While not a bad movie, I didn't find anything new or interesting about this fourth (and possibly final) installment with Daniel Craig. It seemed to follow the usual pattern, including the obligatory car chase and implausible escapes, which granted, people seem to expect and demand. It just seems as thought they've run out of ideas and are going through the motions. Of the four Craig movies, I'd rank them as follows:

1. Casino Royale (by far)
2. Skyfall
3. Spectre and Quantum of Solace (tie)

Sam Smith's opening song for Spectre was atrocious, much inferior to Chris Cornell's Casino Royale or Adele's Skyfall. And I don't know if it was just my theater's projection system, but the film had a haze throughout, but maybe that was the look they were going after. Sound was excellent, though...a couple of the explosions really rocked.

I was expecting a lot going in and had a good time...it was only afterward, when I thought about it, did it really hit me that a lot of it was repetitive and much of it unbelievable (even accounting for the usual suspension of disbelief). I'm not upset that I saw it, but unlike some of the other classic Bond movies, I doubt I'll be re-watching.

6/10

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I was a bit nervous after seeing the mixed reviews it was getting going into last night, but I left the theater thinking I must have either seen a different movie from everyone who disliked it, or they were more interested in seeing a super serious Oscar worthy film instead of a James Bond film.

Outside of that song (which might give Madonna's a run for it's money as worst in the series), I failed to find anything about this movie that I wasn't happy about. The opening sequence was great (especially that lengthy single camera shot that opens the film), the numerous homages to previous Bond movies were a treat, and damn was Bautista's Mr. Hinx one of the best henchmen we've seen in a while.

I left last night thinking it was somewhere below Skyfall and above Quantum but the more I think about it, I think this is even better than Skyfall.

I guess it's a matter of perspective whether something is an homage, or just a repeat of something done earlier. For example, I do like repeating mannerisms such as how he adjusts his cuffs in the middle of an action sequence. But then you have plot devices like "smart blood" to track him (instead of implanted chips), or Q doing the usual hacking into "unhackable" systems, or an unnecessary torture scene that was a bit over the top, and I can't help but think that these things may be fine in and of themselves but have been done already, often better, in previous films.

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The smart blood thing was a bit much, but I had no problem with Q hacking. As for the torture scene, it's a Bond movie. There has to be an unnecessary torture scene, no?

But I wasn't even thinking of any of those things when I mentioned homages. I was more thinking about the white dinner jacket, the hand to hand combat on the train with no music in the background, and pretty much everything about Waltz's character.

Came here to type the exact same thing. Loved it. 2nd behind Casino Royale for Craig flicks.

Hated the song but liked a shade better in the sequence. So many nods to the past.

Final sequence I fear could be the subtlest of nods. Interesting.

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You know me like that.

I think they could have given Bautista a little more. Minor quibble.

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You know me like that.

You mean dialogue or screen time? I liked his character being the strong, silent type. But yeah, I wouldn't have had a problem with seeing more of him.

Screen time.

What did he say before he left the train?

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You know me like that.

"Shit."

Interesting.

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You know me like that.

I think this may have been his entire dialog, unless I am forgetting something...

I got a kick out of Bond's line regarding the protein/herbal drink ("please flush it down the toilet and skip the middle man").

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I plan to see it this week. I just feel 2.5 hours is pushing it.

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favrefan said:"Chris Coghlan isn't gonna pay your rent, Jimmy."

You're right.

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You know me like that.

Should have stopped after Sean Connery.. I've never seen a Bond movie that I liked minus him.

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I like James Bond movies...always have. When Casino Royale came out, I was pleasantly surprised...I loved it. Daniel Craig is a good Bond, but I wouldn't say great. The movie itself was very entertaining.

Quantum of Solace and Skyfall have all been good, but I haven't enjoyed them as much as I enjoyed Casino Royale.

Spectre....my 15 yr old wanted to see it and so I thought "why not...should be good". Good movie, but nothing great. Seemed right along in line with Solace and Skyfall.

7 / 10.

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I was mildly disappointed with the movie. It was far too long and they ended up losing the whole focus of the movie on Spectre. When they finally arrived at the last half hour I had almost forgotten they were an omnipresent bad guy involved in all aspects of Bond's professional career.

I agree with Jaw Breaker about the look of the movie. It did seem hazy resulting in the exotic locations not jumping off the screen at you like in so many other Bond films.

I don't like how they have written Craig's Bond to have fallen madly in love in each of his movies. He is supposed to be a love em and leave em type. Instead, he even seems to fall for his casual scores, like Belucci.

Craig looked old. He moves a little slower and more stiffly. That was find for other Bonds who didn't rely on the physical as much as Craig. I thought I heard he was done with the role and that seems appropriate. Ralph Fienes looked unhealthy as well.

It didn't help that I had to take kids to the bathroom three times during the film, including the closing scene.

It's Bond, so I liked it but it's probably time to clean house.

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O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

I saw this on Friday...it completely sums up my feeling on the movie.

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Put me down for "mildly disappointed" as well. One should see it even if they only tacitly enjoy James Bond movies, but I wouldn't rush to see it in the theaters if your home setup is at least adequate; it'll translate just fine there.

I wanted more from Waltz but that's probably just as a result of artificially high expectations due to the opening scene from Inglorious Basterds.

Minor spoiler: +1 for the cat cameo.

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Power is always in the hands of the masses of men. What oppresses the masses is their own ignorance, their own short-sighted selfishness.
- Henry George

Fine summation. Overall,I enjoyed it but the whole "I'm behind all your pain" storyline is nuts. Can't he just be a nutjob bent on world domination? Why does he greet 007 at the S. African HQ but sends an assassin to kill him on the train to get there??? The plots in all of Craigs 007 movies seem contrived and confusing. KISS-this movie did look hazy and it just seemed a little off to me. The beginning was great and it ended cooler than any 007 adventure ever imho. I think "The Man from U.N.C.L.E." was far more fun but done in a lighter tone. Rumor has it the 007 honcho's want Guy Ritchie to direct the next Bond and possibly take it back to the 1960's in a real reboot!

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favrefan said:"Chris Coghlan isn't gonna pay your rent, Jimmy."