The final adventure of Daniel Craig’s James Bond arrived in No Time to Die. The movie wrapped up Bond’s storyline as he ended his conflict with Ernst Blofeld and went up against Lyutsifer Safin who had his own issues with SPECTRE.
The movie wasn’t just heavy with action, as elements of comedy and genuine emotional character quality were present. Craig’s final movie as the titular character brought a mix of thought-provoking and cool one-liners that have deeper meanings attached to them. It’s interesting to see the impact these quotes had on the plot and what the characters meant when they delivered them.
"I Miss You."
These three words indicated that No Time to Die was set to be a deeply personal story. The quote was uttered by Bond when he visited Vesper Lynd’s gravesite as part of his attempt to move on from her. Although he promised Madeleine he was going to leave Vesper behind, Bond had to give in to a moment’s weakness.
The quote also harked all the way back to Casino Royale as a way to remind viewers that Bond’s five-film arc was coming to a close. It was the closure that fans needed as well, with Vesper’s memory always looming over the series since her demise.
"You Know What Time It Is? Time To Die."
The James Bond series has always been in favor of quips and tends to incorporate the title of the movie in the dialogue. While the overall theme of the film tied into the title, Nomi’s quote ushered in the climax where everything was about to go down.
With the missiles imminently on the island, Obruchev was nothing more than a distraction that Nomi neutralized. Having had enough of his deceptive ways, Nomi let him know that he wasn’t about to escape with her and his time was up. With this, she kicked him into the nanobot vat and lived up to the 007 tag she had been given.
"We All Have Our Secrets - We Just Didn't Get To Yours Yet."
Bond was livid when he was led to believe that Madeleine had sold him out to SPECTRE and begrudgingly took her with him to safety. The film’s opening had alluded to Madeleine’s secrets and Bond’s quote was much of what viewers would have been thinking as well.
It was a hint to the audience that the movie will be dealing with the past of Madeleine as its main plot device and the moment heavily carried the weight of this aspect. Bond’s tranquil fury at the time was dangerous in itself and the quote hyped up the inevitable blowout from him.
"Vodka Martini. Shaken, Not Stirred."
Unlike most of the times Bond has uttered these words, the movie made no big deal out of it. However, the fact that it was the last time that Daniel Craig’s Bond was saying this makes the quote all the more special.
Bond delivered it as casually as he would any other time, which went to show how he had settled in with ordering his favorite drink. This was a contrast to Casino Royale, where he had claimed he didn’t care if he had shaken or stirred.
"Three Weeks Training? Really?"
Paloma appeared as an unassuming and overly bubbly agent who was set up as a comic relief due to her nervous mannerisms. It was during the big fight scene in the club that Bond had many questions about Paloma, who absolutely obliterated the enemies.
It went against her claim of having only three weeks of training prior to this encounter, as it appeared as if she were a multi-year veteran with the way she expertly fought. Bond had to ask Paloma twice to confirm whether she really was a novice.
"James, It's A Good Life, This One...The Best."
It’s certainly arguable if No Time to Die is the darkest James Bond movie yet, although Felix’s demise makes a good case for it. Both Bond and Felix were left hurtling underwater and Bond couldn’t rescue the already-shot Felix, who accepted his demise.
His final words were meant to acknowledge the bond he and James had, as Felix was happy to go out next to his closest friend. Bond reciprocated Felix’s sentiments and valued his fallen comrade’s efforts, later avenging his death by telling the traitor Logan Ash that Felix was his brother.
"Is This Desk Bigger Or Have You Gotten Smaller?"
Bond returned to duty after he learned of Project Heracles, more specifically when found out that M had been the one to commission it in the first place. Bond and M have always had significant banter between them but their reunion was passively hostile.
Bond threw out this quote at M as a way to suggest that the latter had gotten too comfortable in his position of power and that he was playing God. Bond was justified to think this way, seeing as the project ultimately backfired and almost brought the world to ruin.
"Relax, I'm Not Going To Lose... Control."
A more romantic version than prior depictions, Daniel Craig’s Bond can’t make sense of things when it comes to matters of the heart. His reunion with Madeleine comes within this quote, with Bond initially assuring Bill Tanner that he wasn’t going to be phased until he saw Madeleine again.
It was clear that he was still very much in love with her despite his feelings of resentment toward her perceived betrayal. The way the line was delivered left no doubt that Bond was lying to himself and that he could never really be in control being around Madeleine.
"We Both Eradicate People To Make The World A Better Place."
Safin’s hamminess can make a case for him to be one of the more ridiculous James Bond villains but the danger he posed can’t be understated. In the climax, he held Bond’s daughter hostage, during which he forced Bond to hear why he thought they were both two sides of the same coin.
This quote was Safin’s reason to believe the similarities between them and it’s definitely a compelling argument considering the characters’ high kill count. Safin and Bond’s contrasting beliefs also held the same goal in the end and it’s fascinating how this dynamic worked.
"I'm Going To Tell You A Story About A Man. His Name Was Bond. James Bond."
These were the last words for the Daniel Craig James Bond series and there has never been a movie in the franchise that has ended this way. Usually, it’s Bond himself who delivers this line, but No Time to Die had his demise make him out to be a legend.
Madeleine was about to tell the story of Bond to their daughter when the movie came to a close, which indicated that Bond’s legacy will live on. Although the mood was bittersweet overall, it brings a level of comfort to know that Bond’s sacrifice will not be forgotten and his daughter will know what he died for.