"Spectre" Suprisingly Disappoints

Superspy James Bond returns for his 24th film outing in the new “Spectre,” which follows-up the blockbuster revelations from 2012’s “Skyfall.”

Daniel Craig again returns to familiar territory as 007.  Following the emotionally racking death of “M,” Bond goes rogue, following the worldwide trail which may have lead to her death and the destruction of MI6 HQ.  Not all is well at home, either, as Bond’s spy home (MI6) is in the process of becoming partially dismantled and ultimately subsumed under CNS, a new massive National Security Centre that trades solely in online super-surveillance and not boots-on-the-ground spy work. 

Along the gorgeous worldwide trek, Bond meets a few typical “Bond women,” including the intelligent and surprisingly self-sufficient Dr. Madeleine Swann (Lea Séydoux), who holds secrets important to revealing the structure of the evil organization, Spectre, and can fiercely aid Bond’s personal quest for revenge.  The superspy’s actions eventually find him face-to-face with film baddie, Franz Oberhauser (Christoph Waltz), who reveals his importance to Bond’s past and his evil plans for the future.

As a Bond-series film, “Spectre” certainly checks off all the right boxes: gorgeous women, always-dapper dress, a mind-blowing Aston Martin, worldwide locales fit for a travelogue, and fabulously thrilling action scenes (including the mega-standout opening scene in Mexico City during Day of the Dead festivities and an astonishingly good train fight -- reminiscent somewhat of the classic fight scene in “From Russia With Love"— featuring former wrestler, Dave Bautista).  [And, the film has other implicit shout-outs to prior films: Bautista’s sharp-thumbed Mr. Hinx is similar to the classic Bond villain Jaws and villain Oberhauser has a cat very similar to prior Bond super-villain Blofeld’s Persian.]

What's missing, though, is that there is little in terms of new content or revelation to the series.  Certainly, there is no explosively emotional, revelatory, or truly satisfying end cap that thethe engrossing “Skyfall” teased.  In essence, Bond does what he does, while looking good doing it, fights evildoers, and eventually moves on.  Daniel Craig has reportedly spoken about his exhaustion in doing the 007 series, and, honestly, the audience can feel that the 148-minute film often drags under the weight of repetition.

Perhaps the expectations for “Spectre” were too lofty given the prior series highpoint.  But, even as a stand-alone Bond film, “Spectre” functions most like one of Bond’s many paramours: superficially attractive but best soon left in the past.  “Spectre” is rated 3 of 5 stars.