From the opening frame of a foot race through the streets of Mexico city top the closing scene of a combination boat and helicopter chase on the Thames river in London you are in the world of “Bond, James Bond” in the 24th movie of the franchise. “Spectre” will be remembered in many ways such as being the longest movie in the series at two hours and thirty minutes and all the references, such as a white cat, from the previous films. In all probability at a cost of over $300mil to make it may be the most expensive Bond film and may be, just maybe, the last time Daniel Craig will play the role.

You go into a Bond film expecting certain things and they are here from the women James will seduce to the gadgets that Q will come up with to the martinis and the villains who want to dominate the world. The body count is high and disturbing scenes of violence that seem to go further here than the previous films while the pacing of setting up the next episode seems slower making the movie unnecessarily longer.

Monica Bellucci as a widow, Stephanie Sigman going to Bond’s hotel room in that opening sequence and, in particular, Lea Seydoux, as the love interest, along with Naomie Harris as MoneyPenny all serve the script and Bond.

Christoph Waltz, as the villain, will not be remembered along with other Bond villains but he does have one turn your eyes away from the screen scene that will be remembered. He, also, introduces and/or recalls what may have made Bond what he is. There seems to be more psychoanalysis and hinting at Bond’s past in this film than previously--a set up for the next chapter? 

Ralph Fiennes returns as M with the role larger than previously, Ben Wishaw as Q is very impressive while Andrew Scott as C wants to close the 00 agent operation down completely and adds an element of surprise to the denouement of the plot.

Daniel Craig is comfortable in Bond’s tuxedo, and many other costume changes, mainly black or brown clothes, is convincing in his fights, the romance/sex scenes, the chases and handling the emotional scenes along with the ideas planted as to why he is what he is not to forget the half smile, possibly a smirk, that comes across every now and then.

The opening tune sung by Sam Smith is quickly forgettable and at times the music by Thomas Newman is bombastic at the wrong time though the original Bond theme is always a winner.

The screenplay by John Logan, Neal Purvis, Robert Wade and Jez Butterworth is not as sharp as their previous effort, “Skyfall” and slows down the movie which could partially be the fault of the Director Sam Mendes. He has to many non-verbal scenes that don’t add to what is about to happen but he does himself and the series proud with the action scenes.

Going into “Spectre”, or any Bond film, you know what to expect and this one delivers even if it takes longer to do it.

“Spectre” Trailer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LTDaET-JweU