Oliver Matthews

Despite the lack of character development for the villain and a heap of missed world building, the plot still manages to keep things tense. With Zimmer's score and excellent action scenes, the long runtime doesn't feel all that long. Craig's Bond has pulled the character away from being a suave and debonair invincible to a vulnerable but competent killer, and it shines in this film due to the acting from all of the main cast, no less from Craig himself. I feel the ending was the only way it really could have gone for Craig's Bond and it was handled as well as it could have been with COVID getting in the way. I applaud the writers for going with this ending, it evolves the franchise and stops stagnation. A regrettable lack of closing and post-credit scenes. M only sending Craig off with a clink of glasses and "back to work" felt jarring, especially as M was the culpable for the whole mess. Bond is given no fanfare and zero recognition despite having literally saved the world this time. Ultimately, it is a must-see. It delivers on many of the things we expect from Bond (plus some new things) and will certainly be high on many Bond fans' lists. It falls short on parts of the plot and wishing we had spent more time with the expanded cast (the new Bond girl completely stole the show in this film and I hope she returns!), but it meant more time with Bond which is what really mattered for this film. 4/5 (As for a woman playing 007 and the divisive ending, I really do think 007 and even Bond himself has always been more of a mantle than a person. Those crying absurdity at the end twist yet "Bond will return" are obviously deluded into thinking Bond has always been the same person, which makes absolutely no sense.)