Although the box office success of "Skyfall" was roundly welcomed, there was a lingering sense that the film itself didn't quite live up to the usual standards of the Bond franchise. Lazy plotting and a nonsensical final third left many with a faint sense of disappointment. Well the good news is that "Spectre" is a stunning return to form, with all the gadgets, car chases, beautiful girls and stunts restored to their rightful places. Although the story, a somewhat convoluted mismatch of contrivances, coincidences and explosions, doesn't quite reach the peaks of "Live and Let Die", it doesn't plumb the depths of "Goldeneye".
There is much for the Bond aficionado to enjoy, with some subtle nods to the past, and enough energy to entertain even more casual fans. Daniel Craig delivers a steely performance, displaying yet again why he best epitomises the "thug in a hand made suit" which Ian Flemming's archetype demands. There is also much to admire in the performances of the supporting cast. Dave Bautista's "Mr Hinx" joins the long list of memorable Bond henchmen, although it is something of a disappointment how little screen time he actually gets. Still what do they say? "Leave the audience wanting more?" Christoph Waltz plays a more restrained, modern villain than the clichéd Bond baddie, more likely to browse his phone than to evilly stroke a cat. But he still harbours crazed global ambitions. Ralph Fiennes does what he can with the material but, as his character is so lightly sketched, there's not a lot for him to work with. Which is unfortunate, given the pivotal nature of the role.
Of course all the usual Bond boxes are ticked, Q's gadgets, glaring product placement, purely decorative female co-stars introduced to be killed and / or laid by Bond, and a theme song performed by the first singer who heaved into view.
And the verdict? This is a Bond film whose reputation will decline between initial release and the release of the next Bond film which will, in turn, be hailed as a "stunning return to form" after the disappointment of "Spectre".
Rating ****
*Of course it bloody isn't. I've cobbled this together from the cast list and synopsis on IMDB. But it could be an actual review. Or, more accurately, it will be an actual review once the thing is released. And, I rather suspect, this will be just as insightful as anything produced by a reviewer who actually watches it.
