Before we begin, I think you should probably revisit the following posts, as they will inform much that follows:
In which I explain why On Her Majesty's Secret Service is the best Bond film ever. (10/10 on a curve)
In which I watch and reevaluate the chaotic mess that is Quantum of Solace. (5/10 on the curve)
In which I give Skyfall more attention than it deserves. (3/10 on the curve)
In which I give Spectre less than half the tongue-lashing it deserves. (0/10 on the curve)
You will note that I've never bothered to do a review of Casino Royale because it's a mishmash of the novel and OHMSS. And if you read the Skyfall and Spectre reviews, you'll note that I got increasingly pissed off at the films' superficial lip service to OHMSS. Given that No Time To Die is a mishmash of OHMSS the movie (surprise?) and You Only Live Twice the book (actual surprise, unless you knew the working title was Shatterhand), you might think I'm done here.
Oh no.
I'm not.
The short version is this: Okay. Congratulations. After five attempts, you’ve finally made the superlative, quintessential homage/remake of OHMSS. Didn't think you had it in you. 8/10; now please never do this again.
(SPOILERS. SERIOUSLY. GO WATCH THIS MOVIE BEFORE YOU READ THIS REVIEW. IT'S GOOD, HONEST, I KNOW THAT'S HARD TO BELIEVE GIVEN ITS IMMEDIATE PREDECESSORS, BUT YOU OWE IT TO YOURSELF TO BE BOGGLED BY THE FACT THAT THEY MADE THIS FILM)
(I will also casually spoil certain terrible Star Trek and Star Wars films. You may be able to guess which two if you've seen NTTD already.)
