Won: Best Original Song "Writing's On The Wall"(written by Sam Smith and James Napier).
Spectre is the newest Bond flick and possibly the last one that will star Daniel Craig and if it is indeed the last one with him as the infamous gentleman spy it was a very satisfying conclusion to the Daniel Craig 007 films that goes full circle. I went to go see the film last night at a early premiere showing for the film after watching all of the previous Daniel Craig led Bond flicks these past three weeks in preparation for the film and must say I quite enjoyed it. The film hits the ground running as per usual in these latest 007 films with an incredible Day Of the Dead action sequence. This sequence incorporated so many great elements and wrapped them all together for a phenomenal action scene. The costume and production design in this sequence as well as the entire film really cooperated in establishing location and looked incredible onscreen for all the exotic locations. The film's score also is quite effective in servicing the film adding to the experience, especially in the opening Day of the Dead scene. The opening Day of the Dead sequence was then accompanied by a wonderful opening credit scene that featured and really visualized Sam Smith's contribution "The Writing on the Wall" perfectly. The action was top notch from beginning to the end of the Day of the Dead sequence from Bond running on rooftops to an intense chase to an insane chopper battle above the celebratory parade. The action also doesn't let up for the remainder of the film with a car chase in Rome, an epic battle down the Austrian mountainside, and a visceral hand to hand combat fight with Mr. Hinx onboard a train. The only action sequence I found slightly underwhelming was the anticlimactic final fight. Spectre was a visual delight though as the car chase in Rome was gorgeous thanks to some awe-inspiring cinematography. The film also sports some of the best performances of the recent 007 films. Daniel Craig with this film provides his best take at the iconic gentlemen spy cementing his place as one of the best James Bond's to grace the screen. Lea Seydoux made for a great Bond girl as she not only did well in regards to acting but action as well. She made for a nontraditional Bond girl in that sense and differentiated from the rest since she is here to stay as opposed to the usual one offs. Ben Whishaw as Q, Ralph Fiennes as M, Naomie Harris as Moneypenny each have slightly increased roles and really add to the film in their terrific supporting performances. In regards to the film's villains, Dave Bautista makes a serviceable, menacing henchman as Mr. Hinx but one glaring problem with this role for me was that he came across also to be a brutal thoughtless henchman. I felt like Bautista was very underused as unfortunately he literally had one lie of dialogue and could have been better portrayed had he not come across as a meathead henchman. On the other side of that coin, Christoph Waltz's performance as a cold, calculating megalomaniac Franz Oberhauser. I thought Waltz was perfectly cast and made for a great villain although he had much less screen time than I anticipated. I did like that his reveal was saved for the middle of the film and the character was shrouded in mystery and intrigue until that point. I will say however that I felt Javier Bardem made for a much more interesting villain in Skyfall. Unfortunately despite all of the impressive qualities of Spectre there is a blaring weakness of the film. It's narrative that seemed eerily familiar to two recent films, Captain America: The Winter Soldier and Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation with a very similar basic plot that incorporates elements that are explored in both films. The story for Spectre wasn't "bad" it just didn't really feel very original. However I did like that the film's narrative brought all of these Daniel Craig Bond films full circle back to Casino Royale where it all began. To sum it up, Spectre is a love letter to the classic Bond flicks incorporating elements from them in a modern context and setting that is visually delightful, contains top notch action, a rousing score, and exceptional performances. I have reviews on all three of the Daniel Craig led Bond flicks if you'd like to read them the hyperlinks are as follows: Casino Royale, Quantum Of Solace, and Skyfall.
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