Spectre (2015) (English Language)

Review

148min

Genre:     Action, Adventure, Mystery

Director:  Sam Mendes

Cast:       Daniel Craig, Christoph Waltz, Léa Seydoux…and more

Writers:   John Logan, Neal Purvis , Robert Wade…and more

-Synopsis-

Following the events of ‘Skyfall’, MI6 and its agents are under threat from the power of a new British government surveillance agency, while Bond scours the globe to uncover the terrible secrets of a mysterious and dangerous organization called “SPECTRE”, with wide-reaching tentacles that stretch all the way to his own past in the 24th Bond instalment, directed by Sam Mendes.

When you consider the lavish Royal premiere in London, the logistically impressive opening scene and the elaborate title sequence, it’s no surprise that the ‘Spectre’ budget snowballed to around $350 million, but luckily for the audience it’s all up there on the screen.

With the daunting task of following ‘Skyfall’, a genre redefining Bond and the most successful British movie ever, producers have meticulously crafted a spy romp that ticks all the 007 boxes. From stunning locations in 5 different countries to spectacular action sequences, classic villains to tongue-in-cheek humour and sexy but substantial Bond ladies, ‘Spectre’ has everything you might expect from an James Bond film within a 21st century context.

‘Spectre’ also expands on the themes of cyberterrorism and the dangers of ubiquitous government surveillance established by its predecessor, while stretching out a fanciful mysterious storyline that weaves together the principal players in Daniel Craig’s Bond legacy so far.

So all the pieces you might expect or want from 007 are in place, and that’s the major problem with ‘Spectre’. If you constantly look for the same elements in every Bond film plus constant nods to the entire legacy, then you’ll love this film, as you should.

If however your expectations have been slightly warped by the bold and Bond-redefining ‘Skyfall’ then you might be disappointed here, it’s all a matter of perspective. For any modern Bond film there must be a balance between nostalgia and moving the character forward, ‘Skyfall’ struck that balance well and perhaps because of its success and the production issues with ‘Spectre’, producers have leaned heavily towards legacy here.

The film builds nicely but the final third descends heavily into archetype with story and characters you can see from a mile away, building up to a spectacular but predictable conclusion that’s ultimately underwhelming. Perhaps the most frustrating element of ‘Spectre’ is the criminal misuse of Christoph Waltz’s talents as a one-dimensional villain who’s familiar on way too many levels.

The Bottom Line…

While not the genre re-defining film that ‘Skyfall’ was and despite some disappointingly predictable elements, ‘Spectre’ has everything you might want from a 21st century Bond, grandiose while stylish, entertaining throughout and for us, it cements Daniel Craig as the greatest 007 thus far.

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Similar films you may like (Home Video)

Skyfall (2012)

When MI6 is attacked and global stability is under threat from a mysterious and powerful Cyberterroist, Bond is dragged into a web of danger and deceit that will test his loyalty to M as the past returns to haunt them both.

Directed by Sam Mendes and starring Daniel Craig, Javier Bardem and Judi Dench among others.

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