It's been quite a while since the last time we saw Daniel Craig wear the tux and woo the girls as James Bond, but all that changed last weekend when the English actor returned to reprise his signature role as 007 in the 24th film in the series entitled "Spectre", which formally reintroduces a familiar terrorist organization from classic Bond lore into the rebooted universe that began with 2006's Casino Royale. Once again directed by Skyfall director Sam Mendes, this new entry in the long running secret agent franchise carries with it a lot of expectation and anticipation, not just in continuing Craig's outstanding tenure as 007 but also planting those familiar themes and tropes that have become so distinguishable in classic Bond films into a modern setting.
Having seen the movie a couple of times now in theaters, it's time to carry on with this review for what is arguably one of the finest Bond films I have seen in my lifetime. SPOILER WARNING naturally, so here we go with the review for "Spectre" and special thanks goes to Columbia Pictures Philippines for bringing this film to our shores!
Taking place some time after the events of Skyfall (read my review from three years back here), we first get reacquainted with James Bond at Mexico during the traditional "Day of the Dead" celebration. Undertaking an unsanctioned mission as a favor to someone very dear to him from the past, Bond finds and encounters a man known as Marco Sciarra, whom he takes a mysterious ring engraved with an octopus design from before eliminating him and his men after a particular difficult chase that involves destroying a building and riding a helicopter in the midst of a crowded Mexico City. Returning to London he is grounded by the new M, who is in the midst of a difficult power struggle that sees Joint Intelligence Service head "C" butting heads with other countries to develop a "nine eyes" program that will effectively eliminate the 00 program and make democracy a thing of the past.
Despite being put off-duty, Bond goes off on his own accord and secretly enlists the help of Moneypenny and Q to subtly find this mysterious new organization that Sciarra was a part of. He ventures to Rome and initially succeeds in infiltrating this clandestine group, but is surprised to discover that his presence was expected and the man leading them is a familiar face from his past. After escaping and getting reacquainted with a familiar enemy in Mr. White, Bond makes a promise to protect the his old foe's daughter in Madeline Swann, who is herself a target of the organization that White once worked for. With the stakes high and the world suddenly under the microscope of an organization that manipulates everything, Bond sees that his mission is now a personal one, and that his mysterious enemy has had his sights on him since the very beginning of his career.
As the fourth Bond film of the Craig era that decisively bring back and incorporates familiar elements of the classic Bond movies, Spectre is a love letter of reassurance that the franchise remembers its roots and tries to reintegrate them into a modern setting at the same time. Daniel Craig naturally settles into his role as Bond with ease, and he's just as serious, witty, determined, and charming when it comes to doing his job, fighting the bad guys, and having a moment with the ladies. Lea Seydoux is wonderful as Bond Girl and love interest Madeline Swann, and I dare say she's my favorite one since Eva Green's Vesper Lynd from Casino Royale. Monica Belluci appears as another woman wooed by James early in the film in Lucia Sciarra, making her the oldest Bond girl in the history of the franchise. Ralph Fiennes returns a the newly appointed M, and Naomie Harris is once again the action lady behind the desk and computer as Eve Moneypenny. That, together with Q back for the lovely gadgetry, cars, and weapons, makes it feel like the Craig Bond films have finally settled into the familiar patterns the old films were known for.
Dave Bautista on the other hand... THAT MAN is something else. Bringing back the huge henchman trope that is associated with past Bond films, he plays Mr Hinx - an assassin who doesn't speak for majority of the film and is just an unstoppable force that will not rest until he gets Bond and puts him down. This cat and mouse game between the secret agent hero and that intimidating right hand man is very much something to welcome back to the 007 films, and the man who's also known in the wrestling and WWE circuit as "Batista" is on a role - definitely what helps makes Spectre one of best Bond films to date.
So with his second serving as director of the film, Sam Mendes has definitely given us a good blend and treat with "Spectre". I certainly enjoyed it a lot, as it works as a Throwback to the Bond formula I grew up seeing with the Sean Connery and Roger Moore films while retaining the grit and action that the Craig films are best known for. I'd rank it alongside Casino Royale and Skyfall as his best performance as 007, and the story concludes in a satisfying note that leaves the future bright for our favorite MI6 British agent.
The theme for the film, "Writing's On The Wall" by Sam Smith, doesn't exactly trump Adele's powerful song "Skyfall", but it gets the job done and is not a bad entry at all. It's best appreciated after watching the film and then listening to the MV afterwards.
Spectre is now showing in theaters worldwide.
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