Review of Spectre (2015) - The Pale King
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- Опубликовано: 12 окт 2024
- Spectre had the unenviable task of both following up the first billion dollar James Bond film, and it was the film marking the long awaited return of SPECTRE and Blofeld back into the official series. So it was only natural that the creative team consisted of most of the people who made Skyfall. However, I've seen so much hate directed towards this one by both Craig's detractors and stalwarts. Is that hate misplaced and misdirected, or is there something rotten at the core of this film?
Next in the Series: No Time to DIe
Part of what makes the Blofeld rivalry in the books so striking is the fact that it starts completely impersonal- Blofeld has no idea who Bond is and he's just a nuisance to him. By their final meeting, Bond has earned the title of his nemesis and so that clash feels both deeply personal and absolutely massive.
Bond works best when he's a more anonymous agent getting caught up in and resolving these titanic events. It always feels wrong when the whole world seems to revolve around him.
That observation is just perfect.
I wish so badly that this film was better. It just feels so lifeless and hollow at times.
no time to die was worse
@@SpenserKuzub Oh boy, you're going to be pissed at my review for that film...
@@stephenjarvis534 I will of course wait for your review of No Time To Die, but IMO, I do rate it worse than Spectre. It's just plodding, dull, poor audio quality (did they ever hear of things called mixing boards?). I appreciate the time and effort you put into these reviews. I know you do so with all honesty. I do have a question. The way you analyze and break down films, what is your background? Is it in video production? Theater? Just curious. Thanks
@ScienceTalkwithJimMassa A bit of both, though most of it is in theater (I've worked as a sound designer, actor and director). I've only been doing video production for the last few years.
I'm curious about the poor audio quality mark against No Time to Die. I haven't noticed anything out of place or improperly mixed (my only complaint has to do with the choice of some of the sounds). What are some bits that bother you?
Spectre just feels so dull. I think it’s the worst of Craig’s tenure. Bland writing, bland acting, and dull action scenes. I get that NTTD is one that a lot of folks hate, but I really think it made the best of the wet fart that is this film.
As time goes on, this film falls harder for me. It’s not as bad as AVTAK, but it’s just under it for me now. I’d rather give Diamonds or DAD a double watch before rewatching Spectre.
I’m really looking forward to the next one Stephen! I know that NTTD generally lands pretty much in the middle of the franchise for you, but seeing your breakdown of the film will certainly be enjoyable!
As always, thanks for the review & analysis!
I was lucky enough (or perhaps unlucky enough!) to attend Spectre's world premiere at The Royal Albert Hall and all you could hear in the audience and in the restrooms afterwards were a lot of people questioning their fellow attendees if they also felt underwhelmed compared to Skyfall and there was a lot of agreement about that. At first I thought I was in the minority because all the reviews were mostly 4 to 5 stars and then gradually you saw the gap widen after audiences had a chance to see it. It's always a shame when the highlight of a film premiere isn't the film itself so I really wish I had been able to go to Skyfall's or NTTD's instead, especially because Spectre is the least engaging of Craig's tenure but meeting Barbara Broccoli was definitely worth it, that was a lifelong fan's dream come true and she was very gracious. Spectre's only impressive impact on the franchise was giving us the best one-to-one fight of the entire series for tension / stakes with an opponent that only Craig's Bond would be able to last as long as he did against.
The film has gotten harder to accept over time. It's been at the bottom of my list for the past few years, despite having more positives than films like DAF or TMWTGG. Some of their decisions and attitudes with this one feel offensive as a viewer: copying the MCU in the worst possible ways, making two great Bond films retroactively worse, the Austin Powers comparison flying over their heads. You can tell nobody wanted to truly make this film. NTTD was as good a course correction as they could do but the damage was already done.
I do wanna comment on Blofeld. They didn't need to make him campy, as they had Fleming to pull from. His "scheme" to use surveillance of governments against them is similar to his rise to power in the novels, using radio comms against officials. Making him Bond's adopted brother just annoys me whenever I'm reminded of it. Whenever I do a Craig marathon some day I plan to skip Spectre, even if it is relevant for NTTD's viewing.
Whenever I hear "Spectre" I think of wasted beautiful cinematography
I'm glad to say I enjoy Spectre. It has flaws, to be sure, but overall I like it and I think it would have been a proper end to Daniel Craig's Bond tenure. It finished what Casino Royale started--Bond wanted to leave MI6 with the girl. I enjoy Spectre a lot more than NTTD and I rewatch it frequently. I will say, though, that the Blofeld brother plot was stupid and should not have been allowed by EON.
I even like Sam Smith's title song and especially like the score to the film (something I frequently listen to on it's own).
What I find funny is that Spectre came out months after Mission: Impossible - 5: Rogue Nation, a film that also tackles the secretive criminal organization but is better and more engaging.
It also had a climax in London where an ally of the protagonist is held captive. But somehow I liked the Mission Impossible one more.
I remember being so hyped when the teaser with the bullet hole dropped out, and then we got this.
every time you cut in a clip of an older Bond or Austin Powers, it looks so vibrant, then you cut back to Spectre and it's either dark, washed out, or teal-and-orange.
It makes me wonder if the Craig era sucked all the “joy” out of the series? There weren’t as many quips, gimmick henchmen, gadget, weaponised cars, grandiose villain lairs, or Bond girls in some cases. I suppose there are the odd things here and there, but a lot of the cheesy Bond charm has been lost.
@@joshslater2426 at the same time I wonder if filmmakers of the past couple decades are even capable of walking the line to make a good silly Bond. DAD is garbage, and so are the two Austin Powers sequels (1 holds up). And I have no interest in ever going back to the Nolan Batman movies and love the 60s Batman best, but Batman & Robin was godawful and I don't want that.
I'm afraid that drab and serious may be the least bad option for today's movie industry. And maybe I'm too old and I'll hate everything new for the rest of my life.
@craigluft7453 I like Adam West Batman as well, but if you honestly have no interest in going back to Batman Begins or The Dark Knight, I fear for your enjoyment of newer things (I can't blame you about Rises).
I tried to give Spectre the benefit of the doubt; it looked like it could restore my faith in the Bond series staying true to its identity. Sadly I was very wrong. You have a lack of investment, a boring Blofeld, the ridiculous twist of Bond’s brother, a Sam Smith song with a great instrumental but horrid vocals, and a lacklustre third act. I felt personally sad when they demolished the MI6 building because I liked it and how it represented Brosnan’s tenure, but it was one of the few things that Skyfall hadn’t destroyed, and the final thing was destroyed in the contrived climax of the next film.
Spectre commits the biggest sin that a Bond film can - it's boring.
I'm a lifelong Bond fan and have been watching them in the cinema since TWINE. Spectre is the only one I've ever yawned during.
There are 26 Bond films that I like more than this one.
I remember a YT comment saying that the reason for Blofeld's jealousy and creating Spectre had nothing to with Bond, it's because he has the psychological need to be front and center; Number One. Hurting Bond was just a nice little bonus but not his primary motivation.
From a personal point of view, Spectre was awful but NTTD probably made things worse . .
I rank NTTD near the bottom of all the Bond films. Talk about boring....
Higher on my list than QoS… but Craig just seems to hate being in this movie. And how can Waltz, who was such a brilliant cartoonishly villainous baddie in Inglorious Basterds be so boring in this film???
You nailed it. Anything else I would add would be fluff. Masterful analysis - if only more critics were this exacting.
I’ve never subscribed to all the hate that this film gets. I like how it was a return to form and the only proper blueprint Bond film of the Craig era. All the classic elements are in there. It’s not one of the best but not one of the worst either. For me it’s mid tier.
I am in agreement with your assessment.
The opening titles to Goldfinger included scenes from the first 2 movies. I don't remember if you commented on this.
@ScienceTalkwithJimMassa Goldfinger, OHMSS, Spectre and No Time to Die all feature images of past films. So, I'm not against the idea.
His issue with Spectre using clips from past films is that it's trying to tie everything together but ultimately doesn't do it well
I have been following your channel since you started your reviews of the Bond movies and always find them entertaining - even if I don't always agree with with your views as here (but if we all liked the same things, life would be pretty boring). Whilst I do concede that the love interest in this one seems a little forced, overall I enjoy the movie and find that it is trying to be a little more like a 'proper Bond flick' with more emphasis on action scenes, stunts and more of a nod to the gadgets. I would say that it is a step down from Casino Royale and Skyfall however I think 'mid tier' would be a more suitable location in the overall rankings to my mind. It does have one distinct advantage over its successor in that it doesn't see fit to kill off its protagonist and as such it is a film I can happily see again unlike NTTD.
It reminds me a bit of a Roger Moore type Bond film - more one that you watch on a rainy Sunday afternoon - entertaining, but very little else. That being said, I kind of enjoyed it - more so than Skyfall(which I have quite a few problems with), and liked how this reintroduced Blofeld(although the connection to Bond thing was a bit cringe and contrived). It's a shame that it didn't really make much use of the henceman(Dave Baista) and also the romance with the Bond girl happened a little too quickly.
Really didn’t like the tan filter they used for the Mexico scene, it makes it look cliched. However, out of the two poor Craig films being this one and Quantum of Solace, I’d rather watch this everyday of the week. It’s a much better made film, and there’s more in here to watch than Quantum. Hell we even get to see a proper bond vs henchman fight which really put bond on the back foot.
Sam Smith's song is a putrid cherry on top of the shit sundae that this film is. I've rewatched it many, many times and I still think it's not only the weakest film in the Craig run (it's worse than Quantum of Solace and it's not close) but I think it's one of the worst bond films ever made. No Time to Die was excellent, but it can't save this film. Mendes wasted the talent in this film.
Radiohead’s song was incredible. That should have been the main theme.
This film is trash. I have tried and tried many times to attempt to find redeeming qualities to no avail. Craig looks and is bored and clearly didn't want to continue with the part. So, Barbara Broccoli rewards him with truck loads of money and a producer credit. He should have been fired. This led to ALL the future and continued problems with the beloved franchise. Case in point. Broccoli is presently working with Craig on non Bond projects rather than the future of Bond or her fathers legacy. It started here, 2015 with Spectre. And don't get me started on the films score...75% of Skyfalls only watered DROWN. I detest this movie. It made me rank Craig as my least favorite Bond. Ego over legacy. Very sad.
looking forward to your nttd review. I was so excited for that movie yet like spectre, it disappointed. I sympathise with your frustration of Newman reusing OST from skyfall in this. It is clear foreshadowing of how truly lazy this movie was. Shame.
I think Spectre is overhated in the community, while Skyfall is overrated. To me they are on equal quality level with the difference being Skyfall starts poorly and gets good near the end, while Spectre's first half is good and the latter half is terrible. Like yin and yang. Both movies have some stupid stuff in them too (Silva's escape and Brofeld) but if we ignore those, the movies are fine. Skyfall feels better because it ends on a high, while Spectre ends on a low. But in fact I think they're equal.
Also, Skyfall feels better because the cinematography is superior. No arguing with that.
Funny thing you mentioned The Living Daylights, cause, when i watched Spectre(first and only time), i couldnćt help but think how Madeline should be this big romacne, the woman for Bond, the one with whom he will ride into the sunset..yet their romance is barrely even there on screen, on the other hand, i know that you donćt like Kara like i do, but, event though she is not the one, on paper, on creen, they work much, much, better than Bond and Madeline..they are wonderful together..these two don't even look like they want to go on cofee together, let alone marry and have kids..and, no, NTTD dosen't fix that for me..i can name at least 7 Bond women, not counting Tracy or Vesper, that would work much better as woman that Bond ends up with ahnd retiring with..even villanesses..
TLD has them bickering over getting the cello, and Bond getting exasperated gesturing for Kara to drive the jeep into the plane. they seem like they've been a couple for a long time.
@@craigluft7453 I was thinking more about scenes like them at the opera, them at the funfair, horse ass scene, the ending..cello scene is probably left from early Moore draft..including we have nothing to declare line(although i did chuckled at that, especially with the just the cello cello, cello,as cherry on top)
@@aleksandarnikolic4167 speaking of the cello, it's charming when Bond returns to his hotel room and finds Kara doing some sort of practice drill on her cello and she is going HARD on that thing. she seems a little embarrassed that he caught her so intensely into something she usually does alone.
@@craigluft7453 It's all in direction, show, don't tell..one of the reasons why i love TLD so much..the oposite is the case with Spectre..we are told that these two are the final thing, but we don't feel it..
[ahem]
*HOWDYUEYELIF, HOWDYUEYEBREEF? HAOCUNEYEHEREWENAYE'MZUFFOWCAYTIN?* [in as whiney a manner as possible. Screw this movie.]
EDIT: Also, I freely admit that "The Writing's on the Wall" is actually pretty decent Bond theme, but it's still one of the weakest. And yeah, screw this movie. If they didn't make Spectre a movie which forced Bond into the square hole of serialized storytelling, they wouldn't have made The One Where He Dies (aka. No Time to DIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIE~) and Craig's tenure would probably be fondly remembered instead of divisive as sin.
i freely admit im disappointed in this comment was expecting some passion lmao
@@wkmalory Oh, you want passion?
*IWONAFILUFRYETHROOMAHVAINS*
@@wkmalory *IWONNAFILUFRYETRUMAHVAINS TELMIEESDISWEREAYEGIFEETOLLAHP?*
All Craig Bond movies are boring. Skyfall is the best one but still long
I'm in the minority I think, this is probably my favourite Craig Bond movie, with QOS following - another lambasted film
@@plbingham Every Bond fan is in the minority on some film. Don't be too discouraged; I've met quite a few people who genuinely love this film.
Honestly I'm glad it's someone's favourite. I'm happy that someone manages to get a level of enjoyment out of something I don't. Every single Bond film is someone's favourite.
SPOT-ON. Blofeld being "related" to Bond reminds me of BATMAN (1989). No, as a matter of fact, The Joker DID NOT kill Bruce Wayne's parents. What a STUPID idea... which WAY to many people have tried to do variations on since. (And I'm sure that film wasn't the first.)
Reccomendation: DIABOLIK (2021). I saw this on RUclips, without English subtitles, and loved it!! For a character from a LONG-running comic-book series, the film-- ASTOUNDINGLY-- is adapted from a SINGLE ISSUE early in the series' run. WHO DOES THAT? I wish more would. EON seemed like they were NEVER really interested in the book version of Bond... or... the novels. It's no wonder OHMSS is my favorite of all the films. (And, yes, George Lazenby did a FANTASTIC job in there.) Sean Connery is terrific. But as I started reading Fleming before I ever saw a single EON film... somehow, Connery NEVER reminded me of the guy in the book. NOT ONCE. Dalton does remind me of the book version of Bond. He just (heh) doesn't LOOK like him. (try someone like Edward DeSouza, or James Warwick.)