The film showed that in a 50 year old franchise, there can still be surprises. The movie did far more than just tick all the boxes. It gave us a compelling, action packed, character driven drama, which went on to be a big Award Winner, and also being the first Bond film to go past the $1 billion mark, and is still the highest grossing film at the UK box office.
So it with little surprise that Producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli (the latter I have had the great fortune to meet) were keen to reunite the team that made "Skyfall" the huge success it has become.
I have now seen the film a second time, as I felt that after just one viewing, I was unable to do a full and comprehensive review. But now the jury has returned its verdict.....
The film opens in stunning style on the streets of Mexico, during the Day of the Dead festival. Bond complete with skull mask goes after his prey, a mysterious hoodlum called Sciarra. However this mission has not been sanctioned by MI6, so why is Bond going it alone to get Sciarra? He calmly walks the rooftops, as he settles in for the kill. His first attempt fails, and this leads to a dramatic chase which ends inside a helicopter. The cramped conditions give way to a tense fight to the death. Naturally Bond prevails and he has accomplished his mission and has the ring worn by Sciarra, which features an octopus as its design......
Back in London, Bond is in trouble for his one man mission, he finds himself suspended from duty. But it would seem that M is feeling the pressure as there is a new boy on the block, Max Denbigh, whose aim is to combine many of the Worlds Security networks, which would all go through London's new Security home, the Centre for National Security. Denbigh also sees the '00' programme as passed its prime, and is keen to retire it.
Despite being grounded, Bond manages to evade his Superiors and making his way across Europe, through Italy and Rome, and then heading to warmer Countries like Morocco. He is putting together the pieces of a puzzle, which start from his childhood, and the man who looked after him following the death of his parents.
Could it be that his past is beginning to haunt him? What is this mysterious organisation known as SPECTRE?
Firstly, for any Bond fans, there is a lot that one can relate to from past films. In fact you could be forgiven for thinking that this was the film that was released during the franchises 50th anniversary. The carnival scenes in the opening - "Moonraker". A tense and rough fight on board a train - "From Russia With Love". A clinic above a mountain range - "On Her Majesty's Secret Service", and many more.
"Spectre" has sewn together all the strands that were spun from the first three Daniel Craig Bond films, all coming together under the Spectre organisation. As to who is behind, I could not say.
I had such high hopes for this new Bond film, especially given how much I love "Skyfall" and maybe that is part of the problem. Could any film ever be as good as Bond 23?
Although the premise for "Skyfall" was only revenge, it was so tense and brilliantly acted out, and the pace never slowed, even though it was not wall to wall action.
The same cannot be said for "Spectre" which does wander around quite a bit, seeming to take ages to get to the point. And then when we get there....what is it all for? It is all fine and dandy having a long film, there is just 5 minutes difference in running time between these last two Bond movies, but it felt at times that "Spectre" was dragging its heels.
A few quick moans. Composer Thomas Newman, who did such great work on "Skyfall", returns for "Spectre", and so does a fair amount of his previous score. I can only assume that he was having an off day when scoring this new movie, and so reused his previous tracks. I will say however that one piece that is reused was done so beautifully.
New henchman Hinx is just about two dimensional. A lot was mentioned about Monica Bellucci being the oldest Bond woman, and yet she is barely in the film. And as for Lea Seydoux, I am afraid she just looked pretty and that was about it.
If you are going to get a two time Oscar winner to play your Bond villain, then you give him a part worthy of his immense talent. This was brilliantly illustrated with Javier Bardem. So when you see that Christoph Waltz is playing Frans Oberhauser, you get really excited.....that is until you see the film. Like Dave Bautista as Hinx, I felt that Waltz did not reach his full potential. Anyone who has seen his work, especially his amazing performance in "Inglorious Basterds" will know what I mean.
There is an excellent finale, and I must mention how well Ralph Fiennes has settled into the role of 'M'. Dame Judi Dench would be a tough act to follow, but he is really excellent.
Overall it is a good Bond film, but not got the edge that both "Casino Royale" and especially "Skyfall" had......8 out of 10
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