Better see this as a stand alone film and don't compare it to some of the great entries.

Rating: 7/10 (5 November 2015)

For a series that has been going on for 53 years, any resemblance of continuity is quite a chore so it is no wonder that from "Diamonds are Forever" in 1971 (Arguably since "For your Eyes Only") until "Casino Royale" in 2006, every Bond film was pretty much a stand alone story. The reboot changed all that and not only have we gotten a more developed character for Daniel Craig's Bond but there has been a connection between all four films, all of that reaching it's highest point in "Spectre" which marks the return to film (or reboot) of the organization that was dismantled precisely back in '71. That alone is a big selling point for longtime fans and Sam Mendes gives us many winks in the form of references to vintage Bond.
Unlike films such as "Superman Returns" however, this one is more than fan service. We have the great as always Lea Seydoux who continues the tradition of French belles being the best Bond girls, the flashiest and nicest of action scenes since the reboot, Craig's screen presence that we've come to love and Christoph Waltz again showing why he is one of the best actors on both sides of the Atlantic.
But the third most expensive film ever made seems rather misguided at times and that ultimately hurts the movie going experience. This one takes quite a long time, almost half the run time in my opinion to really get going and at 148 minutes, that is just too much. Once it does, you are in for a thrill ride but having to wait through what can only be called filler leaves you close to disinterested by the time the better part begins. Worry not though since the good definitely outshines the bad here.
All in all, this is a movie that I recommend. Just don't go in expecting another "Goldfinger", "Goldeneye", "Casino Royale" my personal favorite "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" or even the very good and recent "Skyfall". If you must compare, this is more like a well crafted "Tomorrow Never Dies".