Car chases, sex scenes, nifty gadgets and epic shootouts. What else do we expect from a James Bond movie? Things are no different this time around. While the franchise’s newest film, “Spectre,” had visuals that amazed, it unfortunately also had the same dry plotline featured in previous Bond films.
“Spectre” opens with a fast-paced, energetic chase scene that starts in Mexico City during Dia de los Muertos, and ultimately ends with a brawl inside of a helicopter over the Zócalo plaza. This scene got my heart beating, and was a very promising start to the movie.
Midway through the film, Bond encounters arguably his largest enemy thus far, a crime organization called Spectre. The cliche game of cat and mouse between Bond and Spectre left me unsatisfied, as I had already seen it in previous Bond movies.
Sweeping shots of the Tyrolean Alps and Rome also gave the film a scenic and beautiful touch, however this along with gun battles and fast-paced pursuits took up too much time in the film, and only temporarily distracted the viewer from the fact that the movie had very shallow plot.
In “Spectre,” Bond attempts to take down Spectre without the help of his employer and government spy agency MI6.
Along the way to taking down Spectre, Bond encounters villain Mr. White, played by Jesper Christensen, who first appeared in “Casino Royale.” White guides Bond to his daughter Madeleine Swann. Swann, according to White, can lead Bond to the infamous crime organization he is searching for.
Bond, not surprisingly, takes a liking to Swann and the two’s romantic affiliation consequently puts both of their lives in jeopardy.
When watching the movie, it seemed that Bond’s relationship with Swann was just another infamous fling, but it ultimately surprised me as Bond’s increased affection for her became more evident.
The film concludes with a beautiful chase scene in downtown London that, similarly to the opening, was quite visually spectacular if merely sufficient plot-wise.
In “Spectre,” Bond develops the skills of self restraint and compassion, all while maintaining his ultra-suave and glamorous style. Seeing Bond’s character progress throughout the movie made it more entertaining.
Daniel Craig is featured in his fourth movie as James Bond, and many consider it to be his last. While watching the movie, my suspicion only grew stronger that this would be Craig’s finale because of the movie’s conclusive ending.
Christoph Waltz gave a strong performance as the antagonist of the film. The Oscar-winning actor portrayed Franz Oberhauser, the ringleader of the crime organization and arguably the most powerful villain of all Bond films, who fervently tries to destroy Bond.
In the film, Oberhauser forces Bond to reflect on his past and and the people that he has encountered, including villains of previous films.
The entire production of the film was more than $600 million, and the graphic beauty and action scenes clearly benefitted from the funding. However, an extra couple of bucks on better screenwriters wouldn’t have hurt the quality of the dialogue and plot line of the film.
Director Sam Mendes didn’t produce a movie at the same level of the previous Bond movie “Skyfall,” Although “Spectre” was still a respectable film in the Bond legacy.
