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Comments
Never a truer word said in jest
I loved the pre-titles and the whole one-shot idea shown. I also really liked the train fight between Bond and Hinx, the brutality of it was great. I was also quite fond of the Fleming reference with "Hildebrand". Only thing that I didn't really like was the score, it feels like a repeat at Skyfall.
Overall 9/10
My few minor quibbles were with the title card at the very beginning, Seydoux's maddening ability to sound just like Eva Green when she's sitting across from Bond, and the fact that they spend so much time ripping Bond's clothes off on the train that they're not doing anything with hers. :P But those were easily outweighed by the humor, by the fact that M has lived up the badass status they bestowed on him in Skyfall, by the way they established and respected the continuity of this new Bond universe, and ALL of the little references and callbacks to previous movies and to the books (my girlfriend looked at me funny when I laughed at the Hildebrand reference, which I then had to explain afterwards).
I want to watch this another 5,000 times, and I didn't really feel that way about the last couple, even though DC has been by far my most favorite. Spectre more than lived up to my expectations.
Lol that's the first time I read THAT complaint about Swann.
The pre-title sequence is INCREDIBLE - without doubt one of the greatest in the series. It was just so atmospheric and cool! The action was completely amazing in every scene thanks to the IMAX experience. And then the actual title credits I really loved! The octopus was great, and seeing images from the past Craig films really reminded me of OHMSS. In short, I was blown away by the first 15-20 minutes.
Daniel Craig does a great job as Bond again, completely at ease with the role. I still personally like his performance in CR the most, but he further solidifies himself as my tied-favorite James Bond here. Ralph Fiennes is a great new M, and I hope he stays around for a long time. Ben Whishaw did particularly well as Q; I liked him a lot more in this film than in SF. Naomie Harris continues to be a good Moneypenny. I thought Christoph Waltz was a good, unique Blofeld, adding some quirkiness to the character (although Savalas is still my favorite version). Monica Bellucci was great as Lucia Sciarra, but like many others, I wish she had gotten more screen time. Lea Seydoux was a decent Bond girl; I'm not sure yet where'd she place in my ranking, but definitely not near the bottom. I really enjoyed the scene with Mr. White (Jesper Christensen), and I thought it was great that they let his mysterious character finally get fleshed out a little. Dave Bautista was spot-on as Hinx, a classic henchman for modern Bond. Andrew Scott was also perfect in the part of Denbigh, 100% detestable all the way. Although he wasn't in it, it was nice that they threw Felix a bone by mentioning him, letting us know they haven't forgotten him (hoping he returns in the next one).
Like I mentioned before, I really enjoyed the action scenes, and the IMAX assisted it nicely. Beyond the pre-title sequence, I really liked the the vehicle chase in Austria, the train fight, and the finale in London. I also liked how the car chase in Rome didn't rely on too many gimmicks until the fire; it's just a straight-up, simple car chase without the extra stuff. The fight with Hinx on the train would probably rank as my second favorite train fight in the series after the one with Grant in FRWL. Other scenes I especially enjoyed include the Spectre meeting scene, the White scene that I mentioned, and when Bond finds Blofeld in the old MI6 building. The scenes with Q and M were really good too.
I don't have too many complaints about the movie. I really liked that they tied up the Mr. White/Quantum loose end, but it was still a little bit unclear exactly how Quantum (and Silva) were connected to Spectre. Were they simply funded by them, or was it more? Also, Silva had his own, personal vendetta against M in SF, so was it just coincidence then that Spectre hired him? It's not a big deal, but I wish I knew exactly what the connection was; at least the Quantum question is finally answered (that they essentially are just part of Spectre). And, like many others have said, I don't think the love story is all that strong. I wouldn't say it was bad, but it all happened kind of quickly, and Swann just wasn't the same as Tracy or Vesper IMO. Still, it's not a huge problem; I do think making her character Mr. White's daughter was a good idea.
Overall, I really did enjoy this film, and I'll watch it a couple more times in theaters to see how it stands. I'm confident it'll remain strong. From the opening (THANK YOU) gun-barrel to the credits, I found myself having a very good time.
Lea Seydoux was sublime in my estimation. She brought out a lot from Craig and still managed to be a strong character in her own right. There were moments particularly centered around L'American that drew parallels in my mind to moments from The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, which is fair praise. Some of the lighter moments from Craig felt a little forced, but most of them were genuinely grin-inciting. The completion of Mr. White's story was a powerful moment in the film and I felt disappointed at his end because it provided closure to his character I almost never wanted to see. His ties to Blofeld were subtle, yet thoroughly laid out, unlike some of the references to past villains involvements. Waltz himself was a very good, but somehow underwhelming performance. I thought he was terrifying in a laissez-faire kind of way. He seemed cold and distant rather than being more overtly treacherous. Hinx is easily one of my favorite henchmen and the train set piece was marvelous in just about every way. Just when I thought they were going soft with Craig and making him seem relatively invincible in the PTS, I was on the edge of my seat for the first time since Casino Royale in those moments.
The music was terrific, and I was truly impressed by Newman. It fits the film so well and sometimes I thought the level of class he brought ranks right near some of the franchise's best musical efforts. Granted, there are some low points in the music, but it's a very good collective work this time. I loved all of the added context to Skyfall. It really shows Mendes and company were more keen on connecting the dots with Skyfall than the first two. I love how Judi Dench gives Bond the starting clue to discovering the connecting pieces of his past, as if she knew all along and refrained from telling him because she knew how he would act. I absolutely loved the way the cat and Blofeld reveal took place. I actually thought Ralph Fiennes as M shined the most out of the MI6 cast (Q, Moneypenny, Tanner). He was scripted very well to appear initially against Bond and stopping his vigilante streak, when ultimately his measures to slow down Bond give them a good chance against Blofeld (with the assistance of Q of course).
There were more things I loved, but there will be enough posts for them later. As one piece of criticism I feel safe saying, plot elements and some action happened too swiftly and conveniently. I am of the mindset that Spectre is actually too short, or rather that it should be slightly shorter with an expanded follow-up. I certainly hope we will see more from Seydoux and Waltz in a Bond 25 starring Craig. However, if this is the end, for the first time ever we can say that a portrayal of Bond reached some form of closure. Very pleased with Spectre in total.
I loved it, of course. I knew I would. But it has its share of flaws, many of which have been addressed on this thread already. My thoughts:
1. Beautiful-looking film.
2. The PTS was everything I'd expected.
3. I didn't find the film as campy (or as a return to the Moore era) as others. Thus, I found no problems with some of the humor in the film and didn't think it was incongruous with the overall tone.
4. The film could get an Oscar nod for sound effects editing.
5. I loved TN's score. But while at first I liked the return of some of the SF themes, that wore thin halfway through the film.
6. This film, more than any other Bond that I remember, had long moments of silence. It was an effective decision by Mendes.
7. The Austria and Morocco settings were breathtaking.
8. The Rome meeting was well-executed and simply creepy.
9. Yes, Monica Belucci was underused. Why cast her for such a small part?
10. The mouse bit was compelling...and also deeply metaphoric. Along with Bond's "Mickey Mouse" reference, the film alludes to games of "cat" and "mouse." And this works well off the "rat" references in SF.
11. I wasn't bothered by Madeleine's "I love you" line, because she feared he would never "see her" again. It made sense to me.
12. I have no idea why EON decided to go with a Bond-Blofeld boyhood link that smacks of Austin Powers and Dr. Evil. It was 100% unnecessary.
13. The final act, in London, is a letdown of sorts: there was no build-up...and Bond merely shoots down a helicopter with his gun. Very anti-climactic.
Now for something I really do feel:
Waltz will be reprising his role in Bond 25. I am certain of it. This film has the feel of an introduction to Spectre, not a one-and-done. You don't bring Blofeld (and how he got his scar) into things only to have him captured an hour later. Nah...he's coming back. It only makes sense.
I've seen it a few times now and with each subsequent occasion you definitely get the feeling this is a set up for the next one. Wouldn't surprise me to have a Mendes trilogy.
Was it really necessary to tie up all four Craig movies in such a neat bow? Blofeld is responsible for everything? Silva had to be part of his plan too?
And while I love Vesper, and Eva, and CR...the references really started grating the fifth time around or so. Less would have been more. As it is, it has a fan-fiction-like feel to it.
Any thoughts?
I'm also quite sick of everyone getting in on the action. I understand they get really talented actors to play the supporting roles but it's not a damn team movie.
@Zekidk I really liked that scene a lot. It was great to finally have a snowy environment in the Craig era for some action, too. But the "crown jewel" still belongs to the PTS IMO.
Waltz performance is annoying but the film was too impressive. No conviction in his performance. The foster brother hook worked for me oddly enough.
John Malkovich should have played Oppie ..more presence and if he's smiling at you ..you still know he's fixing to kill ya.
The I love you line made sense to me too ...she lived estranged from her father and ok quick to say plus trying to save Bond.
Did they exit film in love? Of course not. Bond left for maybe the fun of falling in love. Both were serious both were not ..Both escaping lives for a bit. I dont believe Bond is leaving the service for a minute. Nothing said I'm damaged or whatever.
All in all I loved this film.
Btw and I can't explain why and I know I'm gonna be lambasted for this..but SP unlike SF which was very British feels more like an American film about a British guy.
Please don't ask me to explain that ...I can't right now.
And now Léa Seydoux and Waltz...The problem with Seydoux is that I had the feeling she was trying to do Vesper sometime (in the train it's obvious) and I didn't buy the love story they try to sell to us between her and Bond. Swann is a Bond girl cliché, so what ? She rejects Bond then f... with him, no need to put love into that it's not Disney !
About Waltz I am not convinced but to be honest I saw the movie in French (I wanted to see it in English but was a bit late so out of tickets (should have bought it online)blablabla) Anyway I will see it again, in English (as it should be) and be more definitive about Waltz part.
But the big fail in SPECTRE is...Thomas Newman..WHAT THE HELL WAS HE THINKING ? It sounds exactly like Skyfall (and it wasn't great). All the movie I was thinking "This sequence would have been really amazing with a good music". I mean where is the OHMSS theme from the first trailer ? Newman doesn't make Bond soundtrack, just another action movie soundtrack and it's really a shame as he has got one of the best material to work with. Arnold used to say "don't be affraid of using the bond theme". Obviously Newman is, or he just doesn't care. In both cases I hope he won't be in charge for Bond 25.
Anyway I don't know (yet) if SP is better than Skyfall. Right now I would say no 'cause it comes after but maybe I will change my mind after the second 'round'.
Both felt totally British to me, along with the humour, though SF did feel a bit like a Dark Knight reheated dish to me at the time. But then DK was quite British too :)
I agree, After Skyfall, they are right in saying it would be wrong do Skyfall 2. Spectre is a complete swing with the intention of the keeping the old faithful happy who were getting agitated by having a wounded Bond moping around the world. I preferred the CR and Skyfall to Spectre. I appreciate why they went down this route with Spectre but if there is another element to this story in a 5th Craig film they need balance the gritty elements of CR and Skyfall with the action of Spectre but with more subtle humour. Craig said on Good Morning America yesterday in response to the "Slash my wrist comments" DC "Look, Sam Mendes said this best last night, if you have run a marathon and your 200 yards to go, and someone stops you and says when you get to the finish do you want to run another marathon, you say two words which you can't say on morning television", "I have fun doing this movie, more fun than the past 3 put together, I have enjoyed every moment, but at the moment I don't want to think about it, I want to reunite with my family and my friends and put it out of my mind" Host "Well your great" DC "Well thank you, I might do another one".
Welcome to the forum.
Hi welcome, but come and contribute immediately venting your disappointment is understandable but you will find your probably the only person on here this disappointed that calling for creative control to move away from Barb and Mike. Well its a ludicrous comment considering the family owns the rights and everything they have delivered up to know is appreciated by all or enough fans. You won't get an official explanation. Personally why would they when the film is receiving high scoring reviews and breaking box office records. Most fans seem content even if it's just with some part with the film and not all. I remember two fans wrote complaining about QOS and EON's lawyers sent them a letter telling them their unsolicited mail was unwelcome. To be honest I would do the same. You can keep some of the people happy some of the time, but you can't keep everybody happy all of the time.
You might have a backlash from members being a new poster and attacking EON. There are a lot of protective appreciative fans on here. Just a friendly word of advice.
Maybe cause Craig goes for a Sir Roge look in the final London scenes?
Oh yeah - maybe that's it. It is Moore's most serious Bond, and SP was Craig's lightest, so there's that I guess.
Bond in the roll neck sweater, that was pure Moore in that movie.
New poster or not I can state my opinion and they can backlash all they want. And obviously I meant creative control needs to move away in the same way it did with Lucas, by them selling. It's not even really a criticism, after so many years and films you need fresh blood and ideas to keep something going in a good direction. Even if they keep the ownership, they need to give others more control. That includes dropping Purvis and Wade as writers. Sorry but reviews and box office money doesn't mean quality has been delivered, and it doesn't mean that they haven't destroyed Blofeld for no reason. I wish they never got the rights back to Spectre. Oberhauser and Blofeld should've been kept separate characters and it would've worked. Oberhauser could've had a similar role in the organization as Largo. This is just moronic and inexcusable tampering with a character outside of any rational boundary. At this point I wouldn't be surprised if the next Bond was an african american lesbian. Further, I would argue that fans should be protective and appreciative of Fleming and his source material, and not this reboot universe that is becoming less and less recognizable.