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MOVIE REVIEW 007 again: 'Spectre' requires you to pay close attention By Chris Honoré for Revels DailyTidings.com By Chris Honoré for Revels Posted Nov. 12, 2015 @ 12:01 am By Chris Honoré for Revels Posted Nov. 12, 2015 @ 12:01 am » Social News p bs:newslist StartDate="20121121" EndDate="p bs:datecalc Months="3"" DateSort="1" UseObjects="1" ObjectClass="81" Taxonomywords="2324,665" ExactTaxonomyMatch="1" Image="1" Count="4" --> Spectre; 148 min; Rated PG-13 The latest James Bond film, “Spectre,” is the 24 th in Hollywood’s longest-running franchise. The first was “Dr. No,” releasedin 1962, starring the debonair and iconic Sean Connery. It’s been 53 years since Bond took stage center and captured moviegoers’ imaginations, and there have been, over the decades, multiple incarnations of 007, secret agent, licensed to kill. Daniel Craig is the most recent actor to don the Bond mantle, and though initially he seemed a risky choice (he followed the intensely classy, upper crust Pierce Brosnan), Craig proved to be perfect, in a blunt, well-toned, thuggish way (you saw more of his pecs and six pack in the course of his four pictures than any of the previous Bonds). In fact, Craig’s Bond is a hammer, and every encounter with the seriously bad guys is a nail, no matter that he is wearing designer tuxes, white dinner jackets, or elegant bespoke suits (his wardrobe is part of his allure, and eventually shirts and jackets are ripped and bloodied; yet fresh duds appear with startling regularity, usually followed by Bond’s signature shooting of his cuffs). Regarding the film “Spectre,” it’s a wonderful ride. But one that requires the audience to pay attention, for its plot is at times maddeningly convoluted with twists that require perhaps more exposition than is necessary in a Bond film. This fourth Craig film (“Casino Royale,” then “Quantum Solace” followed by “Skyfall”) is as solid as the previous Bond films and includes a threading backstory that ultimately leads to Spectre, a worldwide crime organization headed by a Franz Oberhauser (Christoph Walz, doing what has become his signature psychopath). A much-anticipated trope in these films is the first 20 or so minutes, which are meant to captivate the audience, telegraphing that the games have begun. “Spectre” doesn’t disappoint. The opening scenes are shot in Mexico City during Day of the Dead celebrations. There are long tracking shots of a chaotic parade, people in skull masks, to include Bond. He’s following and intending to kill an assassin who is plotting to blow up a stadium full of thousands of people. A harrowing chase ends in the city’s Zocolo Plaza and quickly morphs into a stunning helicopter ride/fist fest as Bond and the assassin struggle for the controls in a very small cockpit. After that long set up, the audience is all in. “Spectre” is a fine action-thriller and never disappoints while including in its subtext some political commentary. It seems that MI6 is about to be mothballed by a smarmy bureaucrat called C (Andrew Scott). Agency and agents, such as 007, will be replaced by technology and the collection of data will be accomplished by drones and ubiquitous surveillance. M (Ralph Fiennes) — replacing Judith Dench, who was regrettably eliminated in “Skyfall” — resists the new policy but doesn’t prevail. At least not at first. Bond is retired until further notice and told to stay in London. Of course, he doesn’t; instead he follows a dim trail, with only the name Pale King and a ring embossed with an octopus as clues. His search takes him to Rome, Tangier and Austria, and it’s in Austria that he meets Dr. Madeline Swann (French actress, Lea Seydoux), the daughter of an old nemesis. Although she is initially hostile, she telegraphs Bond girl from their first meet. Together, they navigate a winding path that they hope will lead them to the head of Spectre. It’s a delicious hunt as pieces of the puzzle are gathered up and studied. Of course, Madeline proves to be fine company and at a critical moment, a good marksman. Be prepared to happily suspend your disbelief. This may be Craig’s final Bond, which is hinted at in the closing scenes. Apparently, he does have one more film in his contract, so his role as Bond, James Bond, though stirred, may not be shaken. It’s not over until it’s over. By Chris Honoré for Revels DailyTidings.com By Chris Honoré for Revels Posted Nov. 12, 2015 @ 12:01 am » Comment or view comments Terms of Service /* $( document ).ready(function() { // Jquery mobile is trying to style the button and leaving a blank gry button on top of a white button $("#viafouracoms .vf-comment-controls li.vf-right").html(' Submit '); });*/ » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with DailyTidings.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Alerts Email alerts RSS feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. 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