Cinema
Retro's Dave Worrall attended the Royal World Premiere of No Time To Die at the Royal Albert Hall in London last night
highlighted by the attendance of the Prince of Wales, the Dutchess of Cornwall
and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Due to the world pandemic this was a
tough event to organise, but EON pulled it off big time, withcast members Daniel Craig, Rami Malek, Lea
Seydoux, Lashana Lynch, Ben Wishaw, Naomie Harris, Jeffrey Wright, Rory
Kinnear, Ana Armas, David Denik, Dali Benssalah, director Cary Joji Fukunaga,
writers Neal Purvis, Robert Wade and Phoebe Waller-Bridge, composer Hans
Zimmer, performers Billie Eilish and Finneas O'Conell, and producers Michael
G.Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, arriving
on the red carpet and with some of them greeting the audience in the
auditorium, who responded with rapturous applause, especially for Daniel Craig.
This
event kick-starts a series of premieres in 57 countries, including 10 in the UK
and Ireland to which health care workers will be invited as special guests in
celebration and gratitude of their extraordinary work during the pandemic. Last
night's performance raised over 1 million pounds for charities supporting
serving and former members of the three intelligence agencies (the Secret
Intelligence Service, the Security Service and GCHQ). The evening also assisted
charities supporting past and present members of the United Kingdom Special
Forces, and invited health care workers and members of the armed forces, joined
the cast and other guests inside to watch the film.
Despite
guests having to have had a lateral flow test beforehand, wear a face mask, and
being a little more cautious than usual, it was a spectacular and welcome experience
for everyone who attended, and a great release after being restricted by the
various lockdown situations of the last eighteen months - thanks to Bond. James
Bond.
Here
are Dave's thoughts on the film (No spoilers):
Planes,
boats and automobiles - Daniel Craig's final mission as James Bond is an
emotional rollercoaster of a ride that twists and turns in many directions,
culminating in a finale that left me both exhausted and, dare I admit, in
tears. For many reasons, this 25th chapter in the EON-produced film franchise
has taken six years to reach cinema screens which, interestingly, continues
directly after where Bond and Madeline Swann (Lea Seydoux) drove off in the
agent's fabled Aston Martin DB5 at the end of Spectre in 2015, and then continues five years later. No Time To Die ties up a lot of loose
ends relating to Craig's tenure as Bond, and features many subtle elements
relating to films, and novels of the past that will please both Bond fans and
the general public alike.
Like
Sean Connery's You Only Live Twice
(1967), Craig's fifth and final film is also a spectacular adventure boasting
some outstanding set pieces, stunts, stunning sets and lavish location
photography that are now synonymous (and expected by audience) of a Bond film.
However, none of this distracts from the main aspect of the film - Bond and
Madeline's relationship. Like Casino
Royale, this entry is a love story. One with a difference, but definitely a
love story - and Bond is left hurting once again, but not as you would expect.
It is also the most sinister Bond film I've ever seen, with several very tense and
eerie scenes.
Directed
by Cary Joji Fukunaga (who gave us the magnificent first series of the TV show
'True Detective' 2014, Beasts of No
Nation 2015, and 'Maniac' TV mini-series 2018), his creative vision shines
through in every scene, especially those with the main characters, who are
played by a cast that excel themselves. From Rami Malek to Lashana Lynch, Lea
Seydoux to Ana de Armas - and not forgetting old stalwarts Ralph Fiennes, Ben
Wishaw, Naomie Harris, Rory Kinnear and Jeffrey Wright - no one is wasted. They
are cherished and welcomed back as much as Craig.
As
promised, no plot spoilers, and unlike a lot of the cynical die-hard fans out
there in the Bond community, I am not an overtly critical person. I was just
happy to see his return in this big screen adventure that delivers the goods in
spectacular fashion - which it does in bucket loads. Was there anything that
disappointed me? Yes - the fact that we shall not see Daniel Craig in the role again,
as he delivers big time in No Time to Die.
Definitely his finest hour.
I've
booked my tickets to go and see it again tomorrow, when the film opens to the
public. Yes, it's that good.
Dave Worrall (29/9/2021)
Photos:
Dave Worrall and Joe Osuch.
No Time To Die opens in
the UK and Ireland from 30 September, and in the U.S. on 8 October.
Well, it's finally here. Perhaps the most eagerly-awaited James Bond film ever, "No Time to Die", had its world premiere in London earlier this evening. Simultaneously, MGM and Eon Productions invited journalists to view the first screening of the film simultaneously in other parts of the globe. Cinema Retro was invited to attend the New York IMAX screening at the AMC theater at Columbus Square. Upon entering the theater, attendees were presented with official 007 studio swag followed by free popcorn and drinks. Thus, it wasn't just the popcorn that was buttered up by the time the film began. After a wait of six years since the release of the prior film, "Spectre", I must say that when the gunbarrel opening appeared, I was reminded of New York Times film critic Vincent Canby who wrote of Sean Connery's return to the role of Bond in "Diamonds are Forever" that it was enough to make a viewer weepy with gratitude.
Because of MGM and Eon's impressive achievement in keeping key plot surprises secret, I will not divulge them here. Instead, I'll give a bare-bones breakdown of important elements.The film finds Bond living blissfully in self-imposed retirement with the love of his life, Madeleine Swann (Lea Seydoux in a marvelously understated performance), with whom he rode off into the sunset at the end of "Spectre". However, their seemingly perfect existence is torn apart by developments that cause Bond to reject her and promise he will never see her again. When they are reluctantly reunited later in the film, it opens a Pandora's Box of disturbing revelations with the fate of the world hanging in the balance.
The Pre-Credits Sequence: Probably the longest such segment in any Bond film. If you walked in a minute late, you would be forgiven for suspecting it was the wrong theater. We find a mother and her young daughter living in isolation in a barren wasteland when a mysterious, unnamed villain arrives and puts into motion the basis of the story line in a chilling and disturbing fashion. The scene is disturbing and highly effective.
The Credits: Daniel Kleinman comes through again with the traditional style that was pioneered by such geniuses as Maurice Binder and Robert Brownjohn. Billy Eilish's crooning of the haunting title song works very well indeed in conjunction with the title credits' images.
The Script: Eon wisely enlisted the services of veteran Bond screenwriters Neal Purvis and Robert Wade, who initiated the Daniel Craig era with "Casino Royale". They know the character intimately, and with an assist from Phoebe Waller-Bridge and director Cary Joji Fukunaga, they deliver the goods with a complex but highly intelligent script. No other Bond actor has had the luxury of having a script specifically tailored to be his final Bond movie and the writers have come through impressively for Craig.
The Direction: Fukunaga distinguishes himself very well indeed in the action scenes but he is an actor's director and he gets the most out of his distinguished cast, with Daniel Craig giving what is arguably his best performance as Bond.
The Villains: It helps when you have two Oscar winners as your main villains. Rami Malek is superb as Safin, a creepy, aristocratic type who lives large and recalls the images of classic Bond villains of years past. Christoph Waltz's Blofeld appears primarily in only one scene, but it's pivotal to the plot and the interplay between him and Bond is riveting.
The Score: Another Oscar winner, Hans Zimmer, provides a highly impressive score that includes John Barry's "We Have All the Time in the World" from "On Her Majesty's Secret Service". He also doesn't stint on using "The James Bond Theme" often and in its original format without any modern "improvements".
The "New" 007: When Bond returns from retirement, it's well known through press leaks that he finds there is a new Agent 007: the young female agent Nomi. As played with gusto and wit by Lashana Lynch, the character trades humorous barbs with Bond but the situation is never overplayed and the two make a good team when the going gets rough. As for criticisms that it was a politically correct move to introduce this character, remember that Bond has often been teamed with kick-ass female agents going back to the early days of the series. However, the female agent winningly played by Ana de Armas does seem superfluous and appears to have been inserted just to showcase a somewhat humorous action scene. The character is then all but retired without any further development.
The film is peppered with appearances by the usual reliable players: Ralph Fiennes, especially good as a deeply troubled "M", Rory Kinnear as his Chief of Staff, Tanner and, of course, Naomi Harris as the ever-present Moneypenny. Ben Wishaw's "Q" has a major role this time around and the film is all the better for his portrayal of the quirky gadgets genius. Jeffrey Wright reappears as Felix Leiter, Bond's CIA colleague, and for once, he is given a meaty role of great relevance to the plot.
There have been concerns over the film's lengthy running time of 163-minutes but it never sags, although the sheer number of action scenes become repetitive despite the fact that they are all exciting and thrillingly staged. I've also never warmed to seeing Bond running about mowing people down with machine guns and that remains the case with "No Time to Die". By the time the movie ends, the body count rivals the climax of "The Wild Bunch". I always look to the earlier Bonds wherein 007 was somewhat judicious in his killing. (I believe in "Goldfinger", he only shoots one henchman in the course of the entire film.)
There are wonderful homages to past Bond films and literature and literature strewn throughout the movie from portraits of prior "M"s to a reading by the current "M" of words written by Ian Fleming. Bond purists will love it. I also enjoyed the fact that Safin lives like the Bond villains of old. He has a private island complete with a poisonous Garden of Death (inspired by Fleming's novel "You Only Live Twice"). He also has a big operation complete with an army of henchmen just as some of his predecessors did.
Since the script continues on from events seen in "Spectre", I would suggest revisiting that film before seeing "No Time to Die". I didn't and because I hadn't seen "Spectre" since the premiere in London in 2015, I was a bit rusty on some of the interactions with the characters. For those less acquainted with the Craig Bond films, it would also do to watch "Casino Royale" again, as elements of that plot are also relevant. I would also advise everyone to stay to the very end of the credits for reasons that will become apparent after the film's emotional ending.
"No Time to Die" is perhaps the most ambitious Bond film in terms of character development. It succeeds on every level and really should be seen in its dynamic IMAX presentation. It is a fitting finale to the Daniel Craig era and when the theater lights went on at the conclusion, I was missing him already.
(The film opens in the U.S. on October 8 but there are advance screenings on October 6 and 7.)
The event will lead a series of premieres in
57 cities across the globe, including 10 in the UK and Ireland to which health
care workers will be invited as special guests in celebration and
gratitude of their extraordinary work during the pandemic.
The World Premiere will benefit charities
supporting serving and former members of the three intelligence
agencies (the Secret Intelligence Service, the Security Service and GCHQ).
The evening will also assist charities supporting past and present
members of the United Kingdom Special Forces.
At the Royal Albert Hall in London, there
will be viewing areas on the red carpet for invited health care
workers and members of the armed forces. They will join the cast and other
guests inside to watch the film.
Please note there is no public access on the
day to the red carpet or viewing areas. Highlights from the event will be
available to view via the official 007
social media channels. A limited number of tickets have been
made available for public purchase via the Royal Albert Hall website. (Note: The Royal Albert Hall web site indicates the public allocation of tickets has sold out.)
Following the World Premiere, No Time
To Die will release in the UK and Irelandfrom 30th September
2021 through Universal Pictures International and in the U.S on 8th October
through MGM via their United Artists Releasing banner.
Each episode focuses
on a different aspect of the James Bond universe, from characters to locations
and music to action. Daniel Craig also discusses landing the iconic role, and
the release of his final outing as the world’s favourite secret agent.
Podcast listeners
will get an exclusive first listen to some of the No Time To Die score from
Hans Zimmer by Decca Records.
No Time To Die: The
Official James Bond Podcast is produced by Somethin’ Else in association with
Metro Goldwyn Mayer Studios, Universal Pictures International, United Artists
Releasing and EON Productions.
It's going to be Double-0-Heaven for James Bond films with announcements coming fast and furious in the lead-up to the release of "No Time to Die". Here is the latest announcement:
Leica Announces Bond Partnership
007
Edition camera and exhibition to celebrate new film
Leica Camera has
announced a new Leica Q2 ‘007 Edition’ to celebrate the release of No Time
To Die. Limited to 250 pieces only, the special edition Leica Q2 features
the iconic 007 logo on the top plate and the famous Bond gun barrel design on
the lens cap. Each limited-edition camera will be individually numbered and
comes in a customised and handcrafted case designed by the British luxury
suitcase brand Globe-Trotter.
The concept of a
Leica x 007 partnership began with producer Michael G. Wilson. Wilson is a
leading expert on 19th century photography and founded The Wilson Centre for
Photography, his passion for photography provided the natural spark for the
collaboration. In No Time To Die, Leica worked with the 007 production
team to display Leica cameras on the sets of Bond’s Jamaican home, and
fittingly the ‘Leica Q2’ in Q’s home in London. Off-screen, Michael G. Wilson
has curated an exclusive photography exhibition featuring behind-the-scenes
photographs shot on Leica cameras by Michael G. Wilson, Daniel Craig, and No
Time To Die photographers Nicola Dove and Greg Williams.
The Leica Q2 ‘007
Edition’ will launch on September 9, 2021 at the official opening of Leica
Gallery London’s exhibition: No Time To Die – Behind the Scenes.
The Leica Q2 ‘007
Edition’ will be available to purchase online and in-store.
Cinema Retro has received the following press release regarding the opening of the "Bond in Motion" automotive exhibition, which will be opening on September 25 and running through October 22, 2022 at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles:
Produced in
collaboration with EON Productions and The Ian Fleming(TM) Foundation, Bond in
Motion is the first official exhibition in the United States to feature
original vehicles from one of the world’s most iconic film franchises, James
Bond. This exhibit celebrates the 60th anniversary of the franchise since the
release of Dr. No (1962).
With the publication
of his first spy novel, Casino Royale (1953), author and former naval
intelligence officer Ian Fleming introduced the world to the enchanting
exploits of James Bond, a British officer in the Secret Intelligence Service,
also known as MI6. In all, Fleming would produce twelve novels and two short
stories, laying the foundation for what would become a global literary and
cinematic legacy.
Beginning in 1962,
with the movie adaptation of Fleming’s sixth title, Dr. No, the exciting
and dangerous world of James Bond was translated to screen, setting the tone
for Bond films to come. Much like the novels on which they are based, Bond
films combine the adventure of exotic locations and scheming villains with the
action of death-defying stunts, and heart-pounding chases in nearly every type
of vehicle imaginable. Often modified by quartermaster “Q,†these vehicles,
much like Bond himself, conceal their true nature until their weapons and
gadgetry become important plot devices.
The Bond in Motion
exhibit offers visitors a rare up-close experience of the most iconic vehicles
associated with the world’s most famous secret agent, 007.
