Spectre sticks very closely to the tried and tested formula of the Bond franchise, ultimately offering nothing in the way of new ideas to the series. Whilst it's a well made film, it falls short of several superior offerings in the Daniel Craig era.
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Spectre, the fourth film in the Daniel Craig Bond era, sees James Bond receive a message from his past that leads him on the trail of a sinister and shadowy organisation.
This is by far the most formulaic and homogeneous James Bond film in recent years, so much so that at times it just feels like the film is ticking off a checklist of tired tropes and plot devices. You may argue that the old adage ‘don’t fix what ain’t broke’ can be applied to James Bond, however, we’ve come to expect new and interesting twists on the classic formula during the Daniel Craig era, which both Casino Royale and Skyfall delivered but Spectre does not.
Positives though, are that Daniel Craig has taken full ownership of the role and has a great swagger about him and brilliant comedic timing. Some of the action set-pieces are exhilarating and very well made. The standout is the opening action sequence in Mexico City that may just be the best opening James Bond sequence ever.
Spectre is a solid enough but unspectacular action blockbuster. Its fantastic central performance and jaw dropping action sequences, are overshadowed by its generic plot and basic supporting characters. Recent superior entries in the franchise loom over the film like a spectre.
Spectre (2015), directed by Sam Mendes, is released in the UK on DVD and Blu-ray by 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment. Certificate 12.
