James Bond: 007 - Spectre - Part 10

[The Shape]

Are you saying you've never not watched a film because it sounded bad or unappealing? You watch every single highly anticipated film regardless of what you read or hear or see about it?

Of course not. We were talking about Wikipedia plot descriptions that give away the entire story.

If we're talking about reading an official plot synopsis (which describes the premise of a film), seeing trailers, reading news about the casting or production, reading reviews, hearing the opinions of friends, etc -- then of yes, of course I've passed on many movies based on those things. There are obviously concepts, ideas, premises, actors, filmmakers that I know I won't care for.

But no, if a movie is nearing release that generally seems interesting or exciting to me, I don't go on Wikipedia beforehand to read a description of everything that happens in the movie from start to finish just to make sure that I'll like the full story and all that happens in it.

My point was that a film synopsis (especially the kind you find on Wikipedia) is something that simplifies a film's plot to its barest elements, irrespective of ALL of the other elements that make up a film -- acting, writing, pacing, character development, action, special effects, direction, cinematography, music, etc and literally just tells you what "happens" in the most succinct way possible. It's quite different than reading a film review, which is at least a first-hand analysis of how all of those elements come together, written by someone who's actually seen the film, that helps you make more of a informed opinion on the film as a whole.

While you can pass on seeing a film because the full plot of a film might not sound great or exciting when translated into a few paragraphs, there's a fair chance that you could be depriving yourself of a film you'd actually enjoy if you saw it -- especially if its a film from a franchise you otherwise enjoy and may have been anticipating that isn't getting trashed with terrible reviews.

I totally understand that "people know what they like" and everyone can make decisions on how they decide to see or not see films in whatever fashion they choose, but this was just my two cents. As I said, whatever tickles your fancy.

So yeah, count me among those people that won't watch a film if the story doesn't appeal to me.

So you go read detailed plot descriptions of everything that happens in films to decide if they appeal to you? Because that's what I was talking about.

 

[Deserana]

I'm not put off by the 'meh' reviews. There's also a lot of people who said it was entertaining, garnering 8/10, 9/10 reviews. I think it's going to be a divisive film. Fingers crossed I'm on the positive side of the fence. But we'll see.

The "meh" reviews will only reflect the opinions of those hoping for for the darker and more realistic tone of Skyfall. This is not that. This is far more old school Bond and at the end of the day is very entertaining. There are scenes in this film that would be very out of place in Skyfall. For example in this film (not a spoiler but a comedic moment)

Spoiler

Bond survives a death drop by landing on a sofa

.

The big issue with the movie is the extremely contrived, almost desperate links to the other movies. To the person who didn't like TDK mentioned this movie is a LOT like TDKR.

 

[A Necessary Evil]

 

[Marvolo]

It's James Bond so Ill watch it no matter what reviews say. Some of the story beats aren't great, but I think I'll be able to enjoy the film.

 

[Mysteryman]

I would love to come across just one film forum on SHH where TDK isn't mentioned.

Let me know when you find it .

 

[Mysteryman]

Scary.

 

[Mysteryman]

I am curious what Brian Braddock thought.

 

[AnneFan]

It's James Bond so Ill watch it no matter what reviews say. Some of the story beats aren't great, but I think I'll be able to enjoy the film.

Same here. I've known what the general outline of the film has been for ages. I think I'll enjoy myself.

 

[Filmfan93]

I almost never watch movies based on what I read from reviews or the critics' opinions (except when they are below 20% in RT). I enjoyed many movies that received mixed reviews and vice versa.

I loved Spectre and for me it's the perfect Bond movie.

 

[Greens]

The "meh" reviews will only reflect the opinions of those hoping for for the darker and more realistic tone of Skyfall. This is not that. This is far more old school Bond and at the end of the day is very entertaining.

No.... I was hoping for a movie that was exhilarating and well-written. I don't care if it's dark or campy, I just want to have fun. I can not have fun when I'm bored, as I was watching this movie.

 

[Jumpin' Jack]

Went to see it yesterday. Enjoyed but yes as many others have said it was a bit long at parts, I particularly noticed it in action sequences like the helicopter in Mexico and car chase in Rome. Funny how both Mission Impossible and Spectre had both the shutting down of secret intelligence agencies...

 

[Brian Braddock]

I am curious what Brian Braddock thought.

I really enjoyed it, although I get some of the criticisms, to some degree. Some of the action was a bit dour and drawn out, and some of the scenes could have benefitted from some streamlining (there are a lot of needless lingering shots in the movie I felt) but I dont subscribe to the idea of a forced, contrived storyline involving

Spoiler

Bond/Oberhauser being step-brothers etc

and I don't agree that the movie is tonally off.

It's not AMAZING, but it IS good. It's on a par with Skyfall for me, but CR looks to be going down as the best of the Craig era. Saying that, comparisons with CR are now a bit unfair as I feel that CR kind of transcended from merely being a movie to being a cultural phenomenon. That's always going to be hard to match up to.

Interesting thing with Spectre is that although all the

Spoiler

Blofeld

staples were present, I didn't think of

Spoiler

Dr Evil

once, even though it was thought that

Spoiler

Austin Powers

had ruined the character. Credit to all concerned for that.

I do think that Craig will do one more and then that will be it. He was showing signs of age in this movie (slightly less gusto in certain action scenes than what we're used to and I detected a bit of middle age timber in the midriff; hell, in the scene were he meets Swann in her office his pants are halfway up his stomach, just like an OAP! Lol). One more, and then we go again with a newer model, I would say. Craig has been absolutely BRILLIANT though. I will miss him when he hands in his licence to kill.

It's James Bond so Ill watch it no matter what reviews say. Some of the story beats aren't great, but I think I'll be able to enjoy the film.

Exactly how I feel. As I say, I can now understand some of the criticism the movie has gotten but would that ever dissuade me from seeing it and judging for myself? Hell no! Been a member of the international fan club for years and the idea of missing one of these movies on the cinema is unthinkable to me.

 

[BlackFox]

This was decent outing for Mr Bond but did feel a rung below CR and Skyfall but is certainly more interesting than QoS.

It has some good moments along the way, the opening, the train sequence and plenty of funny moments (some might be irked by some however due to their placement in what is meant to be a tense scene) but as others mentioned it does suffer from being a bit too long with lingering shots which I guess were meant to build tension but just sort of leave you waiting for something to actually happen.

Everyone gave it their best and nothing really stands out as bad so some level of enjoyment should be gotten out of it, its just a shame it couldnt have ended as brightly as it started and some plot conveniences were hard to swallow.

I hope Craig comes back for one more to really go out on a high note but perhaps a change of director might freshen things up next time, not that Sam Mendes has done a bad job at all, but maybe fresh impetus is needed for Craigs last outing, if were to be that.

7.8/10

 

[terry78]

You can kind of tell Craig is getting sick of it though. That may be part of it if his heart ain't in it.

 

[Drz]

Went to see it yesterday. Enjoyed but yes as many others have said it was a bit long at parts, I particularly noticed it in action sequences like the helicopter in Mexico and car chase in Rome. Funny how both Mission Impossible and Spectre had both the shutting down of secret intelligence agencies...

Don't forget Hydra in Winter Soldier pretty much had the same plan, except they we're already willing to gun down suspects/criminals.

 

[Schlosser85]

Don't forget Hydra in Winter Soldier pretty much had the same plan, except they we're already willing to gun down suspects/criminals.

The situation with HYDRA wasn't really the same, IMO. They weren't trying to shut down the intelligence agency, they infiltrated it and commandeered it for their own agenda.

 

[Loki882]

Yeah, SHIELD was disbanded by the government AFTER the infiltration was revealed.

 

[Jason Kane]

"CHIEF Inspector!"

I see your Clouseau and raise you this!

 

[The Joker]

"CHIEF Inspector!"

I see your Clouseau and raise you this!

LOL, unless you're Irish or British, most people might not get this one.

 

[Octoberist]

The name's Boo. James Boo.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

 

[Black Narcissus]

Campbell has directed both my favorite Craig and Brosnan Bond films. Heh.

Goldeneye still holds up very well. Oh, what could have been a great Brosnan era.

 

[A Necessary Evil]

"CHIEF Inspector!"

I see your Clouseau and raise you this!

 

[Mysteryman]

I hope Everyone had a Happy Halloween.
The Witching Hour is upon us .

 

[Mysteryman]

Anybody wear any Bond related Halloween costumes this year?
Got any photos to show us ?

 

[Jumpin' Jack]

So since CR,QoS, SF & SP are all connected [BLACKOUT]and Blofeld appearing at the end[/BLACKOUT] Do you think we'll get a fresh start or is [BLACKOUT]he bound to return for Craig's final film?[/BLACKOUT]