Firstly this movie should've been called "It's time to Die". I went to an early screening with my wife and son. I am not a fan of Daniel Craig and never thought he was a good choice for James Bond to begin with because he looks like the foreman at a construction site. Despite having 0 expectations, somehow I managed to get more disappointed.
I don't understand why the producers, mainly Barbara Broccoli, have been trying their hardest to break something that wasn't broken. I like the Bond formula and when I watch a Bond movie, I expect action, beautiful women, one-liners, weird gadgets and exotic locations.
So why is James Bond crying? Why does he have a kid? Why does the movie try so hard to be a woke tearjerker?
I didn't come to watch a chick flick with a feminist tone. With all the unnecessary woke remakes coming out, I wouldn't be surprised if they remake Saving Private Ryan with an female cast where the battle scenes are replaced with heart to heart dialogues on gender identity.
Speaking of demographics, I'm in my 50's, my son is in his 20's and my wife just left before the end.
I fall asleep twice, so did my son. My wife hated it as well so I'm not even sure what the target audience was.
The only time this convoluted family drama masquerading as a James Bond movie felt like a James Bond movie was a scene in Cuba featuring Paloma, played by Ana de Armas. She steals her scenes and was the quintessential Bond girl.....and then she's gone. Her character was completely wasted, along with Christophe Waltz, who I almost forgot was in the movie because he had like 5 lines and 2 minutes of screen time.
On top of that, who decided to cast the "new 007" Lashana Lunch? She is awful, has no charisma and is just cringeworthy anytime she is on screen. When M announces she is the new "007", I wanted to punch something.
If the producers are looking to diversify the cast, that's fine. I think Naoemi Harris would've been a great choice as she is charismatic, elegant and has screen presence.
What's not fine is poor casting for the sake of political correctness. Lynch plays a "secret agent" with the subtlety of a UFC fighter and acts with an air of arrogance which her character hasn't earned.