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Shaken or Stirred: Does No Time To Die Give A Damn?
A satisfying swansong to Daniel Craig’s uneven run as 007?
*Light spoilers ahead *
From exploding graves to explosive one-liners to exploded surprises and nuclear-sized explosions, there’s so much to say about Craig’s last film. At once, very Bond and at the same time very un-Bond. The film manages to tread new ground while recreating the moments fans know and expect from the character. But does this make for a good film, or one pulling in two different directions?
Personally, it is a good film. Perhaps even the second-best of Craig’s Bond films with Casino Royale sitting far in front. After the utter disappointment that was SPECTRE, this felt like a much-needed reminder that Bond can be good and that Craig has something to offer the character that none of the others could. Whether you like the film or not, it’s hard to deny this is one of Bond’s most emotional outings ever: Something Craig’s character has been building to as well as nurtured over his tenure.
It’s also the best curtain call of any of the actors to helm the role. Connery tried with Never Say Never Again but couldn’t recapture his own highs. Moore’s 58-year-old performance in View To A Kill is hardly him at his best and the less said about Brosnan’s Die Another Day the better…
