Spectre Spectacular

Rating: 8/10 (10 November 2015)

A legacy spanning decades and one of it's most important elements is a mishap, the theme song. Sam Smith's painful crooning arrives swiftly to depress the ecstatic mood which the exciting opening scene clearly works so smoothly to set up. Rather then retain a fluid story line, bits either missing the charismatic villain or seemingly added in as filler are merged with the sort of thrilling action scenes the Bond franchise is known so well for. Sam Mendes's direction is very similar to where Martin Campbell left off with Casino Royale, in that a blanketing layer of darkened seriousness shrouds the films motif as a whole. Daniel Craig is an excellent fit for the character of James Bond, but it becomes evident he's very exhausted of the role, as his once igniting energy sadly dwindles towards the end of the film. Christopher Waltz is underused, as his appearances are scattered and he acts too sane a villain. The same writers have been on board since the Pierce Brosnan films, and their plot points look even less inspired, for example the last few films are all connected through their villains. Really? Though bereft of originality, Spectre escapes banality unscathed just for being a Bond film. In conclusion, Daniel Craig should learn from Roger Moore in "A View To A Kill" in terms of being an antique Bond exuding the Danny Glover "I'm too old for this" aura, and maybe some new faces in the writers room? Despite having said all that, spectacular film.