We are Living in GOOD TIMES (with regards to BOND)

Rating: 10/10 (26 February 2016)

I'm a huge James Bond fan and there has NEVER been a truly bad 007 film.
Big Thank-You to Barbara Broccoli (whose father Cubby would be truly proud) she helped bring 007 back with Dalton's superb two outings and then picked Brosnan (a popular choice and his first two films as Bond are a delight) and then she went for Daniel Craig...what??? who???
Well i was clearly wrong.
Daniel Craig as James Bond has now proved to be a true match for Sean Connery (Wow! i never ever thought i would say that) and i hope should Daniel ever read this it will bring a smile to his face.
If this is his final outing? then i can only say way to go Daniel, you nailed it and your place in 007 history is assured and cemented in pure 24 carat Gold.
Thanks Daniel 4 GREAT Bond Films . I was wrong right from the very start with 'Casino Royale' (Barbara knew exactly what she was doing and the films have gone to a different level through these choices)
From the Opening Sequence thru the Title Sequence (wonderfully imposing) and all the way to that ending!!! well if you gotta go? then better go out in style.
This is a wonderfully stylish directed picture (Thanks for coming back Sam) and the script, story, origins :-) is again a little different to the normal Bond outings and i enjoyed it very much.
The rumoured script from a number of years ago (which didn't make the screen) is accessed and makes for a tense edge of your seat thriller that has a lot going for it with some nice nods to previous bond films.
There is a nice little in-joke with the 'Hasselblad' safe house (look the name up and you'll see it's relevance to the film)
In my review of 'Skyfall' i said i hoped... 'We get the gadgets & Bond girls back with some unusual locations & some out-there villains & plots to destroy the world again! We get those (i especially liked Blofeld's place)
Monica Bellucci had been rumoured as a 'Bond Girl' for years and i'm glad she got the chance to finally appear, it's more of a cameo role really but it's a nice touch to have her here after all the rumours, a little older but still a truly beautiful woman.
Lea Seydoux is the main Bond Girl, she does a terrific job, a lady that knows a few of Spectre's secrets and can handle herself (when needs be) and WOW! that shot of her in THAT dress on the train...stunning.
Naomie Harris is already a favourite with me as Moneypenny and she's terrific here helping Bond's circle of rogues out, oh and yes another beauty.
Ralph Fiennes as 'M' They sure can pick well and they got the right man to take over the reigns from Dame Judi.
Ben Whishaw as 'Q' well it's a whole new world these days & he's about as different from Desmond Llewelyn as you can get but it all works. (i still miss Desmond's Q though)
Dave Bautista as 'Hinx' is one hell of a tough guy and massive with it but if i'm being honest this was a missed opportunity with him, he was imposing but it just didn't quiet work for me.
Christoph Waltz as...well it says it in the cast credits here so i guess it's no surprise anymore (Blofeld) is i think very good, Blofeld was never a physical character and not very imposing (although the scar and bald head was a good look for a Bond villain) no Blofeld has always been more of a thinker and just simply a cruel man and so he is here, i liked him...and who knows?
Every pound that was spent on this movie is right up there on the screen, the action sequences are thrilling as you'd expect but it's the tense storyline that takes us into nostalgic bond territory and it's all the better for it.
JAMES BOND FANS can 'REJOICE' as it probably does not get much better than this! yes it's that good, everything you'd expect and hope from a 007 outing and more (Roger Moore...sorry couldn't resist :) i used to love those old cheesy Moore Bond trailers)
BEST BOND Film EVER? Yes, No, Maybe, I need to see it again but upon this first viewing i was as thrilled watching it as i was seeing 'GOLDFINGER' (my favourite all-time Bond) for the first time.
It's really good and I am simply fed up reading about those that rate this film a 1 and then try to justify it (just SAD) what in the world were they expecting? i know what i was expecting...and i got it and a lot more.
Even the main music title track works better here than when i first heard it, it simply works with these credits!
One thing i didn't like was the main poster design showing Bond in a white tux and him in the death mask behind, i honestly feel i could have done better (i do miss the old ARTWORK Poster designs of the 1960's/70's & 80's) this having been said i must say the Advance poster version showing Daniel in his Live & Let Die look with Black Polo Neck standing centre stage is rather COOL.
It's GOOD TIMES for we James Bond Fans right now.
'SPECTRE' is a THRILLING film from START to FINISH and is every bit as good as SKYFALL (that one was wonderfully dark & different from the normal Bond films) and this is different again to that one in that it's a RETURN to FUN and reminds me a little of the Connery & early Moore era films.
Get the POPCORN in & ENJOY...BOND is BACK!