No Time To Die (James Bond) [Blu-ray] [2021] [Region Free]

Firstly, I bought the blu ray version of this movie with my own money and this is an unbiased review almost purely to counter the strangely high numbers of reviews from Daily Mail readers. Let’s set the stall out early - Daniel Craig is the best Bond to have ever walked the hallowed halls of MI6, and this movie is up there with Casino Royale and Skyfall as one of the better entries of the best Bond series. If your favourite Bond movies are your favourites mainly because they feature only a cast dominated by white Anglo Saxon males where the only female characters exist purely to look pretty and worship our hero, then this isn’t the movie for you. If you prefer the Bond movies where black characters only exist as baddies and/or comic relief, then again, this isn’t the movie for you. If however you are happily living with the rest of us in the 21st century, and would like to see a movie representative of the diverse society and audience that will be watching it, here’s the Bond you’ve been waiting for. Just imagine a Bond with emotional depth! And imagine a Bond movie featuring not only strong female characters, and not only strong black characters, but with strong black female characters! I realise this is froth at the mouth stuff for some Bond traditionalists but who cares about that lot, this is real progress and progress is great. It’s almost like new things get better than old things or something. Anyway where was I? Oh yes the movie - good story, which brings a satisfying end to the story arc commenced in Casino Royale, and which isn’t afraid to dwell on downer moments - anyone who thought the ending to Rogue One was satisfying will find a lot to like here. Daniel Craig has always brought much more to his version of Bond than just silly eyebrows and irritating smugness and he continues the character development started in 2006 through to its logical conclusion. The action sequences, while the movie relies much less on them than some earlier entries in the series, are superb - the late, long track one take sequence up a flight of stairs is reminiscent of the opening scene of Spectre and the one-take sequence in Extraction, while the final scenes are spectacularly shot. It’s a beautiful movie visually. Sure some of the dialogue feels a little cheesy at times but there’s nothing even close to Christmas coming more than once a year or whatever rubbish we had to put up with in the later Brosnan movies. It’s a really enjoyable movie and a fitting end to a great series of Bond films. Daniel Craig has set the bar very high and has been a wonderful, and in my eye the definitive, James Bond. Thank you for your service Mr Craig.

A great film that's even more enjoyable in Blu-Ray

I understand that lots of old school Bond fans do not like the direction of the Daniel Craig's films, but I am the opposite. I also grew up watching the old ones, but have very little desire to see the majority of them again; times have moved on and I for one prefer more realism. These films have brought that to the fore and are easily in my top three modern spy action thrillers. In preparation for this film, I rewatched all of them again from Casino Royale as I recently upgraded to a 4k system. I was gutted that all of the main spoilers were carelessly thrown into an Amazon review so unfortunately I went in knowing some main points (I will do my best to avoid the same)... The thing is, I was still stunned by the sublime emotionally rollercoaster that is No Time To Die. It hit in such an intense emotional level that I was numb for days afterwards, trying to work out if it could have ended differently and still worked. To be clear, I am not a inexperienced newbie. I personally own around 900 films (on DISC) that I enjoy, and have invested a lot into a system capable of making a film turn into an experience. That does make a huge difference with the emotional impact of films, not quite something that you can get when watching a film on your phone or laptop... I personally believe that this film was close to perfection. Even though some obvious Hollywood liberties were taken to get to its ending, this film is poetic, had intense emotional impact, and left me mulling over the experience for days afterwards. In my opinion it is a masterpiece of cinema, and if that is not engaging entertainment, I have no idea what is... So yes, there are those out there who will dislike this due to their own prejudices, and that is their right. But if you are an open minded individual who is willing to judge something on its own merits, I highly recommend this film and look forward to my next viewing.

When I first watched this film, I felt let down by shoddy pacing at times, villian motivations I didn't think were up to snuff for a movie of this caliber and an on-screen romance that, for me, just didn't work in terms of chemistry. This was reflected in my original review which prior to edit, was around three stars. Whilst I still think this way, I think this deserves to be looked at edit wise after watching again. From an over-arching narrative stand-point and factoring in Craig's continuity as a whole? I think this film is a beautiful send off to a beloved depiction of Bond that overcame adversity through it's first outing. Craig surprised many, and his range is remarkable. He's able to nail the quick wit, even if it isn't as charming as Moore or Brosnan. He nails the stoic and strong aspect of Connery and Dalton. He's a wonderfully mixed package, and I truly appreciate what he did for this franchise. Narratively, the film suffers from a longer run time that is unjustified due to the poor villain. That said, the tone of film and it's themes are on point. The idea of the old guard being replaced by the new is a poignant one, and although I found Lynch's character annoying on my initial watch, I appreciate her more on the second, as she serves to highlight just how good Bond was and still is, reminding us that new doesn't always equate to better. This doesn't undo her competence as an agent, it simply serves to shine a light on Bond's resilience over time. The music is on point, the cinematography is amazing, set-pieces strong and the opening scene especially is absolutely incredible, arguably one of the best in any Bond movie, period. The ending, coupled with Hans Zimmer's music which, although not particularly complex, was one that brought me to an emotional standstill. I definitely felt a tear running down my cheek. It's hard for any media to get me that way, but Hans Zimmer has always been rather good at evoking strong emotions in his scores for me. Whether it's Inception, Interstellar or No Time to Die, he's a masterclass and the way the scene is written and shot is beautiful. This is a character that many thought would die off and be a relic of a bygone era, only to stand the test of the time for 60+ years and whilst the runs haven't always been perfect, we're lucky to have had him around this long I think. Whilst there was no excuse for Spectre's shortcomings and Quantum had it's issues, I think NTTD is a fitting end to Craig's arc as James Bond. A strong send off for what many will view as their first bond. Dalton will always be my favourite of whom I wish we had more of, but, perhaps controversially, Craig has overtaken Brosnan as my second favourite depiction of Bond. Worth every penny.

"No Time To Die" on Blu-ray is an absolute must-have for any James Bond fan and action movie enthusiast! This thrilling installment of the iconic franchise is a masterpiece, and watching it in high-definition on Blu-ray adds a whole new level of cinematic experience. From the very first scene to the heart-pounding finale, "No Time To Die" keeps you on the edge of your seat with its riveting plot, intense action sequences, and brilliant performances from the cast. Daniel Craig's portrayal of James Bond is as captivating as ever, bringing depth and emotion to the character we all love. The picture and sound quality on this Blu-ray edition are top-notch. The stunning visuals, vivid colors, and crisp details truly bring the action to life, immersing you in the world of espionage and intrigue. The dynamic audio ensures that every explosion, chase, and dialogue is delivered with the utmost clarity and impact. One of the highlights of this Blu-ray release is the bonus features. The behind-the-scenes footage, making-of documentaries, and interviews with the cast and crew provide a fascinating insight into the filmmaking process and the efforts that went into creating this cinematic gem. It's a treat for both Bond enthusiasts and film aficionados. The packaging itself is sleek and elegant, reflecting the sophistication of the James Bond franchise. The inclusion of the Blu-ray and digital copy allows for flexibility in watching the movie on various devices, whether at home or on the go. "No Time To Die" is not just another Bond film; it's a thrilling culmination of a legendary era in the Bond series. This Blu-ray edition allows fans to relish the movie's grandeur and experience it repeatedly with the same excitement as the first viewing. In conclusion, "No Time To Die" on Blu-ray is an outstanding addition to any movie collection. It's a visually stunning and action-packed adventure that showcases the best of the James Bond franchise. If you're a Bond fan, this Blu-ray is an absolute must-have to complete your collection. Grab your popcorn and enjoy the movie magic in the comfort of your own home. Bravo to the team behind "No Time To Die" for delivering a fantastic cinematic experience!

bond is always a good choice

No Time To Die delivers action, emotion, and a daring twist to the classic Bond formula. Daniel Craig’s final outing is stylish and intense, with stunning visuals and a memorable score. A must-watch for fans ready to see 007 like never before.

Excellent bond film my second favourite after casino royale