This is a formulaic Bond film that maintains an efficient dose of gadgets, car chases, stunts, females, tailored suits and gorgeous locales. Bond is back in action.

Rating: 8/10 (15 November 2015)

'The dead are alive' is a forewarning that has dual implications. Agent 007 has gone rogue and is in Mexico City in the midst of the 'day of the dead' festivities as he keenly follows M's last order. In the vibrant city center, he pursues the masked assassin in a lengthy single shot that leads him to a hotel rooftop from where he executes his mission. A building blows up as a result and soon the action leads to a thrilling helicopter sequence that disperses the crowd of thousands while the agent engages in a physical combat inside the barrel rolling chopper. 'Spectre' is what some fans of this franchise have been waiting for since 'Casino Royale', which still remains Daniel Craig's best take on the secret agent. While Spectre might be campy and incredulous in parts akin to Bond of prior generations, it still retains some of the darkness and grimness of Sam Mendes' 'Skyfall' and with a lot more entertainment. This is a formulaic Bond film that maintains an efficient dose of gadgets, car chases, stunts, females, tailored suits and gorgeous locales. Bond is back in action.
MI6's 'OO' program is on the verge of being shut down because of C (Andrew Scott)'s digital initiative that will render the secret agents obsolete. With the threat of drones and spycrafts taking over British Intelligence, M (Ralph Fiennes) must rely on Bond's intelligence gathering about the secret organization that links the multiple threats across the world before C's cameras take over global security. After seeking out the assassin Sciarra's widow (Monica Belluci) and probing her about the organization, Bond gains entry to a top secret meeting where Blofeld (Christopher Waltz) is revealed to him as the head of Spectre. Bond, in the Aston Martin DB10 that he stole from the Quartermaster at MI6 is chased by the intimidating assassin Mr. Hinx (Bautista) whose Jaguar C- X75 unleashes itself onto the deserted streets of Rome. This is a thrilling car chase that is even more appealing because of the ravishing concept cars. Further clues lead Bond to Mr. White in Austria who has been paying the price for betraying Blofeld. His final plea to Bond is to protect his daughter Madeline (Lea Seydoux) who can get him closer to Blofeld's lair. Upon meeting Madeline, Bond has yet another chase involving Hinx in a Land Rover and himself in a plane. Together with Q (Ben Whishaw), who ventured on field for the first time, they discover their next lead in Morocco where they encounter Hynx yet again in the train that leads them to the Spectre facility. Bond's capture and confrontation with Blofeld involves a rather contrived sub-plot that not only links all of Bond's past villains but also Spectre's link with C's surveillance initiative. Then there's the bit about James' childhood and Blofeld's true identity as Oberhauser. Suddenly, James Bond has an origin story that we didn't really need but will have to endure so he can plan his escape. The film's climax in London swings between the surveillance program's launch and the explosion of the former MI6 headquarters with Bond stuck in it and Oberhauser seeking a timely escape.
Whether or not Spectre justifies why Daniel Craig's James Bond has been living alone in the shadows, hunting and being hunted throughout his adventures, it does mark a triumphant return of the agent we have been entertained by for decades. Craig's rough and intense Bond was a refreshing take on Ian Fleming's character and he still retains the suave and composure. This Bond will maintain a serious countenance after narrowly escaping death instead of kissing the nearest woman he can find while smiling away into the closing credits. He is indisputably, the best James Bond. Christopher Waltz makes a sinister villain with his power and conniving plans. However, one does wish for more intellectual confrontations with him. Simply put, Lea Seydoux is more than what Olga Kurylenko could be as a Bond girl and far less than what Eva Green was. Ben Whishaw has more fun being Q who is more often in a state of disbelief as to Bond's actions. Naomie Harris' Moneypenny is very likable because she is more than just a secretary to M while assisting Bond through his secret missions. Andrew Scott makes evil look so much cooler and Ralph Fiennes shows his maturity playing M, whose agency is on the verge of being shut down completely.
James Bond's return to form doesn't come without the spectacular action scenes and Spectre has quite a few of them. Apart from one of the best opening sequences, the car chase through Rome, the airplane-SUV chase in Austria, the raw physical fight in the Moroccan train and the climactic closure in London make this among the more satisfying Bond films in recent times. Cinematographer Hoyte Van Hotytema does a stunning job with the vistas and the action sequences to engage the audience.
Director Sam Mendes unnecessarily tries to create massive story-arcs that span 4 films. Adding to that, he attempts to weigh in on Bond's steely personality by giving him a back-story that almost turned him into Bruce Wayne. Were it not for Mendes paying tribute to the Broccolis, we would've had an even darker take on Bond than Skyfall. The worst of it all though, is Sam Smith's opening credits song which is creepily visualized and overly sluggish for a Bond theme. Yet, all these drawbacks shouldn't take away from the entertainment that Spectre offers as an old- fashioned Bond adventure with a serious, contemporary storyline. Each time things get worse, with the out of control helicopter, the Aston Martin dangerously close to the canal, the airplane losing its wings and the MI6 building just seconds away from imploding, Bond regains control with the coolness and composure that only this MI6 agent could own. Welcome back 007.
8.221 on a scale of 1-10.