Though not a prefect Bond film by any means, it has a great deal to like - with a few forgivable foibles.
What's to like?
An intriguing setup and another time jump for Daniel Craig. This time at least 5 years has passed from the last outing. This gives us something to work with and opens the door to a few curveball.
(spoiler) The first section up until Felix Leiter's demise was excellent. Loved the Cuba section and the backstory had been paced well up to that point. The pacing throughout is very good - but from that point on I felt a few things could have benefited from some backstory or explanation and that was absent.
(major spoiler) The surprise offspring. Excellently done. He knows despite what he is told. And for a short time, he has a true meaning in his life. Very touching and I think they didn't overdo it for sentimality. They just let it breathe naturally and it worked well.
The direction and cinematography were fantastic. Original shots and use of really grand sets and views. Well done to all involved, it looks great.
What's not to like?
(spoiler) Who is the nemesis exactly? It looks like Scaramanga's Island, and Dr No's lair inside. He talks of his father being an assassin yet he isn't actually named. Would it not have been wiser to name him clearly and wrap up Blofeld and the others with a bow? Or would that be too final for Bond and it run the risk he never gets another film outing...?
The replacement double-0. Didn't exactly have the same skills as Bond did she? If an old Bond was far superior, it leaves you fretful for the future of the 00-programme...! She redeemed herself towards the end but I didn't warm to her at all as she was unnecessarily combative and the soften came too late and limply.
Overall A few more explanatory sequences would have been my only requests. It's hard to undo the damage that Spectre did to the Craig franchise (it really is a stinker of a film) but they did well to pull the realism lever back towards Skyfall.
A worthy send off for Craig. A brave way to end any Bond film.
The next guy to carry the mantle will benefit from a slate wipe just as all other Bonds have. I hope the producers refrain from the slow degradation into nonsense that plagued Brosnan and now Craig.
The evidence of this is that perhaps they are finally learning their lesson.
I can't wait to rewatch this when it gets home release.
Review by PorterUkVIP 5BlockedParentSpoilers2021-11-07T18:50:06Z
An extremely solid farewell for the Craig era.
Though not a prefect Bond film by any means, it has a great deal to like - with a few forgivable foibles.
What's to like?
An intriguing setup and another time jump for Daniel Craig. This time at least 5 years has passed from the last outing. This gives us something to work with and opens the door to a few curveball.
(spoiler) The first section up until Felix Leiter's demise was excellent. Loved the Cuba section and the backstory had been paced well up to that point. The pacing throughout is very good - but from that point on I felt a few things could have benefited from some backstory or explanation and that was absent.
(major spoiler) The surprise offspring. Excellently done. He knows despite what he is told. And for a short time, he has a true meaning in his life. Very touching and I think they didn't overdo it for sentimality. They just let it breathe naturally and it worked well.
The direction and cinematography were fantastic. Original shots and use of really grand sets and views. Well done to all involved, it looks great.
What's not to like?
(spoiler) Who is the nemesis exactly? It looks like Scaramanga's Island, and Dr No's lair inside. He talks of his father being an assassin yet he isn't actually named. Would it not have been wiser to name him clearly and wrap up Blofeld and the others with a bow? Or would that be too final for Bond and it run the risk he never gets another film outing...?
The replacement double-0. Didn't exactly have the same skills as Bond did she? If an old Bond was far superior, it leaves you fretful for the future of the 00-programme...! She redeemed herself towards the end but I didn't warm to her at all as she was unnecessarily combative and the soften came too late and limply.
Overall
A few more explanatory sequences would have been my only requests. It's hard to undo the damage that Spectre did to the Craig franchise (it really is a stinker of a film) but they did well to pull the realism lever back towards Skyfall.
A worthy send off for Craig. A brave way to end any Bond film.
The next guy to carry the mantle will benefit from a slate wipe just as all other Bonds have. I hope the producers refrain from the slow degradation into nonsense that plagued Brosnan and now Craig.
The evidence of this is that perhaps they are finally learning their lesson.
I can't wait to rewatch this when it gets home release.
8.25/10