Spectre (2015)

Director: Sam Mendes

Writers: John Logan, Neal Purvis, Robert Wade, Jez Butterworth

Composer: Thomas Newman

Starring: Daniel Craig, Christoph Waltz, Lea Seydoux, Ralph Fiennes, Monica Bellucci, Ben Whishaw, Naomie Harris, Dave Bautista, Andrew Scott, Rory Kinnear, Jesper Christensen, Alessandro Cremona

More info: IMDb


Plot: A cryptic message from Bond's past sends him on a trail to uncover a sinister organization. While M battles political forces to keep the secret service alive, Bond peels back the layers of deceit to reveal the terrible truth behind SPECTRE.

My rating: 9/10

Will I watch it again? YES!

DOUBLE-O SPOILERS AHEAD!!!  YARRRRRR!!!

NICE!  After the disappointing (yeah, I know I'm in the minority on this one) SKYFALL (), I could not have been prepared for the awesomeness of SPECTRE.  The end of SKYFALL felt like the pieces were set to get back to the James Bond I grew up with from Moore and Connery and boy did they knock it out of the park!  There were seemingly endless references to what felt like about every Bond film that came before.  I kept seeing hints of each of the prior films in subtle (and not so subtle) ways and I was loving it.  Bautista was intimidating as hell as Mr. Hinx.  I was sad to see his quick departure but I suspect he'll be back for the next film. Whishaw as Q was much better utilized than in SKYFALL (I didn't like him or the character as I felt he was far too young).  Daniel Craig felt like he was at his most comfortable in the role and he was having a wonderful time with it.  Plus it was great seeing Bond more playful like what we got with Connery and Moore.  Loved it.  And then there's Christoph Waltz.  OMFG was he pitch perfect for this.  I also suspect he'll be back for the next one as well.

The only issues I have with the picture were the head drilling torture scene and the finale.  Bond got out of the needle scene way too easily and without incident.  You'd think that would have fucked his shit up than probably giving him a slight headache.  Then there's the inexcusable, idiotic way in which Madeleine excuses herself from the film near the end only to find her kidnapped and used for bait to trap Bond.  I feel like I've discussed that and what follows so much with my friends and how it should've gone that I'm tired and I don't have the patience right now to lay it all out again.  Other than that, I friggin' loved the movie.  That opening sequence was a lot of fun and the location and ambiance was terrific.  After a couple of OK pictures, SPECTRE was the breath of fresh air that this franchise and fans of the pre-Brosnan films needed and desperately wanted.  Now let's just hope they don't muck up the next one. What I'd like to see harkens back to OHMSS (1968).  Let's have Bond and Madeleine driving along the beautiful countryside of France, Spain or anywhere.  They're happy as can be and enjoying life to its fullest when along comes Mr. Hinx driving with a damaged (as we saw him at the end of SPECTRE) Blofeld firing a machine gun at them, killing Madeleine.  Then roll the opening credits and the chase is on with Bond in full on revenge mode.  THAT'S what I'd like to see and what an amazing opening it would make.  I'd be squirming in my seat in anticipation of what was next having to sit through the 3 minute song/credits.