Movies: Spectre

 

(Drivebycuriosity) - Beyond fifty, but still fresh, dynamic and dangerous. It seems that James Bond will never get old. At least the movie franchise build on this character, who is saving the world since "Dr. No" in the year 1962. Many things have changed since then. But "Spectre", the newest incarnation of the James Bond saga, is still a lot of fun imdb )

Even though the newest Bond movies doesn`t match "Casino Royal", which is one of the best Bond flicks (my favorite its still "Goldfinger"), the franchise can easily compete with other action movie series like "Mission Impossible" and "Bourne". Director Sam Mendes delivered a fine piece of contemporary action extravaganca with the help of 7 screen writers and a budget of about $245 million  (imdb  wikipedia). 

As usual the plot doesn`t make much sense but it is a pleasure watching  148 minutes action staccato thanks to cinematographer Hoyte Van Hoytema and the special effects teams who together created a kaleidoscope of visual art works. The "Economist" reports that the producers made  “ample” use of drones while shooting (economist) which made the scenes even more explosive.

Daniel Craig showed again how much the franchise depends on him. I reckon that the tough, cool and elegant British actor is the second best Bond, close behind Sean Connery. It´s a pitty that he wants to retire from the Bond genre. I indulged in watching Léa Seydoux, whom I had admired in "Blue is the warmest Color" ( driveby), this time as the newest Bond girl. She is a goddess of lust and will make her way in Hollywood. I also enjoyed the short appearance of Monica Bellucci.

Christoph Waltz incarnated in my eyes the scond best villain after Gerd Fröbe, who played Auric Goldfinger (the man who ordered to kill a girl by covering her full with gold). I also had fun with Ben Whishaw as a geeky M, the perfect cast for the 21st century. I  liked Ralph Fiennes, as "M"  & Naomie Harris, as Moneypenny, as well.


I hope the producers will find an adequate successor for Craig and the franchise will stay alive for longer.