Ed's Review Dot Com

B24, Columbia Pictures, Danjaq,

Daniel Craig, Christoph Waltz, Léa Seydoux, Ben Whishaw, Naomie Harris, Dave Bautista, Monica Bellucci, Ralph Fiennes

Bond is taking a much needed (wink, wink) vacation in Mexico City during the Day of the Dead festivities when he disrupts a terror plot about to take place. However big changes are happening back headquarters as the 00 agents are being retired and replaced by a multi-national spy system of information gathering and drone attacks. But of course, there is a far more sinister purpose as some of Bonds old nemeses are still alive and active in this high action, big suspense, old style Bond film. Bond is back.

I don’t think we’re going to see any more Daniel Craig Bond films, and if we don’t, at least he went out with a bang. This film goes back to the classic Bond, and I really enjoyed this one. The formula that Ian Flemming used in creating his characters and telling his stories was very good, and this one is very much like the original Bond films in many ways. This film takes place after the struggle at Skyfall. Judy Dench’s M was killed so we get to meet her replacement. Originally Bond used to use his wits and super intelligence to get himself out of scrapes (and some luck, let’s face it). He was always a bit cheeky, but once Connery left the role, Bond became quite the smart ass. He used fantastic inventions and gadgets to escape and was not very clever himself, but depended on tricks to survive. I hated the wise cracking Bond, and am glad this is back to the nitty gritty hard working and very clever Bond who can work his way out of these situations. And the situations he gets put into are alarming. The usual trek around the world puts him some real messes, and it is quite full of suspense, wonderful chases, a lot of gun play, and some really stressful moments. It’s a relatively long film, but I was sad when it is over. The best part is that in the very end there is a promise that “James Bond will return”. I’m sure he will. This was really a nod back to the early days, and I think it was excellently directed and filmed. Whether underground, on the streets, or in the air, the action is non-stop. There is some humor in this one, as there always is, and some of it was very funny, but at the same time, the shenanigans were limited. It was a good mix and the timing was just right. This is the best Bond film I have seen in a number of years, and I certainly urge you to see it.

EdG – EdsReview Dot Com – A Movie Review Blog