007 Spectre

After the slew of serious movies, this is the tongue-in-cheek fantasy- like homage to the 60's Bond films that we wanted. There's lots of beautiful locales, a Day of the Dead parade, Bautista playing a beautiful henchman, Waltz playing the villain, Aston Martin chases and the most gags out of all the Craig films thus far. There's lots of welcome nostalgic throwbacks like a train fight, an evil lair and skiing scenes.

The plot relies on the standard Bond formula, the backstory of the villain is underwhelming and the climax is a little weak, but the first two acts of the film were great and as a whole, this is a very entertaining action film.

It's overly long, the pacing slows down too much in the second act and Christoph Waltz is massively underutilized but Spectre is still a really good Bond film that's thrilling, fun and epic whilst also being a more classical Bond film.

Daniel Craig is reliably perfect once again but with more charisma and a lot more quips compared to his previous films. Léa Seydoux, Ralph Fiennes, Naomie Harris, Dave Bautista and Ben Whishaw are all great.

Sam Mendes' direction is excellent, it's beautifully filmed and consistently stylish with extremely well filmed action sequences. The music by Thomas Newman is fantastic and the song by Sam Smith is also great.

This is certainly not the best Bond film to be made, but it's another solid outing for Daniel Craig's 007.

I thought the action, as in pretty much all Bond films, was the standout for me. The train sequence was brilliantly choreographed and the climatic scene added some spectacular set piece action that will be etched into the Bond archives.

Performance wise all good as expected once more, however Christoph Waltz as the films leading antagonist provided his usual demonic demeanour and his appreance weaves nicely into the narrative that had been building through the films prior to Spectre.

This certainly does no harm to a group of films that has built itself up, especially since Craig has been at the helm, as one of the best action franchises of all time.

Spectre, another chapter in the James Bond series, garners a respectable 7/10 for its blend of suspense and high-quality filmmaking. This installment continues the legacy of the franchise, offering an action-packed and engaging experience.

The film's strength lies in its ability to weave a suspenseful narrative that keeps viewers engaged throughout. It delivers the thrilling action and intricate plot that fans have come to expect from a Bond film. The story is well-paced, blending intense action sequences with moments of intrigue and drama.

Spectre also excels in its visual presentation. The cinematography is striking, with each scene beautifully crafted to enhance the film's atmosphere. The action sequences are particularly well-executed, showcasing the high production values that are a hallmark of the Bond series.

The performances in Spectre are noteworthy. The cast brings depth to their characters, adding to the film's overall impact. Their portrayals contribute to the story's tension and excitement, making the characters' journey through the film more compelling.

I have to say I was one of the few people who actually liked this movie. Its fun and over the top action sequences are heavily inspired by the Roger Moore Bond films. But that isn't a bad thing at all. Although the movie might lack its predecessor's cohesive plot, it certainly makes up for it with the biggest explosion in the world and the absolutely ridiculous plane chase sequence in the snow. Also the inclusion of the classic White tuxedo was a pleasant surprise. While it may not be as good as Casino Royale or Goldeneye and not as well written as Skyfall, it is certainly enjoyable to watch.