No Time To Die

Warning, spoilers, and unpopular opinions ahead!

I saw the new James Bond film ‘No Time To Die’ today. It was a good film, understandably so, as it is getting 4.5 to 5-star reviews everywhere. It is excellent as just a normal movie, but as a Bond film, I have a different feeling.

Like I said, ‘unpopular opinion’…

In a nutshell, they did a lot of exciting things in this movie.

The first thing that stands out is a female black 007!

I highlight this because I remember an interview of Idris Elba where he expressed his displeasure at not being able to play Bond just because he was black. Lashana Lynch as Nomi, the new 007, the replacement for our retired Bond, settles this issue. Daniel Craig’s line in the film, “It’s just a number!” further supports the cause. A few years ago, there were also rumors that the next Bond might be a woman. Well, Lashana Lynch is a lady and also 007, but not James Bond!

By the way, how can a lady be ‘James’?

When I heard this rumor that the next Bond could be a woman (apparently that would empower women!), my reaction was, “No way!” I am not against a female superspy in the lead role. I think she could be much more interesting, even just considering the espionage aspects. If executed well, she could be a lot of fun to watch. BUT, if that’s what you want, go, create a new character and a new story!!! Do not tinker with a classic, for heaven’s sake! Just imagine what it would be like if Harry Potter was a girl?

Well, it could be great! But the fact is, he’s not!

As I said, that was my first reaction. Once I cooled down after a few hours, I got into a ‘what if’ kind of mood. What if the producers, writers, and directors of the film do not give a damn about my opinion! And they go ahead and do it, is there any way to make it acceptable?

I was so agitated by this rumor/(news), and being a die-hard fan; I came up with an idea. The only way I would accept it is if James Bond’s daughter grew up to be a secret agent whose name is,

{A female first name} James Bond!

While it isn’t delightful, we can not deny that James Bond, the man, has been around for 25 movies. He’s lived a lifetime. So if the makers want to do it badly enough, then that’s a possibility!

That’s how I thought about it three years ago. Just wait until you read what I saw today: Mathilde, Bond’s 4-year-old daughter!

Why am I focusing so much on a child, as if she’s the chosen one?

The clue is in the question: the Chosen One’s (Harry Potter’s) parents have died! In this movie, James Bond also dies!!!! (I warned about the spoilers!).

The way it was shown, he is surely dead! He was standing in a shower of missiles! This is why I hate this movie (well, let us cut it some slack)! I’d change it to love-hate, (hope that’s better)!

It’s not just that there was no way to escape. He gave up on purpose!

Now the real spoiling begins!

So why did James Bond, the grandmaster of coming out from seemingly hopeless situations, just give up?

The reason is, he was infected with Corona virus-like nanobots that attack humans by recognizing their DNA. A pretty targeted way to take out the enemy. At least that’s what MI6 thought when they developed them!

But a Russian scientist, aided by Rami Malek, modified the virus to kill any blood relative of the target when it came into contact with them (again, based on matching DNA). And Bond was infected with the virus designed to kill Madeline Swan and her daughter Mathilde if he so much as touched them!

He inquired with ‘Q’ if these nanobots could be removed from his body, but apparently, there was no way.

Earlier in the film, this virus was used to kill Blofeld (and all the members of Specter). In that respect, it’s a pretty exciting movie because even Felix Lighter gets killed! A prominent character from the earlier James Bond films.

‘This is the end! Hold your breath and count to ten….’

Those were the lines from Adele’s famous song ‘Skyfall’ for the Bond film of the same name. That’s what the makers would have us believe. I can tell you that I waited until the end of the credits to see if the famous ‘James Bond will return’ message was at the end! I was so relieved when I finally saw it!

Now, let us see what this could mean?

It said that James Bond would return, but we saw him die, or at least that’s what we were supposed to believe! At the end of the film, there is a scene where his colleagues gather to remember him. They have been drinking and also poured a glass for him too. In the end, Money Penny says to his glass, “It’s time to get back to work!” This could be a cryptic hint that he is still alive.

I can think of a few parallel ways the story could go from here.

1. James Bond is not dead!

Let us assume he fooled the world and escaped to work in secret, probably.

Well, if Rami Malek decides to kill all of Specter, there’s a chance he’s part of a more significant organization we do not know about yet.

So Bond is probably secretly after them!

If they pull it off, technically speaking, he’ll never go back to Madeline Swan and may not get involved in a committed relationship with a new girl because he knows the love of his life and his daughter are there somewhere. But of course, that means they can just have a different Bond girl in every upcoming movie! (It’s called show business for a reason!).

2. James Bond is dead!

Before I go on, let me tell you that I understand the makers used all the material from Ian Fleming’s works (he wrote 12 novels, and there were 25 films made, including No Time To Die).

And if the rumor I heard in the news a few years ago is possibly true, they’ll have to create a new character. She will undoubtedly have some of the characteristics of James Bond, the man, being her daughter, but there will also be an opportunity to develop a whole new identity of this character! It would give the makers a license to tweak the narrative the way they would want to.

3. Nomi continues as 007.

If this is going to happen, Lashana Lynch needs a Goldfinger!

Goldfinger was the third James Bond film that established Sean Connery as the natural embodiment of James Bond, as we know. This film turned the series into a franchise that has endured for more than 50 years.

If the makers are willing to go down that road, they’ll need more than just a great movie.

The character of Nomi needs to be as impressive as Sean Connery’s Bond! Sean has often been referred to as the real Bond. I think Lashana Lynch will have to earn the same respect, and for that to happen, the script will have to reach Ian Fleming’s level (as far as his acumen of enabling his main character with lateral thinking goes, more on that below).

A word about the film action and its nature.

I mentioned unpopular opinions at the beginning of this article. Here is one upfront.

Most people liked the action sequences in this movie. I also agree that they are great. But something is missing, not only in this movie but in recent Bond movies. You will notice that the signature style of music in the action sequences is missing. (Which you can hear below).

I understand that this was a conscious decision by the makers, an attempt to create something new. But I feel like they missed out on a hidden aspect of the plots of the good old Bond films that this music also emphasized and reinforced.

I am talking about the lateral thinking of Bond’s character.

Lateral thinking is different from systematic thinking. It means that instead of a direct approach, you choose something completely parallel that gives a fantastic result.

Example: Suppose a huge treasure is buried underground, and you dig a little away from it. You might find a small part if you keep digging, but you have to dig somewhere else to get the whole treasure.

This ability to understand the need for a different approach is called lateral thinking. See how he escapes at the end:

To me, this was a trademark of almost all the good old Bond movies. In these films, Bond was in a dead-end situation all the time, and he did something unthinkable to get out of it. And this was punctuated by great music in high registers.

I would say it’s cool to do stunts, while they may be appropriate for any other action movie. But when it comes to Bond, you need to show something unthinkable, the story should be designed that way, and this is where the gadgets can come into play. But for some reason, the makers did not get that and have minimized the number of gadgets!

I want to say a few more things!

I spotted a lot of easter eggs in this movie!

The final battle takes place on a Japanese Island.

This is the second time Bond has been to Japan (though for a short time in this movie.) The Last time was in You Only Live Twice(1967). Bond is known for his cars, but he flew a toy helicopter capable of causing severe destruction in that movie called Little Nelly. In this one also, we see an unusual plane or aircraft which takes them to the Island. To me, this Island also looked somewhat similar. Further in that movie, also Bond dies, fakes his death to be accurate! If he has to return, probably that’s what he is doing now.

All the time in the world!

Bond was seriously married once, in the film ‘In Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1969)’, and his bride was killed shortly after the ceremony. These were among the last words Bond said to his wife before she was caught in a crossfire aimed at him. So when I had heard about the title of this film, I had a feeling he was going to save his wife this time, hence the name: ‘No Time to Die!’

Bond also said this line twice in this film. He did save her but died himself. (Or did not!)

9 minutes for the missiles to strike the Island.

Well, he has been in this situation earlier too. The last time it was just 4 minutes to impact when he was able to escape securing and taking away the nuclear torpedos on site! This time he had double time, but still, he chose not to get out of there! Well, we have to see what the next movie brings.

What I missed the most?

Bond has the most positive frame of mind perhaps among all the movie characters ever created. He’s always sure he would win, no matter the odds, and finds innovative ways to do that. He always improvises something on the spot, even if he is trapped, See for yourself:

If you have enjoyed this article so far, here’s something to cheer you up:

There are many other things worth sharing but we have,

All the time in the world!