Movie Title: Spectre
Genre: Action, Adventure, Mystery
Writer: John Logan, Neal Purvis, Robert Wade, Jez Butterworth
Starring: Daniel Craig, Christoph Waltz, Léa Seydoux, Ben Whishaw, Naomie Harris, Dave Bautista, Andrew Scott, Monica Bellucci, Ralph Fiennes, Rory Kinnear, Jesper Christensen
Review: A cryptic message from the past leads James Bond (Daniel Craig) to Mexico City and Rome, where he meets the beautiful widow (Monica Bellucci) of an infamous criminal. After infiltrating a secret meeting, 007 uncovers the existence of the sinister organization, Spectre. Needing the help of the daughter (Léa Seydoux) of an old nemesis, he embarks on a mission to find her. As Bond ventures toward the heart of Spectre, he discovers a chilling connection between himself and the enemy (Christoph Waltz) he seeks.
Spectre is the fourth installment in the Daniel Craig Bond franchise. This movie carries the same darker, grittier tone brought on by its predecessor, Skyfall. Where this movie isn't quite as unfocused as Quantum of Solace, it fails to live up to the expectations set forth by Skyfall and Casino Royale. Daniel Craig is very good once again in his portrayal of Bond, and the action sequences are certainly entertaining. This movie hits the ground running with a dazzling and entertaining chase. There is great scenery, plenty of explosions, and a straightforward plot. The 00 program is on the ropes, and Bond has gone rogue. It's straightforward and fun, but unfortunately fizzles out in the last act. By the time we reach the great Christoph Waltz, the plot starts to unravel a bit as a convoluted and messy twist is weaved into the story. I love Christoph Waltz, but his character, Blofeld, seems far too connected to everythig going on to the point where his whole story comes across as more confusing than interesting. Seydoux's Madeleine Swann is a strange cross between badass sidekick and damsel in distress. I will give this film full marks for it's entertainment value, but for me it just didn't finish the way that it started. That said, I still love what Daniel Craig has been able to do with his four Bond films, and I'm very excited that we will see him reprise this role one last time in 2020. Let's go, Bond 25!
Fun Fact: Despite Skyfall (2012) being shot entirely in digital, and rumors that Bond movies would be shot digitally from then on, this and Bond 25 (2020) will be shot on 35mm film.