Absence makes the heart grow Bond-er
James Bond movies are so formulaic you can usually mouth along to the script, so it’s nice to know that after six decades, they can still throw in a few shockers. Barbara Broccoli and her brother, Michael G. Wilson, have been dedicated stewards of their father Albert “Cubby” Broccoli’s 007 series since they took the reins in 1995. The producers have made solid creative choices and earlier this year smartly kept Bond on the big screen where he belongs. With the 25th film, they shake up the franchise, shirking most of the conventions we’ve come to expect. Daniel Craig already has said this is his last Bond film, and “No Time To Die” is a fine movie for the 53year-old actor to go out on. For his final foray, Craig hasn’t suddenly lightened the mood from the darkness that has defined his tenure. The opening sequence includes a young girl’s mother being murdered by a gunman named Saffin (Rami Malek) in a creepy China doll mask. All of Saffin’s scenes ring of a horror film. We fast forward to her as Madeleine Swan (Léa Seydoux), Bond’s love interest from “Spectre,” who is vacationing with Bond in Italy. When he’s nearly murdered at the grave of Vesper Lynd, he believes Madeleine has betrayed him and he abandons her in fury. Five years later, Bond is retired and living off-the-grid in the Caribbean when Felix Leiter (Jeffrey Wright) recruits him to help the CIA bring down Spectre. Craig is confident and aggressive, but erratic and quick to anger. He’s never been more vulnerable — nor, really, has the character — than he is here. He’s also accompanied by three very different Bond girls: Alongside Madeleine, who becomes a therapist, there’s MI6 agent Nomi (Lashana Lynch) and Ana de Armas as a CIA agent who’s “had three weeks’ training.” All three are terrific and bring out varied shades in brooding Craig. Cary Joji Fukunaga was the right choice to direct “No Time To Die.” His Bond feels reverential and classic, but not campy, and he makes bold choices. Running time: 163 minutes. Rated PG-13 (sequences of violence and action, some disturbing images, brief strong language and some suggestive material). In theaters. — Johnny Oleksinski