Spectre: Bond and gagged
Sunday, November 8, 2015 at 21:00 Everyone, it seems, has an opinion about Spectre.
I'm no different so for what it's worth (I've seen the film twice now with different members of my family) here's what I liked:
The nods and winks to previous Bond movies worked well, I thought.
The locations were well chosen. London looked good, too, especially the scene on the Thames.
The theme song was quickly forgotten but the brooding, throbbing soundtrack played its part in driving the film along.
Product placement was far more discreet than in recent films. (I still can't get my head around Bond driving a Ford Mondeo as Daniel Craig did in Casino Royale.)
The cast was excellent. Their characters may not be a great stretch for the likes of Ralph Fiennes, Ben Wishaw and Christoph Waltz but what they had to do they did faultlessly.
Spectre may be the longest Bond film but it didn't feel like it. That honour goes to Skyfall which seemed to go on and on forever.
The only bit I didn't enjoy was the opening sequence in Mexico City which felt ridiculously overblown.
Truth is, you either like Bond or you don't. Some films are better than others (obviously) but if you don't like the character, or are lukewarm to the franchise in general, don't go – and spare us your nitpicking, whiny thoughts.
Anyway, for no reason at all, here are my top three Bond films:
1. From Russia With Love
2. On Her Majesty's Secret Service
3. The Living Daylights
As things stand, Spectre would be in my top five. It's good, fun entertainment. That'll do me.
PS. Lea Seydoux, who played Madeleine Swann, is the spitting image of a girl who works in my local Costa Coffee (and vice versa).
The conversation normally goes something like this:
Me: "Hello."
Her: "Hi, how are you?"
Me: "Fine. How are you? Busy?"
Her: "Yeah."
Me: "Medium cappuccino, please."
Her: "To drink in?"
Me: "Yes, please."
Her: "That'll be £2.35."
Me: "Thanks."
Her: "Chocolate on top?"
Me: "No, thanks."
Time, perhaps, to up my game.
Reader Comments (1)
Blimey, Simon, with a chat-up line like that I'm amazed she hasn't swooned in your arms already! :)