SPECTRE (2015) Review

Distributors: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures, Columbia Pictures (both from Sony)

Starring: Daniel Craig, Christoph Waltz, Léa Seydoux, Ben Whishaw, Naomie Harris, Ralph Fiennes, Andrew Scott, Dave Bautista, Monica Belucci

Director: Sam Mendes

Screenplay: John Logan, Neal Purvis, Robert Wade, Jez Butterworth 

Producers: Michael G. Wilson, Barbara Broccoli

Running Time: 2 hrs, 30 mins (approx.)

Release Date: October 26th 2015 (UK)

Rating: 12A

The Daniel Craig era of the James Bond Franchise has had its fair share of quality. 'Casino Royale' was unique and gritty, 'Quantum of Solace' was confusing and generic and 'Skyfall' was just plain awesome. Now Mendes of 'Skyfall' fame returns to direct this year’s Bond flick: 'SPECTRE' with Craig returning as Bond. Is this as good as 'Skyfall' or as big of a train-wreck as 'Quantum of Solace'? 

James Bond (Craig) is discharged after an explosive opening in Mexico, so he is working alone to track down a mysterious organisation known as SPECTRE. With the help of Madeline Swann (Seydoux), daughter of an old enemy of Bond, Q (Whishaw), M (Fiennes) and Eve Moneypenny (Harris). Bond discovers SPECTRE and its leader, Franz Oberhauser (Waltz), and they must stop him from taking over the world.

This film takes James Bond back to his 1960s roots with the return of SPECTRE, the lines 'shaken not stirred' and 'Bond, James Bond', a strong assassin and the famous gunshot sequence being in the opening this time round. This feels like a James Bond film unlike 'Quantum of Solace' which is a good thing as the era has truly taken off. However, because it played it safe, the plot feels predictable at times (gee, I wonder who Waltz is playing?!) and it's also abominably long. That doesn't mean it's a bad film as it is still entertaining to watch as the plot at least makes sense this time round. It also plays with the theme of surveillance quite nicely. We are in an insecure society where we seem constantly watched and the SPECTRE organisation utilises it to their advantage making the film very relevant. 

Craig, despite his (to put it lightly) resentment for the role, turns in a good performance, continuing the colder side to the character but also showing a sense of humour as most of his comedy comes through dry wit. Honestly though, despite revelations of his past coming to light, Bond doesn't feel developed as a character as he is more of the same throughout.

  

The Bond Girl, Swann, is also a weak character. Seydoux does turn in a decent performance but her character does not get much personality nor room for development as other characters steal the stage. She's just there to be a Bond Girl, that's it. Also Belucci is vastly underused in her role as she only turns up for one scene and she is never seen or mentioned again. This wouldn't be a problem if they didn't draw so much attention to her life being in danger.

The MI6 team fair a lot better though. Whishaw shows off his comedic timing for the role of Q and the role itself provides most of the comedy (which works). Fiennes turns out to be a very good M and he even gets in to a lot of the action. The same goes for Moneypenny who plays a key role in the story. Their antagonist, C (Scott) is also a slimy yet charming character, though what did you expect from the guy who plays Moriaty in 'Sherlock'?

As for the villains, Waltz is clearly having a lot of fun with his character as he steals every scene he's in. However, Oberhauser is not really in it that much which sadly doesn't give him time to develop as a villain so thank goodness for Waltz who was born to be a Bond villain, he's been playing Bond villains throughout his career for crying out loud! Bautista uses his physique for the role of the assassin Mr Hinx but the character makes a little impact and there is nothing that stands out about him unlike Oddjob and Jaws.

As for the production values, the films looks beautiful with the same quality of cinematography from the last film (that's a good thing!). The film also has a wide range of locations from Mexico to London to Rome to Austria and to Morocco. The wide range of locations allow for some stylised filmmaking to make them all stand out. 

The action sequences are also exciting for the most part. One particular highlight is the Day of the Dead opening with the majority of it being done in one shot, which can't have been easy given the amount of people there. There are other good sequences too like the plane/car chase in Austria and the train fight with Mr Hinx. 

The music is good too, again the highlight being the Day of the Dead scene as the James Bond theme is mixed with carnival music to make the scene lively. However the 'Writing on the Wall' theme is a bit weak by Bond song standards (though what do you expect from a singer as uninterested as Sam Smith?) and what is up with those visuals? Seriously Mendes, Octopuses do not make things sexy! 

With that said, the film is good but not great. It is a satisfying and entertaining follow-up from 'Skyfall' with good action sequences, humour, comedy, performances and the feel of a Bond film but it feels too safe as the plot is predictable and the characters do not feel developed. In answering the question on whether or not it is as good as 'Skyfall' or as bad as 'Quantum of Solace', it is neither. It is on the same level as 'Casino Royale': good but not great. However, it is good enough to recommend.

'SPECTRE' gets 3 and a half octopus rings out of five

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