“No Time To Die” out-Bonds the James Bond films.

The 25th Bond film and fifth and last with Daniel Craig in the title role is one of the best of the James Bond films. It’s exhilarating from beginning to end and, at nearly three-hours-long, that’s saying a lot.

Daniel Craig, looking like his last name could be Craggy, is terrific, bringing not only the action-hero theatrics we expect from Bond, but moments of quiet reflection, emotional engagement and male vulnerability.

The so-called toxic masculinity that some films and scenes display in James Bond films is mostly gone. The Bond Girls of the Bond films, whereby women were often depicted as sex objects, are replaced in “No Time To Die” with several strong female roles. It’s more Team Bond, where the women have Bond’s back and save another part of his anatomy.

What makes a Bond film a Bond film? There’s the theme song, of course, with its brass fanfare and rhythmic guitar. There are the catch phrases, such as “Bond, James Bond,” by way of introduction, and “shaken, not stirred” when ordering a martini.

What sets the Bond movie franchise apart from those it spawned or influenced? What makes a Bond film different from “The Bourne Identify,” “Mission: Impossible,” “Kingsman,” “Charlie’s Angels” and even “Austin Powers” (admittedly, a parody of the spy genre)?

Moreover, what is it that is so fascinating about the spy film genre? (Can you say Havana Syndrome?)

James Bond is a British Secret Service,or MI6, agent: Agent 007. Twelve Bond novels were written by Ian Fleming (1908-1964), beginning in 1953. After Fleming’s death, eight other authors have written Bond novels or novelizations.

The Bond movies, beginning with “Dr. No” (1962), starred Sean Connery as James Bond (plus six more). Those who played James Bond include Roger Moore (seven films), Pierce Brosnan (four), Timothy Dalton (two), David Niven (one) and George Lazenby (one).

Craig, 53, is a working-man’s Bond, stout of stature, a very buff Bond in “No Time,” with a clipped manner of speech, piercing blue eyes (showcased in several closeups in “No Time”), a seemingly perpetually perturbed countenance with a petulant pout that breaks into an impish smile, and an overall cool charm that recalls actor Steve McQueen (1930-1980).

The circumstances of the storyline regarding James Bond moved me to tears at the film’s conclusion. When was the last time a James Bond movie made you cry? “No Time To Die” did.

In “No Time To Die,” the Bond facade is broken by his love interest, Madeleine (Léa Seydoux).

Seydoux, reprising her role from “Spectre” (2015), in which she starred opposite Craig, has an unassuming presence that is captivating. She presents deep emotion and compassion.

Madeleine is no mere Bond Girl. She’s James Bond’s girl, his one and only. There may even be a little Bond Girl, Madeleine’s daughter.

With James Bond’s retirement, Nomi (Lashana Lynch) has taken on the mantle of 007. She’s not a Bond Girl, either. She’s fully capable soldier-spy and owns the role.

Paloma (Ana de Armas), a spy operative, is closest to the stereotypical Bond Girl in “No Time,” that is until she her martial arts skills and weaponry expertise kicks in.

Rami Malek (Oscar, actor, “Bohemian Rhapsody,” 2018) is appropriately menacing as the difficult to pronounce arch villain Lyutsifer Safin. Guess what his world-domination scheme is? A DNA-mutating virus. Sound familiar?

Excellent in supporting roles are Ralph Fiennes (M), Naomie Harris (Moneypenny), Ben Whishaw (Q), Jeffrey Wright (Felix), Billy Magnussen (Logan Ash) and Christopher Waltz (Blofeld).

Cary Joji Fukunaga (Primertime Emmy, Director, Drama, “True Detective,” 2014; director, “Beasts Of No Nation,” 2015; “Jane Eyre,” 2011) directs “No Time” with a masterful sense of pacing and a balance between huge action set pieces and character dialogue scenes.

Fukunaga co-wrote the screenplay with Neal Purvis and Robert Wade (screenwriters, James Bond films, “Spectre,” “Skyfall,” 2012; “Quantum Of Solace,” 2008; “Casino Royale,” 2006, each starring Craig, and “Die Another Day,” 2002; “The World Is Not Enough,” 1999) and Phoebe Waller-Bridge (three Primetime Emmys, “Fleabag,” 2016) from a story by Purvis, Wade and Fukunaga based on characters by Ian Fleming.

“No Time To Die” is a huge, continent-hopping film with spectacular vistas. There are amazing chase scenes, including the iconic James Bond sports car, a 1963 Aston Martin DB5; a beige Toyota Land Cruiser Prado J90 (circa 1997-2002), and an incredible leap by Bond riding a Triumph Scrambler motorcycle.

This being a Bond film, there’s a panoply of gadgets developed by the Q-Branch of MI6, including a two-seat, folding wing glider that turns into a submarine, and an Omega Seamaster Diver 300M with an electromagnetic pulse that disables electronic devices. (Not unlike the Havana Syndrome that is allegedly giving headaches to United States diplomats overseas.)

The cinematography by Linus Sandgren (Oscar, cinematography, “La La Land,” 2016) is crisp and vibrant with creative camera placement. The score by Hans Zimmer (Oscar, score, “The Lion King,” 1994) builds on the James Bond theme music to great effect.

The death count in “No Time To Die” is high, but the violence is usually shown off-screen, or at a distance, and involves few depictions of blood with a few exceptions.

“No Time To Die” was to have been released in April 2020, but its opening was delayed several times because of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic shutdown, availability of the Pfizer, Moderna and J&J vaccines and the public willingness to return to movie theaters.

Is “No Time To Die” worth the 16-month wait? Definitely. It’s one of the year’s best films. And it would be nice for Daniel Craig to receive an actor Oscar nomination. He’s that good. So is the film.

“No Time To Die,”

MPAA rated PG-13 (Parents Strongly Cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.) for sequences of violence and action, some disturbing images, brief strong language and some suggestive material; Genre: Action, Adventure, Thriller; Run Time: 2 hr., 43 min. Distributed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.

Credit Readers Anonymous:

The Louie Armstrong version of “We Have all the Time in the World,” recorded in 1969 for the James Bond film, “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service,” with music by John Barry and lyrics by Hal David, is heard during the “No Time To Die” closing credits.

Billie Eilish sings the “No Time To Die” title song, with music by Finneas O’Connell and lyrics by Billie Eilish, over yet another lavish James Bond movie opening credits sequence. The song received a 2021 Grammy.

The “James Bond Theme” music written by Monty Norman is heard during the film’s opening scenes, during the film and during the end credits.

“No Time To Die” filming locations included Oslo, Norway; Matera, Italy; Inverness, Scotland; Faroe Islands; Port Antonio, Jamaica, and London and Pinewood Studios, England.

The final words on the screen are: “James Bond will return.”

At The Movies:

“No Time To Die” was seen in the Dolby Theatre at AMC. “No Time” is one of the 2021 releases that I would like to see again in the 3D and Imax format.

Theatrical Movie Box Office,

Oct. 8-10: “Halloween Kills” slayed at the weekend box office, opening at No. 1 with $50.3 million, in 3,705 movie theaters, pushing the James Bond film, “No Time To Kill,” down one place from its one week at No. 1 to No. 2 with $24.2 million, in 4,407 theaters, $99.5 million, two weeks.

3. “Venom: Let There Be Carnage” dropped one place, $16.5 million, in 4,013 theaters, $168 million, three weeks. 4. “The Addams Family 2” dropped one place, $7.1 million, in 3,607 theaters, $42.2 million, three weeks. 5. “The Last Duel,” $4.8 million, in 3,065 theaters, opening. 6. “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” dropped two places, $3.5 million, in 2,300 theaters, $218 million, seven weeks. 7. “Honsla Rakh,” $706,000, in 100 theaters, opening. 8. “Free Guy” dropped two places, $680,000, in 915 theaters, $120.8 million, 10 weeks. 9. “Lamb” dropped one place, $543,004, in 865 theaters, $2 million, two weeks. 10. “Most Eligible Bachelor,” $470,000, in 195 theaters, one week.

Box office information from Box Office Mojo as of Oct. 17 is subject to change.

Unreel,

Oct. 22:

“Dune,”

PG-13: Denis Villeneuve directs Timothée Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson, Zendaya and Oscar Isaac in the Science-Fiction film. It’s an adaptation of Frank Herbert’s science fiction novel.

“The French Dispatch,”

R: Wes Anderson directs Léa Seydoux, Timothée Chalamet, Christoph Waltz and Owen Wilson in the Romance Comedy. A fictional 20th century French city brings to life stories published in The French Dispatch magazine.

“Ron’s Gone Wrong,”

PG: Sarah Smith, Jean-Philippe Vine and Octavio E. Rodriguez direct the voice talents of Zach Galifianakis, Jack Dylan Grazer, Olivia Colman and Ed Helms and the animation in the comedy. A middle-school student has a robotic friend.

“Broadcast Signal Intrusion,”

Jacob Gentry directs Harry Shum Jr., Kelley Mack, Chris Sullivan and Anthony E. Cab in the Mystery Thriller. Sinister pirate radio broadcasts are investigated.

“Warning,”

R: Agata Alexander directs Annabelle Wallis, Kylie Bunbury, Alice Eve and Thomas Jane in the Science-Fiction film. The meaning of life is explored through people living in the future.

Movie opening dates from Internet Movie Database as of Oct. 17 are subject to change.

Five Popcorn Boxes out of Five Popcorn Boxes