Dull, Very Dull

Rating: 4/10 (28 October 2015)

Hollywood is far too obsessed with the word franchise these days (Franchise = Money) and on the surface James Bond would appear ripe for a connected universe or franchise, but this film shows this doesn't work and it leaves the film stinking of desperation.
Christoph Waltz proclaims he is the man behind every incident that has happened to James in recent years (Casino, Solace and Skyfall) but aside from a few photos of past villains and a cameo, this is it. There is nothing linking these films together. To me it seems the film studios are preparing the sell the 'Daniel Craig James Bond Saga Blu Ray Box Set' and needed the film to link up 2 other separate films (Casino/Solace where linked)
The story has James Bond following the instructions in video message left to him by M, sent to him in the event of her death, to kill a man. And to attend his funeral. This leads James to discover the evil organisation SPECTRE and has to deal with their latest evil plot. A standard enough Bond plot.
Long dull scenes about global information and the moralities of choices are split with well-choreographed action scenes but as the villains hold no threat, the stakes are never that high. The film is victim of EXTREME product placement, at times feeling like a 2 hour long sunglasses commercial with James is sporting pair of designer sunglasses in an exotic location in every single scene he is outdoors.
At its core though Spectre feels rushed which I do not understand how as in every outlet of the current media blitzkrieg, Daniel Craig explains this film took up 2 years of his life. So many elements are mentioned about Bonds past and relationships but none are not explored upon. I was so excited to see Christoph Waltz as a bond villain (in my eyes a role he was born to play) but his talents where wasted to being cliché and spouting recycled lines.
Skyfall convinced me Bond was still relevant and entertaining, combining action, nostalgia and fun, but Spectre undoes all this good work and has left me firmly with the opinion James Bond should be left alone as (as the film states) The 00 programme is now pre-historic.