Coming right after the delightfully different Skyfall, Sam Mendes’ Spectre stands apart. In that it has all that Pierce Brosnan brought to the Bond movies except instead of his cocky smile, we have to make do with Daniel Craig's butch come-hither looks.
From beginning to end we're treated to chase sequences and blurry cinematography over land, sea, sewer and Mexico (do not read too much into that sequence). It has a wafer thin plot to hold it all together and there's a high risk that you won't mind going out to get an extra dab of butter on your popcorn while the movie is running.
Despite the whole 'stiff upper lip' thing, the Aston Martin and Jaguar used in the film are definitely uber cool. As Bond sets out on the trail of the head of an international criminal organisation called Spectre, Bond finds that his nemesis has better lines than him. Then again, we're talking about Christoph Waltz playing Ernst Blofeld, so for all you know he could have made the lines that much better by just being himself.
Despite the plot linkage being as thin as Craig's hair density, Spectre rides on the strong performances of the supporting cast. Ralph Fiennes as the new M and the young and dashing Q are perfect for both the sidekick sequences as well as for stray humour. With a movie this long, you usually need both.
Through a series of action sequences stretched across several continents, Bond and Blofeld (plus minions) battle each other till you're wondering if each fight is 'the one'. Waltz is unique here as unlike previous Bond villains, he's not hopped up on himself or world domination plans; all he wants to do is make Bond cry. There are oodles of back story about the unwilling couple (we can call them that for convenience sake) but most of it wears thin when you realise there isn't going to be any tender reunion. Just a lot of lines and shooting.
Lea Seydoux as Madeline Swann is perhaps the most unappealing Bond girl. She's so bereft of any life or wit that you almost wish that Bond doesn't find a bomb that she's tied to, as the clock ticks down to boom time.
Truly, Spectre may leave you stirred, but you may need to be shaken from your seat by the time the movie ends.