Craig's Bond is scarred and weary, but still has that glint in his eye, especially in wry flirtation with the magnetic Lynch and de Armas (as an ever-surprising Cuban cohort). He also connects Bond's soulfulness with his sometimes shocking brutality. Seydoux is skilfully understated as the sympathetic Madeleine, around whom much of the plot hinges. And Malek brings some vivid psychopathic earnestness to his creepy villain, who of course has a secret island lair.

Aside from the final act's rather annoying grey concrete bunker, the film is set in a very real world, with terrific location work that brings each set-piece to life while nodding knowingly to past films. Even more impressive is how Fukunaga weaves the action beats into the narrative, creating churning tension that continues right through the quieter scenes. This forces the audience to lean into the film, making the characters and situations even more involving. Which in turn gives the screenwriters' bold narrative choices a powerful kick.

themes, language, violence

28.Sep.21

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