One of the most acclaimed entries in the James Bond franchise is on TV tonight, a rare big-screen blockbuster that fans called nothing short of a “masterpiece.” The movie, released in 2021 after a long pandemic delay, marked a big moment for the spy series.

With an 83% score on Rotten Tomatoes, No Time To Die is not only one of the best-reviewed Bond instalments of recent years but also one of the most emotional, drawing widespread praise from audiences for its action, scope and heart.

As one fan wrote in their review: “Daniel Craig’s final Bond is EVERYTHING we hoped for! Action, emotion, and a perfect goodbye to the 007 who redefined the role.”

“It’s not just about stopping the villain, it’s Bond facing his past & legacy. Craig is on fire, balancing grit & vulnerability like no other. We came for the action, stayed for the emotion. This film gave us closure & left us in awe.”

Spanning five films (Casino Royale, Quantum of Solace, Skyfall, Spectre and No Time To Die), Craig’s run as Bond has been hailed as the franchise’s boldest reinvention.

As one fan put it: “An incredible end to the best cycle of Bond films. The first Connery films are great, but these work together in an arc the way none of the other Bond films do.”

And that’s precisely why this one hit differently. “Great ending to my favourite Bond. I’ll shed tears seeing Daniel Craig end his stint as the famous James Bond,” wrote another reviewer, while others called it “hands down the best 007 movie since Skyfall, absolute masterpiece.”

The story sees Bond drawn out of retirement in Jamaica when his old friend Felix Leiter (Jeffrey Wright) turns up with a mission: track down a kidnapped scientist whose work could have catastrophic consequences.

This journey forces him to confront his past, reunite with Madeleine Swann (Léa Seydoux), and face a new enemy in the unsettlingly calm Lyutsifer Safin, played by Oscar-winner Rami Malek. From Italian car chases to tense showdowns in Norway, it’s the emotional stakes that set this film ap rt.

Directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga – the first American to helm a Bond film – the production became one of the most talked-about in the series’ history. Craig injured his ankle performing stunts in Jamaica, but pressed on to finish the role he had once vowed he wouldn’t return to.

Phoebe Waller-Bridge (Fleabag) was brought in to add fresh energy to the script, and Billie Eilish’s brooding theme song went on to win both an Oscar and a Grammy. The film ended up grossing over $774 million worldwide and becoming one of the biggest hits of 2021.

No Time To Die airs at 9:30pm on ITV1+1 tonight.