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From the neoclassical opening (truest to Connery's) to the closing with the musical theme from the Connery films I felt I was watching the last Bond film. In between was more drama and nearly no cuteness (hallmark of the Craig films) to make one smile. Lots of chasing memories and even tying up loose ends, of sorts. This one is a hand full of reds chased by MD 20/20.
One can never fault the production values of a Bond film. It is key in keeping the series alive serving to make the plots (no matter how crazy) believable. The obligatory opening sequence seemed to require less physical rigor than the rest of Craig's films. Then we move into a plot that really isn't a mission but Bond playing hunches which he feels are "going somewhere". M has now been superseded by C and the 00 program is marked for extinction. Information will make 00s unnecessary as everyone everywhere is hooked up to a global network headed by C.
Bond did some "classic" seduction and when his time with Leydoux came two older ladies next to me giggled at it. It was more a reminiscence of how things were done in the past. Once again, Bond falls in love.
I'm not sure if Bautista had one line. He was the new, improved, steroidal Red Grant. You just don't mess with him. He was designed to step in front of Bond on several occasions and dealing with him was quite a trip to the gym.
Speaking of my vibe: I felt so weirded-out by the ending that I waited until the very last of the credits and was relieved to see -- "James Bond will return." So, now you don't need to sit through the endless parade of names.
Minutiae: 1) Bond saw the latest DB-10 for 009. He was disappointed but later felt the need to steal it. During the high speed chase he accidentally enabled the music system and a showtune, "New York" came blasting out. 2) There is a wall of those who died in the service of MI6 and it has names not stars on it. I noticed one name to the side, James Pye, which later jumped out at me during the credits. I presume all the names were probably production folks.
Well, Bond conquers all. Has a new squeeze, managed to save the 00 service, and leaves the scene with the expectation of return. Despite the persistent talk that this was Craig's last Bond I certainly hope not. I feel that he is the person Fleming had in mind over all the others who preceded him.
Two hours and twenty eight minutes just fly by with this one. Skip the bladder buster at the concession or Depends Up.
Follow Ups:
I am tired of remakes and Bond is remaking older Blowfeld Bonds? And badly. I don't get it. You have a juicy bad guy like this played by the great Christopher Waltz and he's barely in the film. They scratch the surface and then poof - it's over.
There is no other memorable villain - yes a big muscle head baboon but not memorable. None of the women in this film are memorable - where is the "ooh James" moments.
I like Craig and Casino Royale - that was arguably one of if not the finest Bond film of the lot. Spectre seemed flat. The movie felt tired and even Craig seemed to be phoning it in for the paycheck. It's not terrible I suppose but it was line after line of repetition - even Ralph Fiennes as M - warning 007 that he's blowing up stuff and will have to shut down the 007 program - I felt I was watching Mission Impossible - shutting down that program too - oh darn - so 007 goes rogue - just like Tom Cruise.
This is better than Quantum of Solace (one of the worst Bond films) but behind Casino Royale and Skyfall - IMO.
...3-1/2 stars out of 4.
"If there is such a thing as "James Bond's Greatest Hits," then Spectre is it. The 25th movie about the British MI6 agent with a license to kill is party time for Bond fans, a fierce, funny, gorgeously produced valentine to the longest-running franchise in movies. Bond freaks will be orgasmic playing spot-the-reference to the series that began in 1962 with Dr. No."
IMAX
This one had me on board from the beginning scenes in Mexico City. And the movie continued to speed forward from there on.What...?!!, the end of the 00 service!. Can't be!
What...?!, 009 gets the DB10, not Bond!! Unforgivable. I'm pretty certain all of the chase scenes with the DB10 were greatly improved by the simple knowledge that Bond had had the audacity to steal that vehicle. It reminds me of that old phrase; 'Drive it like you stole it'. He did.The scenes with Monica Belucci, too short. This actress is a bit past her peak, but still looks great up on that large screen. But quickly we forget her as the game is afoot and, not long after, we get introduced to another Bond femme-fatale.
Where did we travel in this movie....
Mexico City
London
Rome
Austria (high up in the Alps)
Morocco (Tangiers), then the Desert
London, again. Viewers are going to need a passport for this film. Lots of stamps are to be added to that little booklet.Action sequences first class throughout. And there was no end to the action sequences until just before the credits ran. Every scene counted.
One really bad-ass giant of a bad guy. (Bautista) If you're gonna shoot this one, you'll need an elephant gun.
Moneypenny. (Naomi Harris).
How many remember her from the Pirates of the Caribbean movies. She was the Witch, whom we first met in the 2nd Pirates film, that teams up with our protagonists in that franchise.
Anyway, I think she makes an excellent addition to the Bond franchise. I hope she continues to be a regular.What a welcome distraction from a rainy afternoon.
I found nothing odd or weird-vibe in this film. I bought everything in this film as if it rang true for me. And I did stay around for the credits to roll and caught the last message; "James Bond Will Return"Re: Craig; does he quit the franchise or does he return for another outing? I suspect we might be being fed some hype on the part of marketers to heighten awareness of this film while it is in theaters.
Highly recommended.
-Steve
Edits: 11/09/15 11/09/15
...not only did it wrap up the latest group of Bond films, it had scenes reminiscent of some in them as well as in others.
A nice trip down memory lane.
Now, who will plat the next bond?
Had to make sure I had it. Yep, the new Red Grant (Bautista) had his final showdown on a train. There were other such homages all through the film. But, the finality of Craig's run was announced when he went to Q and got the DB5. "I thought you were gone?" Craig: "I am . . . "
So, this is the "happy ending" for Craig's Bond and it, in a sense, resets the series to be possibly be recycled. I do hope M and Moneypenny are held over the for new series.
I presume Craig has a mattress full of Euros because nothing he's done outside of 007 has ever caught fire. I noticed he was a producer of this film so maybe he's going to flourish in another direction?
...actually he is contracted for one more Bond film.
But he has aspirations at more serious acting parts, rather than a typecast recurring role, like he had in Munich and perhaps Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.
Sean Connery had quite a film career after he quit Bond.
. . . including the greatest movie in the history of film (just IMHO of course!):
According to Connery (or was it Boorman?), one of the big challenges of making this film (shot in Ireland, where the population was still heavily under the influence of the Catholic church in 1971) was finding enough Irish girls who were willing to be filmed topless.
...Cowboys and Aliens.
...is that Zardoz?
Excellent film - most of the Irish girls I've known wouldn't have a problem with that.
...and my wife thinks I like twisted movies.
Ever seen Sante Sangre or Reanimator?
...not likely you will come across them unless you seek them out - 1980s films.
....
(nt)
I look forward to this one. I'll try to catch a matinee early next week.
I have been thinking, to myself mostly, that Craig is quite possibly the quintessential embodiment of Flemming's Bond character. In a couple of key ways even better than Connery. 1)It is Craig's athleticism that puts him at the top of the heap when comparing all actors having played the role. 2)Craig also manages to personify a blend of aristocratic sophistication with the demeanor of a highly trained black-ops killer. All other Bonds have fallen short of the bar raised by Craig. (imho)
Hopefully Craig will recover from his injuries and return for a 5th outing.
-Steve
I had the sense from the 3 previous films that much of the story lines were getting him established as 007. Too soon for him to quit. And too much money made with him in this role. I think Craig is perfect for the reformatted Bond.
Watching Casino Royale on the toob, the part where he is getting his balls mutilated is interrupted by some thug who pops in to shoot his tormentor. The thug says "the money is not as important to us as knowing who to trust." This sounds like a reference to Spectre, way back in this first Craig film.
I hope the next Bond is Damian Lewis.
I saw an episode of 'Life' (fantastic series on Netflix streaming) the other day where he had a 'show down' with a bad guy.
'Are you going to kill me now, Charlie?'
'I can't kill you. You're already dead'. VERY James Bond.
"To Learn Who Rules Over You, Simply Find Out Who You Are Not Allowed to Criticize."
-Voltaire
The way she is holding a gun reminds me of some high school parties.He is not much better.
Edits: 11/07/15
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