No Time to Die (4K UHD) Review

[David Vaughn]

Studio: Universal
Release Date: December 21, 2021
Rating: PG-13
Film: 4.5/5
 
Plot
NO TIME TO DIE returns Daniel Craig as Ian Fleming’s James Bond alongside OSCAR® winner Rami Malek. Bond has left active service and is enjoying a tranquil life in Jamaica. His peace is short-lived when his old friend Felix Leiter from the CIA turns up asking for help. The mission to rescue a kidnapped scientist turns out to be far more treacherous than expected, leading Bond onto the trail of a mysterious villain armed with dangerous new technology.
 
My Thoughts
Craig is back in his final Bond appearance is provides a fitting end to his run as the iconic character who burst on the scene in Casino Royale back in 2006. Frankly, Bond had gotten quite state before Craig took over the part and the reboot breathed new life into the franchise and created an entire new generation of fans. While I’ve loved Bond since I was a kid, even I have to admit the days of Timothy Dalton were pretty unimpressive.
 
When Craig was cast as the lead, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but when I first saw Casino Royale I was completely hooked. Sean Connery was really the only actor that gave heft to the role, but as much as I love Connery, Craig is slightly better to me. Sure, this generation’s Bond is much darker than in the 1960s, but Craig epitomizes the role.
 
In this installment we get to see Bond trying to enjoy his retirement, but just like in the Godfather, just when he gets out the pull him back in and his sense of duty compels him to make sure that those around him are saved from evil. Like the previous films, this is not a campy story and it has a lot of dramatic heft in the screenplay. The audience reviews of the film are somewhat polarizing, but in my mind it’s one of the best films of the franchise and I enjoyed it both in the theater and at home in 4K.
 
My good friend, Ralph Potts, claimed that this is the best looking 4K disc in 2021 and I couldn’t agree with him more. The detail is off the charts, black levels are inky and inviting, the HDR encode offers some of the best video quality you’ll ever see. Words can’t describe how great this disc looks—check that, there is word that works—PERFECT!
 
The Dolby Atmos track is just as impressive with its well-balanced presentation. The front soundstage is wide and the dialog is always intelligible. Furthermore, the LFE track packs some serious punch along wit an active surround mix to draw you into the onscreen action. The icing on the cake is the excellent score.
 
Video 10/10
 
Audio 10/10 (Dolby Atmos)
 
Special Features:
 
·        Anatomy of a Scene: Matera
·        Keeping It Real: The Action of No Time to Die
·        A Global Journey
·        Designing Bond
·        Being James Bone (UHD Exclusive)
 
 

 
 
Conclusion
The ending to Craig’s tenure as Bond is bittersweet. His portrayal is nothing short of magnificent and I pity the fool who has to fill his shoes. Frankly, I don’t think it will be possible and if the producers were smart, they’d take a long break before the inevitable reboot hits theaters in order to put some distance for whoever takes up the role. For 4K enthusiasts, this is a must-own film for the presentation alone—fortunately, the film is very entertaining in its own right and receives my highest recommendation.
 
 
Reference Review System:
JVC DLA-RS2000 4K Ultra High-Definition Front Projector
(Calibrated with Portrait Displays CalMAN color calibration software & C6-HDR Meter from Portrait Displays)
Stewart Filmscreen - Firehawk 88” 16x9 Fixed Screen
Trinnov Altitude 16 Audio/Video Processor
ATI AT527NC Powering Bed Channels
ATI AT524NC Powering Atmos Speakers
Panasonic DP-UB820 Ultra HD Blu-ray Player
System Controller: URC MX-990
M&K S-150 THX Ultra (R-C-L Speakers)
M&K SS-150 x4 (Surround Speakers)
Atlantic Technology IC6-OBA x 4 Overhead Speakers
SVS PC-Ultra Cylinder Subwoofer
HSU VTF-15H MK2 Subwoofer
SVS SB-3000 Subwoofer
JL Audio Dominion F110 Subwoofer x 2
Mini DSP HD  controlling all subwoofers
Audioquest and Monoprice - Audio/Video/Speaker Cabling
PureAV PF60 Power Conditioner

[TRainH2O]

I have been eagerly waiting for the release of this one. As much as I have wanted to see it, I am also a bit saddened that this will mark the end of Craig as Bond.

I completely agree with your thoughts about Craig. I too loved Sean Connery but For me, Craig and the new style of writing and action sequences breathed new life into the franchise. I am not sure what will become of the storyline, but I will try my best to go into it with an open mind.

Thanks for the review, David.

[David Vaughn]

I have been eagerly waiting for the release of this one. As much as I have wanted to see it, I am also a bit saddened that this will mark the end of Craig as Bond.

I completely agree with your thoughts about Craig. I too loved Sean Connery but For me, Craig and the new style of writing and action sequences breathed new life into the franchise. I am not sure what will become of the storyline, but I will try my best to go into it with an open mind.

Thanks for the review, David.

Tracy, if you've liked the other Craig movies, you should enjoy this one as well. It's much more dramatic than the other films and is quite emotional. I'll be very curious to hear your thoughts once you see it. 

[bmoney]

Loved it.  Can’t wait to watch it again 

[Barry]

once again, David and I agree,

https://discuss.avscience.com/index.php?topic=3057.msg21726#msg21726

Monday will be my Spidey review

[Paul Heroy]

Enjoyed this immensely in the theater and agree that it was a fitting end to the Craig Bond films. At some point I really want to sit down and watch that sequence through all 6. 

[TRainH2O]

Tracy, if you've liked the other Craig movies, you should enjoy this one as well. It's much more dramatic than the other films and is quite emotional. I'll be very curious to hear your thoughts once you see it.

As far as I am concerned, I have long held the opinion that Craig IS Bond and Bale IS Batman.

I mean no disrespect to any other actor that has or will play these characters, but Craig and Bale have taken their roles to the next level.

[David Vaughn]

once again, David and I agree,

https://discuss.avscience.com/index.php?topic=3057.msg21726#msg21726

Monday will be my Spidey review

Barry, I saw Spidey on premiere night. Loved it. 

[Ralph P.]

Greetings,

Great! So glad you enjoyed this great audio/video presentation too Dave. Definitely among the best I have seen from the format. 


Regards,

[TRainH2O]

Greetings,

Great! So glad you enjoyed this great audio/video presentation too Dave. Definitely among the best I have seen from the format.


Regards,

Ralph, now that you have officially retired, there's no reason you and David shouldn't do Siskel and Ebert style Blu-ray reviews, via Zoom. 

[David Vaughn]

Ralph, now that you have officially retired, there's no reason you and David shouldn't do Siskel and Ebert style Blu-ray reviews, via Zoom.

Tracy,

We have actually talked about it, but I'm not retired yet. Maybe in another five years or so. We've already talked about our name though..."Chocolate Milk Movie Reviews"

[TRainH2O]

Tracy,

We have actually talked about it, but I'm not retired yet. Maybe in another five years or so. We've already talked about our name though..."Chocolate Milk Movie Reviews"

Sounds good; I'd watch.

[bmoney]

Best name eve! I’d watch too!!

[AVSCraig]

This was a great ending to the Daniel Craig era of films.  I'm watching it again Monday with friends that haven't seen it, and then look forward to watching the 5 movies again soon.

[David Vaughn]

Craig,

You may want to put a spoiler tag on your post!