Daniel Craig Bids A Fond And Special Adieu In 'No Time To Die'

Nearly 15 years since 007 actor Daniel Craig transformed the iconic British spy from a snappy dresser to a quintessential model of virility with a license to kill in 2006’s “Casino Royale,” the actor’s swan song as James Bond arrives with an impassioned finale, replete with the high emotional stakes and stoicism that have become the hallmarks of Craig’s interpretation.

Expect romance, love, loss and grief — along with the proverbial gadgets, pulse-pounding action sequences and, of course, “shaken, not stirred” martinis that make a Bond film unquestionably Bond-ish.

“No Time to Die,” directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga, is Craig’s fifth and final 007 outing. His previous Bond stints include “Quantum of Solace” in 2008, “Skyfall” in 2012 and “Spectre” in 2015.

Watch the trailer.

With a running time of two hours and 43 minutes, the new film might feel long, but rest assured it is not overly long and immerses the leading man’s fans in a send-off that is special and memorable.

For once, a Bond film does not kick off in an exotic place with a big bang. This time around, it starts in a remote forest cottage and an eerie mood, introducing a young girl, her mother and a man in a Japanese Noh mask. Tense as it is, backstory is about to unfold.

Then the film jumps to events taking place in Jamaica five years later, where James Bond is happily enjoying his retirement with his old flame from “Spectre,” psychologist Madeleine Swann (Léa Seydoux). Their peace and quiet are suddenly upended, propelling Bond into a thrilling chase sequence followed by romantic angst as Madeleine and Bond face a fracture in their relationship.

As it turns out, the maniacal Lyutsifer Safin (Rami Malek) poses a threat to human civilization, setting in motion Bond’s unexpected return to MI6, where he reunites with chief M (Ralph Fiennes) and gizmo scientist Q (Ben Whishaw).

From there, the film turns the spotlight on the thorny rivalry between Bond and a new Agent 007, Nomi (Lashana Lynch), as well as the insanely delightful killing spree of new CIA operative Paloma (Anna de Armas), who steals the scene with that thrilling Bond-ish spark.

By the end, we also learn about Bond’s archenemy, the criminal mastermind Blofeld (Christoph Waltz), who is now locked up in a psychiatric sanitarium. His onscreen appearance is brief, but it makes an indelible impression, leaving you shocked and breathless.

All in all, Craig’s 007 adieu film will resonate fondly with James Bond fans all over the world with soft yet muscular machismo to behold. The performances are magnificent; the screenplay is bold and entertaining, and the direction is splendid.

Is this Craig’s last stint as 007, or will he appear again in any 007 films? Only Craig knows the answer for sure.

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