As a big James Bond fan, and therefore with many opinions on the latest film, Spectre, I felt that I should break from reporting opinions on news stories, and instead provide a review of the film. You have been warned: this is full of spoilers:
The gunbarrel at the beginning of the film (at last!) was a very positive start, after being absent for all of the Daniel Craig Bond films hitherto. The sweeping shot of Mexico City that follows, including the location of Mexico City itself, is impressive. From the outset, I enjoy Daniel Craig's performance in this film (I would say his finest to date), particularly from the point when we see Bond walking along the rooftops in traditionally nonchalant, 007 fashion. The fight aboard the helicopter, and stunt work with the helicopter, were very well done. Then the titles which, while not containing one of the great Bond themes in my opinion (Sam Smith's 'Writing's on the Wall"), is still very good: the song works better with the credits rather than in isolation, the octopus theme works well, while the shots of characters from earlier Craig films has positive connotations of On Her Majesty's Secret Service's titles for me, which similarly showed images from previous films. However, this is more relevant here, as Spectre's plot draws on the plots of the previous Craig films.
The scene in M's office is gloriously nostalgic, with an established male M and wood-paneled office for the first time since the Dalton era in the 1980s. I also enjoy much of the chemistry among the MI6 team, with a fun relationship between Bond and Moneypenny (also evident in Skyfall), while Ben Whishaw's Q builds on the precedent of humour set by his iconic predecessor, Desmond Llewelyn, and also makes the role his own via the great contrast between his character and Bond: Q drinks Earl Grey tea and health drinks while Bond will drink alcohol at any opportunity; Bond lives everyday as his last, relishing freedom from ties, while Q is concerned about his mortgage and two cats... In addition, there are unfortunately the more forgettable, regular allies: Tanner and Felix Leiter. In the novels, both of these characters are portrayed as Bond's closest friends, but this doesn't really come across in the films- particularly in the Craig era. I hope this is something they work on with subsequent films (although I appreciated the subtle, throwaway reference to Felix in Spectre as someone who can look out for Lucia Sciarra once Bond left).
Speaking of Lucia Sciarra, I felt the scenes with her were some of the few that didn't work so well in this film (not because of her age, I hasten to add!). The bellowing, operatic music playing as we see Sciarra in her home feels out of place and a bit cringe-worthy to me, and Bond's seduction of Sciarra (including the unnecessary smashing of the glasses) feels a bit uncomfortable as she has tears falling down her face while he seduces her. However, the next scene at Spectre's meeting works very well in my opinion. As Bond joins the meeting, though there's a nice gag about Mickey Mouse, the swearing here (and, come to think about it, throughout the Craig-era) feels out of place and unnecessary for me in a Bond film, when you consider that you could probably count on one hand the amount of swearing in the pre-Craig films. Moving on to the meeting itself, it's nicely reminiscent of the old Spectre meetings in the 1960s, whilst the shadowy mystery around Blofeld is fun. Moreover, whilst there is a bit of awkward silence as Blofeld whispers to his minions, I like the feeling it creates that everyone (including the audience) is obliged to wait for Blofeld- increasing the character's authority and presence. Hinx also has a great and powerful introduction, and proves to be the most memorable henchman we've had in years. The problem is that this status is undermined by the fact that Hinx, with a punchy and memorable name, is never actually named during the film- which is a great shame! The subsequent car chase around Rome is fun and a bit different: the Aston Martin DB10 is a modern classic, whilst the twist with the gadgets not all working is enjoyable, funny and unexpected. Moreover, the contrast between Bond steering through a tense car chase, while Moneypenny casually glances into her fridge, is subtly humorous- as is the presence of a male companion in Moneypenny's flat! Bond's contact with the unsuspecting Italian motorist is reminiscent of the sort of humour we are used to in Bond films- and is genuinely funny. The whole experience is enhanced by Craig's confident and effective mastery of the scene.
The film moves on to Austria, where the pace slows- but this isn't necessarily a bad thing. It's nice to see the return of Mr White, and the tying up of loose ends with his character. Then Madeline Swann's Alpine clinic is nicely reminiscent of Piz Gloria in On Her Majesty' Secret Service. The chemistry between Bond and Swann is effective and believable, and also demonstrates Bond having a meaningful relationship with a woman, and genuinely caring for them, that can still be tailored to a single film- recalling the relationship with Bond girls portrayed in the late Roger Moore era. The action in Austria is ok, but fairly standard and not that impressive in my opinion. Q and Swann's revelations that all of the previous villains in the Craig era were linked, for me, nicely recalls a moment in the novel of From Russia with Love, when there is a similar overview of Bond's previous foes (in that case, from Casino Royale, Live and Let Die, Moonraker and Diamonds are Forever).
We get to see Bond and Swann grow closer together in Morocco, with the film again focuses on the characters rather than action, which works very well. Both characters also really look glamorous and suave in a very Bondian way, with Bond in the white dinner jacket and Swann looking beautiful in her ballgown. Hinx's return (also looking dapper in a waistcoat!) in what feels like a hard-hitting fight is well done, whilst it's also good to see Bond and Swann get together at last! The two are then escorted to Blofeld's lair in a Rolls Royce that recalls Goldfinger, but feels a bit forced and even cliched in my opinion- which also applies to the welcome they receive at the lair. Blofeld's introduction with the meteorite, and the implicit comparison between Blofeld/Spectre and the meteorite, is thoughtful. Though Christoph Waltz looks the part, and I have a lot of respect for him as an actor since his performance in 'Inglorious...', I found him slightly disappointing and not used to his full potential in Spectre. A lot of his dialogue (including the albeit clever references to cuckoos, and vague references to horrible things becoming things of beauty) may be cited as signs of madness of a villain, but with previous villains there was normally method to the madness, and Blofeld in this case just tends to sound a bit stupid in my opinion. Nevertheless, he still does a good job, and his torture of Bond is typically sadistic in the Bond model. I was also very pleased to see the fluffy white cat, confirming Blofeld's return! The gadget watch was also good, and a joyous return to Bond gadgetry after the apparent snobbery towards such things in Skyfall, with Q previously disregarding "exploding pens" and the like. The lair was adequate, as is the plot of Blofeld and C gathering global surveillance, but neither stand out nor feel particularly inspiring. In particular, the focus on spying and MI6 in both Spectre and Skyfall feel like navel-gazing to me, and aren't quite the global, intriguing threats we have historically seen in past Bonds. The plots to both of these films seem to be a threat primarily to spies themselves, rather than the wider world, lessening their impact.
When we returned to London, I initially wondered whether this was necessary and prolonged the film that bit too much. This final segment has several pros and cons in my opinion. Much as I like the MI6 team, it concerns me that there's a danger of Bond's missions becoming more of an X-Men-esque team effort, as opposed to the appeal of Bond being one man fighting alone (more or less) against the odds. I particularly had this feeling as the MI6 team head off together to pursue C. Bond walking cautiously through the ruins of the MI6 building is reminiscent of the maze that Bond similarly walks ominously through in The Man with the Golden Gun. Blofeld (complete with a scar!) is worth the wait! There's also a suitably Bondian and suspenseful ending, with Bond racing against the clock to find Swann. I then found myself amusingly in the position of worrying about Blofeld, thinking to myself "Surely they're not going to kill him off- they've only just got him back!". Fortunately, Blofeld is left alive- and to return to future Bonds. Bond walking off hand-in-hand with Swann was nice to see, with an apparently jealous Blofeld looking on. The very final scene with the Aston Martin just about works in my opinion, although it felt a bit odd to me for the return of the DB5 to be the choice for the climax of the film.
Overall, classic Bond, with Craig at his best (I hope it's not his last! I'm quietly confident it won't be...), and potentially one of the best of all time. A pleasure to watch!
