Rating of
3/4
Spectre of the Past
Chris Kavan - wrote on 11/11/15
The James Bond franchise is one of the longest and most successful in Hollywood. In that long history I have to say that Skyfall (form 2012) is, if not the best, easily one of the best films in the long-running series. Following up that film is a daunting task - for actors and director alike - and though Spectre can't match the heights achieved by Skyfall, it is still a solid and enjoyable Bond outing and fans of what Daniel Craig has brought to to the role (as well as director Sam Mendes) won't be disappointed.
As with all Bond films, we have to get a crazy opening. This time we journey to Mexico City - during the Dia de los Muertos celebration no less - as we have Bond tracking down a white-suited man - a man, we learn, who is planning a massive terrorist attack. Sure, he has to destroy a few buildings, nearly take out a large chunk of crowd with a helicopter - but he gets what he wants - a ring, with a many-tentacles symbol. Cue Sam Smith and his "Writing's on the Wall" theme (not as good as Adele but still one of the better in recent memory).
Most of Spectre has Bond on his own - without the backing of M, trying to get the most out of Q and Moneypenny as he goes off the grid after a mysterious organization that seems to have their grubby fingers in all kinds of nasty things across the world. Meanwhile, M (Ralph Fiennes) is dealing with a new threat - a cocky newcomer dubbed C (Andrew Scott) is all about the future of a world controlled by surveillance - a world where drones and constantly monitoring everything takes precedent over field agents - and thus plans to phase out the "OO" program entirely.
Bond manages to schmooze the widow of our Day of the Dead target (Monica Bellucci - still ravishing at 51 - officially the oldest "Bond girl" on screen) and learns of a secret meeting. There we are introduces to the silent but very deadly Mr. Hinx (Dave Bautista - a calm and imposing villain) as well as the shadowed head of the organization played by consummate professional Christoph Waltz. This, in turn, leads him on the trail of an old friend, Mr. White (Jesper Christensen). Bond learns the man had a daughter - who is the key to finding the mysterious man behind the shadow - someone Bond seems to have personal knowledge of. Our other Bond girl is played by French actress Léa Seydoux who brings both strength and grace to the character.
Spectre doesn't disappoint on action - from the opening in Mexico City to a plane chase on in the mountains to a car chase between two prototypes to a good old-fashioned shootout - this is Bond at its best: fast-paced and intense. But the action is only good if the overall story works and it does, for the most part. While Waltz plays a great villain, he just isn't as memorable as Le Chiffre or Silva - but at least he's better than the vanilla Quantum of Solace. The film does its best to tie together all the films, but I also found this aspect to be a bit forced just to make Waltz a bit more imposing.
There is some question whether this will be the final Bond film for Craig (hopefully he comes back for one more) but if this turns out to be the last - I think it does a good job of coming full circle (and even ending on a positive note for once). All told, Spectre is another solid Bond film and should please fans and general audiences alike.
