'No Time to Die' trailer gives me goosebumps about the 007's return

The first official trailer for the final Daniel Craig Bond adventure -- the 2020 release No Time to Die  -- is finally here and unsurprisingly, I have thoughts. First off, it's always amazing to me how giddy this franchise can still get me. Only Star Wars trailers generate the same kind of goosebumps for me.

Bond movies were really the first films that got me passionate about cinema, and while many aren't anywhere near masterpieces, when they're good they can feel like game changers. At least two of Daniel Craig's four entries as 007 would qualify for that pantheon: Casino Royale and Skyfall. I didn't despise his last outing, Spectre, as much as a lot of other people but it definitely wasn't a top tier 007 film.

There's been plenty of speculation about Craig departing the series and who should play Bond next and meanwhile the series has laid dormant for nearly five years.

I for one am thrilled to see Craig coming back for one last ride. He's now the longest serving Bond in history, if only because the features are no longer coming at a every two years clip. That probably makes sense given the scale of these productions now, but I have wanted proper closure with his iteration of the character, which has become over time my favorite one to date.

On the plus side, No Time to Die at least looks like a return to form. The film has had a notoriously troubled production including the hiring and firing of an Oscar winning director. Because of all the delays the film is coming out in April of next year, an unorthodox time for a Bond film and it may be the first bond film since Casino Royale that faces an uncertain fate.

That may be a good thing. Some of the best Bond films have arrived when it seemed like the franchise was the most 'on its heels'. When Pierce Brosnan debuted as 007 in Goldeneye people forget how much of an open question it was if people would still go see a James Bond movie. When Daniel Craig took over the role there was another backlash that was quickly snuffed out.

No Time to Die should do well because it promises the kind of incredible stunt work and intrigue that has defined the Craig era. He looks amazing -- any doubts that the over-50 actor might not fit the part anymore should be quickly dispelled. The new cast additions look really fun -- including Lashana Lynch, who may or may not be taking over the 007 mantle after this picture and Rami Malek as a particularly creepy looking villain.

Now here is what troubles me ... the movie seems to be doubled down on the idea of wrapping all the Craig films together into a single narrative (bringing back Lea Seydoux and Christoph Waltz from Spectre for what look like substantial roles). I think this is a mistake and a little disappointing. Part of the fun of Bond is that every adventure used to be a unique original. Sure, there were consistent beats like M and Q popping up, but I liked that you were sort of starting at 0 with every movie.

And while I like that this movie is acknowledging Craig's age and pulling Bond out of retirement -- I don't love that we're moving away from the kind of one-off storytelling that made probably my favorite 007 movie -- Skyfall -- so appealing.

Still, this trailer seems to be suggesting some major plot twists and maybe even a little more emotional depth, with a welcome dose of humor (I like the sardonic Bond, James Bond delivery in this trailer) possibly thanks to script contributions from Phoebe Waller-Bridge

Let's face it, if the movie is even half as good as it looks, it's going to be great. And there's nothing that's going to keep me away from seeing this baby in theaters next year. It's probably one of the only things in 2020 I look forward to!