Topic: James Bond - No Time To Die (202something)

[Barefoot Doctor]

I think there's probably an element of this being the first big 'event film' post pandemic, so reviews will naturally factor that in. I'm looking forward to it - seeing it tomorrow night - but kind of dreading the run time. Just don't think a Bond move needs to be two hours and 45 minutes, but hopefully they keep the pace up.

[killer-heels]

They are, but then again, Spectre got glowing five star reviews across the board and that turned out to be a load of tripe. Were publications getting paid by MGM to overrate the film?

I never trust Bond reviews - even the generally trustworthy Kermode & Mayo gave the last one a great review.

Did they? Ok forget the reviews then.

Still dont think its getting me to the cinema even if it is great.

[Sheer Magnetism]

Yeah, no interest in this whatsoever. For all the talk of 'updating' the films and the character, I'd rather they just made them fun again. Can't wait to see the back of Craig's moany arse.

[TepidT2O]

Reviews are absolutely terrific….
I haven’t missed a bond film since I saw octopus’s at the cinema (although why I went back after that is a mystery )

[John_P]

Looking forward to seeing it tomorrow.

I seem to remember reading loads of good reviews before Spectre and the film was decidedly underwhelming, so aiming to avoid any reviews until after I've seen it.

[Riquende]

I've got no axe to grind either way with Bond. I'd not go to the pictures to see a Bond film, but I'll watch it when it comes on the telly.

I see it's getting a kicking from the "anti-woke" mob already. For unrelated reasons, I won't be watching it. For me, Bond movies were done a long time ago. I didn't enjoy Brosnan's run, and couldn't stand the first Daniel Craig one so swore off them. Give me a bank holiday weekend marathon of all the classics, and hold the Sunny D.

[AndyMuller]

Does he die at the end then? Brosnan is my Bond.

[[new username under construction]]

Well if I'm forced to sit through Ana De Armas in a sexy black dress I suppose I'll have to

[Crosby Nick]

2 hours 40 minutes! There’s no way I’m not having a kip through some of that if I go go and watch at the cinema. And I’ll pay good money to do so.

[rossipersempre]

2 hours 40 minutes! There’s no way I’m not having a kip through some of that if I go go and watch at the cinema. And I’ll pay good money to do so.

I remember going to see Braveheart which was also similar lengthy running time and the cinema (old Everyman in Hampstead) actually put an interval halfway through! When we all went off to get a drink, after all the Claymore-wielding battle scenes, there were a fair few old farts who had clearly nodded off and still in their seats. That’ll be the likes of you now Nick.

As for Bond 25, I remain open-minded with low expectations but still going to see it with Ms Rossi in the local “fancy arty civilised Thai food and cocktails served right to your sofa-like seat with footrests” cinema. Seems fitting really.

[Crosby Nick]

I remember going to see Braveheart which was also similar lengthy running time and the cinema (old Everyman in Hampstead) actually put an interval halfway through! When we all went off to get a drink, after all the Claymore-wielding battle scenes, there were a fair few old farts who had clearly nodded off and still in their seats. That’ll be the likes of you now Nick.

As for Bond 25, I remain open-minded with low expectations but still going to see it with Ms Rossi in the local “fancy arty civilised Thai food and cocktails served right to your sofa-like seat with footrests” cinema. Seems fitting really.

Absolutely! Don’t go to the cinema so much since I’ve had kids, but if a waste of a babysitter generally. But when I do I almost always fall asleep having not had a good nights sleep in about ten years!

[deFacto please, you bastards]

Absolutely! Don’t go to the cinema so much since I’ve had kids, but if a waste of a babysitter generally. But when I do I almost always fall asleep having not had a good nights sleep in about ten years!

Jesus Nick, you sound like you're 72, not 42. Get a grip! 

[Crosby Nick]

Jesus Nick, you sound like you're 72, not 42. Get a grip! 

My wife despairs. If she sticks anything on the telly at home that lasts more than an hour (probably 40 minutes to be honest) and I’ll crash out. Unless it’s sport, but then she probably wouldn’t be watching that.

[deFacto please, you bastards]

My wife despairs. If she sticks anything on the telly at home that lasts more than an hour (probably 40 minutes to be honest) and I’ll crash out. Unless it’s sport, but then she probably wouldn’t be watching that.

and I thought I was bad at nodding off!

[rossipersempre]

Absolutely! Don’t go to the cinema so much since I’ve had kids, but if a waste of a babysitter generally. But when I do I almost always fall asleep having not had a good nights sleep in about ten years!

Ha, I’ve actually had lots of cinema trips with the kids, usually quite entertaining more often than not. But can identify with the odd 15-minute catnap, especially after a few late nights with work and occasional jet lag, (remember that?) but then these films usually last no more than 90 mins anyway, due to average attention span of target audience.

My wife despairs. If she sticks anything on the telly at home that lasts more than an hour (probably 40 minutes to be honest) and I’ll crash out. Unless it’s sport, but then she probably wouldn’t be watching that.

Narcoleptic old fart

[John_P]

Really enjoyed that, plenty of stuff going on that wasn't spoiled by 2 years of trailers.

Daniel Craig goes out on a deserved high. Probably the 2nd best of his era after Casino Royale.

[iamnant]

Went in with low expectations but that was great. Really enjoyed the performances and the plot and even though it could have been half an hour shorter, they crammed a hell of a lot in.

They brought back the old classic Bond lines and tropes whilst also reworking it to be more inclusive without it feeling ham fisted. Terrific.

[Barefoot Doctor]

Big spoilers

Spoiler

Thought it was good, but not brilliant. Despite my reservations, the runtime felt fine - sure it could have stood to lose a few minutes, but the pace was decent throughout.

Rami Malek was a bit rubbish, although he was never more than incidental to the plot. Ana de Armas was criminally underused, brilliant in that one section she was in. Also don't know about anyone else, but there were a few chuckles in my cinema at Christoph Waltz's ridiculous entrance at the jail, moving slowly along that track.

The ending was certainly a bold choice. Think it'll be really controversial, but doesn't really bother me - the Craig series is the first of the Bond films to really be one story, rather than standalone films, so it makes sense to bring it to a proper end. I think I'd have preferred him to go out slightly differently though, he could have got away from the missiles if he needed to but instead chose to die because he couldn't be away from Madeleine and the kid. For all Q said there was no cure, it's hard to buy that in a world where you can be infected with killer nanobots, there wouldn't be a potential cure even if he had to wait a few years!

My assumption is the next Bond film will be a proper reboot/restart, with a completely new cast, and allowing them to completely ignore everything that came before and start afresh. Was thinking last night how much I'd enjoy them doing a few films set in the 60s/70s, although I don't expect that will happen[\spoiler].

[close]

[ABZ Rover]

Saw it in Stavanger last night at a corporate pissup.  I thought it was a perfect Bond film; the cars, the ladies, the fights, the cheesy bad guy, it had the full menu.

No it’s not cinematic genius but it is a bloody good few hours of enjoyable nonsense.

[Buck Pete]

Big spoilers

Spoiler

Thought it was good, but not brilliant. Despite my reservations, the runtime felt fine - sure it could have stood to lose a few minutes, but the pace was decent throughout.

Rami Malek was a bit rubbish, although he was never more than incidental to the plot. Ana de Armas was criminally underused, brilliant in that one section she was in. Also don't know about anyone else, but there were a few chuckles in my cinema at Christoph Waltz's ridiculous entrance at the jail, moving slowly along that track.

The ending was certainly a bold choice. Think it'll be really controversial, but doesn't really bother me - the Craig series is the first of the Bond films to really be one story, rather than standalone films, so it makes sense to bring it to a proper end. I think I'd have preferred him to go out slightly differently though, he could have got away from the missiles if he needed to but instead chose to die because he couldn't be away from Madeleine and the kid. For all Q said there was no cure, it's hard to buy that in a world where you can be infected with killer nanobots, there wouldn't be a potential cure even if he had to wait a few years!

My assumption is the next Bond film will be a proper reboot/restart, with a completely new cast, and allowing them to completely ignore everything that came before and start afresh. Was thinking last night how much I'd enjoy them doing a few films set in the 60s/70s, although I don't expect that will happen[\spoiler].

[close]

Totally agree with all of the above. Spot on.

Spoiler

The Bond villain is a major part of any Bond movie. Almost as iconic a character as 007 himself.  Unfortunately Rami Malek's character was a massive meh!!  I cant even remember the villains actual name and I was in the cinema 90 minutes ago!

[close]

[OOS]

Loved it. Very impressed, they went for something big and they pulled it off. Rare these days.

Everything you want from a Bond film. Action, sexy characters, cheesy lines, cars, gadgets , ridiculous evil bad guy, through a British lens.

[Livbes]

Going tonight. Speke Super Screen. Can’t wait.

[bornandbRED]

Saw it last night. Thought it was sub par/shite. Lots of cheap thrills and it was far fetched even for a Bond film. Drags on too - not his best piece of work so don’t really get the reviews.

[Livbes]

Thought it was great. Flew by for me.

[CraigDS]

Saw it last night. Thought it was sub par/shite. Lots of cheap thrills and it was far fetched even for a Bond film. Drags on too - not his best piece of work so don’t really get the reviews.

I never get the far fetched call about Bond films - they all are. They always have been. It’s part of the fun about them (and let’s not forget they are meant to be taken with a pinch of salt).

Can’t wait to go and see it, waiting for cinemas to empty a little as fucking hate busy cinemas.

[So… Howard Philips]

I never get the far fetched call about Bond films - they all are. They always have been. It’s part of the fun about them (and let’s not forget they are meant to be taken with a pinch of salt).

Can’t wait to go and see it, waiting for cinemas to empty a little as fucking hate busy cinemas.

I think Dr No was the only Bond film that wasn't far fetched. Looking forward to a couple of hours light entertainment at the Everyman with a glass or two of their wine.

[Livbes]

I never get the far fetched call about Bond films - they all are. They always have been. It’s part of the fun about them (and let’s not forget they are meant to be taken with a pinch of salt).

Can’t wait to go and see it, waiting for cinemas to empty a little as fucking hate busy cinemas.

Agreed. The super screen in Speke was heaving tonight, only a few single empty seats but I’d go sooner rather than later, spoilers will get out soon enough I am sure.

[I've been a good boy]

Hadn't watched a Bond movie since Casino Royale so I had no idea who half the characters were including Spectre. Was pleasantly surprised by it though, wasn't shite but wasn't absolutely amazing either.

[Livbes]

Hadn't watched a Bond movie since Casino Royale so I had no idea who half the characters were including Spectre. Was pleasantly surprised by it though, wasn't shite but wasn't absolutely amazing either.

Blows my mind that people watch and pick up films and series without watching those before it.

[mrchimps]

I see it's getting a kicking from the "anti-woke" mob already. For unrelated reasons, I won't be watching it. For me, Bond movies were done a long time ago. I didn't enjoy Brosnan's run, and couldn't stand the first Daniel Craig one so swore off them. Give me a bank holiday weekend marathon of all the classics, and hold the Sunny D.

Welcome to America's Strongest Man!

[I've been a good boy]

Blows my mind that people watch and pick up films and series without watching those before it.

It's something I never do. Missus booked it last minute so had no choice but to go and watch it.

[Livbes]

It's something I never do. Missus booked it last minute so had no choice but to go and watch it.

I have mates that start series 3 or 4 seasons in or watch random marvel films without seeing the others.

[RobinHood]

Saw it tonight, it’s a decent watch, but wouldn’t say it was a great film or as good as Casino Royale, which is easily my favourite of Craig’s run. He actually gets to do some acting in this, felt like in Spectre he was pretty much a silent protagonist most of the time.

So 3 hits and 2 misses isn’t too bad, I just hope they take the opportunity to reboot it again and do something different, I’m a bit bored of this style of Bond film personally. Casino Royale was a breath of fresh air off the back of Die Another Day but now I would like to see something new.

Doubt it will happen as there are producers and rights holders to make sure the films aren’t too creative and make them more boring, so you’d be unlikely to see someone like Edgar Wright direct one.

[killer-heels]

Saw it tonight, it’s a decent watch, but wouldn’t say it was a great film or as good as Casino Royale, which is easily my favourite of Craig’s run. He actually gets to do some acting in this, felt like in Spectre he was pretty much a silent protagonist most of the time.

So 3 hits and 2 misses isn’t too bad, I just hope they take the opportunity to reboot it again and do something different, I’m a bit bored of this style of Bond film personally. Casino Royale was a breath of fresh air off the back of Die Another Day but now I would like to see something new.

Doubt it will happen as there are producers and rights holders to make sure the films aren’t too creative and make them more boring, so you’d be unlikely to see someone like Edgar Wright direct one.

They definitely need a reboot but of all the talk of taking liberty with the character, I think they would be better set having a much younger Bond next time around, more so than Craig was in Casino Royale.

[Jonny5]

Don`t really want to go into too much detail unless people who havnt seen it yet read my comments but lets just say worst villain and the ending really pissed me off.

not interested in a reboot at all so not another dime from me.

[wah00ey]

It really didn't "feel" like a Bond movie to me.  I thought it was a decent film in its own right but Daniel's not playing the James Bond character there.  Drop in Bruce Willis as John Maclean or Matt Damon as Jason Bourne, tweak the cars and soundtrack a little bit and you still have a decent action / thriller.

They lost the real Bond ethos from Quantum onwards, after the really encouraging Casino Royale.  I don't go to watch a Bond film to see how a character evolves and becomes emotionally involved but they've taken Bond on a very modern "journey" and, if you've read the books, that's not what they are about.  So this is not a Bond movie anymore in my opinion and I suspect we've seen the last of them anyway.

I reckon the movies will now be about whoverer is "007" onwards and they can chop and change the character as they like.  Shame they didn't choose to keep going with Bond as 007 and do another "00x" as a spin off franchise.  Ah well.

[Barefoot Doctor]

It really didn't "feel" like a Bond movie to me.  I thought it was a decent film in its own right but Daniel's not playing the James Bond character there.  Drop in Bruce Willis as John Maclean or Matt Damon as Jason Bourne, tweak the cars and soundtrack a little bit and you still have a decent action / thriller.

They lost the real Bond ethos from Quantum onwards, after the really encouraging Casino Royale.  I don't go to watch a Bond film to see how a character evolves and becomes emotionally involved but they've taken Bond on a very modern "journey" and, if you've read the books, that's not what they are about.  So this is not a Bond movie anymore in my opinion and I suspect we've seen the last of them anyway.

I reckon the movies will now be about whoverer is "007" onwards and they can chop and change the character as they like.  Shame they didn't choose to keep going with Bond as 007 and do another "00x" as a spin off franchise.  Ah well.

Think there's a precisely 0% chance that the next film isn't James Bond as 007. That character is the series, and I'm fairly sure the producers aren't going to willingly kill their cash cow.

I'm sure they'll be considering some spinoff properties, that's the way of modern film/TV although I don't think it's a deep enough franchise to do that successfully. I don't think there'd be a huge appetite for a Moneypenny series, or a Felix Leiter-led film, for example. Although I'd happily watch anything to do with Ana de Armas' Paloma.

Also... (spoilers for end of the film)

Spoiler

While I didn't hang around to the end of the credits, apparently the last shot is the famous 'James Bond will return' line - not '007 will return'.

[close]

[FlashingBlade]

Saw it last night....two thirds ok ish....think it chanelled classic Connery era films....nice Aston Martin scene...Last thirty mins poor.
Billy Eilish theme tune awful. Also two and half hour too long....could easily  have got that down to 100mins.

On upside new local cinema/bar/rstaraunt is ace!

[wah00ey]

Think there's a precisely 0% chance that the next film isn't James Bond as 007. That character is the series, and I'm fairly sure the producers aren't going to willingly kill their cash cow.

I'm sure they'll be considering some spinoff properties, that's the way of modern film/TV although I don't think it's a deep enough franchise to do that successfully. I don't think there'd be a huge appetite for a Moneypenny series, or a Felix Leiter-led film, for example. Although I'd happily watch anything to do with Ana de Armas' Paloma.

Also... (spoilers for end of the film)

Spoiler

While I didn't hang around to the end of the credits, apparently the last shot is the famous 'James Bond will return' line - not '007 will return'.

[close]

I know it's a movie franchise but how can they continue with Bond in any credible way after that ending?  It's not Dr Who FFS!

If they do, it needs to go back to basics.  Otherwise it's just another version of Die Hard / Taken / Bourne / #genericactionthriller.  Which is what No Time To Die was, with the odd nod to the Bond ethos.  Perhaps they could introduce us to his granny this time?  Or maybe set it when he's in his 80s in an old people's home?

[RobinHood]

Don`t really want to go into too much detail unless people who havnt seen it yet read my comments but lets just say worst villain

The villains in Craig's run have been really disappointing, the only really memorable one was Javier Barden's in Skyfall.

The managed to get Christoph Waltz (one of the best in the business) on board for two films and completely wasted him on both occasions. I haven't seen Rami Malek in much before, clearly a talented actor but didn't really have an awful lot to do and won't be remembered, I've forgotten the name of his character already.