Ever since the release of Dr. No in 1962 there has been a new entry in EON Productions James Bond film franchise every two and a third years culminating in this year’s No Time to Die, the fifth and final film to star Daniela Craig as the cinematic superspy.

From Dr. No thru The World is Not Enough there has been a very loose, nearly non-existent, continuity to the franchise. Two films that I recall make direct references back to a central and tragic moment in the series’ long run, both to Bonds marriage and loss of his wife on the same day, The Spy Who Loved Me and For Your Eyes Only. After the change from Moore to Dalton there was never again any attempt to maintain the fiction that this was the same person but rather his history was left unexplored and unspoken of.

With Craig’s Bond beginning in 2006, just 2 short years before the juggernaut of the MCU transformed filmed franchises, this run was treated differently. Everything that came before was abandoned and the character began fresh, even earning his 00 status on screen before our eyes. The five films of the Craig Era made a seriously, if sometimes flawed, attempt at maintaining internal consistency and continuity for this version of Bond and with No Time to Die they have ventured where no Bond film has gone, recognizing the actor’s departure, and giving his character an emotional close to this five-film arc.

No Time to Die opens with Bond and his new love Madeline, (From the previous entry Specter) enjoying their freedom on the shore of the Mediterranean. In the longest pre-title sequence of the franchise Specter attempts to assassinate Bond who survives but his trust in Madeline is shattered. Years pass and Specter in a daring raid steals the movie’s McGuffin. The retired Bond is recruited by his old Friend Felix Leiter to recover to stolen tech working against her majesty’s government. The mission brings Bond heartache and ghosts as he discovers the truth long hidden and faces the consequences of his life.

Despite four credited writers director Cary Joji Fukunaga and Producer Barbara Broccoli kept the film fairly tightly focused and even a running time of two hours and forty-three minutes there isn’t a lot of fat in the plot and the pace is quick without becoming confusing. Hans Zimmer as the scores composer makes fin use of previous Bond themes including from what is in all likelihood the least seen Bond on Her Majesty’s Secret Service. The films actors are all in fine form with Craig radiating on his face the weariness and hurt that Bond’s life has taken on him. He is a man close to breaking but not yet fully broken. He is fractured and knows that this mission may finally allow him redemption and absolution.

My ranking of the Craig Bond movies run in this order.

1) Casino Royale

2) Skyfall (A very close second)

3) No Time to Die

4) Quantum of Solace

5) Specter (Which I had forgotten nearly all of the film.)