Solid set up and origin story film for the next 4 in the series

Rating: 8/10 (16 December 2016)

Solid set up and origin story film for the next 4 in the series the plot creaks a bit under that load but it is visually entrancing. A standout performance by Dan Fogler gives the film its true heart. I found it hard to warm to Redmayne's character in the lead role but he gives his usual high quality performance. Alison Sudol, as the sister of the demoted agent well played by Katherine Waterston, was another standout for me. I was puzzled by some of the secondary characters in that they had so little to do I wondered why they were there. The newspaper publisher played by Jon Voight falls into this category. I suppose he might be there due to some unknown (at this time) position he has to play in the subsequent films but for an actor of his standing it seems a curious part. The film was very much worth the cost of the ticket and I look forward to the BluRay release to be able to examine in detail the wonderful set design and atmosphere production details of its setting.