my eyes to glaze over a bit, a la the Brosnan years).

    And the Scooby Gang were much less annoying. Their time on screen, as well as their involvement in the plot, felt just about right. That is how you handle Rory Kinnear's Tanner; keep him in the background, don't let him talk.

    As someone else pointed out (I don't remember who), there are times when Craig, who mainly gives another stellar performance, seems to be in a different film, playing a different character. I'm thinking of the scenes with Blofeld and Safin, he comes across as Craig, more than Bond.

    And Safin is the disappointment that I had heard he was.

    What was a surprise was how much the film dragged for me at times (much of the PTS, London, and at Madeline's home). These scenes needn't be cut, but definitely tightened up. I'd say a good 15 minutes in superfluous meanderings could be lost. No where near the borefest that SP was, I was still losing interest and drifting in spots. I did feel that length.

    Another complaint that I had heard that I am in line with is using inferences to early films in order to piggyback on the emotion and history of that earlier film. Using so much music (and the line) from OHMSS is a cheap way to transpose that film's heartache onto this one. Same with Felix; there has been no indication in their short time together in this Craig continuity to cause us to believe that they are so close. That is the Classic Era, but EON wants that history here.

    The daughter bit didn't bother me, but I could have done without that whole angle just as well. All of the melodrama could have been greatly tamped down. It felt awkward and forced most of the time.

    The whole '"woke" fest turns out to be a non-issue. Both Nomi and Paloma were fun characters, and I was very happy that Bond gets the 007 moniker back. The death was silly and unnecessary. I can't take that whole ending seriously enough to hold it against the film more than as a spot or two in my rankings. I found it hokey.

    Kleinman's best work since CR.

    This mostly sums up my reaction to the film.

    I would say that I think the action is overrated and not that special at all, really. Left me underwhelmed. And also that I liked Safin a lot in terms of the look and his performance, but just wished his plan was clearer.
  • jorgemjorgem
    Posts: 32
    NTTD is technically Craig's AVTAK since it is his last Bond film. He is also the longest serving Bond in the franchise, for 16 years! Roger Moore is 2nd and Pierce Brosnan is 3rd.
  • UnivexUnivex
    Posts: 6,710
    Very good review, @Birdleson. It practically sums up my views, perfectly.
  • patbpatb
    edited October 2021 Posts: 4,617
    Would it have been more "Bondian" for him to have to go up onto the roof to free up the silo doors (when were they last opened ?) and, just as he opened them and prepared to escape, Safin appears and they fight desperately and then the Navy missiles appear on the horizon? Trouble is, Safin seemed to carry no physical threat. Or perhaps he's already killed Safin but Primo appears on the roof?
    The final scene played out too long for me with too many ellements (already shot, virus, silo doors etc) to complex. With the silo doors open and Bond jumping on the ladder ready too make his mistake, with a villain appearing from another ladder, ready to close the doors, (plus a cheesy line from the villain about going home to play daddy) - we see the exact moment Bond has to make the decision and (without the complication of the virus) makes a clear decision to stay and fight.
  • jetsetwillyjetsetwilly
    edited October 2021 Posts: 3,327
    Birdleson wrote: »
    Alright, it's pretty late, the movie didn't let out until 10:10 pm, and I had to change a tire on the way home, so this will not be an in-depth analysis of NO TIME TO DIE. To begin with, yes, it is much better than SP, in just about very way. Craig is far better here ( as are Waltz and Seydoux, as well, as has been widely reported). It looks and feels cleaner and fresher than it's predecessor, the action is far superior, as is the score.

    For the most part I enjoyed the film. As has been brought up quite a bit, some of the action scenes are the best in the franchise (though the arcade like shoot 'em up in the final act did cause my eyes to glaze over a bit, a la the Brosnan years).

    And the Scooby Gang were much less annoying. Their time on screen, as well as their involvement in the plot, felt just about right. That is how you handle Rory Kinnear's Tanner; keep him in the background, don't let him talk.

    As someone else pointed out (I don't remember who), there are times when Craig, who mainly gives another stellar performance, seems to be in a different film, playing a different character. I'm thinking of the scenes with Blofeld and Safin, he comes across as Craig, more than Bond.

    And Safin is the disappointment that I had heard he was.

    What was a surprise was how much the film dragged for me at times (much of the PTS, London, and at Madeline's home). These scenes needn't be cut, but definitely tightened up. I'd say a good 15 minutes in superfluous meanderings could be lost. No where near the borefest that SP was, I was still losing interest and drifting in spots. I did feel that length.

    Another complaint that I had heard that I am in line with is using inferences to early films in order to piggyback on the emotion and history of that earlier film. Using so much music (and the line) from OHMSS is a cheap way to transpose that film's heartache onto this one. Same with Felix; there has been no indication in their short time together in this Craig continuity to cause us to believe that they are so close. That is the Classic Era, but EON wants that history here.

    The daughter bit didn't bother me, but I could have done without that whole angle just as well. All of the melodrama could have been greatly tamped down. It felt awkward and forced most of the time.

    The whole '"woke" fest turns out to be a non-issue. Both Nomi and Paloma were fun characters, and I was very happy that Bond gets the 007 moniker back. The death was silly and unnecessary. I can't take that whole ending seriously enough to hold it against the film more than as a spot or two in my rankings. I found it hokey.

    Kleinman's best work since CR.

    Pretty much sums up how I feel about it too. On second viewing my opinion of it did deteriorate further though. The first time round everything was fresh and new, so you are catching your breath and trying to take it all in. The second time round the flaws do start to show themselves more prominently.
  • UnivexUnivex
    Posts: 6,710
    That may be the case with my second viewing as well, whenever it happens, @jetsetwilly. I feel it will put the film higher in my consideration or drag it further down.
  • Mathis1Mathis1
    Posts: 7,616
    O.k. second viewing last night. I was too tired to post anything after!
    And I actually enjoyed it more this time!
    Still loads wrong with it, and its certainly no masterpiece, but it does have some good stuff in it mainly in the first half!
    Craig is fantastic, seems more relaxed than usual, though I thought his acting was a bit much in the Blofeld scene ( and they really bungled his attack on Blofeld!)
    Malik was poor, felt at times he was reading his lines off cue cards, and he needed more screentime! At his most impressive in the opening scene!
    All the brouhaha over Nomi turned out to be nothing, didnt make any impression on me!
    Much better was Paloma, she was wonderful, great chemistry with Craig, sexy, playful and badass all in one! The middle part of the movie missed her greatly!
    Lea was less cold here than in SP, but I didnt buy into their love as much as Bond with Vesper ( Bond saying "I miss you!" at Vespers grave affected me more than any of Madeleine/Bonds relationship)
    The Scooby gang were thankfully reeled in, Whishaws Q coming off best! Ralph Fiennes was good, but I dislike his office confrontation with Bond, something very off about the dialogue here!
    Like the first viewing I was strangely unaffected by Bonds final scene, I was more choked watching him shoot his last scene in the documentary 'Being James Bond'
    Fukunagas direction was solid, and the pacing only flagged in the middle. I still dont think the action sequences were great, best bits were in the trailer. But having hated the final assault on Safins lair the first viewing, (reminding me of TND tedious finale!) I did appreciate more that single take gunfight on the stairwell!
    Am sure someone is going to make a list of scenes taken from previous Bonds, whether its Bond/Paloma talking through the earpieces ala SF, or Ash sequence similar to the Locque moment, I even think their was a nod to OP in there ( the innocent biker coming into the middle of the car chase in the pts!)
    I dont think I will be going to see it again in the cinema, and dont have a clue where I can rank it.
    I am glad I went to see it again after my negative first watch, ( though I wont forget that first viewing for a long time!)
  • 4EverBonded4EverBonded the Ballrooms of Mars
    Posts: 12,480
    That's interesting. I love this movie as it is, but I was trying to think if I were to cut some scenes or add more what would I do. I wanted more of Italy, not less; and I would have definitely cut some of scientist Valdo.
  • FoxRoxFoxRox
    Posts: 12,521
    Valdo had much more screentime than I expected. That first scene with him, the other scientists, and the break-in gave me big GE and Boris vibes.
  • 4EverBonded4EverBonded the Ballrooms of Mars
    Posts: 12,480
    Yes, slight Boris vibes though I did not think that upon first viewing.
    To give me more Italy (and I would have loved just a little more of Jamaica) I would have cut the sequence actually exiting Valdo.
  • jobojobo
    Posts: 7,507
    FoxRox wrote: »
    Valdo had much more screentime than I expected. That first scene with him, the other scientists, and the break-in gave me big GE and Boris vibes.

    I thought exactly the same thing. I think Valdo was less annoying than Boris, but he was still probably the only character in the film I didn't care for at all.
  • jobojobo
    edited October 2021 Posts: 7,507
    Cutting more from the PTS would be sacrilage in my opinion! I think everything about the PTS is perfect as it is. I would not cut a single second of those beautiful shots of Matera with Hans Zimmer's brilliant, mysterius music foreshadowing what's to come, and the scenes with Bond and Madeleine are crucial in establishing teir relationship and the important motive of trust that is essential to the film. Again, perfectly edited and paced in my opinion.

    Honestly I am baffled anyone could watch NTTD and think it doesn't move fast enough... but hey, everyone's entitled to their opinion.
  • JimjambondJimjambond
    Posts: 328
    One of the complaints I've seen a lot is that Safin had no clear motivation. Um, I thought the discovery of what he was planning by Bond and Nomi, coupled with his monologue about oblivion and making things tidier and subverting the poison's original use as spearheaded by M clearly expressed what his intentions were.

    I still would have preferred a slightly different film than what we got but NTTD is a film I seem to enjoy and appreciate more with each viewing.
  • CowleyCowley
    Posts: 486
    I'd have junked the entire sequence of SPECTRE stealing Heracles. With a bit of tweaking, they could have Safin calling Valdo whilst in Cuba instead for us to learn he wasn't on board with SPECTRE prior to the USB switch. We also don't know the true nature of Heracles anyway until the later scenes with M when Bond is back in London.

    Probably a scene I'll chapter skip with the Blu Ray.
  • MaxCasinoMaxCasino United States
    Posts: 4,694
    I enjoyed it. I’m happy with what we got. I wish that Blofeld, Leiter and Paloma would have had more screentime. I think the ending will be talked about like The Sopranos ending. It’s too early for me to give a full review.
  • peterpeter Toronto
    Posts: 9,511
    I just saw NTTD…. Uhm… I’m shaking with emotion. I can’t write too much other than to say that this was unexpected… I had hoped it would be very good since I do love all of Fukunaga’s work… He, and his team, surpassed my positive expectations… This was a massive film and every scene was shot with such passion and beauty and poignancy… and then the violence of this damaged agent would shock me and the film played with the psychological horror of being a human (we can love and we can kill).
    Man oh man I love this entry. And I write that with tears flooding my vision.

    It was great
  • StirredNotShakenStirredNotShaken Toronto
    Posts: 2,402
    MaxCasino wrote: »
    I enjoyed it. I’m happy with what we got. I wish that Blofeld, Leiter and Paloma would have had more screentime. I think the ending will be talked about like The Sopranos ending. It’s too early for me to give a full review.

    This comment vindicates the hell out of me because 12-year-old me was the only person in my family and among anyone I knew in general who INSISTED that the ending of Made in America is the greatest ending of any television show...15 years later and you'd think it was unanimous :)) :)) :))
  • ertertertert
    Posts: 490
    peter wrote: »
    I just saw NTTD…. Uhm… I’m shaking with emotion. I can’t write too much other than to say that this was unexpected… I had hoped it would be very good since I do love all of Fukunaga’s work… He, and his team, surpassed my positive expectations… This was a massive film and every scene was shot with such passion and beauty and poignancy… and then the violence of this damaged agent would shock me and the film played with the psychological horror of being a human (we can love and we can kill).
    Man oh man I love this entry. And I write that with tears flooding my vision.

    It was great

    This pretty much sums up how I feel too but written far better than I could do it. Yeah it blew me away also and was filled with so much love for the character.
  • peterpeter Toronto
    Posts: 9,511
    I wrote the following in another thread:

    “ I just saw NTTD…. Uhm… I’m shaking with emotion. I can’t write too much other than to say that this was unexpected… I had hoped it would be very good since I do love all of Fukunaga’s work… He, and his team, surpassed my positive expectations… This was a massive film and every scene was shot with such passion and beauty and poignancy… and then the violence of this damaged agent would shock me and the film played with the psychological horror of being a human (we can love and we can kill).
    Man oh man I love this entry. And I write that with tears flooding my vision.

    It was great”
  • GeneralGogolGeneralGogol
    Posts: 928
    peter wrote: »
    I just saw NTTD…. Uhm… I’m shaking with emotion. I can’t write too much other than to say that this was unexpected… I had hoped it would be very good since I do love all of Fukunaga’s work… He, and his team, surpassed my positive expectations… This was a massive film and every scene was shot with such passion and beauty and poignancy… and then the violence of this damaged agent would shock me and the film played with the psychological horror of being a human (we can love and we can kill).
    Man oh man I love this entry. And I write that with tears flooding my vision.

    It was great

    I also just came back from my first viewing and I echo these very same sentiments- I was left speechless afterwards and in awe that the filmmakers and Craig accomplished such a dignified closure to this Bond's arch.
  • 4EverBonded4EverBonded the Ballrooms of Mars
    Posts: 12,480
    Yes for me it was dignified, noble, and utterly fitting for Daniel Craig's Bond.
  • FoxRoxFoxRox
    Posts: 12,521
    Birdleson wrote: »
    Second viewing, I feel pretty much the same. A Lotta good stuff, my favorite part is in Cuba with Paloma, that is excellent. But I still feel it is too long. In fact even more so. This time I went to an earlier show I wasn’t as tired, and I still felt bored in some protracted scenes, and I was still fighting to keep my eyes open at times. I wouldn’t take out any specific scene, but most of them could have been significantly pared down. My friend who went with me this time, who has been to every US opening night of every Bond film since DN, had no idea the death was coming. I’m thinking it really soured the whole film for him, like I thought it would for me. It didn’t because I knew it was coming and had over a week to get my head around it. I won’t to say he was emotionally devastated, but he was angry and irritated and sad that they went that direction. We both agreed that if it had been any of the other six guys we would have been much more very upset. I’m not itching to see this one again anytime soon, though I like it much more than SP, which I saw eight times in the theater. I actually think it’s going to stay in the middle of my rankings, it’s just seems to fit there already.

    Really sad to hear about your friend, I took it hard when I first learned of it. I’d be curious to know his rankings if he were to share.
  • JamesCraigJamesCraig Ancient Rome
    edited October 2021 Posts: 3,497
    NTTD is one hell of a ride, with a few minor issues.

    Full review coming soon.
  • bondsumbondsum
    edited October 2021 Posts: 3,333
    Two very good responses @Birdleson, and I appreciate your overall impressions. One thing I've noticed is that those who enjoyed it on their first viewing, their appreciation of the movie went up on the second or third viewing. But those who felt rather ambivalent toward it, the movie has either stayed were it was or dropped even further. It must be noted that my observations are not based on any meticulous studies, just a casual perusal of the same members constantly posting their opinions with an update.
  • MakeshiftPythonMakeshiftPython “Baja?!”
    edited October 2021 Posts: 8,217
    How many people found Bond getting married in OHMSS unbelievable at the time of release? It’s not a common opinion now, but it’s something I’ve read many years ago when fans cited reasons why OHMSS was for a long while considered the black sheep of the series.
  • patbpatb
    Posts: 4,617
    Thing is, Tracy was so fab in every way that you could understand why any man would sacrifice a certain lifestyle. She had sooo much personality - just intoxicating. Does Mads fall into this catagory?
  • bondsumbondsum
    Posts: 3,333
    MakeshiftPython wrote: »
    How many people found Bond getting married in OHMSS unbelievable at the time of release? It’s not a common opinion now, but it’s something I’ve read many years ago when fans cited reasons why OHMSS was for a long while considered the black sheep of the series.
    It was Lazenby saying publicly that OHMSS would be his one and only Bond movie that dented the box office, certainly in what's refered to as the domestic box office. It was a huge hit outside of the States.

    That's a difficult one to answer as it was my first cinematic Bond experience, but going off my packed London cinema at the time, the movie got a very positive response.
  • AntiLocqueBrakesAntiLocqueBrakes The edge
    Posts: 538
    Birdleson wrote: »
    Second viewing, I feel pretty much the same. A Lotta good stuff, my favorite part is in Cuba with Paloma, that is excellent. But I still feel it is too long. In fact even more so. This time I went to an earlier show I wasn’t as tired, and I still felt bored in some protracted scenes, and I was still fighting to keep my eyes open at times. I wouldn’t take out any specific scene, but most of them could have been significantly pared down. My friend who went with me this time, who has been to every US opening night of every Bond film since DN, had no idea the death was coming. I’m thinking it really soured the whole film for him, like I thought it would for me. It didn’t because I knew it was coming and had over a week to get my head around it. I won’t to say he was emotionally devastated, but he was angry and irritated and sad that they went that direction. We both agreed that if it had been any of the other six guys we would have been much more upset. I’m not itching to see this one again anytime soon, though I like it much more than SP, which I saw eight times in the theater. I actually think it’s going to stay in the middle of my rankings, it’s just seems to fit there already.

    Really respect your reviews. I remember your initial review of SP, which stood pretty well - not liking it from the start. Can’t believe you saw it 8 times though. I thought it was great initially, but came to realize it was dud-ish.

    Like SP, I thought NTTD was amazing on initial viewing last night. Hope it doesn’t drop in everyone’s esteem like SP did.
  • JamesCraigJamesCraig Ancient Rome
    Posts: 3,497
    AntiLocqueBrakes wrote: »
    Birdleson wrote: »
    Second viewing, I feel pretty much the same. A Lotta good stuff, my favorite part is in Cuba with Paloma, that is excellent. But I still feel it is too long. In fact even more so. This time I went to an earlier show I wasn’t as tired, and I still felt bored in some protracted scenes, and I was still fighting to keep my eyes open at times. I wouldn’t take out any specific scene, but most of them could have been significantly pared down. My friend who went with me this time, who has been to every US opening night of every Bond film since DN, had no idea the death was coming. I’m thinking it really soured the whole film for him, like I thought it would for me. It didn’t because I knew it was coming and had over a week to get my head around it. I won’t to say he was emotionally devastated, but he was angry and irritated and sad that they went that direction. We both agreed that if it had been any of the other six guys we would have been much more upset. I’m not itching to see this one again anytime soon, though I like it much more than SP, which I saw eight times in the theater. I actually think it’s going to stay in the middle of my rankings, it’s just seems to fit there already.

    Really respect your reviews. I remember your initial review of SP, which stood pretty well - not liking it from the start. Can’t believe you saw it 8 times though. I thought it was great initially, but came to realize it was dud-ish.

    Like SP, I thought NTTD was amazing on initial viewing last night. Hope it doesn’t drop in everyone’s esteem like SP did.

    I think that SP was seen as quite mediocre by most from the first viewing. I don't hate it as much as some of us here do, but it's just so bland.
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