‘No Time to Die’ Slays Early Critics: ‘The Wait Was Worth It’
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The first audiences to see “No Time to Die” are glad to have James Bond back, touting the film in its early social reactions and writing that “the wait was worth it.”
“No Time to Die” earlier on Tuesday wrapped its world premiere and initial press screenings, with audiences seeing it simultaneously in London, New York and Los Angeles, including other markets, and the initial buzz is strong.
“The wait was worth it. Way to finish Daniel Craig’s #JamesBond run. It’s got a few interesting twists I can’t say I was expecting, but hey, after so many decades, gotta have some surprises left,” critic Monica Castillo said in a tweet. “Really enjoyed all the action and callbacks Cary Joji Fukunaga fit in. A fitting finale.”
“Wow – #NoTimeToDie is BIG. A relentless dash of action that manages to be both playful and contemplative. Like the hero himself, there are flaws and mistakes,” critic Brandon Katz wrote. “But the film fully belongs to Daniel Craig, whose building narrative over five films comes full circle.”
That’s not to say the praise has been ecstatic. Uproxx’s Mike Ryan said the film had a “mostly nonsense, Roger Moore-level absurd plot,” but didn’t hold that against the film. And writer Josh Horowitz said, “it’s somehow the silliest and most serious Daniel Craig outing. Mostly the former.” But others agreed that the film is far above some of Craig’s other Bond outings like “Quantum of Solace” and “Spectre” and is vintage Bond. And without knowing any details or spoilers, it sounds as though there’s going to be a lot of chatter about “No Time to Die’s” ending.
“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,” Jacqueline Coley for Rotten Tomatoes wrote.
The film has been delayed for over a year because of the COVID-19 pandemic and has even gone through multiple press cycles, but it’s finally opening in theaters starting this weekend in the UK followed by Oct. 8 in North American theaters.
Daniel Craig is returning for his fifth and final turn as 007, and “No Time to Die” marks the 25th James Bond film in the franchise dating back to the ’60s, so anticipation was no doubt high.
Cary Joji Fukunaga directed the film, which also stars Rami Malek, Ana de Armas, Léa Seydoux, Lashana Lynch, Ralph Fiennes, Christoph Waltz, Ben Whishaw, Naomie Harris, Jeffrey Wright and Billy Magnussen.
And while Craig’s departure as Bond has led many to speculate for years as to whom will next become 007, producer Barbara Broccoli recently said they want to let Craig enjoy his time in the sun and they won’t begin the search for the next Bond in 2022.
See more online reaction to “No Time to Die” below:
The wait was worth it. Way to finish Daniel Craig’s #JamesBond run. It’s got a few interesting twists I can’t say I was expecting,but hey,after so many decades, gotta have some surprises left. Really enjoyed all the action and callbacks Cary Joji Fukunaga fit in. A fitting finale
— Monica Castillo (@mcastimovies) September 28, 2021
NO TIME TO DIE is mostly nonsense, Roger Moore-level absurd plot. But I love Roger Moore and was in the mood for a ridiculous plot. Craig is great. (Though the ending tries to go for something poignant and heavy and I wasn’t into that part.)
— Mike Ryan (@mikeryan) September 28, 2021
Wow – #NoTimeToDie is BIG. A relentless dash of action that manages to be both playful and contemplative. Like the hero himself, there are flaws and mistakes. But the film fully belongs to Daniel Craig, whose building narrative over five films comes full circle. pic.twitter.com/cwkjbGRJll
— Brandon Katz (@Great_Katzby) September 28, 2021
#NoTimeToDie has everything you want in a James Bond film: action, thrills, jaw-dropping sequences. It’s also surprisingly heartfelt and hopeful. There are definitely some surprises, so avoid spoilers. The action is absolutely incredible. I loved it. pic.twitter.com/9YQYArKIwv
— Dan (@Danimalish) September 28, 2021
No Time to Die is a classy if slightly long last chapter for Daniel Craig’s James Bond. Kudos to cinematographer Linus Sandgren. Ana de Armas kicks some serious ass in a small role. #NoTimeToDie
— Gregory Ellwood – The Playlist
(@TheGregoryE) September 28, 2021
#NoTimeToDie was well worth the wait. Daniel Craig is fantastic in his final mission as #JamesBond. I’m floored by the ending. Wow.
— Nathaniel Brail (@NateBrail) September 28, 2021
NO TIME TO DIE is very good. I’m more relieved than anything else. I was worried going in.
It’s somehow the silliest and most serious Daniel Craig outing. Mostly the former.— Josh Horowitz (@joshuahorowitz) September 28, 2021
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.
—
Jacqueline
(@THATJacqueline) September 28, 2021
#NoTimeToDie might not be the Bond you are expecting but it’s the Bond that we need to round out the Craig era. 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! pic.twitter.com/pvUcoVmVU6
— Simon Thompson (@ShowbizSimon) September 28, 2021
So #NoTimeToDie is AWESOME! 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 pic.twitter.com/tZr1JRMhqh
— Erik Davis (@ErikDavis) September 28, 2021
NO TIME TO DIE: Need more time to process, but I really liked it a lot — def better than Quantum & Spectre. It’s #DanielCraig’s most grounded and — dare I say it? — most intimate take on #JamesBond with a powerful, unexpected & very emotional payoff. Def worth the wait! pic.twitter.com/q5ladwndg0
— Scott Mantz (@MovieMantz) September 28, 2021
Everyone’s going to be talking about that #NoTimeToDie ending but it’s the opening minutes – which reminded me of Joe Wright’s HANNA – that stand out as its best, and make it clear that there is life beyond the franchise’s most familiar beats.
— erickohn (@erickohn) September 28, 2021
NO TIME TO DIE is a pretty enthralling Bond adventure with entertaining set pieces and flavors of classic moments in the franchise that will make diehards happy. Surprisingly emotional at times too. It’s an ambitious entry that gives Craig’s tenure a well-earned sendoff. pic.twitter.com/McAkn76zDy
— Josh Parham (@JRParham) September 28, 2021
NO TIME TO DIE ends this era of James Bond with a grand & spectacular finale. Wraps up the plots from previous films while pushing the boundaries of what the character can deliver. Rami Malek is one creepy Bond villain. Exciting, well-crafted & emotional. A toast to Daniel Craig! pic.twitter.com/80hLbNaGPQ
— Matt Neglia @NYFF (@NextBestPicture) September 28, 2021
NO TIME TO DIE: The Craig era ends with a whimper. There’s no reason for this to be as long as it is, Rami Malek’s bad guy is a total snooze, and the movie itself just feels oddly inert. Oh well. We’ll always have CASINO ROYALE.
— Chris Evangelista (@cevangelista413) September 28, 2021
NO TIME TO DIE: Finally, the accidentally pandemic-era Bond we’ve been waiting for, complete w/masks, lab leaks and Ana de Armas charming the zeitgeist. Bit long at 2̶7̶4̶ 163 minutes, but 83% thrilling. Best 007 since CASINO ROYALE. And hell yeah, someone says, “Time to die.” pic.twitter.com/0UFnw2621o
— Barry Hertz (@HertzBarry) September 28, 2021
#NoTimeToDie is LOADED with everything you expect in a Bond film but also has a lot of surprises. Was on the edge of my seat for like half the movie. You def want to have the events of #Spectre fresh in your mind before watching. Loved Daniel Craig as James Bond. Great sendoff. pic.twitter.com/0JAm9dyrFQ
— Steven Weintraub (@colliderfrosty) September 28, 2021
No Time to Die was worth the wait. 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. pic.twitter.com/tqQnYe3Aht
— Germain Lussier (@GermainLussier) September 28, 2021