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The Latch

‘No Time to Die’ Finally Premieres and the Consensus Is That It Was Worth the Wait

September 29, 2021
no-time-to-die review
Twitter @ScottDMenzel

Of all of the films that have been delayed due to the pandemic, perhaps none of them have had it as bad as No Time to Die.

Daniel Craig’s final outing as James Bond was originally due to make its big-screen debut in April 2020 before being pushed to November that same year. It was moved once again to April 2021 but the virus then caused the action spy thriller to be slated for an October 2021 release. In Australia, we still have a little bit of time to wait as we won’t get the film until November 11.

Directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga, the film stars Craig alongside Lea Seydoux, Ben Whishaw, Naomie Harris, Ralph Fiennes and Christoph Waltz, as well as franchise newcomers Rami Malek, Ana de Armas and Lashana Lynch.

No Time to Die was celebrated at a star-studded opening event with a premiere in London and first screenings worldwide with the reception of the film largely positive.

“So #NoTimeToDie is AWESOME! ,” wrote Erik Davis of Fandango and Rotten Tomatoes. “Classic Bond, classic villain, classic gadgets & a story that seems to question how much we still need James Bond to save the day. Terrific writing & stunning direction from Cary Joji Fukunaga. Loved every second! A perfect finale for Daniel Craig.” 

“No Time To Die is everything I wanted & more!,” another viewer wrote. “A great farewell to Daniel Craig but honestly I wanted more Rami Malek! Yes it’s long but whenever it felt like it was about to drag, it jumped right back in with adrenaline! Action-packed from the start! Classic Bond!”

There was also some rapturous praise for De Armas, with one fan Tweeting, ” GIVE ANA DE ARMAS EVERY ROLE EVER. I wish she was in #NoTimeToDie more but my God, she was perfect! Hilarious and a bad ass. I love her. Phoebe Waller-Bridge is heavily felt and that’s a GREAT thing. And Daniel Craig…wow. Bravo 007, bravo!!” 

Noted another, “Ana de Armas hands-down best part of #NoTimeToDie . Tragically is only in one sequence. Funny and sexy and she gets to blow up stuff.” 

Lynch also received praise for her portrayal of Nomi, with one enthusiastic reviewer writing, “No Time to Die was absolutely brilliant!! One of my favourite Bond films to date. Daniel Craig was great as always but I gotta give praise to Lashana Lynch as the first Black Female 007. Completely stole the show. The best action of the year and a satisfying ending. Loved it.”

And several moviegoers felt that the film had been the perfect way to bid farewell to Craig as the savagely suave secret agent.

“Walking out of @007 NO TIME TO DIE screening, man…what a fitting farewell to a brilliant James Bond,” enthused one viewer. “Humor, Action, Romance, High Stakes. Excellent direction by Fukunaga. Tip of the cap to Daniel Craig, thank you for your service.”

“#NoTimeToDie might not be the Bond you are expecting but it’s the Bond that we need to round out the Craig era,” said another. “It delivers what you want and packs a genuine emotional punch. It delivers the trademark beats with some bold, brave, and fresh creative choices. AVOID ALL SPOILERS!” 

Another still wrote, “The absolutely perfect way to bid farewell to Daniel Craig’s time as 007. #NoTimeToDie throws back to every element that made his introduction in Casino Royale so iconic. A perfect blend of old and new, buckle up y’all this is as good as Bond can get.”

Overall, it seemed most of the lucky people who were able to attend early screenings of the long-awaited film agreed that it had been worth the wait.

“No Time to Die was worth the wait,” one fan Tweeted. “Beautiful visuals, killer action, and probably the most emotional Bond film to date. It’s needlessly complex, which makes it feel very long, but that extra time & story gives its final act the added gravitas needed to set it apart from the rest.”

No Time to Die will be showing in HOYTS cinemas from November 11, 2021.

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