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

19192949697100

Comments

  • Seeing as this is also a thread for others' reviews, here's a review from someone who has reviewed all the Bond films: http://expectyoutodie.blogspot.com/2015/11/spectre-spoilers.html

    Like me, he's not overly enthusiastic about SP, but all his reviews, of the Bonds and their various elements are worth checking out.
  • Creasy47Creasy47 In Cuba with Natalya.Moderator
    edited November 2015 Posts: 40,368
    If we're going to bring up inconsistencies, this is also Mendes' second Bond film involving a huge, dangerous incident on a train, and yet the train just keeps on trucking as if nothing happened at all.

    That fight scene between Bond and Hinx, though? Gets better and better every time, somehow. Well done. This is the fight I've wanted to see from him since he starred in CR.
  • mcdonbbmcdonbb deep in the Heart of Texas
    Posts: 4,116
    Seeing as this is also a thread for others' reviews, here's a review from someone who has reviewed all the Bond films: http://expectyoutodie.blogspot.com/2015/11/spectre-spoilers.html

    Like me, he's not overly enthusiastic about SP, but all his reviews, of the Bonds and their various elements are worth checking out.

    Fascinating and entertaining read. I've been substituting Vargr in my mind as Bond 24 and pondered what that guy might have caught.

    Of course that story just started but thinking like he does...

    Why after the "Hard Rule" imposed on MI6 is Moneypenny cleaning her gun at her desk but Bond has to give his up at home?

    Hmmm.....
  • Posts: 485
    Seeing as this is also a thread for others' reviews, here's a review from someone who has reviewed all the Bond films: http://expectyoutodie.blogspot.com/2015/11/spectre-spoilers.html

    Like me, he's not overly enthusiastic about SP, but all his reviews, of the Bonds and their various elements are worth checking out.

    Life's too short to be wading through a self indulgent ramble like that.

    So he thinks the Blofeld\SPECTRE plot is nothing more than a McGuffin...well of course it is. The film is about SPECTRE itself and Bond's discovery of it. It's a reintroduction of the organisation to the film audience but a brand new introduction to the MI6 universe of the reboot.

    Some people are making the same mistake as QOS and thinking that the villain's own plot is the plot of the film, when it isn't.

    Likewise Skyfall is about Bond and M proving they're not washed up and past it in their profession. M is fighting for her career before Silva's plot and the bomb even occurs.
  • Posts: 11,425
    Birdleson wrote: »
    Mathis1 wrote: »
    Did anybody see a very strange close up shot of Mr. Hinx in the car chase, just as they drove the cars on the slant? it was as if he was computer generated or something. I noticed it on my third viewing, and thought it was just my eyes playing tricks, so I was ready for it this time. Odd moment!

    I know exactly what you're talking about and noticed each time. I kept forgetting to bring it up on here.

    I spotted it too. Very weird shot with apparently heavily and badly cgi'd Hinx
  • Posts: 1,964
    chrisisall wrote: »
    fjdinardo wrote: »
    I have not seen Spectre for a 2nd time. I feel like a lousy Bond superfan
    I feel your distress.

    I have just been so busy, and movies are expensive. Plus I do have other films I want to see in theaters
  • chrisisallchrisisall Brosnan Defender Of The Realm
    Posts: 17,687
    fjdinardo wrote: »
    chrisisall wrote: »
    fjdinardo wrote: »
    I have not seen Spectre for a 2nd time. I feel like a lousy Bond superfan
    I feel your distress.

    I have just been so busy, and movies are expensive. Plus I do have other films I want to see in theaters
    Until the new Star Wars film, there's nothing I want more than to see SP again!
  • Posts: 1,964
    chrisisall wrote: »
    fjdinardo wrote: »
    chrisisall wrote: »
    fjdinardo wrote: »
    I have not seen Spectre for a 2nd time. I feel like a lousy Bond superfan
    I feel your distress.

    I have just been so busy, and movies are expensive. Plus I do have other films I want to see in theaters
    Until the new Star Wars film, there's nothing I want more than to see SP again!

    Well I did see Hunger Games since I am a fan of the series and yes Star Wars is next for me.


    When do you think Spectre will be online to see? Like on Putlocker, sockshare? those sites.
  • chrisisallchrisisall Brosnan Defender Of The Realm
    Posts: 17,687
    fjdinardo wrote: »

    When do you think Spectre will be online to see? Like on Putlocker, sockshare? those sites.

    Dunno. I don't watch important movies online due to motion interruption that occasionally distracts me. My family tells me that only I can see it (damned visual acuity!!).
  • CASINOROYALECASINOROYALE Somewhere hot
    Posts: 1,003
    Well!!!
    My first Bond movie in theaters!!
    Was super excited....

    I can honestly say that this film is way better than Craig's other Bond films. What were the critics thinking?????

    1. SPECTRE
    2. Casino Royale
    3. Quantum Of Solace
    4. Skyfall

    Quick little review!

    This film felt super long.
    Compare it to Qos and for some reason it felt way longer than SF. One of my biggest hopes for this film was that they would try and put a lot into this film and really use the locations. Give us lots and lots of info. Craig's dialogue was different compared to the last films.

    I don't think he was "not trying", or "done" with the Bond character...

    The story was simple. 00 section is basically terminated, Bond has a lead that links everything from the past films/missions together and follows it. Not really has an agent but for himself. He wasn't being a spy he was being himself. If that makes sense?

    I loved everything about SPECTRE, Blofeld and Hinx. Would love to see another movie. I think it would be pretty obvious if they made another movie and killed off Swann. Bond realizes he can never have a life.

    Not sure why everyone was complaining about this film, sure it was different than the others but to me this is Craig's bond series now.
    This isn't any of the others. He made it his own. The costumes and music fit really well into it. I will say the soundtrack was kinda meh. It did fit the film but it just didn't excite too much.

    Noticed the Hildebrand reference....

    Ending: Could it be Craig's last film?
    Easily yes. Blofeld captured. Bond basically threw his gun in the water and left with Swann..

    Why it isn't his last film: SPECTRE is still out there.. The explosion most likely killed everyone but don't forget he has people everywhere. There's still SPECTRE all over the world.

    Blofeld will escape. Bond didn't really quit. He just chose not to kill him and left for a much needed break...

    Pretty confident we will get another film but it won't be until 2018.

  • Posts: 5,767
    Getafix wrote: »
    Stamper wrote: »
    That's what they did with Logan and they got burned.
    They simply must choose better talent. I agree Mendes should let it drop. They should take Paul Greengrass because any fight in any of his Bournes is more exciting than anything in SPECTRE. And they are just two actors squaring off with each other, much less expensive than a car chase in an empty Rome.
    Greengrass could do a kickass Bond for 100 millions. The Victoria Station scene in Bourne 3 is the kind of stuff we should see in future Bond. Bond really being clever and more skilled than all the bag guys and their surveillance.

    Greengrass would just give us shaky cam and Bourne riffs.

    The train fight in SP is fnatastic and just right for Bond film. One of the best fights in a Bond film for years IMO.

    I love Greengrass but IMO he is not right for Bond. However, there is a 'Bondian' version of Greengrass: Denis Villeneuve. He delivers nail-bitting thrillers just like Greengrass, but shows a lot more Bondian class in doing so.
    I somehow doubt that Greengrass will still emphasize shaky cam after all these years. It´s not as if one director has always the same style.
    As for Villeneuve, I find it very dangerous to associate him with Bond at this time. While I am highly interested in his Blad Runner sequel after having seen the brilliant Sicario, I don´t think what he did so far necessarily translates well for Bond.


    Muddyw wrote: »
    No Paul Greengrass please! His shaky cam is really a farce. To make it look like you're in with the action/movement is very very cheap. Because really, who in real life see things in action or movement that shaky? I don't. I saw Bourne the other day on TV. Great movie(s) but really, that shaky cam is very very ineffective and overrated and unnecessary!
    You see really nothing during those with seven or so camera's filmed fistfights whereas Sam Mendes his pace is really fantastic. You can follow every action without losing any tension. And still you can feel being there!
    I like the style for what it is. The real farce is to believe it looks more realistic, as some clever pr people didn´t get tired to emphasize when Bourne 2 and 3 came out. The reason you don´t see much in those Bourne films is not so much the shaky cam, but Greengrass´ style of constantly having at the most only half of the action in the frame. You can freezeframe and check. It´s a stylistic possibility, nothing more, nothing less. Of course that doesn´t diminish your right to dislike it ;-).
    As for Mendes, I find his action scenes many times sterile. Campbell on the other hand was the real deal when it comes to action. Both Brosnan and Bean´s fight in GE and the fights in CR, that kind of viscerality is what gladdens man´s heart :-).

  • edited November 2015 Posts: 11,425
    Well!!!
    My first Bond movie in theaters!!
    Was super excited....

    I can honestly say that this film is way better than Craig's other Bond films. What were the critics thinking?????

    1. SPECTRE
    2. Casino Royale
    3. Quantum Of Solace
    4. Skyfall

    Quick little review!

    This film felt super long.
    Compare it to Qos and for some reason it felt way longer than SF. One of my biggest hopes for this film was that they would try and put a lot into this film and really use the locations. Give us lots and lots of info. Craig's dialogue was different compared to the last films.

    I don't think he was "not trying", or "done" with the Bond character...

    The story was simple. 00 section is basically terminated, Bond has a lead that links everything from the past films/missions together and follows it. Not really has an agent but for himself. He wasn't being a spy he was being himself. If that makes sense?

    I loved everything about SPECTRE, Blofeld and Hinx. Would love to see another movie. I think it would be pretty obvious if they made another movie and killed off Swann. Bond realizes he can never have a life.

    Not sure why everyone was complaining about this film, sure it was different than the others but to me this is Craig's bond series now.
    This isn't any of the others. He made it his own. The costumes and music fit really well into it. I will say the soundtrack was kinda meh. It did fit the film but it just didn't excite too much.

    Noticed the Hildebrand reference....

    Ending: Could it be Craig's last film?
    Easily yes. Blofeld captured. Bond basically threw his gun in the water and left with Swann..

    Why it isn't his last film: SPECTRE is still out there.. The explosion most likely killed everyone but don't forget he has people everywhere. There's still SPECTRE all over the world.

    Blofeld will escape. Bond didn't really quit. He just chose not to kill him and left for a much needed break...

    Pretty confident we will get another film but it won't be until 2018.

    Nice to see SP getting some appreciation from an American friend!

    I don't understand why it's taken such a kicking from the American critics.

    I agree. I can see Swann returning briefly at the start of B25, only to get bumped off. It's Peter Hunt's vision delivered a few decades late.

    Shades of Bourne there as well though...
  • Posts: 5,767
    So I went to see it for a third time, because I couldn´t believe my own negativity towards it.

    The further the film went on, the more I got tired of it.

    I could somewhat enjoy the first half, but with Hinx saying, "shit" at the end of the train fight, it started to deteriorate and wouldn´t stop. I didn´t mind the torture scene as much as before, but nevertheless, the film lost me at some point. By the time Bond shoots the two henchmen in front of the old MI6 building, I couldn´t feel much attachment to anything going on anymore. I didn´t see any sense in watching it through until the end, so I left during the London scenes near the end.

    The colours and even more the constant bleakness still annoy me.

    The camera work strangely shifted between mesmerising and annoying.

    The whole Blofeld Spectre thing was done very poorly.
    Mr White saying he quit because of women and children? I mean, he was heavily involved with the Vesper story, and he didn´t appaer very touched by her death in QoS.
    And Spectre doesn´t appear so much different from Silva. Ok, Blofeld has a batallion of hackers, but I bet Silva alone could do as much as half those computer goons.
    When Bond and Madeline get out of the lair and Bond starts shooting people, it feels so incredibly uninspired and empty. As if they shot a very rough sketch of an idea and later forgot to flesh it out.

    Probably I can´t really blame anyone in the end. I just don´t dig Mendes´ way of directing. He just isn´t for me. Especially when he channels Nolan.
  • MansfieldMansfield Where the hell have you been?
    Posts: 1,263
    boldfinger wrote: »
    The further the film went on, the more I got tired of it.

    I could somewhat enjoy the first half, but with Hinx saying, "shit" at the end of the train fight, it started to deteriorate and wouldn´t stop. I didn´t mind the torture scene as much as before, but nevertheless, the film lost me at some point. By the time Bond shoots the two henchmen in front of the old MI6 building, I couldn´t feel much attachment to anything going on anymore. I didn´t see any sense in watching it through until the end, so I left during the London scenes near the end
    When you say somewhat enjoy the first half, does that mean you liked it and were disappointed in what followed or you didn't like it for a particular reason? I thought the first half was very enjoyable, barring a few things. The car chase was epic except for the interchanging scenes with Moneypenny. That wasn't enough to shake my enjoyment of the scene and it did provide a few nice moments in between the misses. I only begin my retreat from the fantasy of the film when Bond leaves Swann behind and then all those questionable action pieces occur with Bond getting captured and the MI6 crew running around.
    boldfinger wrote: »
    The camera work strangely shifted between mesmerising and annoying.
    I'm pretty sure the problem is deeper than just the camera work. It tonally shifts between a serious introspective Bond and a playful Bond. This occurs within scenes (car chase as aforementioned) and also from scene to scene. The camera work may just be a side effect of having to cut between action and drama.
    boldfinger wrote: »
    The whole Blofeld Spectre thing was done very poorly.
    Mr White saying he quit because of women and children? I mean, he was heavily involved with the Vesper story, and he didn´t appaer very touched by her death in QoS.
    And Spectre doesn´t appear so much different from Silva. Ok, Blofeld has a batallion of hackers, but I bet Silva alone could do as much as half those computer goons.
    When Bond and Madeline get out of the lair and Bond starts shooting people, it feels so incredibly uninspired and empty. As if they shot a very rough sketch of an idea and later forgot to flesh it out.
    I think Spectre was handled reasonably well. It picks up right in the same vein as Quantum with a more sinister and imposing presence. One thing that could have been handled better is making some of their background terroristic moves be more prominent in the plot involving Bond. As it stands, all of those attacks that only appear in television footage are irrelevant, meaning there is little suspense and just come across as predictable. But I mean, let's face it, the main plot from Blofeld is grand and ridiculous. No more than in other dedicated Spectre films. On Her Majesty's Secret Service gets so much praise around here and the plot there is biological warfare via brainwashing a dozen beautiful girls. The plot of Spectre is believable if only they changed the focal point. Making it so overtly focused on the surveillance as a whole instead of its implications makes the character drama fall a little flat.

    As for Mr. White, it sounds like you are placing unnecessary scrutiny towards the character. Vesper was not an innocent, civilian woman. She was involved in the plot and his dismissal of her fate only highlights the notion that her fate was sealed as a result of her acquaintances and actions. He was always a distant entity in Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace within the organization. The continuity of his character was well handled in my opinion.

    As for Silva, I think they just didn't write a good enough explanation. Simply saying that he was somehow involved with Spectre isn't adequate. They needed to leave Silva out of the story or properly explain how they turned to Silva to infiltrate MI6's safeguards as a result of Quantum's revelation as a result of the conclusion of Quantum of Solace. This is so minor of a problem, since the lack of explanation doesn't provide much subject matter for scrutiny. It allows us to hypothesize the connections on our own.

    It would have been better if Bond and Swann needed to make use of an additional resource to provide the conclusion that we saw at Blofeld's lair. The fight between Bond and Hinx showed how Bond was not invincible and could still be hurt, and then that suspense is just thrown out the window when he gets through the torture scene without any personal damage.

  • chrisisallchrisisall Brosnan Defender Of The Realm
    Posts: 17,687
    SPECTRE is simply all kinds of perfect. By its chosen overall tone, the few plot holes & narrative contrivances there are are completely forgivable because what works works SO well that only those peeps that demand brooding angst amidst ponderous faux-existential drama will dig for true meaning buried in the sheer fun.
    Mendes is not the best Bond director, but he HAS learned from SF what to do. Give the public what they want. But SF made more money & was better critically received, you say? ;)
    SF was trendy to go see, it had angst which is so popular these days. Ten years from now, it will go like this:
    CR=FRWL
    QOS=DN
    SF=NSNA
    SP=TB
  • MansfieldMansfield Where the hell have you been?
    Posts: 1,263
    @chrisisall As Le Chiffre once said, "You are a funny man, Mr. Bond." :))
  • chrisisallchrisisall Brosnan Defender Of The Realm
    Posts: 17,687
    Mansfield wrote: »
    @chrisisall As Le Chiffre once said, "You are a funny man, Mr. Bond." :))
    Thank you, thank you; I'll be here all week!
    :D
  • Posts: 1,068
    I totally agree @chrisisall - seems many critics have forgotten how much of a great romp a Bond can be rather than be all dark and emo. Maybe it's because they've only heard about the older Bonds but are still so young they've not gotten round to seeing them!? ;)
  • chrisisallchrisisall Brosnan Defender Of The Realm
    edited November 2015 Posts: 17,687
    andmcit wrote: »
    I totally agree @chrisisall - seems many critics have forgotten how much of a great romp a Bond can be rather than be all dark and emo. Maybe it's because they've only heard about the older Bonds but are still so young they've not gotten round to seeing them!? ;)
    Possibly. Plus the 9-11 thing & the 2008 financial meltdown made 'dark' fashionable again. In the early 70's super dark downer stuff was in vogue due to the 'meatgrinder' of the ridiculous Vietnam War... today you mix emo + economic depression of Western countries + this Middle Eastern crap, and you get more appreciation for depressive stuff. Eff THAT, says I. Rise ABOVE the angst both in daily living AND entertainment!
    LET BOND LOOSE TO DESTROY SPECTRE!
    Without all the emo wah wah sensitive bs.
  • Posts: 1,680
    Yes the 3rd act was a bit weak but the last scene with Bond glancing at Madeline then driving off was so worth it. It was finally the ending Craig deserved.
  • bondjamesbondjames You were expecting someone else?
    edited November 2015 Posts: 23,883
    Tuck91 wrote: »
    Yes the 3rd act was a bit weak but the last scene with Bond glancing at Madeline then driving off was so worth it. It was finally the ending Craig deserved.
    I would have preferred the sack rather than in a car glancing at one another personally, but that ending scene wasn't all bad. Very Avengers (Steed/Peel).
  • chrisisallchrisisall Brosnan Defender Of The Realm
    Posts: 17,687
    Birdleson wrote: »
    I keep hearing that this film was a fun romp, with a light tone. I wish that I had seen that. It seemed dreary to me.
    You didn't get popcorn & a soda, did you...?
  • chrisisallchrisisall Brosnan Defender Of The Realm
    Posts: 17,687
    Birdleson wrote: »
    No, I didn't.
    See? Popcorn movies need POPCORN! Buttered.
  • MurdockMurdock The minus world
    Posts: 16,328
    chrisisall wrote: »
    Birdleson wrote: »
    No, I didn't.
    See? Popcorn movies need POPCORN! Buttered.

    And lots of it. My new movie theater has it's own serve yourself butter machine. Ooohohoh I felt like Homer Simpson. :))
  • chrisisallchrisisall Brosnan Defender Of The Realm
    Posts: 17,687
    Murdock wrote: »
    My new movie theater has it's own serve yourself butter machine. Ooohohoh I felt like Homer Simpson. :))
    They NEVER put enough butter on for ME!!
    :))
  • edited November 2015 Posts: 11,119
    andmcit wrote: »
    I totally agree @chrisisall - seems many critics have forgotten how much of a great romp a Bond can be rather than be all dark and emo. Maybe it's because they've only heard about the older Bonds but are still so young they've not gotten round to seeing them!? ;)

    Yesterday I went to see "SPECTRE" a 3rd time. And my friend Thomas liked it a lot, but also said "It's again a typical James Bond film".

    I think this comment once used to be a true positive benchmark of the franchise. But after the franchise got shaken and stirred up dramatacially....and perhaps confusing way too....with critically acclaimed films like "Casino Royale" and "Skyfall", people actually forgot that they were Bond films.

    I said it a thousand times. The first three Craig films are not just good Bond films....but also very good films, apart from the franchise tag. It's what created many new fans/lovers who don't think in Bond thropes like we do.

    And once a movie like "SPECTRE" turns up, those people and reviewers are in for a disappointment. Although I have to say that the foundation for a more typical Bond film with all of the formularic elements, was already present in "Skyfall" (Q, M, Moneypenny, a killer of a theme song).

    I see "SPECTRE" entirely as the fourth step in getting Bond more 'Bond'. It's the 4th part of a beautiful quadrilogy in which we see Bond becoming 'Bond'. I did see it like that. Sadly many others didn't. Apparently they still long for a lot of drama (death of famous characters, etc.). I don't. In "SPECTRE" I sometimes had a weird, but great feeling of watching Connery's 8th outing of 007.

    Once I told my friend Thomas all of the above he said: "Hmmm, I really need to rewatch the Craig-films more properly then. I think I really like "SPECTRE" then!"
  • Posts: 11,425
    There was definitley a reassuring vibe to SP. For me personally it is the most enjoyable Bond film in a very long time.
  • chrisisallchrisisall Brosnan Defender Of The Realm
    Posts: 17,687
    SPECTRE rules; those that don't agree are fools. =))
  • Getafix wrote: »
    There was definitley a reassuring vibe to SP. For me personally it is the most enjoyable Bond film in a very long time.

    For me too. Look, SF had great re-watching value. It has so many thematical layers.

    SP too. It's still a Mendes film. But on first watch it entertained me more. And the art of true entertainment IMO is, that you take all the little flaws on first watch for granted. That's the great quality of SP.
  • MurdockMurdock The minus world
    Posts: 16,328
    Whatever flaws there were, I didn't notice them one bit, I had a blast from beginning to end. Flaws don't bother me if a movie is good and entertain me to the levels of SP and GE. Which is why it's #2 on my list and rightly so. Flaws in a bad movie can make make things worse. Like Battleship or Man of Steel. I regret watching both of those movies. I don't treat Bond movies like any other movie, They are special and something to be cherished. Spectre was an event for me. Skyfall didn't even make me feel this giddy, and I enjoy Skyfall. I had so much fun. :)

    chrisisall wrote: »
    Murdock wrote: »
    My new movie theater has it's own serve yourself butter machine. Ooohohoh I felt like Homer Simpson. :))
    They NEVER put enough butter on for ME!!
    :))
    Go to Cinemark XD, you can put on all the butter you want. :D
Sign In or Register to comment.