Spectre

[The Wook]

Ugh. lThe Sam Smith song for Spectre has to be] the dullest Bond movie title song of all time.
Thankfully, aside from the opening and ending credits, the song will have no impact on the movie itself.

But what *does* impact a Bond movie, significantly, is the use of the traditional Bond theme music. It has been used exquisitely in films like Goldfinger and Live and Let Die. But in all of the Bond movies in recent years, the Bond music is conspicuously under-utilized in the films. Oh, they may play it over a huge action scene or two, but by then, the music seems like an afterthought. No, the Bond theme music should appear periodically throughout the film, even, and especially, in scenes that aren't high-action, but are more subdued, and yet still tense scenes. Here is a perfect example of what I'm talking about. Bond meeting Solitaire, from Live and Let Die:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUlR5ph7CC8

Masterful. Truly masterful.

I really hope Spectre incorporates the traditional Bond theme music in this way. But I haven't seen it done in a long time, so I'm not optimistic.

The Wook

And here's an exquisite example of using the traditional Bond theme music in a Bond movie, not over a huge action scene, but just when James is doing his secret agent spying around stuff. It's the opening scene of Goldfinger, and the music begins when Bond knocks out the security guard. I really hope Spectre returns to this style of weaving the Bond music throughout the film, and not just during car and boat chases (although, it should be used there, too, obviously). Here's the scene from Goldfinger:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0CYU3j27TI

The Wook

 

[Sundowner]

Awesome IMAX poster

 

[Wes R]

The Bond films have lost their way. The theme songs are so dull by acts nobody cares about and the movies themselves just feel like a UK version of the Bourne movies. My folks want to go see this one at the theater though which is a surprise.

 

[CessnaDriver]

Looks like early reviews are off to a good start, 83% positive so far
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/spectre_2015/

 

[teragon]

The Bond films have lost their way. The theme songs are so dull by acts nobody cares about and the movies themselves just feel like a UK version of the Bourne movies. My folks want to go see this one at the theater though which is a surprise.

Lost their way from what ? The corny over the top version we got for years before Craig ? Not a big loss there. We're back at the Dr. No era, a colder, rougher Bond and no over the top gadgets.

 

[Sundowner]

Lost their way from what ? The corny over the top version we got for years before Craig ? Not a big loss there. We're back at the Dr. No era, a colder, rougher Bond and no over the top gadgets.

I totally agree. I think the Craig era Bond films brought new life into the series.

 

[jheilman]

I would argue that they were lost and have found their way back.

 

[brandomack]

I would argue that they were lost and have found their way back.

Amen to that.

 

[teragon]

Exactly ! Not to say there wasn't anything good between Connery and Craig, I actually enjoy Goldeneye quite a bit by example, but I'm glad with the direction they're taking now.

 

[Weequay]

I'm suprised more haven't commented on the film. Is it not out in USA yet?

I just got back from seeing it and while I am a massive Daniel Craig JB fan, I am so disappointed with this offering it hurts a little

I could see the direction they were heading after sky fall but I hoped sense would prevail....It didn't.

More jokes, more poor one liners .

I get the distinct impression that everyone , especially Craig was tired both mentally and physically. I'm guessing Craig said the physical stuff was too much to get in shape for so we get a lot more green screen and stunt man use.

The film feels much more like a brosnan era bond film than a Craig one. The action sequences are really very boring. Compare the car chase from qos to the car chase in this and you'll see what I mean.

It's still beautiful to look at, but any substance is long gone.

If you've loved the movies of old then this is for you. However if you're one of the ones who truly loved casino and understands why it was so good you'll be as disappointed as I was

 

[CessnaDriver]

Not out in USA yet. Nov 6th.

 

[Darth Fetty]

Disappointing to hear your review Weequay. Was hoping and expecting it'd be a more character driven film like Casino especially considering Christopher Waltz's character. Oh well… Will still check it out anyway of course.

 

[blueunit1701]

Watched Spectre last night, the theme song is totally forgettable and IMHO the film is just too long.

Just like Weequay said, they have gone back to the old formula ( big imposing bad guy (think Jaws), gadgets, and bad one liners ) whilst not once thinking why they moved away from it.

 

[YenChih Lin]

*sigh* that doesn't sound very encouraging, I was not impressed with QoS, Skyfall's theme was very boring and repetitive and now Spectre's awful theme song… does the quality of the movies correlate to the quality of the theme song? It's like after Skyfall, they reverted everything back to the things they don't want to do… which means, Casino Royale was the ONLY Bond movie that was spectacular… *siiigh*

 

[Yorkie Fett]

I'm afraid after seeing the film, I have to agree with Weequay. Disappointing and a criminal waste of Christoph Waltz's talents.

 

[Weequay]

I'm afraid after seeing the film, I have to agree with Weequay. Disappointing and a criminal waste of Christoph Waltz's talents.

I'm glad you said that , I thought exactly the same thing. Such a terrible waste of his talent and such a poorly developed character. I honestly think this was a very lazy film and no one's heart was really in it.

Sam Smith was quoted as saying the theme took him 20 min to write and that about sums the whole film up.

Just look at how much development went into each character, and their respective dialogue ...very very little is putting it mildly. Mr hinx? Again so so undeveloped.

As said above CR is so praised because of everything it threw away and now we're back to the brosnan an era???! I honestly wonder what goes on at the production meetings of projects like this. My guess it's either they get carried away, or they've run out of ideas so they just revert to type.

For me there's no doubt Craig and mends said yes to the film then regretted it very very quickly.

SPOILER










did anyone think blowfelds scar make uplooked like it was applied by the make up guy from an amateur dramatics society?? It was bloody awful!

 

[Yorkie Fett]

Yep +1. Don't really want to spoil it for those that havn't seen it, as I know some people have raved about Spectre (although not sure where the 5 star reviews come from).
IMHO, it's average at best. Some have said DC looks bored, and I have to agree- is the last scene significant?
Such high hopes!
Please let TFA be OK.

 

[PoopaPapaPalps]

From my experience, Bond films are a vicious circle. There's always a really good entry that sets the precedence that all following movies need to rival and/or surpass. They then fall into that grave of "escalation=better" and everything is ramped up for spectacle sake and it eventually becomes cartoonish and they have to reinvent Bond, yet again.

Still with all the early reviews and complaints coming out about it, I'm always eager to see a new Bond film, despite it's quality in the end. I love when Bond is a cold killer and I equally love it when it's a cartoon; both are good to me! The problem for me is when the movie is a colossal waste of time in that it retreads old ground, and tries to be something else. Rather than starting a trend people; it follows what is trendy.

These DC Bond movies have kinda been that for me. There's stuff I like and there's stuff I really...don't like...pattered all through the three movies he's been a part of. CR was an okay film (good Bond film but okay as a film, at best), QoS was a waste, and Skyfall was a tease for stuff in the next film that I was really looking for: classic Bond.

Sad to hear that Spectre's a half-hearted attempt at it but...I still want to see it for myself.

 

[Jaitea]

I loved it,....dont know what all the fuss is about,.....this movie ties the Craig films together.....sure there was a couple of over the top scenes....but it is still more Bourne than pre- Casino Royale.....good to see M & Q getting a bit of action also

J

 

[CutThumb]

Remember a film called "Kill Bill"?
Well, I'm afraid "Spectre" is a bit like "Kill Bill Part 2" .
I've never known a Bond film drag itself out like this one did. Its not a disaster, but it sinks under the weight of its own self knowing. I can't exactly put my finger on it but far too much of it felt completely staged.Often beautifully and cleverly shot, but this time its a fairly empty portait of Bond after the brilliance of "Skyfall". I watched that last night and loved every minute of it. I can hardly think of a thing I really liked or learned about him in this one.
Set pieces were surprisingly dull ,over long and then poorly linked to the next scene. Stupid coincidences abound as did the explosions. There is a horrible piece of such obvious miscasting I just rolled my eyes the moment I saw the character, his role is that obvious in the plot. Poor Monica Beluchi was pointlessly and briefly used, as was Mr Henchman whose "menace" value was fairly duff.Even the monologging by the villian was listless and boring,rather like being tied to a dentists chair whilst he talked about his holidays. I kid you not.
I really don't understand this at all. The reviews its had have been very strong but I found I yawned at least a couple of times, checked my watch even more and by the end of it, the best I can do to sum up my feelings was to shrug.
And that,for a Bond film, is a bit of a disappointment (but at least it didn't drive me cuckoo with hatred) .