not bond enough

Rating: 5/10 (16 November 2015)

The James Bond formula is well known, thus the task of making a good "Bond movie" is always at stake. Luckily all the sponsorship, merchandising and product placement help with providing the resources to bring life to one of the most expensive movies ever made. But even with such an impressive budget, the film fails in its mission. Yes there are big action scenes, exotic landscapes, gadgets, bond girls and villains, but almost none manage to leave an impression. I have never thought Daniel Craig was a good cast as 007 and in this film the villain (contrary to Skyfall) didn't "vilify enough" for my personal taste. My mixed feelings towards Léa Seydoux remain, as she will not be remembered as an iconic bond girl; on the other hand Monica Bellucci's brief appearance deserved more screen time and depth (also, kudos for picking her as the only possible "mature" bond girl at 50 y/o; those young girls have much to learn). I do think Sam Mendes is a resourceful director, but this film was just not good enough. And while Thomas Newman provides a good soundtrack to go by (as is his habit), the opening theme song by Sam Smith is simply not Bond-worthy. This will for sure be another box-office success and I only hope that Eon Productions can use that money to find a new James Bond main actor, a disruptive and creative director and a new life to the whole series.