"Spectre" falls frustratingly short of greatness.

Rating: 6/10 (28 October 2015)

After I saw this film, I came out of the cinema with the most mixed feelings I've had about a film in a long time. I wanted to love it, I really did. Some parts of the film surpass Skyfall, but for all the high points there are flaws which I think will be detrimental to Spectre's legacy and lasting appeal.
The film feels like the other three Daniel Craig Bond films mixed into one. The tension of Casino Royale with the exhilarating action of Skyfall. Sounds great, right? It is great, until one begins to see that some of the problems present in Quantum of Solace begin to appear once again in this film.
The opening sequence is excellent. Without spoiling anything, the audience is treated to a cinematic masterclass in editing and visuals. However, after this sequence, the first half of the film is a little bit scattered and convoluted. The Sam Smith theme song is forgettable, and doesn't really suit the intro to a Bond film. Quantum of Solace-like plot problems then start to appear. The initial plot setup is messy. Motivations behind certain actions are unclear or questionable. Scene after scene moves forward with little to no setup, until a mesh of different minor plot points are established. The plot forces itself along for the first half, which is a shame because it really kicks into gear in the second.
The action after the opening sequence is quite good, but that's all - "quite good". Nothing in the first half lives up to the amazing opening. It's not bad or anything, just a little uninspired and by- the-numbers Bond action. The first half action just doesn't have that "Bond feeling" one gets from watching the previous movies. Enjoyable nonetheless, though.
Spectre's second half is what we all came to see. That "Bond feeling" comes rushing back once the main villain is revealed. However, it takes almost an hour and a half to get there, and this is Spectre's biggest flaw. The tension of Casino Royale returns with a ferocious intensity. Excellent stunts and action sequences that rival Skyfall will thrill the audience to the very end. The ending is a bit clichéd in that it is very similar to every Bond ending we've seen before it, but this is only a minor complaint.
By the time the Spectre's plot really figures out where it wants to go, it's too little too late to fix the flaws present throughout. The film overall feels very "typical Bond". It lacks a standout quality to set it apart from the other films. However the second half is thrilling and I loved every moment of it. The film is worth seeing for the opening sequence alone, and I encourage you to see it to form your own opinion on whether or not it lives up to Skyfall. There is nothing here that audiences haven't seen in the previous three films, but it is still very much a solid addition to the Bond franchise.