Spectre (2015)

 

Well, they finally decided to run with Bond's longest standing nemesis: the organisation known as Spectre. That it took this long, has to do with legal battles and issues that were finally resolved by the time this film went into production, hence the return of the old name, even though we all knew that Quantum from the disappointing 'Quantum of Solace' was really Spectre in disguise. 

They do try to hamfistedly connect the two here, but they really needn't have bothered. 

Things are off to a banging start, as Bond is in Mexico City, hunting a shady individual. But as he blows up a building and nearly kills hundreds with a helicopter, MI6, M and the British government aren't too chuffed. Heck, this was probably exactly the ammunition the government needed to sideline MI6 and to make headway in eliminating the OO-programme. Yet, Bond feels there is more to it, especially since the former M (Judi Dench) sent him a message, clearly indicating that there is still a lot to uncover. So Bond goes dark, with a little help from Moneypenny and Q. 

This leads him to Mr White, who is now dying and beseeches Bond to protect his daughter from the organisation that now also wants White dead. Even worse, Bond gets an imposing assassin after him. Bit by bit, it transpires that this massive organisation known as Spectre is behind an enormous lot of machinations across the globe ànd they want to get a system approved that collects all intelligence agencies in one massive database. Of course to use only for their profit, what else? 

But there's even more, as the head of this organisation turns out to be someone from Bond's past... 

Daniel Craig is really, really good as Bond. Yes, once again he is probably the best thing about this film, even though Ralph Fiennes is now a very decent M and Ben Wishaw makes for a fun Q. But a lot of the other characters are a bit flat. Monica Belucci is introduced as an important character, but is forgotten very rapidly and the new (and more important) Bondgirl Léa Seydoux is rather bland. It's not her fault, she wasn't given a lot to work with, but she's mostly just there. Of course Bond has to rescue her, but you'd think she would be a bit more feisty. They try and do this, but it doesn't amount to much. 

The action is fun, with special props to a high-speed car chase through Rome, probably the best part of the film. The opening sequence is okay, but perhaps a little OTT. Also, there is a close quarters fight sequence on a train, that clearly tries to evoke the same feeling as the one in 'From Russia With Love' and it almost succeeds. It's a bit too much of the 'burly men exchange blows' instead of the claustrophobic tussle, but it'll do. 

The villains are a very mixed bag. Dave Bautista is actually rather excellent as the silent killer Mr Hinx. The man looks the part and he has this menacing aura and it just works. It's always fun when you have an actor that doesn't say anything and still conveys something of a threat, so well done. The main antagonist is Christoph Waltz, and even though I usually like him a lot, here, he doesn't do it for me. 

If you haven't read yet: he is the new Blofeld. Yes. 

Honestly, this could have been fun, but they don't do a lot with him. During his introduction at the darkened table, his character works, but later on it transpires that he was actually Bond's brother after Bond was adopted by a German man. The world didn't really need this link, to be honest. And it gets even worse. 

How?

Well, apparently he was so jealous of Bond, that he killed his father and started a global criminal empire just to get back at Bond. 

No really. I know how silly that sounds. And no, it doesn't work as an explanation. In fact, it is one of the most preposterous things you will ever hear or see in a Bondfilm, and that is saying a lot. 

'Spectre' is okay and enjoyable, but the best Craig will always be 'Casino Royale'. This one is just okay and could have been better if the main villain wasn't portrayed as a whiny and jealous little shit. That hugely undercuts the menace of being the most ruthless person on Earth.