November 28, 2015

Spectre: Bond Sees Himself Anew

Bond, James Bond. Without any spoilers, let me say that this film ranks among the best 007. Daniel Craig is perfect here. Perfect.

After the biting, powerful theme song by Sam Smith (Adele's was great as well- but Smith pulls it off), the fun begins. Viewers are treated to a visual feast set in Mexico City. It's one of the eeriest openings ever seen by Bond fans. 

As time goes on, James sees himself as a man that has a job to do but also one who is growing to understand himself in a new way. Spectre presents a hero in transition- still strongly connected to his roots and mission- but one longing for more. The thrills and chases and women are all there. But Skyfall this is not. 

Christoph Waltz is a cool headed detached villain without much on screen bite, although things do perk up toward the end. Compared to Skyfall, in the villain arena, it is a bit of a letdown. The deranged  Javier Bardem's Silva would eat this guy for lunch. Ralph Fiennes does a fine job with what little he is given, and that seems to be the case with most of the actors, including the beautiful and underused  Monica Bellucci. The equally beautiful Lea Seydoux shines in more ways than one and provides our hero with one of the best pick up lines ever.  Unfortunately, Eve Moneypenny (Naomie Harris) doesn't yet get to show her acting chops. Maybe next film, although pointed out to me by my youngest son, she is in Pirates of the Caribbean as the voodoo priestess Tia Dalma . Let's just say I was in shock to discover this. 

Will this be the last Bond for Craig? I certainly hope not. For this viewer, he represents the best Bond ever. Sorry Sean Connery.

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