Spectre

Starring: Daniel Craig, Léa Seydoux, Christoph Waltz, Ralph Fiennes, Ben Whishaw, Naomie Harris, Dave Bautista, Andrew Scott & Monica Bellucci

Directed by: Sam Mendes

Rating: ★★★

Reportedly one of the most expensive films ever made, Spectre is the follow up to one of the highest grossing movies of all time- Skyfall.

And as we all know, I was bitterly disappointed with that film. But, as I predicted, Skyfall was just a prequel to Spectre­- setting up the standardised Bond world that we all know and love- which means that Spectre is a Bond film that actually delivers.

Bond is back... and as good as ever!

The storyline, about Bond (Craig) uncovering a secret organisation whilst simultaneously protecting psychologist Dr Madeleine Swann (Seydoux), brings the series back to traditional Bond territory.

With a spectacular opening in Mexico during the Day of the Dead festival (which reminded me slightly of Live and Let Die), Spectre takes Bond on a journey across the world, taking in sights such as Rome, Austria and Morocco.

The Day of the Dead opening is excellent.

The set pieces are exciting and fun, the car and aeroplane chases action packed, and there’s even a great fight scene on a train, which harkens back to the Bond films we all know and love.

And, thank goodness, the ending isn’t Home Alone in the Highlands. Although it’s in London, and slightly reminiscent of a Saw movie, it’s still a hell of a lot better than the Skyfall finale- as things actually happen so tense and thrilling.

Checkmate, Mr Bond...?

Craig’s Bond has finally matured into human being- even though it’s taken three films for it to happen- as his horribly callous personality and casual sexism seems to have almost evaporated.

Léa Seydoux as Dr Swann.

Bond Girl Madeleine is a fairly three dimensional character, and compared to Skyfall, actually has a role in the story that doesn’t revolve around being sexy and/or stupid and/or sacrificial. She’s initially established as a strong independent woman, but as this is a Bond film, she does of course need to be saved by the hero- but she does actually manage to assist him and simultaneously be a likeable and resourceful sidekick.

Moneypenny has learnt that a woman's place is by a man's side...

Whilst I’m on the subject of the women in Bond’s life, now that Moneypenny knows her place after the events of sexist Skyfall, she can cheerfully help Bond, so the men in the audience can breathe a sigh of relief, as they no longer have to worry about their penises shrivelling up at the idea of a woman capable of thinking for herself.

Bond finds himself is a clinch...

There’s even another Bond Girl: Lucia Sciarra (Bellucci). Lucia is painfully underused, but the scenes she gets are great. I can’t tell you how much I wanted Lucia to end up being Blofeld- a decision that would have been genius- but unfortunately it doesn’t happen, as it seems a fully empowered woman is still decades away from gracing the frames of a 007 movie.

Blofeld captures Madeleine- and Bond.

And in regards to Blofeld- which is now no longer a spoiler- Christoph Waltz tones down his ‘zany’ jolly hyperactive double Academy Award winning style that he is known, and for some reason, loved for, so that he can play Bond’s arch nemesis fairly straight- which works in the context of the film, but instantly particularly interesting to watch. He doesn’t get much screen time, as he’s set up to be the menace in the next film, which I didn’t really mind as I’m clearly not a fan. Instead we get a great secondary villain called Mr Hinx (Bautista), who is similar to Jaws in that he is super strong and doesn’t say much, but is really awesome, even though he wears silver nail varnish.

Dave Bautista as Mr Hinx.

There’s also another villain, which, although is part of a random subplot that doesn’t really need to be included in the film, is good because it means that M (Fiennes), Q (Whishaw) and Moneypenny get some action and are involved in the story in a meaningful way.

The blandly awful Whishaw returns as Q.

The directing is strong, the cinematography amazing and the score is truly brilliant (it almost steals the show): Spectre is a lavish production in which its massive budget is justified.

Although Spectre is overlong, it is still hugely enjoyable. I am so happy that, finally, they’ve made a decent Bond film, because after SkyfallI was ready to quit the franchise altogether. Luckily I won’t have to, as I’m now much more optimistic about Bond’s next outing.