Friday, 1 October 2021

No Time to Die - The scoop and digest

Main man's final appearance is actually his seventh.  This is because of video games Blood Stone (likeness and voice) and 007 Legends (likeness only).

Daniel Craig - James Bond
Rami Malek - Lyutsifer Safin
Léa Seydoux - Dr. Madeleine Swann
Lashana Lynch - Nomi
Ben Whishaw - Q
Naomie Harris - Moneypenny
Ralph Fiennes - M

Summary

Despite murdering her mother, masked assassin Lyutsifer Safin decides to rescue a young Madeleine Swann from drowning inside frozen lake.

Following an action-packed opening in Italy, we jump five years later to Jamaica, where Bond's retirement is rudely interrupted by old friend and former colleague Felix.

When the new 007 Nomi tells Bond about Project Heracles, he agrees to help track down corrupt Russian scientist Obruchev, who developed DNA altering bioweapon.

After learning of Safin's heinous plan to depopulate most of the world, it all comes to a head at island headquarters.

More than just a number

Cary Joji Fukunaga does not deliver a masterpiece, but in the Daniel Craig era at least, runs Skyfall a close second.

Gorgeous cinematography and spectacular action sequences ensures mission is visually stunning.

Ironically, film is not at its best during gunplay and explosions.  No, this is about Bond's vulnerability and 'family' recognising that bastard needs a helping hand.

Craig deserves a vodka martini for making character his own.

Lynch, in terms of chemistry and banter, strikes a careful balance.

Apart from Matera, Craig doesn't really expend energy.

Understandable really, as he's no longer a spring chicken.

During her introduction to Bond, Nomi warns that if he gets in her way, she'll put a bullet in his knee. The one that 'works'.

Injury sustained on the set of Spectre was widely reported.

Cute.

Out of respect, she recommends he should be reinstated as 007.  M agrees.

Just like Javier Bardem was based on Jaws, Malek appears to reincarnate Dr. No.

Whatever, play on 'Lucifer Satan' does enough, but I wanted more.

We get why he's so pissed at SPECTRE (Blofeld ordered a hit on his family), but ripple effect is never explained.

How did he become aware of Heracles? Assume control of an entire island? Why would so many be willing to lay down their lives for him and what would killing millions achieve?

Just roll with it.

When Bond infiltrates facility and is inevitably held at gunpoint, he begins to relentlessly 'apologise' to Safin while hunching on floor.  Odd behaviour should raise eyebrows, yes? 

Apparently not, as this buys geezer enough time to shoot his way out.

(Sigh).

Villain dies abruptly (shot dead), but situation is satisfying.

Screenplay impresses, but contains an almighty stinker.

After timepiece causes Safin's right-hand man's bionic eye to explode, Bond says something like 'I've just blew his mind'.

WHAT?

Cheesy one-liner doesn't even make any fucking sense.

Bond meeting Blofeld was unashamedly The Silence of the Lambs.

David Dencik was really annoying and I couldn't wait for whiny little bitch to die.  Thankfully, Nomi pushes him off a high platform into deadly gene pool.

At around 2h 40, running time was always gonna drag, and for me - third act outstayed its welcome.

Right, enough moaning already.

For the first time, gun barrel sequence doesn't bleed.  Instead, it seamlessly transforms into opening scene.

Felix and Blofeld departing company was practically a given, but Bond blown to smithereens...

Congratulations for having the balls to do something we didn't quite expect.

Poisoned with nanobots, a badly wounded Bond scrambles to rooftop and awaits imminent airstrike.

Pretty moving.

We're promised that 'James Bond Will Return'.

Intriguing.

No offence, but Lynch cannot be franchise's future.

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