James Bond: 007 - Spectre - Part 9

[Chesterfield]

Interview with Rhapsody Magazine via The Daily mail

 

[The Joker]

Seeing this in four hours. I can't wait!!!

 

[Tacit Ronin]

Cool. Hope to see your review. We Muricans have to wait weeks yet.

 

[Filmfan93]

Seeing it in 40 minutes! Will also post a short spoiler-free review on the movie when I get back home

 

[Parquagh]

Seeing it in 40 minutes! Will also post a short spoiler-free review on the movie when I get back home

I wouldn't mind a spoiler-filled one too...

 

[Filmfan93]

Just got back home from Spectre. Will write a short spoiler-free review, as it is almost midnight here in the UK and I am off to bed.

Enjoyed the movie a lot

First of all, the gunbarrel sequence is back in the beginning and is probably the best of the Craig era. The Binder is present in it. A very good opening sequence, with a 5-minute tracking shot that was superb in my opinion. The titles sequence is beautiful and I think Sam Smith's song sounds better in it than in the official video.

Good action sequences and a good portion of them on various set pieces. (Mexico, Rome, Austria, an AWESOME brutal train fight, Morocco and finally London). Craig is also top notch again and looking younger than in Skyfall. Q has a bigger role here, than he did in Skyfall.

Thomas Newman's score was ok, but nothing memorable. Same goes for Skyfall. David Arnold did a much better job in Casino Royale.

Now a bit of spoilers, so be warned. As you all know, Christoph Waltz turns out to be

Spoiler

Bond's foster brother. His father adopted Bond and loved him more, so he reveals that he set up all the events in the previous Craig films, in order to hurt Bond and have his revenge. He also reveals himself as Ernst Stavro Blofeld, with Franz Oberhauser being his past name.

He also has a small role and is fully revealed almost at the end of the movie, so don't expect a lot of screen time. Also,

Spoiler

Andrew Scott's character, Max Denbigh, turns out to be working for Spectre and wants to bring down the 00 program to ruins.

The movie end with

Spoiler

Bond retiring, driving the DB5 from Skyfall, which Q has refurbished. Madeleine Swann is sitting next to him.

For those who have read the leaked script, the movie turns out to be 99% the same, with the only exception of

Spoiler

the revelation game that Blofeld played with Bond being absent. Don't remember the script properly, but I am sure that everything else was the same, including the finale in London and the Thames chase.

This is my short review for now. an 8/10 from me. If anyone has questions, feel free to ask them. I will answer tomorrow and put spoiler tags where necessary.

 

[Chesterfield]

Came back from my viewing. It's a great movie. Everything you expect from a Bond movie without the OTT ridiculous cheese.

Craig was on top form. Cool, suave, in control and badass.

This film is much better than Skyfall overall imo but can't beat CR. The PTS was amazing even the title sequence had a softcore porn feel to it mixed with tentacle hentai.

The action was great, the characters were great, Bellucci was underused but I'm glad she was in it and Mr Hinx has one of the best introductions in the series. His train fight with Bond is like a cocktail of the CR stairwell fight, the Grant vs Bond fight on the orient express in FRWL and the fight between Bond and Jaws in TSWLM.

It's not a perfect movie and I have a few minor issues with it but on the whole it's a success. This is Bond with a capital B.

8.5/10

Ranking:

CR
SP
SF
QoS

 

[marvelrobbins]

Does this feel more like classic bond film as i have heard.

I have heard some say it is at times almost a throwback to roger moore bond

 

[Octoberist]

Just got back home from Spectre. Will write a short spoiler-free review, as it is almost midnight here in the UK and I am off to bed.

Enjoyed the movie a lot

First of all, the gunbarrel sequence is back in the beginning and is probably the best of the Craig era. The Binder is present in it. A very good opening sequence, with a 5-minute tracking shot that was superb in my opinion. The titles sequence is beautiful and I think Sam Smith's song sounds better in it than in the official video.

Good action sequences and a good portion of them on various set pieces. (Mexico, Rome, Austria, an AWESOME brutal train fight, Morocco and finally London). Craig is also top notch again and looking younger than in Skyfall. Q has a bigger role here, than he did in Skyfall.

Thomas Newman's score was ok, but nothing memorable. Same goes for Skyfall. David Arnold did a much better job in Casino Royale.

Now a bit of spoilers, so be warned. As you all know, Christoph Waltz turns out to be

Spoiler

Bond's foster brother. His father adopted Bond and loved him more, so he reveals that he set up all the events in the previous Craig films, in order to hurt Bond and have his revenge. He also reveals himself as Ernst Stavro Blofeld, with Franz Oberhauser being his past name.

He also has a small role and is fully revealed almost at the end of the movie, so don't expect a lot of screen time. Also,

Spoiler

Andrew Scott's character, Max Denbigh, turns out to be working for Spectre and wants to bring down the 00 program to ruins.

The movie end with

Spoiler

Bond retiring, driving the DB5 from Skyfall, which Q has refurbished. Madeleine Swann is sitting next to him.

For those who have read the leaked script, the movie turns out to be 99% the same, with the only exception of

Spoiler

the revelation game that Blofeld played with Bond being absent. Don't remember the script properly, but I am sure that everything else was the same, including the finale in London and the Thames chase.

This is my short review for now. an 8/10 from me. If anyone has questions, feel free to ask them. I will answer tomorrow and put spoiler tags where necessary.

So does:

[BLACKOUT]Blofeld get his scar?[/BLACKOUT]

And did [BLACKOUT]he get imprisoned at the end? [/BLACKOUT]

 

[Chesterfield]

Does this feel more like classic bond film as i have heard.

I have heard some say it is at times almost a throwback to roger moore bond

It's definitely classic but not as goofy as the Moore era.

 

[Chesterfield]

So does:

[BLACKOUT]Blofeld get his scar?[/BLACKOUT]

And did [BLACKOUT]he get imprisoned at the end? [/BLACKOUT]

Yes to both.

 

[The Joker]

I'm just back from seeing it, too. I was going to post a review, but venom0706's post pretty much reflects my own opinions, including the final 8/10 score.

What I liked;

Spoiler

- Craig is great as always
- Waltz was awesome. Stole every scene he was in. Was delighted he was Blofeld, got the infamous facial scarring and all, even the white cat makes an appearance. Plus they didn't kill him so he lives to come back for an encore
- Bautista's Hinx was an imposing vicious scary henchman
- Some great globe trotting in this one. Austria was my favorite
- M, Q, and Moneypenny all had good supporting roles helping Bond in his mission
- The action scenes were great
- Some great homages to previous Bond movies
- Was really neat to see Mr. White again
- Judi Dench's video cameo was a pleasant surprise
- The whole movie had a more classic Bond feel to it

What I didn't like

Spoiler

- Mr. Hinx was under used
- I didn't like that Silva was connected to Spectre. It works for LaChirffe and Greene, but not Silva. He was much stronger as his own man with his own vendetta against M and MI6.
- Not enough of Bond's cool new car

 

[marvelrobbins]

It's definitely classic but not as goofy as the Moore era.

I never thought it would be goofy some reports are saying it actully has more humor than trailers suggest.

 

[Fallen Angel]

I'm just back from seeing it, too. I was going to post a review, but venom0706's post pretty much reflects my own opinions, including the final 8/10 score.

Spoiler

- Mr. Hinx was very under used
- I didn't like that Silva was connected to Spectre. It works for LaChirffe and Greene, but not Silva. He was much stronger as his own man with his own vendetta against M and MI6.
- Not enough of Bond's cool new car

Ah the Silva thing I knew I wasn't going to like. It waters down his villainy.

 

[vanson]

Loving what I read so far from the movie.. exept one thing:

It sounds kinda stupid to me that [BLACKOUT]Oberhauser did all this to Bond because he got more attention as a kid from his father.. Also what are the odds that one gets to be the superspy and the other head of the biggest terror organization. [/BLACKOUT]

Does that make kinda sense in the movie !? the whole thing seems so far fetched to me...

 

[The Joker]

Ah the Silva thing I knew I wasn't going to like. It waters down his villainy.

I agree.

Loving what I read so far from the movie.. exept one thing:

It sounds kinda stupid to me that [BLACKOUT]Oberhauser did all this to Bond because he got more attention as a kid from his father.. Also what are the odds that one gets to be the superspy and the other head of the biggest terror organization. [/BLACKOUT]

Does that make kinda sense in the movie !? the whole thing seems so far fetched to me...

It does sound silly, and I wouldn't argue with anyone for thinking so. Honestly it's Waltz's brilliant acting that sells it for me when he's saying it. [BLACKOUT]He even compares Bond to a cuckoo, which as you know is a bird that muscles in and takes over other birds nests. He makes a whole insane comparison like that to Bond.[/BLACKOUT]

 

[The Batman]

Joker, what'd you think of the love interests?

Also, after seeing the film, do you still agree with my speculation that this film is the Thunderball to Craig's Goldfinger?

 

[The Joker]

Joker, what'd you think of the love interests?

Also, after seeing the film, do you still agree with my speculation that this film is the Thunderball to Craig's Goldfinger?

[BLACKOUT]Monica Belucci's character was quite minor and forgettable. Severine's role seems big compared to hers, and Severine had a stronger characterization and more exotic and tragic allure.

Seydoux's character was ok. I mean don't get me wrong, she looked good, and was very competently acted, but her character wasn't especially memorable other than she was the daughter of a villain. She ends up as a damsel in distress who Bond has to save twice. Not that I think the damsel in distress trope is bad, it's just something we've seen a hundred and one times before, it's why I don't think she's especially memorable. I never bought her fast falling in love with Bond. Didn't feel natural like it did with Vesper. A very by the numbers Bond girl. But she has good chemistry with Craig.[/BLACKOUT]

Yes your Goldfinger/Thunderball comparison is very apt, IMO.

 

[AnneFan]

Glad you liked it, Joker.

Where would you rank it against the other Craig films?

 

[The Joker]

Glad you liked it, Joker.

Where would you rank it against the other Craig films?

Well I'm going to see it again tomorrow, digest it even more for a 2nd viewing. But right now;

1. Skyfall
2. Casino Royale
3. Spectre
4. Quantum of Solace

 

[AnneFan]

^Thanks. I've seen some reviews which say it's too long, or drags in places. Would you agree with that assessment?

 

[The Joker]

^Thanks. I've seen some reviews which say it's too long, or drags in places. Would you agree with that assessment?

No, I definitely wouldn't say it's too long. I never found myself wanting to look at my watch. But the pacing is not as good in some parts. CR and Skyfall just flowed beautifully I thought. Spectre is not as good in that regard, but it's not a major issue I had with the movie.

 

[redhawk23]

Wait what is the "Binder' ?

 

[AnneFan]

Wait what is the "Binder' ?

Gunbarrel design.

No, I definitely wouldn't say it's too long. I never found myself wanting to look at my watch. But the pacing is not as good in some parts. CR and Skyfall just flowed beautifully I thought. Spectre is not as good in that regard, but it's not a major issue I had with the movie.

Ok, thanks.

Damn this UK exclusive release. I'm chomping at the bit to see the movie!

 

[The Batman]

[BLACKOUT]Monica Belucci's character was quite minor and forgettable. Severine's role seems big compared to hers, and Severine had a stronger characterization and more exotic and tragic allure.

Seydoux's character was ok. I mean don't get me wrong, she looked good, and was very competently acted, but her character wasn't especially memorable other than she was the daughter of a villain. She ends up as a damsel in distress who Bond has to save twice. Not that I think the damsel in distress trope is bad, it's just something we've seen a hundred and one times before, it's why I don't think she's especially memorable. I never bought her fast falling in love with Bond. Didn't feel natural like it did with Vesper. A very by the numbers Bond girl. But she has good chemistry with Craig.[/BLACKOUT]

Yes your Goldfinger/Thunderball comparison is very apt, IMO.

[BLACKOUT]I can't say I'm disappointed to hear that about Bellucci. It was clear that she'd be the secondary Bond Girl, so her having little meaningful screentime is no surprise. I'm not even surprised about your assessment of Swann. The Craig era ladies haven't come nearly close to matching Vesper.[/BLACKOUT]

Apart from the Binder infuence, how does the gunbarrel look. Is Craig's movement like the QoS gunbarrell, the SF one, or something new? How would you rank it among the other Bond actors?