Spectre - directed by Sam Mendes
Starring: Daniel Craig, Christoph Waltz, Monica Bellucci, Lea Seydoux, Ralph Feinnes, Dave Bautista, Naomie Harris, Ben Whishaw, Andrew Scott, Rory Kinnear, Jesper Christensen
Running Time: 148 minutes
Rated: M - Violence and a couple of low level profanities
I was excited enough for this movie that I stayed up until the early hours of the morning to see the live announcement some months back.
The title, director, Bautista, Seydoux.... all great news to me and I sat there actually clapping just a little bit.
And then they mentioned Monica Bellucci and it became the movie that I was looking forward to most right behind Star Wars Episode VII.
This is my way of explaining the expectation that I had going in on this one.
Released in the UK and the US one and two weeks ago respectively it has already received a wad of box office cash and a host of reviews varying from perfect scores to those reflecting disappointment.
While often this is cause for concern in this case I viewed the variance in critical views as a positive sign.
Sometimes it is the movies that divide that are the ones that are best loved by those on the positive side.
With director Mendes back in the chair and a truly impressive cast under his command an astronomical budget of $245,000,000 was granted to this project.
Any cynicism over that budget disappears very quickly as "Spectre" begins.
The opening long take shot through the streets of Mexico City is audacious filmmaking.
It might not be quite up to the awe inspiring brilliance of Mikhail Kalatozov's famous long take from "I Am Cuba" but that one should be reminded of it while watching a James Bond movie of all things says much about what Mendes has done for this series in just two movies.
(Not to take anything away from Martin Campbells wonderful "Casino Royale")
Master cinematographer Hoyte Van Hoytema glides his camera down into the bustling streets amidst the Day of the Dead Festival and after some carefully constructed fake outs seamlessly arrives on a mysterious, masked couple.
Of course one of the pair is Bond.
Because we are expecting it sure, but also because what he does and his reasons for being there in this way are pure Bond.
Lasting several minutes in a single shot it is an exceptional opening that culminates in an explosively exciting payoff.
It kicks off a series of events that are quickly revealed to be merely the final stages of those begun over the previous three films.
And so the reason for Mendes and Craig's return to a series both had repeatedly claimed they were finished with are revealed.
"Spectre" is a big old swan song of a movie - things are being wrapped up here.
And how.
As soon as the title of this film was revealed there was speculation as to who Christoph Waltz was playing.
The very title "Spectre" hints at classic Connery era Bond movies with secret lairs, plots to rule the world and wonderfully over the top villains.
Dave Bautista's Mr Hinx was just going to be Oddjob wasn't he?
Waltz would be a cat stroking maniac - surely?
I won't be spoiling anything here but certainly this is the closest that the modern era of Bond movies has got to the kind of grandiose plots that provided Austin Powers enough material for three movies.
There is indeed a villains lair and the dialogue impaired Mr Hinx is a gloriously intimidating villain who provides one of the action highlights with a blinder of a punch up on a train.
Yes- there are nods aplenty to the old days.
But this is still very much a continuation of the story of this decidedly darker, modern James Bond.
In one scene he comes across a VHS tape marked "Vesper Lynd Interrogation" and he tosses it aside after only the briefest consideration.
We are seeing the character filtered through his own history here.
All those that he cared for and in some cases killed previously reside as ever present ghosts. Some are proving to be harder to shake than others.
With the threat of MI-6 and the double O programme being scrapped in favour of a new surveillance system that is all technology and no boots on the ground Bond is seen as a relic by 'C' (Andrew Scott).
Best known for his deliciously kooky turn as Moriarty in the BBC show "Sherlock" Scott can't escape the obviousness of his characters true intentions but is nonetheless quite wonderful with his snide and snarky bantering with both Bond and M (Ralph Fiennes).
All of Bonds team from previous films get more to do here.
Naomie Harris's Miss Moneypenny, Fiennes' M, Rory Kinnear's Tanner and of course Ben Wishaw's Q all have expanded roles to play.
Wishaw has been a revelation as the Quartermaster and it is a smart move giving him more to do.
It is smart also bringing French actress Lea Seydoux in as the main love interest.
Seydoux has delivered a series of impressive performances over the last 5 years.
From Woody Allen's great "Midnight In Paris", Brad Birds blockbusting "Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol" and of course the multi award winning masterpiece "Blue Is the Warmest Colour" Seydoux has had 'star' written all over her for some time.
"Spectre" will not hurt her either despite little more than her extraordinary physical appeal being required of her.
Sporting hair like spun gold and one of the most jawdroppingly figure-hugging dresses that I have ever seen she is beautiful.
Sadly Monica Bellucci is utilised in only two very brief scenes and her total screen time amounts to about ten minutes so it is Seydoux who does all of the heavy lifting on the female side.
After all of the talk of age-appropriate Bond women this is a disappointing result.
Bellucci is terrific as always and her scenes are very effective but shouldn't we have had more of her?
The main scene in which she appears is a beautifully shot, almost balletic dance of seduction and it is truly disheartening that she should be cast aside so soon afterwards.
Of course women have featured prominently in the history of James Bond and the transition to a more sensitive portrayal of the gender demanded in these modern times has often been rocky.
"Quantum Of Solace" did little to change things after the stellar start from Eva Green in "Casino Royale" (she is surely the best ever Bond 'girl')
"Skyfall" had only Berenice Marlohe and as effective as she was it was again only the briefest of appearances.
"Spectre" doesn't do much to turn this around unfortunately and aside from providing a plot nudge here and there the ladies don't have an awful lot to do in terms of affecting the events.
What there is is decent at best and clumsy at worst.
A scene very late in the piece is sadly the worst offender.
Yes, this is Bond's movie and I get that he is a bit gun-shy when it comes to genuine feelings for women after the demise of Vesper but the script tries to have it both ways anyway and it is one of the few things that doesn't work.
Action on the other hand is extremely well served with several very, very strong sequences. The previously mentioned opening and the train punch up of course but also a car vs aeroplane chase that ends in spectacularly over the top fashion. It is carefully paced as you would hope for a two and a half hour movie and it zips by very nicely indeed thanks to the action and some very effective humour. 'Stay' and the couch gag are marvelously funny but M gets the truly killer gag line.
A disgraceful under-utilisation of Bellucci and perhaps a little bit too neat by half reveal and twist here and there aside I can't find too much to criticise.
This is an epic, globe trotting movie that shoves its huge budget up on the screen for all to see.
Is "Spectre" as good as "Skyfall"?
I don't know- probably not but when it is this close who really cares?
I was frequently wide eyed and slack jawed at the skill on display.
There are nods to the likes of Lawrence of Arabia with a car emerging from a shimmering horizon and of course that opening scene in Mexico but even the little things like the way that Mendes shoots the car chase or how he frames a train snaking through a dusty desert at dusk impress.
The insipid Sam Smith title song is less offensive in the context of the opening credits than it was when first revealed but it is still not good.
Thankfully the score by Thomas Newman more than makes up for it.
"Spectre" delivers everything that you could want in a follow up to "Skyfall" and I am baffled by the 6/10 scores that I have seen applied to it from some quarters.
This is a spectacular, audacious piece of mega-budget action filmmaking and I loved every second of it.
It joins "Casino Royale" and "Skyfall" to form a very high benchmark indeed.
If the producers see sense and finally give a Bond movie to Christopher Nolan I am hopeful that we may see a new Bond series deliver like this one has but honestly- this is a tough act to follow.
RATING: 88/ 100
CONCLUSION: If Daniel Craig's tenure as Bond leaves a legacy it will be of a sharp step up in quality and "Spectre like "Skyfall" before it serve as fine testament to this. A beautiful piece of filmmaking and a terrific farewell to this excellent chapter in the legendary series.
Running Time: 148 minutes
Rated: M - Violence and a couple of low level profanities
I was excited enough for this movie that I stayed up until the early hours of the morning to see the live announcement some months back.
The title, director, Bautista, Seydoux.... all great news to me and I sat there actually clapping just a little bit.
And then they mentioned Monica Bellucci and it became the movie that I was looking forward to most right behind Star Wars Episode VII.
This is my way of explaining the expectation that I had going in on this one.
Released in the UK and the US one and two weeks ago respectively it has already received a wad of box office cash and a host of reviews varying from perfect scores to those reflecting disappointment.
While often this is cause for concern in this case I viewed the variance in critical views as a positive sign.
Sometimes it is the movies that divide that are the ones that are best loved by those on the positive side.
With director Mendes back in the chair and a truly impressive cast under his command an astronomical budget of $245,000,000 was granted to this project.
Any cynicism over that budget disappears very quickly as "Spectre" begins.
The opening long take shot through the streets of Mexico City is audacious filmmaking.
It might not be quite up to the awe inspiring brilliance of Mikhail Kalatozov's famous long take from "I Am Cuba" but that one should be reminded of it while watching a James Bond movie of all things says much about what Mendes has done for this series in just two movies.
(Not to take anything away from Martin Campbells wonderful "Casino Royale")
Master cinematographer Hoyte Van Hoytema glides his camera down into the bustling streets amidst the Day of the Dead Festival and after some carefully constructed fake outs seamlessly arrives on a mysterious, masked couple.
Of course one of the pair is Bond.
Because we are expecting it sure, but also because what he does and his reasons for being there in this way are pure Bond.
Lasting several minutes in a single shot it is an exceptional opening that culminates in an explosively exciting payoff.
It kicks off a series of events that are quickly revealed to be merely the final stages of those begun over the previous three films.
And so the reason for Mendes and Craig's return to a series both had repeatedly claimed they were finished with are revealed.
"Spectre" is a big old swan song of a movie - things are being wrapped up here.
And how.
 |
| Daniel Craig's cool, detached Bond returns for possibly the last time |
The very title "Spectre" hints at classic Connery era Bond movies with secret lairs, plots to rule the world and wonderfully over the top villains.
Dave Bautista's Mr Hinx was just going to be Oddjob wasn't he?
Waltz would be a cat stroking maniac - surely?
I won't be spoiling anything here but certainly this is the closest that the modern era of Bond movies has got to the kind of grandiose plots that provided Austin Powers enough material for three movies.
There is indeed a villains lair and the dialogue impaired Mr Hinx is a gloriously intimidating villain who provides one of the action highlights with a blinder of a punch up on a train.
Yes- there are nods aplenty to the old days.
But this is still very much a continuation of the story of this decidedly darker, modern James Bond.
In one scene he comes across a VHS tape marked "Vesper Lynd Interrogation" and he tosses it aside after only the briefest consideration.
We are seeing the character filtered through his own history here.
All those that he cared for and in some cases killed previously reside as ever present ghosts. Some are proving to be harder to shake than others.
 |
| Newcomers include Christoph Waltz, Andrew Scott, Lea Seydoux and Dave Bautista |
Best known for his deliciously kooky turn as Moriarty in the BBC show "Sherlock" Scott can't escape the obviousness of his characters true intentions but is nonetheless quite wonderful with his snide and snarky bantering with both Bond and M (Ralph Fiennes).
All of Bonds team from previous films get more to do here.
Naomie Harris's Miss Moneypenny, Fiennes' M, Rory Kinnear's Tanner and of course Ben Wishaw's Q all have expanded roles to play.
Wishaw has been a revelation as the Quartermaster and it is a smart move giving him more to do.
It is smart also bringing French actress Lea Seydoux in as the main love interest.
 |
| Monica Bellucci |
From Woody Allen's great "Midnight In Paris", Brad Birds blockbusting "Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol" and of course the multi award winning masterpiece "Blue Is the Warmest Colour" Seydoux has had 'star' written all over her for some time.
"Spectre" will not hurt her either despite little more than her extraordinary physical appeal being required of her.
Sporting hair like spun gold and one of the most jawdroppingly figure-hugging dresses that I have ever seen she is beautiful.
Sadly Monica Bellucci is utilised in only two very brief scenes and her total screen time amounts to about ten minutes so it is Seydoux who does all of the heavy lifting on the female side.
After all of the talk of age-appropriate Bond women this is a disappointing result.
Bellucci is terrific as always and her scenes are very effective but shouldn't we have had more of her?
The main scene in which she appears is a beautifully shot, almost balletic dance of seduction and it is truly disheartening that she should be cast aside so soon afterwards.
Of course women have featured prominently in the history of James Bond and the transition to a more sensitive portrayal of the gender demanded in these modern times has often been rocky.
"Quantum Of Solace" did little to change things after the stellar start from Eva Green in "Casino Royale" (she is surely the best ever Bond 'girl')
"Skyfall" had only Berenice Marlohe and as effective as she was it was again only the briefest of appearances.
"Spectre" doesn't do much to turn this around unfortunately and aside from providing a plot nudge here and there the ladies don't have an awful lot to do in terms of affecting the events.
What there is is decent at best and clumsy at worst.
A scene very late in the piece is sadly the worst offender.
Yes, this is Bond's movie and I get that he is a bit gun-shy when it comes to genuine feelings for women after the demise of Vesper but the script tries to have it both ways anyway and it is one of the few things that doesn't work.
Action on the other hand is extremely well served with several very, very strong sequences. The previously mentioned opening and the train punch up of course but also a car vs aeroplane chase that ends in spectacularly over the top fashion. It is carefully paced as you would hope for a two and a half hour movie and it zips by very nicely indeed thanks to the action and some very effective humour. 'Stay' and the couch gag are marvelously funny but M gets the truly killer gag line.
 |
| Spectre is a technical tour de force - an amazing looking and beautifully shot movie |
This is an epic, globe trotting movie that shoves its huge budget up on the screen for all to see.
Is "Spectre" as good as "Skyfall"?
I don't know- probably not but when it is this close who really cares?
I was frequently wide eyed and slack jawed at the skill on display.
There are nods to the likes of Lawrence of Arabia with a car emerging from a shimmering horizon and of course that opening scene in Mexico but even the little things like the way that Mendes shoots the car chase or how he frames a train snaking through a dusty desert at dusk impress.
The insipid Sam Smith title song is less offensive in the context of the opening credits than it was when first revealed but it is still not good.
Thankfully the score by Thomas Newman more than makes up for it.
"Spectre" delivers everything that you could want in a follow up to "Skyfall" and I am baffled by the 6/10 scores that I have seen applied to it from some quarters.
This is a spectacular, audacious piece of mega-budget action filmmaking and I loved every second of it.
It joins "Casino Royale" and "Skyfall" to form a very high benchmark indeed.
If the producers see sense and finally give a Bond movie to Christopher Nolan I am hopeful that we may see a new Bond series deliver like this one has but honestly- this is a tough act to follow.
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