It’s been a long time coming thanks to the Covid-19 pandemic, but finally, Daniel Craig‘s last outing as James Bond 007, we bring you our No Time To Die IMAX Review of the movie which is in cinemas now.
I’ve been excited to see the new Bond film for ages, as most of you have to, so now that No Time To Die is here I had to see it on a massive screen and you can’t get any better than opting for IMAX for a huge screen to watch it on.
In No Time To Die, Bond has left active service and is enjoying a tranquil life in Jamaica. His peace is short-lived when his old friend Felix Leiter from the CIA turns up asking for help. The mission to rescue a kidnapped scientist turns out to be far more treacherous than expected, leading Bond onto the trail of a mysterious villain armed with dangerous new technology.
The first thing that you notice about No Time To Die in IMAX is that as soon as the film starts it is in the IMAX format that has up to 26% more picture, the extra space gives you the feeling of being in the film that is shot with the iconic IMAX 15/70mm film cameras and surprisingly this is the first Bond film ever to be shot with these cameras and it looks stunning.
Not only do the IMAX sequences, which there are 40 minutes worth in No Time To Die, look good but they also sound amazing as well as the IMAX’s precision sound booms in the cinema along with quiet moments that are crystal clear to the cinema-goer to allow you to get pulled into one of the best Bond movies that I have seen.
Action all the way in No Time To Die
The wait for the 25th Bond film (if you don’t count Casino Royale (1967) and Never Say Never Again) was well worth it, right from the start of No Time To Die it’s packed with the usual Bond action, stunts, explosions and villains that you love to hate, but this time we get some of the returning characters as well to spice up Daniel Craig‘s swan song as James Bond.
For Bond fans, there are plenty of Easter Eggs during the movie of those moments from the last 58 years or so of the franchise, spotting moments and items that instantly job the memory to moments that we first saw them, even a certain music track stirs memories of a previous Bond from yesteryear.
Director Cary Joji Fukunaga has really pulled out all the stops for Craig’s Bond and it’s been a fair few years since I’ve enjoyed a Bond movie as much as this one, I think the last one was Skyfall, but No Time To Die pips that to the top spot now (until we get a better Bond movie).
Goodbye Mr Bond
Like many of the previous movies we always have to have a villain that works well against the hero, sadly I do think that Rami Malek‘s Lyutsifer Safin did seem a little underused for my liking, Malek is a great actor and I think his character had that potential to be something a little more in the film, but still in the scenes with Malek and Craig together they worked well.
Great to see the return of Blofeld (Christoph Waltz) as well, probably one of the most famous villains in Bond history, Waltz is always great to watch on the screen and I would have liked to see a little more from him.
I really liked Lashana Lynch as Nomi, a ’00’ that came across as one that had been fighting up the ranks to get that elusive status that we have only seen the men get, there were some great 007-esque from her, especially towards “M” (Ralph Fiennes) and Bond (Craig). I would love to see more of her as a “00” in the next Bond movie.
The soundtrack for the movie is amazing and another one that Hans Zimmer has brought his passion for music, the action sequences are deliciously orchestrated by Zimmer’s work and the slower and emotional moments are a sheer delight to listen to.
As for the opening music, I have to say I wasn’t a fan of the Billie Eilish track when I first heard it and sadly it still doesn’t work for me, even with the opening credits. For me, it’s certainly lower down the table with Sam Smith’s title music.
No Time To Die is a great movie for Daniel Craig to hang up the Walther PPK, yes I did shed a tear or three a few times during the viewing of the movie, but that is surely a testament to how I have got so used to his Bond the fantastic acting that he has brought to his final chapter in 007 history.
If you love Bond or if you don’t go check out No Time To Die in IMAX, out in cinemas now.
No Time To Die is coming to Blu-ray and DVD
We’ve had the news in that the film has now had a release date for you to bring it home and it will be released on the 20th December 2021, just in time for Christmas.
Bond is Back in Glorious IMAX!
Movie title: No Time To Die
Movie description: James Bond has left active service. His peace is short-lived when Felix Leiter, an old friend from the CIA, turns up asking for help, leading Bond onto the trail of a mysterious villain armed with dangerous new technology.
Date published: October 1, 2021
Country: UK
Duration: 2h 43min
Director(s): Cary Joji Fukunaga
Actor(s): Daniel Craig, Ana de Armas, Rami Malek
Genre: Action, Adventure, Thriller
Summary
No Time To Die is a fantastic swan song for Daniel Craig as James Bond, whoever the next Bond or 007 will be in the franchise they have some big shoes to fit in.Â
Karen Woodham is the founder and owner of the Blazing Minds. She is also a Cinema reviewer and works with RealD 3D reviewing the latest 3D releases and IMAX, she has also had several articles published in various publications including the first edition of SFW Magazine. In 2015 she became an Award Winning Blogger and also has her website listed as one of the UK’s Top 10 Film Blogs.
