‘No Time to Die’ First Reactions: Critics Love Bond 25
Find out why so many are calling Daniel Craig’s final 007 performance a “must-see.”
The critics have spoken: No Time to Die was worth the wait. After several delays spanning almost two years, the 25th James Bond movie—and last to feature Daniel Craig in the leading role—premiered in London.
Craig and co-stars Rami Malek, Lea Seydoux, Lashana Lynch, Ana de Armas, Ben Whishaw, Naomie Harris, and director Cary Joji Fukunaga as well as “No Time to Die” songstress Billie Eilish all attended the long-awaited opening.
“This is amazing,” Daniel Craig said on the red carpet stage, per the Hollywood Reporter. “I really genuinely didn’t think we’d get here, but we are. … I can’t wait to celebrate with everybody.”
BroBible rounded up several critics’ initial Twitter reactions. The outlet’s own reviewer enjoyed all the “Bonding: looking cool, kicking ass, traveling the world, drinking whiskey, dropping one-liners.”
As a traditional MOVIE, not sure it’s “better” than Casino Royale or Skyfall — but as a pure Bond adventure, it’s all fans could possibly hope for.
References and call backs and tie-ins galore, this is a movie that embraces and recalls Bond’s grizzly past to excellent effect. pic.twitter.com/D4LpjZ1cje
— Eric Italiano (@eric_ital) September 28, 2021
Others praised Craig’s “perfect finale,” bringing his Bond full-circle. One critic stated that the “spectacular action sequences, stunning set pieces, and jaw-dropping cinematography” make No Time to Die “a must-see.”
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
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 is the big screen spectacle the world has been waiting for. A beautifully directed and emotional goodbye to Daniel Craig’s Bond. #NoTimeToDie is filled to the brim with spectacular action sequences, stunning set pieces, and jaw-dropping cinematography. A must-see. pic.twitter.com/fdyZ6oFOTx
— Scott Menzel (@ScottDMenzel) September 28, 2021
Multiple critics also indicated there are surprises in store, but they managed to do so without giving up spoilers. One, in particular, referred to “a powerful, unexpected & very emotional payoff.”
#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: 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
What few criticisms have been written so far are padded between compliments.
The BBC, for instance, gave Bond 25 a perfect five-star review even as the British broadcaster somewhat incongruously declared Rami Malek “too young, too wet, and too unscary” to go down as a classic Bond villain. (The New York Post writes that Malek’s scenes all “ring of a horror film,” for what it’s worth.)
More lighthearted commentary dubbed No Time To Die “nonsense,” with a “Roger Moore-level absurd plot” and “the silliest and most serious” of Craig’s performances as Bond.
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
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
Pass your own judgment when No Time to Die hits theaters in the US on October 8.
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