No Time to Die: Just the End of Bond (review)

Daniel Craig’s last lap in 007 seeks fun and emotion, sometimes succeeds, but is above all very long.

This evening, France 2 will broadcast unencrypted for the first time Dying can wait. Is the last episode of the franchise carried by Daniel Craig worth it? Here is the review of First.

Strangely mocking within a series which has played the card of the most absolute seriousness since 2006, Dying Can Wait is very convincing when it considers – finally! – James Bond again as an essentially very entertaining film. The problem is to remain entertaining for 2h43 (we count the credits in that). However, on this point, it is clearly missed. A sequence in Jamaica where Daniel Craig, silent, is more present than ever, then a fantastic action sequence in Cuba with a truly brilliant Ana de Armas as an apprentice spy full of surprises. And there…

Our long interview with Daniel Craig for No Time to Die

Let’s go back to the beginning. After a messy credits without any real guiding idea, and a tremendously effective hour, the power of the franchise regains its rights – while remaining curiously very sparse in terms of pure action -, literally crushes Craig, and therefore what was the strength of his Bond: his individuality. Surrounded by the more or less inspired supporting roles (Lashana Lynch is an excellent sidekick, while Ben Whishaw and Ralph Fiennes seem exhausted), Craig gradually disappears before our eyes, and the film unfolds, interminably, like a clone of Impossible mission. All until its conclusion with the Big Evil Evil Russian & Mad Russian Scientist in a Secret Base threatening the World. The franchise is indeed back, stronger than ever, like at the end of 007 Ghost where Blofeld threatened the world in sandals and Mao pajamas in his desert hideout.

Full of meta lines to emphasize that the end is there, before our eyes (“letting go is hard”, growls Craig, or even “too bad, I was a big fan” as declared by a bad guy who believes he has taken down 007), Dying can wait also attempts to have the stature of a romantic, tragic monument. To do this, the film uses literal quotes, especially musical ones, from On Her Majesty’s Secret Servicethe only Bond -with of course the Casino Royale of Craig, and the end of Sky Fall– who managed to reach the highest level of emotion.

In the end, the feeling that will provoke in you Dying can wait will depend more on your attachment to a franchise than to an actor. Is this good news? For the industry, obviously yes. James Bond will return, no one doubts it anymore.

Daniel Craig knew the ending of No Time to Die for 15 years