Traditional Bond at it's best.

Rating: 8/10 (5 February 2017)

As a fan of James Bond since childhood, I recognize that a majority of the films are fun escapism; but various tones with different actors and themes that reflect their respective time periods help to give an interesting variety. The 21st Century has seen layered storytelling in blockbuster franchises receive critical acclaim and box office rewards, which I've gone into some detail about in my other reviews. With two hits and one film that's been dragged through the mud under Daniel Craig's sleeve; Spectre while positively received by some fans has received backlash by others.
Putting aside all of this and glaring comparisons to Mission: Impossible- Rogue Nation; Spectre is a strong chapter in the Bond series. Sam Mendes is one of many directors who has gone from thought provoking Dramas, to translating action scenes with near perfection and being able to handle increasing budgets. Skyfall and Spectre are neck and neck with the scope of their set pieces but are just as entertaining.
Almost every scene in Spectre is brewing with energy, whether it's the gunfights, chase scenes or the witty banter between characters including Bond and Q; the film is almost never dull.
Spectre makes a controversial yet bold attempt to tie in Daniel Craig's previous adventures into this installment, and for me it mostly works. Allusions to the Patriot Act and the Illuminati are present with Blofeld's master scheme to impose drone surveillance on all of Great Britain, and possibly the world. Secondary villain C's motivations are clear as he yearns for security for the world and believes secret agents are outdated which allows him to be manipulated by Spectre, and his arrogance to get the best of him along with his rivalry with M.
Lea Seydoux, fresh off Blue Is The Warmest Colour, is charming and whip-smart as Madeleine Swann, a love interest that surprisingly works. Growing up with an assassin for a Father, she truly understands Bond; which results in her confessing her love for him as he's strapped into a classic torture chair routine by Blofeld.
Mr. White is one of the most meaningful characters in the series. He also comes full circle in Spectre; he's not a cheap plot device. His disenchantment with Spectre being involved in sex trafficking pushes him to have Bond protect Madeline; somewhat redeeming both Bond and White.
The only deficiency I wish was corrected regards Blofeld's backstory. How did he come to be the overlord of Spectre? How did it tie in with his grievance towards Bond for stealing his father's love? A few flashbacks could've fixed this.
So while not everyone agrees with Sam Mendes voyage into more traditional Bond formula; it's surely one of the most entertaining and substance filled Bond adventures yet, that farewells Daniel Craig who is one of a kind in the actors who've gotten a turn at one of Pop Culture's most iconic characters.
Grade- B+