Review: No Time to Die shakes Bond and stirs the audience (Spoiler free)
October 5, 2021James Bond adventure ”No Time To Die” (2021) starring Daniel Craig, got its premiere at last after several delays and problems. The production was delayed by a change of director due to disagreements, (Danny Boyle left his position and Cary Fukunaga nailed the job), Craig getting injured while filming and an explosion at the Pinewood studios. The COVID pandemic also delayed the film’s premiere several times. Luckily we’ll now see the longest 007 film of all time, which we’ll be able to enjoy for 2 hours and 43 minutes. (For comparison: the shortest 007 film is “Quantum of Solace” (2008), almost an hour shorter than “No Time To Die”. 1h 46min).
The filming locations are something we particularly waited for, because as Bond location bloggers we pay special attention to filming locations. Norway’s gorgeous scenery is seen in the film, from there we move to Matera, Italy. There we see fabulous action scenes and motorcycle stunts as well as a great bulletproof Aston Martin. A more laid-back atmosphere are seen in Jamaica when Bond spends his retirement days, until Felix Leiter (Jeffrey Wright) arrives to ask for Bond’s help with the missing scientist’s case. This mission takes Bond to Cuba but the scenes were not actually filmed there. Later we go to England, of course, what would a Bond film be without Bond’s home country, which is one of our own favourites on our trips. The audience will visit Q´s home for the first time in the series. Later in the movie we end up in villains lair and some scenes of it were filmed in the Faroe Islands.

James Bond gets caught in the crossfire on the streets of Matera, Italy in NO TIME TO DIE, an EON Productions and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios film Credit: Courtesy of DANJAQ and MGM © 2021 DANJAQ, LLC AND MGM. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Daniel Craig has improved in his role as Bond, the character is more romantic and emotional. The familiar cast from previous movies M (Ralph Fiennes), Moneypenny (Naomie Harris), Q (Ben Whishaw) and Tanner (Rory Kinnear) support Bond with his mission once again. The film has strong female roles, such as agents played by Lashana Lynch (Nomi) and Ana de Armas (Paloma). Léa Seydoux as a leading lady is back as Madeleine Swann, and it is rare that the previous film’s “main bond girl” is seen in the next film, too. In her role she is more active than in the previous film. Bond’s arch nemesis Emst Stavro Blofeld (Christoph Waltz), was also seen in the previous film “SPECTRE” (2015) as well as in “No Time to Die“, and this time mysterious Safin (played by Rami Malek) is the main villain.

James Bond (Daniel Craig) in NO TIME TO DIE an EON Productions and Metro Goldwyn Mayer Studios film Credit: Nicola Dove © 2020 DANJAQ, LLC AND MGM. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
The films soundtrack by Hans Zimmer is wonderful! American singer Billie Eilish made the film’s theme song alongside her brother Finneas O’Connell. The song “No Time To Die” was released as early as last year. Billie Eilish is the youngest writer and performer of a James Bond theme in history at the age of 18 years. The song is sensitive, but it is dramatic when it comes to its lyrics. Who betrays who?
Product placement has always its role in 007 movies. Omega watches: James Bond wears a Seamaster Diver 300M 007 Edition on his wrist, agent Nomi wears a 38mm Seamaster Aqua Terra watch and Moneypenny looks at the time on her 27.4mm De Ville Prestige watch.
James Bond wears Tom Ford’s suits again, for the fourth time in a row. Tom Ford has also designed clothes for agent Nomi (Lashana Lynch). Other clothes for Bond are from N.Peal and Crockett & Jones delivered shoes to him. 007 wears Highbury shoes in several scenes and Molton shoes, when the story takes Bond to Norway. Moneypenny
carries bags by Michael Kors in the film.
Vodka martinis are made from Smirnoff vodka this time. The collaboration with Heineken continues on the beer brand’s part, as does the long-lasting partnership with Bollinger champagne.
Agent Nomi has a Nokia XR20 in her hands, at least in the commercials. Also Bond uses Finnish Nokia´s mobile phone and that can been seen clearly in the film.
A young actress wears a jacket of Marks & Spencer in the film, and we have to confess that when we saw the first photos of it taken in Norway, we ordered the jacket for our 007 Travelers Junior last year.

007 Travelers Junior with Marks & Spencer jacket seen in the movie. Photo © 007 Travelers
In general, ”No Time To Die” is a great movie and it ends Daniel Craig’s staggering career as an agent. The film will touch people with its many surprises. It will shake Bond and stir the audience. This is actually a love story. 007 Travelers recommends fellow agents and other Bond fans to book tickets in the speed of a bullet!
It’s interesting to see what Bond’s direction is after Daniel Craig. Who is the new main actor and in what direction will producers take Bond’s character in the future? We’ll see: “We Have All the Time in the World“.
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