NaomieHarris – Credits Rolling

The long awaited next instalment of the James Bond franchise is finally here! No Time To Die picks up right after the events of Spectre. Bond (Daniel Craig) has left active service for a quieter life in Jamaica. However, he is slowly enticed back when old friend Felix (Jeffrey Wright) turns up asking for help. Bond’s mission to save a kidnapped scientist soon leads to something much more complicated especially as villain, Lyutsifer Safin (Rami Malek), with dangerous new technology makes himself known.

I probably should have watched Spectre before checking out this one. For the life of me, I cannot remember anything about it. So, while it took me awhile to gather my bearings, I have to say that I loved every minute this new film. It kept me on the edge of my seat all the way through and despite the two hour and forty minute run time, the events flowed nicely. The fight sequences were top notch and I found it difficult to catch my breath before something else happened.

I was stoked to see some new blood in the Bond universe. Ana De Armas’ Paloma as well as Lashana Lynch’s Nomi were very enjoyable additions that I hope we get more of going forward. I have always loved Q (Ben Whishaw) as he provides some much needed comic relief in otherwise serious situations. My memory of Madeleine (Léa Seydoux) wasn’t strong, but I liked her as Bond’s love interest. And of course there is Moneypenny (Naomie Harris) and M (Ralph Fiennes) who the movie wouldn’t have been complete without. I only wish Rami Malek’s villain had had more of an impact for me. He didn’t seem as menacing as some of the previous bad guys.

No Time To Die was a movie that I had been looking forward to, but was wary of. I just wanted it to live up to my expectations. I definitely think it was a proper send off for Daniel Craig and that is all that I really wanted. He is the one who got me into the James Bond movies to begin with – I remember the first time I watched Casino Royale and how it totally changed my life. I will miss him a lot, but I look forward to seeing who the role will go to next.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥.5

Eddie Brock (Tom Hardy) and Venom are back in the sequel to 2018’s Venom. This time around, Brock is trying to adjust to life as host to Venom, an alien species which gives him super human abilities, while attempting to get his career back on track. His best bet? Interviewing infamous serial killer Cletus Kasady (Woody Harrelson) before he is sentenced to death. But when an altercation breaks out between the two men, Kasady becomes the host to Carnage and breaks out of prison. Now it is up to Brock, with the help of ex-fiancee Anne (Michelle Williams) and her new beau Dan (Reid Scott) to save the world from Carnage before it’s too late.

I remember really liking the first Venom movie! It was funny, unique and different. I never understood why it was so underrated or why it wasn’t a part of the MCU (I still don’t. Anybody care to fill me in?) So when news broke about the sequel, I was thrilled. I couldn’t wait to see what shenanigans Brock and Venom found themselves in this time around.

The plot this time around seemed a lot tighter and to the point which I appreciated. I think it helped that the film was a bit on the shorter side because it didn’t allow for much room to go off course. Sometimes I complain that superhero movies are too long, so this was perfect for me! Because everything happened rather quickly, there was no time to waste and I was constantly engaged.

Brock and Venom’s back and forth banter were hilarious and I couldn’t stop laughing. It was also nice to see Brock becoming more familiar with having Venom around. Having Woody Harrelson as the villain was pretty interesting. I’m not used to seeing him in a role like that and I think he did a great job. Similarly, Naomie Harris who played Kasady’s girlfriend Francis added another bad guy into the mix.

Venom: Let There Be Carnage was an utter delight. I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it and didn’t want it to end. It looks like they’ve set things up nicely for the story to go forward so fingers crossed we get more of our favorite duo sooner rather than later.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥