Human Bond

Rating: 6/10 (8 November 2015)

I admit I prefer 007 as some sort of British-accented, Tuxedo-wearing android who travels around the world shooting bad guys and delivering witticisms. Spectre, much like On Her Majesty's Secret Service, Licence To Kill and the last acts of Casino Royale and Skyfall, is about a more human James Bond, an actual person with a past, someone who needs to cope with love and loss: this is the most continuity-heavy Bond movie ever, with constant references to the last films. Not my favorite approach to Bond - to quote Fleming "Surround yourself with human beings, dear James. They're easier to fight for than principles. But don't let me down and become human yourself. We would lose a wonderful machine" - but it's competently done here.
(Only, ENOUGH with Bond's sorrow over Vesper Lynd. It's become more repetitive an affectation than the "shaken not stirred" Martini).
Overall, I'd rate this lower than Casino Royale and Skyfall and higher than Quantum Of Solace. Craig and main girl Seydoux are solid; Waltz is predictably fine as Blofeld - I love the quietly mischievous way he delivers his lines. Bautista is an effective old-school henchman.
Visually, the most interesting moment is the first sequence, a one-take shot which brings Bond from the streets of Mexico City to a hotel room and finally to the rooftop where he tracks down his target. In general, the first two acts of Spectre are entertaining; however, by the time Bond shows up at the villain's secret lair and pretty much knocks at the door with no plan whatsoever, the movie lost me and only Waltz kept me engaged. Spectre also follows the school of thought that a blockbuster isn't bloated enough if it features just one narrative climax, so we get two.
(Incidentally, you say Blofeld's machine will impair Bond's sense of equilibrium, you need to SHOW IT in the next action scene. Set-up and pay-off, anyone?)
While the sadistic final choice Bond faces is compelling, the ending is rather bland: without giving away major spoilers, I'll just say that, considering Spectre's dark tone, I was hoping for something far braver.
6/10