Spectre

This was my most anticipated film of the year as I have really enjoyed Daniel Craig's turn as Bond and this film was going to feature the return of the villainous Spectre organization. I had been wanting them to come back since Quantum of Solace kind of hinted they were lurking in the shadows. So it is with a bit of regret that the film was underwhelming. Had the villains in the piece not been referred to as the organization that plagued Bond's first six out of seven films and produced so many cool villains, I may not of had the problems with the film I did. However, I just thought this film should have been a super awesome thrill ride that did not let up until the credits began to roll. It does not do this, not even close. Still, it was a good film and it seemed to mark Daniel Craig's last turn as Bond which would be kind of sad seeing as how it is set up so nicely now with Ralph Fiennes as M, a Q and a Moneypenny in place. I would hate for them to start over again, but I am afraid that is exactly what they will do as they introduce yet another actor to play the role.

The story has Bond trying to kill a dangerous man, but he is not under orders from the current M, rather he has received a message from an old friend telling him to not only kill this individual, but to attend his funeral. 007 is placed on what is essentially suspension; however, with the help of Moneypenny and Q he is able to attend the funeral and uncover a ruthless organization known as Spectre. Now Bond must uncover this group's secrets before they grip the world in their hands!

It had potential and I liked how they tied the films together for the most part, but I just thought the film should have been bigger considering the Spectre organization being in it and Blofeld. By bigger, I do not mean the running time, it was plenty long enough! There was just too much bloat in this one and the action seemed to get weaker as the film progressed rather than more exciting. Blofeld was okay, but I hate that they felt the need to tie him to Bond in some significant way as it is almost an absurd relationship they share. I liked Batista as the henchman, but I would have liked to have seen more henchmen like this. Most of the group was indistinct, while Batista's character stood out, perhaps a super martial arts master and a super shot villain could have been added? At times the organization looked intimidating and the film ready to take off, then they are easily taken down and the headquarters destroyed and one computer nerd is able to disable their entire plan while Blofeld's army seems reduced to like five people and a helicopter. It reminded me how Silva looked like he had an incredible group of people behind him, then in the last part of the film he seemed significantly less imposing.

As much as I am complaining, I did enjoy the film. Craig is a rather good Bond and I liked the story all right and the action was pretty good even though it seemed to weaken as the film progressed. I think they should have done a couple of things differently in this one to make Craig's last turn as Bond more spectacular, but Connery's last film, Diamonds are Forever, I find to be his weakest and Moore's was not his strongest either in A View to a Kill. Both were good, just not that particular stars best Bond. This one was good too, just not Craig's strongest Bond film. Also, congratulations go to Madonna as she no longer holds the title of worst Bond opening song ever anymore. That Sam Smith tune was horrid and also congrats on weirdest credit sequence ever, if they had shown much more of the octopus and the woman the film could have been a hard R!