Spectre marks the latest instalment of the Daniel Craig-era of James Bond flicks, bringing a close to his story arch started in 2006's Casino Royale. Bond, recovering from the aftereffects of Skyfall is now on the hunt of a mysterious (but entirely familiar to Bond fans) organization as he stops their plans to take over the world.
Director Sam Mendes returns, making this the only Bond film to feature a consecutive returning director to the series and just as with Skyfall, brings a more personal and nuanced look into the world of James Bond and his previously mysterious past.
The supporting cast plays a more significant role than in previous Bond adventures with Ben Whishaw playing a younger more active Q, Naomie Harris as Moneypenny and Ralph Fiennes as the newest leader of MI6, M. While previously Bond has been more of a solo adventurer, with his office staff functioning as exposition, they play a much more active role in Spectre and it brings an interesting new dynamic to the Bond mythos. Even the Bond girls played by Monica Bellucci and Lea Seydoux, bring much more to the table than simple eye candy but rather bring grounding to Bond's reckless personality acting almost as a voice of reason and creating an interesting back and forth dynamic throughout the film.
On the opposite end of the spectrum lies the mysterious organisation Spectre who's evil plans for global domination are made all the more menacing and grounded with performances from Christoph Waltz as the mysterious leader of this global organisation, Andrew Scott (fresh from his role as Moriarity from the BBC show Sherlock) and Dave Bautista as the terrifying Mr. Hinx.
While Waltz felt a bit underwhelming in his role, never really bringing the level of menace and calculations that most Bond villains are known for, Bautista's Mr. Hinx makes up for this shortcoming with his hulking menace, bringing in a proper Bond henchman for the first time in this modern series.
While Spectre is an entertaining and fast-paced Bond film, much more than previous in the Craig era films with a breathtaking opening act and train fight where the viewer will feel every punch and body blow, the story loses a bit of momentum towards the end. While the bulk of the film consists of hunting down the villain while interspersing moment's of Bond's past, it feels like the movie's climax ends a bit too soon, that while featuring a grand and tense finale, leaves without a bit of closure. Granted this is almost certainly left open to begin building towards future Bond flicks, it comes as a bit of a let down when such an emphasis is placed on creating a new narrative-driven arch for Bond.
However, for classic Bond fans this is a welcome addition to the series and one that brings the newer, grittier films full circle showing clever winks and nods to classic Bond films from the past. While it's a bit underwhelming compared to the previous entry in the series, it's a fine bridge for the future of Bond and an entertaining Bond film on its own. The action sequences are spectacular, the locations are visually interest and the ever famous Bond girls are as beautiful as ever.
With rumors circulating that this may be Craig's final Bond role, this is a good way for him to exit the series. Spectre closes the story that Craig's Bond began and opens the possibility for even better adventures.