Yes, “Spectre” is a bit long-in-the-tooth and the serious overtones from “Skyfall” and “Casino Royale” have given way to the more insane aspects of previous non-Craig Bond films, but is that such a bad thing? Weren’t these films all about building up to where Connery’s films began anyway? That’s how I see them, and that’s what “Spectre” has accomplished. To that end, Craig nails this role in spades. He was not cast to amuse you nor be your dancing monkey, he was brought in to shake up those memories of Brosnan and Moore, and instead stir your recollection of the BEST and most dangerous Bond of all, Sean Connery (Yea, I said it). His take does remain lacking in the quip department, but that’s not what Craig is here for. His ice-cold, steely gaze strikes fear in the heart of any evil doer, and he is still the only Bond who feels like a true threat to anyone in his wake. Oh well, slam a martini for your sorrows, because for the rest of us – “Spectre” is an absolute blast from the past!ĭaniel Craig proves yet again why his casting was so perfect for the assassin…sorry, spy…that Ian Fleming created. It’s just that those expecting a much more high-brow affair may be slightly disappointed at the reverting back to lesser material that might be perceived here. This isn’t a bad thing for me personally, and long-time Bond fans are going to smile from ear-to-ear at all of the nods to classic Bond, as well as this return to the ridiculous that “Skyfall” almost exclusively avoided. Cheesy fights, ridiculously long monologues where the villain must explain his plan just long enough to give James enough time to dispatch an entire army and escape, absurd sexual encounters – Hell, it almost slipped into Roger Moore territory at one point. Then that bloated final act hits, and it suddenly becomes a Pierce Brosnan Bond flick. Exciting, engaging, and wrapped up in a story worthy of an Oscar-caliber director. The first two-thirds of “Spectre” lives up to “Skyfall” in large measure. For THOSE fans, does “Spectre” deliver again? Therein lies my bad news as the answer is no, not really. Instead of mirrored cars and volcanic super-lairs, here was a quality director giving Bond an Oscar-worthy story. A newly minted group of auteurs who were finally convinced to give the seemingly one-note Bond a chance due to the man BEHIND the camera. Yet “Skyfall” brought with it an expanded fan base. For those fans, relax, you’re getting exactly what you want. The good news? When most of us walk into a James Bond movie, we want very similar things: Pulse-pounding action, exotic locales, gorgeous women, a few clever gadgets, and a martini…shaken, not stirred. Of course, he gets a bit of help from M, Q, and Moneypenny (Ralph Fiennes, Ben Wishaw, and Naomie Harris, respectively), as well as the daughter of a former Spectre member (Lea Seydoux) – but ultimately it all boils down to Old-School James Bond vs. All of this must be done in a most timely fashion, as a newly constructed global security organization – led by Andrew Scott’s aggressively cocky ‘C’ – is threatening to dismantle the 00 program, casting relics like James to the wind. This time around, Bond has received a secret message which leads him to the trail of a secret organization known as Spectre, and specifically on a course to cross paths with the mastermind behind it all, Oberhauser (the eternally typecast as villain, Christoph Waltz). Seriously, it is almost exactly the same. Instead of our typical James Bond outing, where each film is a complete stand-alone adventure, Mendes and company instead crafted a direct sequel to “Skyfall” – engorge this as your subtle hint to rewatch that film before you hit the cinema for this one. The movie itself might even seem a bit like a heavy case of déjà vu for any fans of the most recent “Mission Impossible”, as “Spectre” has essentially the same plot. Daniel Craig, apparently much to his own dismay based on recent interviews, returns for a fourth go-round as that roguish tramp James Bond in “ Spectre”. Coming back for a sophomore run – with his flair for the more layered, dramatic take on the character – is “Skyfall” director Sam Mendes (it is a true rarity for this series to employ a returning director).
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