Spectre

Rating: 4/10 (16 March 2019)

Spectre
Spectre is the latest James Bond film released. It stars Daniel Craig in the role as Bond for the fourth and possible final time. It is directed by Sam Mendes, who directed the previous Bond film, Skyfall. This is the 24th official Bond film overall. Two-time Oscar winning supporting actor Christoph Waltz plays Bonds antagonist in the film. The film won an Oscar for its main theme song, Writings on the Wall, by Sam Smith.
In his latest film, Bond is faced with uncovering a mysterious and shadowy organisation known as Spectre. In usual Bond style, he gets the girl beats the bad guy and saves the day. Spoiler alert.
There is nothing special about the cinematography. The opening of the film begins with a long take, that while grand in scale, added nothing to the story. If ever did a film show the true meaning of long takes, it was this one. It seems like long takes are nothing more than an interesting gimmick rather than a display of talent. While there is no use of shaky cam or similar types of camera usage, the film looks dull and boring. And what's worse is that the film is dull and boring.
There seems to be two important points of agenda for the film, unfortunately none of them is to make a good film. Firstly, Mendes is tasked with using the name Spectre, after the production company got the rights to use the name again. Secondly, Mendes is forced to make this film appear to be the end game of the previous three Daniel Craig film, shoehorning the films together. If it wasn't for the fact I had seen the other films I would have found this believable, but given the fact that Waltz's character which is apparently so important was not so much as hinted at in the past it seems ridiculous.
Waltz lacks his usual charismatic fear he gives as an antagonist, and instead gives a boring performance as a villain. Bond has degenerated into a mute faceless agent, interchangeable with any other white, blond male. The relationship he has with two women in the film are laughably ludicrous. At one point in the film, Waltz tells us that Bond is in love. There is no indication to the audience that Bond has these feelings, nor is there any indication if he reciprocates these feelings. It seems like the film is trying to convince of something by repeatedly saying it.
The plot is longer, boring and somewhat pointless. In some ways the film expects the audience to love it just because it's a Bond film. Spectre needlessly keeps referring to its predecessor Casino Royale in subtle ways, however given that Casino Royal came out nearly ten years ago, it would be near impossible for a casual movie goer to understand what the film is talking about at times.
Boring action, an uninventive and long plot and uninteresting characters, Spectre is a chore to watch with no pay off. As a positive side there was no terrible acting.
I'd have to give the film a 4 out of Ten.
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