Bond is back? Not yet, but still a good film

Rating: 7/10 (14 November 2015)

Simply to start; this is NOT a James Bond film.
If you like me think of James Bond by Thunderball, The Spy who Loved me, You Only Live Twice, Goldfinger, and most every film produced between 1960-1980s; then you will not be taken away by Spectre.
I remember when I first saw Skyfall; immense film. Exceptionally shot, a masterpiece - yet.. It was not James Bond. The film could have been any spy, but I did not get the feeling it was 007.
The same goes for this attempt "Spectre". The opening sequence was very brilliant, I had no idea festivals like that occurred in Mexico City. But the opening sequence went on WAY too long. And the action is getting more unbelievable and reckless for all intents and purposes. Nevertheless a strong start.
It seems Spectre is trying to finish off the stories from the last 3 bond films, but I never felt the emotional investment. The villain (Waltz) is horribly underused, and isn't really seen until the last acts. The E S Blowfeld/connection between the villain and Bond is also out of nowhere. Same to with the Dr. It was good writing, but it fell flat on the James Bond anthem for me.
And for petes sake, please no more "Your removed from Duty". It seems every Daniel Craig bond film he is removed from service and yet goes out of his way to do these things. Against M's will. Q is an impressive appointment, but we don't have fun any more and whilst the anti- Bond humour is a tradition of 007, it doesn't exist at the same level of fun in these new films. It just seems like Daniel Craig is some rogue brute with no love, no humour or no virtue.
I don;t like Daniel Craig's Bond, whilst I was a fan of the story of Casino Royal, Daniel Craig's bond is too 1 dimensional at times and cold. Doesn't work for me