Patrons from across the region came together last night for the special screening of No Time to Die held by Moore South in support of Salisbury District Hospital Stars Appeal. 

On arrival, I was struck first by the supercars parked out in front of the historical municipal building and elegantly dressed guests sipping from champagne flutes, sheltered from the rain. 

4. Hosts from Moore UK Andrew Coldwell, Robert MacDonald, Jonathan Green and Ann Mathias.

It felt like a scene from one of the extravagant parties that often feature in the films, Salisbury a perfect backdrop.

Salisbury Plain was actually used in one of the characteristically dramatic car chases in the new film, perhaps they’ll return for the next 007. 

You can’t choose the weather, but the drizzle certainly didn’t put a dampener on the evening as both halls were lively with the sound of excited laughter and chatter as guests gambled the 'fun money' they were given on arrival and shot laser beams at a display. 

Of course, the main event (aside from the film itself) was the raffle held at 8.30pm, when they announced who would win the enviable prizes donated by local businesses. 

Guests enjoyed blowing all their fun money at the Casino, and purchasing more in support of the Stars Appeal

Once the raffle ended, we all marched towards the cinema amusing passers-by who looked on at the penguin suits and gowns lifted to avoid the puddles. 

The Salisbury Odeon, which celebrated its 90th anniversary last month, made the perfect backdrop and felt in that moment Daniel Craig might waltz up to the front as if in the premiere. 

And then, for most of the next two hours and 43 minutes, I was quite literally on the edge of my seat and I think everyone else was too – perhaps a little too long a run time to be comfortable, but thankfully with a big enough pay off.

Delayed three times due to the Covid-19 pandemic, this film was so highly anticipated I was nervous it wouldn’t live up to my expectations. 

Instead, it surpassed them. 

Director Cary Joji Fukunaga creates a dramatic finale for Daniel Craig, with practically every Bond trick in the book reconfigured for a last hurrah and thrilling stunts and fight scenes that keep you guessing, with exploding eyes, hand-to-hand contact impeccably choreographed, and of course lots of guns. You can’t look away. 

In perhaps his most emotionally-rich performance ever, Daniel Craig gives Bond his all with the familiar charm and grit yet there was a bittersweet sense that he was saying goodbye. 

Bond faces his old nemesis. Credit: PA

The latest threat feels quite close to home, as a virus developed in project ‘Hercules’ by M (Ralph Fiennes) gets into the wrong hands with the potential to selectively wipe out the population. 

We learn a lot more about Madeleine Swann (played by Léa Seydoux) the glamourous psychologist with a mysterious father from Spectre who stole Bond’s heart, and in No Time to Die the events of the prophetic 23 minute prologue which features her past and seals Bond’s fate. 

Glitz and glamour galore, again the ratio of attractive woman to men is extremely unbalanced but Bond only canoodles with one and there are no damsels in distress in this film as the retired 007 becomes much more of a team player... sort of. 

Lashana Lynch, the new 007, with the new Bond villain, played by Remi Malek

The new 007, Nomi, played by Lashana Lynch commands the scene but it was clear she was being introduced for next time as she didn’t get enough screen time for us to really get to know her. 

Thankfully, the irritating and half-hearted rivalry between the 007’s didn’t last too long.

Bohemian Rhapsody star Rami Malek makes an unsettling yet multi-dimensional villain as Safin, who’s backstory is tethered with Madeleine's.

A welcome respite from the dark, gloominess that is often associated with the franchise, La La Land cinematographer Linus Sandgren imbues each scene with life, using beautiful colours and lighting, adding a romance to Safin’s ‘Poison Garden which is my favourite evil lair yet. 

Jamacia, London, Scotland and Italy are just some of the captivating locations used in Bond that will reinvigorate viewers desire to travel post-pandemic no doubt, Matera in particular sent an audible gasp through the audience. 

Billie Eillish’s Bond theme song didn’t come near to my top three where Adele’s ‘Skyfall’, Wings’ timeless ‘Live and let die’, and of course Duran Duran’s ‘A View to Kill’ are firmly placed.

James Bond (Daniel Craig) and Paloma (Ana de Armas) grab an iconic martini on the job. Credit: PA

It did perfectly set the scene however and will surely entice my fellow Gen Z-ers into the theatres, to whom Daniel Craig’s dad-jokes may be more cringey than suave but refreshing performances from Ana de Armas’ could keep them hooked. 

Perhaps this is an indication of the franchise looking towards its future and staying relevant, with only the tamest innuendos, and a family-friendly 12A rating.

There are also quite a few comedic moments throughout, although with a cabin-in-the-woods style opening, exploding eyes, and body bullet shields, it's not for the faint-hearted.

Whilst satisfied is probably the wrong word to describe how I felt leaving the theatre, there was certainly a feeling of completeness and that giddiness you get after riding on a roller-coaster. I kind of want to go again.

Was this the best Bond film ever? I’d argue yes, I certainly had a blast... So book your tickets and here are the show times (before I give too much away).

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