(UTV| COLOMBO) – Following its world premiere in London, the first reviews from British and U.S. critics are out for the new James Bond film “No Time to Die” ahead of the movie’s global rollout kickoff this weekend.
With 36 reviews counted, the film sits at 89% and a 7.9/10 average score on Rotten Tomatoes – confirming that just like the “Star Trek” franchise had its ‘odd-numbered film curse’, Craig’s run of the Bond franchise has an ‘even-numbered film curse’. To put the score in comparison:
“Casino Royale”: 94% (7.9/10)
“Quantum of Solace”: 64% (6.1/10)
“Skyfall”: 92% (8.2/10)
“Spectre”: 63% (6.4/10)
“No Time to Die”: 89% (7.9/10)
Reviews paint this as very much building upon the films that came before, especially the story threads left by “Spectre,” and a proper finale to the Craig-era of the franchise. Here’s a sampling of quotes:
“For those who’ve taken Daniel Craig’s Bond as their concerns: Their wait is worth it. His final scene is the most heartbreaking sequence in the franchise’s history.” – Robert Daniels, The Playlist
“What Cary Joji Fukunaga has managed to do here is capture the essence of Bond without contrivance, all the while bringing the character and world firmly into the present day.” – Stefan Pape, HeyUGuys
“An epic swan song for Daniel Craig as 007. Reintroduces some humor and fun into the series after too long of an absence.” – Chris Bumbray, JoBlo’s Movie Network
“‘No Time To Die’ is pretty good when it’s focused on just being “the next James Bond movie,” but it stumbles in the back half as a direct sequel to ‘Spectre.’” – Scott Mendelson, Forbes
“No Time To Die is startling, exotically self-aware, funny and confident, and perhaps most of all it is big: big action, big laughs, big stunts.” – Peter Bradshaw, Guardian
“Fukunaga stages some fine chases, explosions, stunts, and the big hour-long finale… but there is as much emphasis on the human beings here, their conflicts and complications and complexities as there is on the fast-moving thrills.” – Pete Hammond, Deadline
“This is Bond film that dutifully ticks all the boxes – but brilliantly, often doesn’t feel like a Bond film at all. For a 007 who strived to bring humanity to larger-than-life hero, it’s a fitting end to the Craig era.” – John Nugent, Empire Magazine
“You will be on the edge of your seats the entire time. It ends with what may be the cliffhanger of all cliffhangers, or a finale for the ages.” – Roger Friedman, Showbiz 411
“No Time to Die” will open in cinemas in the UK from Wednesday, arrives in the U.S. on October 8th and hits Australia on November 11th.