No Time to Die
Parents say
Based on 13 reviews
Kids say
Based on 36 reviews
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No Time to Die
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this movie.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that No Time to Die is the 25th James Bond movie and the fifth with Daniel Craig in the lead role. It's more epic, tragic, and emotional than is typical for the franchise, and, despite its length (163 minutes), it's worth seeing for teen and adult fans. Expect the usual guns and shooting, fighting, chases, crashes, and stunts. While there's little blood, characters are killed, some by gruesome, face-blistering chemical weapons. A child and a teen are in peril at different points; the teen shoots a gun and falls into an icy lake. Characters kiss passionately and lie in bed together; there's the suggestion of nudity, but nothing explicit is shown. Infrequent language includes a use of "f--k" and a use of "s--t," plus "ass," "Jesus Christ," etc. Characters drink frequently in social situations, and one minor character appears drunk. Smoking is also shown. While there are more diverse representations here than in previous Bond movies, it does still perpetuate the stereotype that people with disabilities are villainous.
Community Reviews
Best yet!
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A worthy send off to a great Bond!
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What's the Story?
In NO TIME TO DIE, James Bond (Daniel Craig) and Madeleine Swann (Léa Seydoux) are in a loving relationship. Madeleine wants Bond to find closure for his feelings for the late Vesper Lynd, but when he visits the cemetery, her memorial explodes. He's then chased by mysterious gunmen, who nearly kill him. Bond realizes that Madeleine might have tipped someone off, and he leaves her. Years later, Bond is living alone, off the grid, when his old CIA pal Felix Leiter (Jeffrey Wright) approaches him, asking for help. A deadly weapon that uses nanotechnology and could destroy the world has been stolen. It could be the work of Blofeld (Christoph Waltz), although he's still in prison. It's up to Bond and new helpers Paloma (Ana de Armas) and Nomi (Lashana Lynch) -- the latest double-0 agent -- to find out who's behind this. But what's at stake when Madeleine re-enters the picture?
Is It Any Good?
Overlong and with some weak (and confusing) spots, this outing still has a grand, tragic arc, with spectacular action and characters -- both James Bond and the others -- who feel more human. Directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga, No Time to Die certainly could have been trimmed a bit shorter than its 2 hours and 43 minutes. A comic Russian scientist (David Dencik) is a bit much; he recalls -- and pales in comparison to -- Alan Cumming's Boris Grishenko in GoldenEye (1995). And the attempt to keep the villain's identity a secret, when Rami Malek is second-billed, seems needlessly convoluted. (Malek gives a Bela Lugosi-like performance, slathered in Boris Karloff-like makeup.) But the movie's confidence in both its action and its characters is infectious.
Craig feels totally alive here, pulling off incredible stunts. Yet his quieter scenes are even more impressive. He's allowed to feel rage, regret, even caring. While No Time to Die includes the standard Bond vodka martini, tuxedo, watch, car, and "Bond, James Bond" tagline, it's not just another formulaic entry. It shares DNA (and a song) with the series' most unique entry, On Her Majesty's Secret Service, and it's thematically similar to both The Dark Knight Returns and Logan, increasing its scope but also deepening its emotional intensity. The notably (especially for Bond) diverse supporting cast gets many moments to show their own emotions and developments, rather than merely being there to serve or react to 007 (perhaps credit for that is due to co-screenwriter Phoebe Waller-Bridge?). Ana de Armas and Lashana Lynch in particular would be most welcome back in any future movies.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about No Time to Die's violence. How did it make you feel? Was it exciting? Shocking? What did the movie show or not show to achieve this effect? Why is that important?
Do you consider James Bond a role model? Why, or why not?
How is drinking portrayed in the movie? Is it glamorized? Are there consequences? Why does that matter?
What is the movie's theme? Can we escape the things that happened to us by making good choices, or are we locked in to a certain destiny? How so?
Have you noticed that James Bond movies tend to have villains with disabilities or differences? What message does that send viewers? How does it perpetuate harmful stereotypes?
Movie Details
- In theaters: October 8, 2021
- On DVD or streaming: December 20, 2021
- Cast: Daniel Craig, Rami Malek, Lea Seydoux, Lashana Lynch
- Director: Cary Joji Fukunaga
- Studios: MGM, United Artists Releasing
- Genre: Action/Adventure
- Run time: 163 minutes
- MPAA rating: PG-13
- MPAA explanation: sequences of violence and action, some disturbing images, brief strong language and some suggestive material
- Award: Golden Globe
- Last updated: June 11, 2022
Our Editors Recommend
-
Spectre
Fast-paced thriller is high on action, lighter on emotion.
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GoldenEye
One of the better Bonds; lots of cartoonish violence.
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On Her Majesty's Secret Service
007 in ski country -- and marriage territory?
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Casino Royale (2006)
Darker than usual Bond; too violent for tweens.
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Skyfall
Bond returns for more racy, action-packed thrills.
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