SPECTRE - Press reviews and personal reviews (BEWARE! Spoiler reviews allowed)

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  • Posts: 250
    royale65 wrote: »
    And on to Obi/Blofeld and SPECTRE. He says he's the author of all Bond's pain, linking it the past villains. But it was never explained. Hopefully it will be explored in B25.

    Well... it's kinda explained by Q's laptop - White, Greene and Silva (colour codes instead of numbers is a thing this time around I guess) are all SPECTRE operatives... Blowers controls SPECTRE.

    Earlier drafts had Blowers talk more about how he controlled and used Silva I think... something that's missing from the film. But Quantum are name-checked a few times and Greene appears on Q's laptop (which hilariously puts him at level pegging with Patrice).

    In terms of mentioning these things without going into continuity porn Quantum poses a particular problem. For CR you get the great moment of "Vesper Lynd... the big one!" (I love it, Blowers trivialising Bond's great trauma is great villainy), and with Silva it's any allusion to Dench!M being polished off, but how would you reference Quantum in a way that the average punter would go "Oh yeah!"? "Remember that Chinatown thing in Bolvia, James? It was me! All that precious water!" The main takeaway for Bond is, as mentioned, the Yusef Kabiria thing, but that constitutes about 120 seconds of QoS? It's under the "Vesper Lynd" umbrella honestly, and probably fitting to as QoS always feels like more an appendix to the previous film rather than its own adventure.

    FWIW, earlier drafts of the script recommended that the oiled-up Fields appear in the opening titles, but I guess Kleinmann found his own way to reference that.
  • CraigMooreOHMSSCraigMooreOHMSS Dublin, Ireland
    edited November 2015 Posts: 8,009
    I didn't take Blofeld's statement of being the "author" of Bond's pain that literally. He just happened to be the figurehead of the organisation behind those plots as opposed to being the nemesis out to hurt Bond directly. So I bought the idea without needing the explanation.

    Although, in retrospect, it would have been better if Quantum had existed as its own entity until Bond caused it irreversible damage in QOS, leading to the "rise" of Spectre - who ultimately shunned all remaining Quantum members including White. This all happens before they free Silva from a Chinese prison and set him loose to do his work with MI6.

    That's just how I would have done it though. No matter what way they went with it, it would have raised as many questions as it would have answered.
  • Posts: 14,799
    Yes I thought it was pretty self explanatory: Blofeld being the leader of the organization involved with the blackmail of Vesper and linked with Silva (I still think he was more a contractual than an employee, given his wild nature), he's indirectly responsible for Bond's suffering.
  • JohnHammond73JohnHammond73 Lancashire, UK
    Posts: 4,151
    Really loved SP. Gunbrrel back at the start set things off nicely. The long opening shot was very well done. I noticed a couple of things had changed from the trailer (ie his overdue holiday comment to M for one). Great action. Loved how we didn't see Oberhauser/Blofeld until later in the movie. Adds a bit more menace to the character. Liked how they showed us his character leading up to his admission that he was ESB. Craig's performance was super.

    Slightly disappointed that Monica Bellucci was underused, as well as Dave Bautista, although the fight between him and Bond on the train was excellent.

    All in all a cracker. Classic Bond with a modern twist.
  • doubleoegodoubleoego #LightWork
    Posts: 11,139
    Remember, SP the organisation is a business, the parent company to quantum and possible other subsidiaries. In terms of importance to the overall business LeChiffre was far more recognised on Blofeld's radar because of his skillset and the sh*t load of money he was responsible for bringing in so when he lost it all...twice; he had to go.

    Greene on the other hand wasn't particularly important. The tagged bills that led to slate was a lead that led to Greene, who appears to be someone who was trying to develop and make an impact within Quantum by focusing his efforts within the Latin American region. It just so happens that Bond got caught up in Greene's scheme. Hell, even Mr.White inconspicuously attended the meeting at the Opera, likely unbeknownst to the other quantum members who decided to bail when Bond outed himself with White casually staying behind and enjoying the show.

    Silva was extremely useful because he was instrumental in not only distracting MI6 and the entire secret service and renderinh them vulnerable but there was also the added personal element with M; all I'm all making life that much difficult for Bond.

    Seems like Blofeld had every right to be somewhat pleased with himself with the added benefit of the stress, pain and loss caused to Bond.
  • JNOJNO Finland
    Posts: 135
    I just came back from my second viewing.

    Spectre is getting better and better. I relaxed and watched it through without the tension and anxiety of the first time. I bloody enjoyed it. It almost reaches the heights of Skyfall and Casino Royale. Of course the tone is different but there are so much inspirational stuff in Spectre: gunbarrel back at the start, the PTS, the whole Rome scene (it really is a highlight for me, the scenes with Lucia and the meeting in the castle), the scene between Bond and mr White, the introduction of ESB... man, I love this movie!

    I´m going to see it couple of times more but it´s growing in me like a beast... they surely delivered with this one!
  • FourDot wrote: »
    royale65 wrote: »
    And on to Obi/Blofeld and SPECTRE. He says he's the author of all Bond's pain, linking it the past villains. But it was never explained. Hopefully it will be explored in B25.

    Well... it's kinda explained by Q's laptop - White, Greene and Silva (colour codes instead of numbers is a thing this time around I guess) are all SPECTRE operatives... Blowers controls SPECTRE.

    May have been dumb of me but never picked up on the White, Green(e), Silva thing. Though I guess Le Chiffre and Mr Hinx, both SPECTRE members according to the film, don't abide by that rule so whether it's actually a "Thing" or not remains to be seen

  • Posts: 14,799
    And Blofeld is Blue.
  • Posts: 250
    Kent007 wrote: »
    FourDot wrote: »
    royale65 wrote: »
    And on to Obi/Blofeld and SPECTRE. He says he's the author of all Bond's pain, linking it the past villains. But it was never explained. Hopefully it will be explored in B25.

    Well... it's kinda explained by Q's laptop - White, Greene and Silva (colour codes instead of numbers is a thing this time around I guess) are all SPECTRE operatives... Blowers controls SPECTRE.

    May have been dumb of me but never picked up on the White, Green(e), Silva thing. Though I guess Le Chiffre and Mr Hinx, both SPECTRE members according to the film, don't abide by that rule so whether it's actually a "Thing" or not remains to be seen

    "Le Chiffre" is a nickname/pseudonym if we go back to Fleming (IIRC) and Hinx is on the Sciarra/Patrice level of the organisation I guess... hitmen with limited influence.
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy My Secret Lair
    Posts: 13,384
    I fully agree with @JNO just back from watching it for a second time, and yes.
    It keeps getting better and better. :)
  • Best Craig Bond film for me. BOND IS BACK!
  • Posts: 485
    JNO wrote: »
    I´m going to see it couple of times more but it´s growing in me like a beast... they surely delivered with this one!

    They sure did. I think Mendes deserves more praise than he receives. Some people who haven't even seen it want to see the back of him which is ridiculous.
    jerome007 wrote: »
    Best Craig Bond film for me. BOND IS BACK!

    It's certainly put SF down as my fourth\least favourite Craig Bond film! CR is superlative for the Fleming bits but less so for the earlier part of the film and the Venice sinking house so for re watchability of the Craig films it'll be competing with QOS for my attention.
  • Posts: 7,653
    Just back and thought it was a good movie, but in hindsight, me looking forward, we will name the Craig era probably the rogue years. The man did go rogue every single movie. It gets kind of tiresome.
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy My Secret Lair
    Posts: 13,384
    At the moment it would be my #2 Craig Bond film.
  • Posts: 1,068
    Ok great. The Blofeld follow up can be all angsty dark and character driven on the follow up.
  • edited November 2015 Posts: 389
    SaintMark wrote: »
    Just back and thought it was a good movie, but in hindsight, me looking forward, we will name the Craig era probably the rogue years. The man did go rogue every single movie. It gets kind of tiresome.

    Couldn't agree more, how about Bond with M just giving him the mission & the total support of the service.
  • Posts: 127
    Hey all! Loved the movie, gonna go again soon. I need to know (if anyone remembers) What did James say to Lucia before leaving... it was something in Italian. Anyone?
  • Posts: 266
    4 stars out of 5.

    I have now seen the film 3 times and i waited until i saw it at the IMAX before writing a review. I can honestly say i think SPECTRE is a really really good/great in places Bond film.

    The opening tracking shot (after the Gun-barrel, yay) is just brilliant and seamless. From the first shot where the camera picks up Sciarra to when Bond crouches behind the wall listening to the whole blowing up a stadium is a touch of genius and looks to be without cuts (but i may be wrong). The ensuing action of blowing the block up was very well executed and the slight humor of Bond falling onto the sofa worked for me. We then get a very exciting chase through the parade which leads to helicopter stunt work which is extremely impressive and edge of the seat stuff, the whole Day of the Dead sequence is a joy to watch.

    We then get the titles and song and to be honest for me both are OK but out of the Craig era it is only Quantum Of Solace that is worse in my opinion, it is not that either are bad they just don't reach the heights of CR or SF.

    The next hour or so i pretty much loved. I like the slight tension to begin with between Bond and M, i really like the scene in Bond's apartment with the Moneypenny and the video message from Judi's M explaining what Bond was doing in Mexico and i really love the Q scene. Whenever Ben Whisaw and Daniel Craig are on screen together it is a highlight.

    I enjoyed the Rome/funeral scenes but was a little disappointed at how little screen time Monica Belluci had as she had good chemistry with Daniel Craig, and we presume she survived as Bond said he had contacted Felix and she will be safe but because we never see or hear anything of her again we cant be fully certain.

    The SPECTRE meeting was brilliant with great entrance's from Hinx (i liked the little touch of the Thumbnails, a little throw back to henchman from the past) and Franz Oberhauser with Christoph Waltz in brilliant form and it is my favorite part of his performance, menacing, almost silent and very chilling.

    The ensuing action and car chase were entertaining, i enjoyed how the plot was moved along in this section with Bond on the phone to Moneypenny, but some of the humor in this section fell a little flat and to me felt a little forced but i did enjoy the payoff at the end of the chase.

    We then see what is happening back in London and find out more about Max Denbigh ('C') and the 9 eyes sub plot that we found out a little bit about after the PTS. It is a little distracting and it is plain as anything that 'C' is a member of SPECTRE but it's not a bad idea it just never gets the chance to develop into anything other than a subplot and a link, but Ralph Fiennes and Andrew Scott get some great scenes together and both are superb.

    The scenes with Mr White are very good and moved the plot along nicely which lead us to Madeleine Swan, the first meeting between Bond and Madeleine is very good and both shine and she is set up as an interesting character and i like the angle of Daughter of a Villain (who has had a change of heart). The action in the snow i really enjoyed with Bond giving chase in a plane and it is executed very well.

    We then find out more about what Mr White was telling Bond (L'American), for me this is where things start to slow a tad, though i did enjoy Bond's interrogation of a mouse which on paper sounds awful but works. Bond finds the info he needs and the plot is moved along.

    The train fight is great but the whole Bond, Swan love angle is not fleshed out enough in my opinion. The bits in Oberhauser's lair are very well done and feels like a homage and throw back to the 60's films like Dr No. here we see more of Christoph Waltz and he is very good, this is where we also learn 'C' is a member of SPECTRE and Oberhauser has funded the whole 9 eyes surveillance program, something that was pretty obvious.

    The torture scene i thought was great and reminded me of the Col Sun novel and this is my favourite part of this section. We knew that Oberhauser was going to be Blofeld (even if we tried to convince ourselves he might not be) but i did enjoy the reveal to be honest and Craig and Waltz are very good. The escape was very well done but maybe a bit lackluster.

    We end up in London for the finale and it is pretty good with everything you would come to expect from a Bond finale, great villain, girl in danger and Bond put in a predicament. I like how the rest of the MI6 staff get in on the action in this section and M has a real humdinger of a line to 'C'.

    My overall feeling at the end was a very very good Bond film, Casino Royale is probably still the freshest and best of the Craig films but this film is up there with Skyfall, it has some flaws but nothing that detracts from the overall enjoyable experience.

    Sorry to ramble on.
  • edited November 2015 Posts: 14,799
    SaintMark wrote: »
    Just back and thought it was a good movie, but in hindsight, me looking forward, we will name the Craig era probably the rogue years. The man did go rogue every single movie. It gets kind of tiresome.

    Couldn't agree more, how about Bond with M just giving him the mission & the total support of the service.

    M himself had his hands tie with Denbigh, thus he himself was working sometimes against governmental approbation. Personally, I didn't mind, since M was backing Bond, who never truly went rogue (unlike say in LTK).
  • Posts: 1,098
    I think @Sharky....review was spot on to what i also thought of the film...........i'am just to lazy to write an essay on a review of a film! :)
  • Posts: 127
    What would have been funny and great is if DC came back an dropped in on the women he said he'll be back too.
  • Posts: 1,068
    In the train fight with Hinx twice now I've missed what polaxes Bond to the deck taking him out for a few seconds? There isn't an obvious swing from Hinx that I noticed
  • Posts: 485
    Sharky wrote: »
    The ensuing action and car chase were entertaining, i enjoyed how the plot was moved along in this section with Bond on the phone to Moneypenny, but some of the humor in this section fell a little flat and to me felt a little forced but i did enjoy the payoff at the end of the chase.

    This is similar to the point I made in the car chase thread. Some think the conversation with Moneypenny kills the suspense but I agree with you that it keeps the plot going rather than the film grinding to a halt for a stunt sequence.
    Sharky wrote: »
    Sorry to ramble on.

    You didn't at all. Nice to read someone so enthused about it.
  • mcdonbbmcdonbb deep in the Heart of Texas
    Posts: 4,116
    Btw off topic but today is actually Day of the Dead ..
  • ThunderfingerThunderfinger Das Boot Hill
    Posts: 45,489
    TonyEbik wrote: »
    Hey all! Loved the movie, gonna go again soon. I need to know (if anyone remembers) What did James say to Lucia before leaving... it was something in Italian. Anyone?

    Good luck, Mrs Sciarra.

    Saw this last night. had to go to a late night screening as all the others were full.

    The start gave me goosebumps. Didn t mind the song at all when accompanied by those titles. For me this was probably a top three Bond film, and maybe the best from Craig so far. Didn t know Ben Wishaw could be so funny. Waltz and Bautista are the best villains for decades. Sure Waltz is cartoonish, but not in the same way as Silva for instance.

    Not sure why people criticize the car chase. It was fun as hell and classic Bond.

    The subplot was also good, and Madeleine an endearing character. A few scenes here and there felt a bit forced, but is there any Bond film where this isn t true? Don t think so.

    The cinematography isn t quite up there with Skyfall, but what is? Close enough.

    As for Newman, I love his Bond music. His version of the theme is different, but really works. All in all, I loved it and expect to love it even more the second time.
  • aaron819aaron819 Switzerland
    Posts: 1,208
    Excellent spoiler filled review of the PTS:

  • RC7RC7
    Posts: 10,512
    TonyEbik wrote: »
    Hey all! Loved the movie, gonna go again soon. I need to know (if anyone remembers) What did James say to Lucia before leaving... it was something in Italian. Anyone?

    Good luck, Mrs Sciarra.

    Saw this last night. had to go to a late night screening as all the others were full.

    The start gave me goosebumps. Didn t mind the song at all when accompanied by those titles. For me this was probably a top three Bond film, and maybe the best from Craig so far. Didn t know Ben Wishaw could be so funny. Waltz and Bautista are the best villains for decades. Sure Waltz is cartoonish, but not in the same way as Silva for instance.

    Not sure why people criticize the car chase. It was fun as hell and classic Bond.

    The subplot was also good, and Madeleine an endearing character. A few scenes here and there felt a bit forced, but is there any Bond film where this isn t true? Don t think so.

    The cinematography isn t quite up there with Skyfall, but what is? Close enough.

    As for Newman, I love his Bond music. His version of the theme is different, but really works. All in all, I loved it and expect to love it even more the second time.

    Agree with all of this. I probably don't like Newman as much as you, I feel like he could've brought more, but there were some original cues that I really loved (Hinx's entrance) and little flourishes (The PTS chopper vertical flip) that made me smile. Also thought the Westminster Bridge track, where they exit MI6 in the boat worked superbly.
  • SirHilaryBraySirHilaryBray Scotland
    Posts: 2,138
    For me the trailers really gave too much away. The Scene of Oberhauser saying "It was me James, the author of all your pain" should have been left out the trailers. The only time you should have seen Waltz in the trailer was in the shadow scenes in Rome just saying "Welcome James".

    The Morocco crater explosion. I just do not know why they went with rural dessert construction blowing up again. It was a painful reminder of the conclusion of QOS in which the finale in rural dessert hotel was the worst part of the film, feels odd why they would do something so similar so soon.

    I just hope Bond 25 does not have a Helicopter now we have seen one shot down in Skyfall and Spectre odd choice to repeat bringing down a helicopter twice in a row. I suppose with SPECTRE taking ideas from all prior Bond films this was a little bit of homage to Sean brining down the helicopter in FRWL.

    My biggest problem with Spectre is that it paid too much homage to all prior films rather than it standing on its own two feet with new ideas.

    I am not a huge Brosnan fan. But I watched his new film with Owen Wilson No Escape last night, the pace of the story, action and dialog was bang on the money. Brosnan's impersonation of David Bowie leaves a lot to be desired. But it's a very well directed movie and John Erick Dowdle is someone I would not mind seeing taking on a Bond movie.
  • SkyfallCraigSkyfallCraig Rome, Italy
    Posts: 630
    It's Buona Fortuna, Donna Lucia, that is good luck, lady Lucia
  • ForYourEyesOnlyForYourEyesOnly In the untained cradle of the heavens
    Posts: 1,984
    For me the trailers really gave too much away. The Scene of Oberhauser saying "It was me James, the author of all your pain" should have been left out the trailers. The only time you should have seen Waltz in the trailer was in the shadow scenes in Rome just saying "Welcome James".

    Yeah, this, IMO.
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