MovieChat Forums > No Time to Die (1992) Discussion > Yay or Nay?

Yay or Nay?

posted 5 years ago by Wuchak (8101)
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I say "Yay." Here's why...

While several Columbo episodes experiment with the ‘Howcatchem’ formula, "No Time to Die" (1992) and “Undercover” (1994) are the only two to completely abandon it. This can be traced to both scripts being adapted from 87th Precinct mysteries by Ed McBain. Falk & the producers were no doubt getting bored and wanted to experiment with the series. But is “No Time to Die” any good?

There is no murder at the beginning as usual, but rather a kidnapping. The detective story starts as a Whodunit and eventually turns into a Howcatchem with "can they make it in time" suspense at the close. Actually, the plot doesn’t stray from formula as much as “Undercover.” "No Time to Die" simply exchanges a murder at the beginning for a kidnapping. From there Columbo & crew have to sort out the evidence to figure out who the culprit is, locate his whereabouts, and liberate the girl. Some reviewers point out that there’s no murder; true, but there is a killing and that’s all I’ll say on that.

The first time I watched “No Time to Die” I thought it was below average. Maybe because I was turned off by the deviations or perhaps I just wasn’t in proper Columbo mode. Seeing it again, I was surprised at how good it is. It’s a solid Columbo flick and I appreciated the changes. It’s not the same old, same old. It’s fresh. And it’s superior to the mediocre “Undercover."

[–] Wuchak (8101) 5 years ago

I like the way Columbo & Co. meticulously gather data to discover who the kidnapper is. This is how Columbo always discovers the murderer -- via the details. Like in "Sex and the Married Detective" (1989), the gumshoe obtains a list of people who were at an event and he works thru each individual until he finds that for which he is looking.

On top of this we get several things that you won't see in any formulaic installment:

(1.) We finally get to see the Lieutenant hanging out with family members, not to mention police family.
(2.) Columbo takes charge of the available personnel and orders the investigation forward. In too many episodes you get the feeling he's the only one investigating given the little support he receives from the force. This episode, by contrast, made you feel like he was a Lieutenant for the LAPD who had some pull, resources and support.
(3.) Columbo has a gun and pulls it out, although he doesn't fire it.
(4.) we get to see the squad room at the LAPD where Columbo works. This only happens again two years later in "Undercover" (correct me if I'm wrong).
(5.) Columbo shows more passionate dedication than any other segment because this case concerns family. And...
(6.) our beloved rumpled detective appears from beginning to end.