Director – Cary Joji Fukunaga; Credited Screenwriter(s) – Neal Purvis, Robert Wade & Phoebe Waller-Bridge
The Craig era of Bond wraps up with an absolute belter, hitting both the most explosive and sentimental notes. And this certainly is Bond at its most unashamedly soppy, though No Time to Die makes sure to tinge the sweet with the bitter edge that has so defined Craig’s tenure. The action is excellent, heavy and brutal, with a particularly exhilarating chase sequence near the start and an excellent shoot out featuring Ana De Armas’ Paloma – whose quirky cameo is a highlight of the film. The cast are generally reliably good, though one feels Malik is doing the best he can with an arguably muddled villain. Craig’s swan song, though perhaps a tad long, completes the mission statement of Casino Royale, bringing the franchise crashing into the 21st century without sacrificing the elements that make a Bond film so idiosyncratically enjoyable.
Even Briefer, Please: A firm Yes, James Bond will return; Craig won’t – but what an exit.
Briefly, Please 