Spectre (2015)

The critic finds the film a terrifically exciting and stylish Bond adventure that endorses old-fashioned derring-do while taking a pro-Snowden stance against surveillance. Craig's performance is singled out for its flair and sang-froid.

SPECTRE lets some light back into the series after darker entries, with Craig's Bond enjoying himself more amid high-living escapism. The critic praises the parade of imaginative action sequences, lush cinematography and Craig's grit-and-charm performance while noting a thinner plot and wayward elements.

Spectre is described as a sleek, energetic entertainment that delivers on franchise expectations with bravura set pieces and brio, even if it falls short of Skyfall’s dramatic depth. The critic highlights the fluid opening tracking shot, atmospheric Rome sequence, and strong supporting turns from Whishaw and others while noting some pacing issues and thin character work.

The review finds Spectre a solid but less emotionally rich follow-up to Skyfall that successfully ties Craig-era threads together while delivering standout action sequences like the Mexico opening. It praises the return of classic Bond elements, strong performances from Craig, Waltz, and Fiennes, and visual flair, while noting some rote elements and a weak song.

The film is seen as a ravishing but near-despairing exercise in Bond lore and nostalgia. The critic singles out its visual beauty and cinematography for praise.

The film gets back to business in entertaining style after the more personal Skyfall. The critic singles out the sleek action sequences and iconography for praise.

Spectre is the purest Bond experience of the Craig era, a 21st-century spectacle underpinned by reluctance to break from tradition. The critic praises the pulse-quickening stunts and set-pieces but notes the overlong runtime, derivative nature and underused female characters.

Mendes delivers a prestige picture on a huge scale with an ambitious story arc tying previous films together and standout set pieces. The critic praises the epic pre-credits sequence and scale but complains that in-jokes and recycled thrills verge on parody.

SPECTRE falls back on formula to deliver a slightly flat, old-fashioned 007 by the numbers after Skyfall's emotional peak. The critic praises extravagant locations, stunts and classic ingredients but complains of over-stuffed plotting and a Dench-sized hole in emotion.

The critic admires the symbolically sickly aesthetic and clearly shot action sequences, noting the film's critical view of Bond as a traumatized, destructive figure and its attempt at a redemptive arc. It excels in revisionism and some inventive highs but suffers from frustrating lows, including a hackneyed villain reveal and a climax that embraces cheesy franchise elements.

The critic finds the first act impressive with dark portent and bravura filmmaking but the final hour disappointing with off-the-peg plot twists and characters conforming to type. It ultimately feels like a lesser film than Skyfall, falling back on cliché and convention, though it contains enough dazzle to keep the Bond brand afloat.

The film gathers the best and worst of the Craig cycle into a rousing but scattershot victory lap that works until it doesn't. Early praise for sleek control, visuals and Craig's charm gives way to complaints about an unconvincing villain, lost focus and absent emotional core.

The review notes a wobbly tone after Skyfall, with the film relying too heavily on business-class sheen and struggling to balance its elements. Spectacular set pieces are praised but overall the mood feels uneasy.

The critic views Spectre as an overlong anthology of past Bond films that prioritizes sly references and travelogue over fresh plotting or ideas. While praising the opening sequence and some set pieces, he finds the villain unconvincing, the origins story redundant, and the whole exercise underwhelming despite strong production values.

The film comes off as exhausted and uninspired after too many similar entries. The critic singles out the overlong runtime and lack of freshness as complaints.

The film offers nothing surprising in its formulaic Bond plot and globe-trotting action. The critic singles out the technically impressive opening sequence for praise.

Calls Spectre one of the best Bond films ever, possibly topping Skyfall, for tying together the Daniel Craig era's plot threads and exploring Spectre as a corporate surveillance threat rather than an outsider organization. Highlights strong casting and nods to classic entries while raising questions about Bond's relevance.

The critic praises the spectacular opening sequence, strong performances (especially Daniel Craig), and entertaining action set pieces while noting the plot meanders, feels overstuffed and too long compared to Skyfall.

Praises director Sam Mendes for innovative set pieces like the long opening shot and the music-free train fight, and for making Spectre work as a contemporary blockbuster with a humanized Bond. Notes it suffers from mid-film tedium and an underused villain, falling short of Skyfall.

The critic concludes that while Spectre is no Skyfall and feels a bit tired and predictable, it remains stylish, intense, and entertaining enough for Bond fans with strong action set pieces. He praises the sensational opening tracking shot and locations but wishes for more wit in Craig's portrayal.

The critic lauds the grand operatic scale, inventive direction, cast performances and action flourishes but criticizes the baggy middle, lack of substantial female roles and shift toward old-fashioned Bond tropes over tighter modern storytelling.

The review calls it frustrating and messy despite a strong start with beautiful pacing, action sequences, and visuals. It squanders its potential in the final act with unfocused chaos and predictable revelations.

The review finds Spectre bigger, louder and longer than Skyfall but not better, with strong action highlights and performances undermined by thin character development, weak emotional payoff and an overstuffed script.

The critic finds Spectre a disappointing imitation of Skyfall that retreats to safe fan service instead of moving the character forward. It praises the adept direction and some set pieces but criticizes the bloated, lethargic storytelling and lack of innovation.

Finds the film starts impressively but ultimately disappoints as a successor to Quantum of Solace rather than Skyfall, with uninspiring action sequences and a patched-together story lacking suspense or cohesion. Singles out Léa Seydoux's performance and the train fight for praise amid broader criticism of the bloated runtime and weak plot.

The critic views it as the most disappointing Craig-era Bond film, failing to compellingly blend past and present elements despite strong direction and an impressive opening. It criticizes the script, nonsensical villain, and compromised emotional core.

The critic finds the film a frustratingly unsatisfying experience that prioritizes empty set pieces over character development or emotional depth. She singles out the opening tracking shot for its bravura execution but notes the thrills feel hollow overall.