Review of Spectre (2015) by Foxgrove — 09 Nov 2015

Bond is back and with it comes the tried and (too) trusted formula. We have the good guy; the baddie; the girl; the car; the stunning locations; the set pieces; the stunts and the song. What could possibly go wrong? Well, on this occasion, actually quite a lot! Whilst up a few notches from the lamentable ‘Quantum of Solace’, it’s also noticeably well below the high standard set by Sam Mendes last directorial effort, the fabulous ‘Skyfall’.

Things get off to a flying start in Mexico City with a stunning set piece which gets the anticipatory juices flowing. However, it’s all downhill soon after and by the time the movie has hit the sixty minute mark it is in desperate trouble. Daniel Craig seems completely jaded this time out and Lea Seydoux is a weak and anaemic Bond girl. As the baddies Andrew Scott is refreshing, but I really don’t think I can be alone in stifling yawns at yet another villain from Chistoph Waltz’s seemingly limited canon.

In addition to the disappointment of the performances one also feels let down by the action. Aside from the opening and closing sequences which are very good, nearly all the other set pieces and stunts feel bland, second rate and unexciting. The whole enterprise just seems tired and even the usually welcome tongue in cheek humour is sadly absent. None of this is helped one iota by an unmanageable 2 and a half hours running time which leaves one anaesthetised by the singular lack of thrills. Even the song (which admittedly grows on you) is not up there with the greats, and one can’t help but recall an apt line from Adele’s 'Skyfall' – ‘This is the end’.