We open with a lavish Touch of Evil-style tracking shot that leads us through Mexico City’s Day of the Dead parade (shades of Live and Let Die’s voodoo festivities), into a hotel lobby, up in a lift, out of a window and on to the rooftops before finally cutting as a gun sights its target. Terrific to report, then, that while Spectre may not be the equal of its immediate predecessor, it’s still bang on target in delivering what an audience wants from this seemingly indestructible franchise: globetrotting locations (London, Rome, Tangier), spectacular stunts, impossible intrigue, inconceivable costume changes, laugh-out-loud zingers (most of them delivered by Ben Whishaw’s scene-stealing Q) and a plot that is at once utterly preposterous yet oddly apposite in its skewering of surveillance technology as inherently sinister and infinitely corruptible. After the high-water mark of Skyfall (my joint-favourite Bond movie with On Her Majesty’s Secret Service), there was a very real fear that director Sam Mendes’s second 007 adventure may go the misbegotten way of Quantum of Solace. Grammy winner Sam Smith's theme, "Writing's on the Wall", is matched with shadowed silhouettes of naked women dancing around Daniel Craig, with glimpses of Bond's past and this storyline's adversary throughout.T here has been much whining in the run-up to the release of this latest Bond outing – from the strangulated cry of Sam Smith’s wailing theme tune (and the reaction it provoked) to the sound of leading man Daniel Craig complaining that he would rather slash his wrists than play 007 again. Note: As is the custom with Bond movies, Spectre showcases lavish opening titles. Bond wasn't quite up to the task in Spectre, but it's still a solid add to the much-loved franchise, for appropriate audiences. To match or even top the nuance and intrigue of that film would be quite an undertaking. Mendes and Craig set themselves up for it - with such a great Bond film in Skyfall back in 2012. Foul language plays a part and the opening scenes are set in Mexico City during a visually stunning Day of the Dead festival. However, one of the Bond girls is seen sitting on a bed after she and Bond have been together, in corseted lingerie. Bond's sexual escapades are thankfully only alluded to in Spectre, with passionate kissing the most you see. At one point, a henchman pokes the eyes out of another bad guy before snapping his neck. Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of action and violence, some disturbing images, sensuality and language, Spectre contains all of the questionable content one might expect from a Bond movie. Even the psychological tricks played on Bond don't seem all that chilling. Moneypenny's strong presence in the storyline fades, as does the movie's ability to surprise you. Its extreme car chases, elaborate sets, and intricate fight sequences can't fully compensate for the film's muddled latter acts. Spectre contains quite an interesting mix of nods to past films, so much so that you lose a little bit of the Daniel Craig Bond that's been on the scene since Casino Royale (2006). The lot do well in their respective roles, with Waltz lending his unique talent to portraying this new disturbing Bond villain.Īction packed and sometimes humorous, this globetrotting sequel feels like a lot of Bond movies rolled into one. (the new head of intelligence) and Monica Bellucci, who takes an all-too-quick turn as a grieving widow. Madeleine Swann (the damsel in distress), Andrew Scott as C. New to Bond's world of high-speed espionage is Oscar winning actor Christoph Waltz (as the villainous Oberhauser), Léa Seydoux as Dr. Craig's rejoined by Ralph Fiennes as M., Naomie Harris as Moneypenny and Ben Whishaw as Q. Sam Mendes returns as director with Daniel Craig reprising his role as the dashing and dangerous agent 007. battles forces at home determined to dismantle the 00 program, Bond wages his own war as he tracks the players in this global web of villains all the way to its mysterious leader. His pursuit, compelled by a cryptic message he receives from an old friend, leads him to the front door of a particularly ominous organization. Spy extraordinaire James Bond's on trail of a new villain. Rated PG-13 for various reasons (explained below), Spectre is not a film you'll want to see with for your family. This continuation in Bond's storyline offers moviegoers more spectacle and insight into 007's past, but it lacks the edge, clarity, and impact of Skyfall. The success of its predecessor, Skyfall, sets up this new addition to the more than 50-year-old James Bond movie franchise rather well. With the price tag of a whopping 300 million dollars, Spectre better rake in the dough at the box office this weekend.
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