Wit, non-stop action, and a liberated heroine make Spectre -- that is breaking records in the UK -- a blockbuster delight. Spectre a criminal spy organization is masterminded by Christoph Waltz, the champion of naughty. Daniel Craig as Monsieur Bond charms as you from Mexico City, to Tunisia, Rome, Austria and, of course, London. Bond searches half way around the world for Waltz (Django Unchained) who plays the sinister Oberheiser determined to torture and to kill Bond. Craig does not let you down nor does the script which has pistol-like one liners that will guarantee your laughing out loud -- sometimes at the most inappropriate moments. And this is part of the charm of Spectre. Surprise. Laughter at the sinister. And yet two scenes were predictable, but one can forgive this faux pas because the rest of Spectre flies like confetti. Bond's love interest is offered in the form of Lea Seydoux as Madelaine Swann who has a Lauren Bacall quality that is refreshing. Her independence makes her Bond's equal. She sports no eye make-up, flaunts no cleavage or nudity and has the carriage of royalty. A rare breed and addition to Bond femmes fatales and lore. Seydoux won the Palme d'Or at Cannes for her performance in Blue is the Warmest Color. At one point Seydoux falls asleep in a dress all alone and wakes up in a slip which was more alluring but again showed a matching faux pas by the editors and director. Still never mind because all the while Daniel Craig -- who at this point has not touched Seydoux -- entertains. He has that look in his eye that by now we all know is perfection. A sideways glance. A twinkle. His timing is impeccable.
Whereas Q played by Ben Whishaw (the Danish Girl) lacks the quirkiness of a mad inventor while Moneypenny played by Naomi Harris (Highlander) simply lacks pizazz. Both Q and Moneypenny are weak links in an otherwise riveting 24th installment of the Bond franchise. Ralph Fiennes (The Grand Budapest Hotel) as M delivers his lines with the necessary gravitas.
Sam Mendes (Revolutionary Road) directs so that time has wings. His edits are quick and seamless. No bathroom breaks in this one. Monica Belluci (The Sorcerer's Apprentice) as the widow of a criminal adds more class to this saga that drips with European chic. No Eurotrash for this Bond. But it was the clever writing by John Logan and Neal Purvis that was the star of this awesome Bond installment. Industry analysts predict Spectre to come in at 80 million.
Catch Spectre for a real escape from whatever is burdening you. You will not be disappointed and leave the theatre forgetting what was "your" problem. And say a fond goodbye to our four times winning 007 portrayed for ten years by Daniel Craig who has said "no more Bond". On the Today Show when asked if he would do another Bond, Craig is quoted as saying he'd rather slit his wrists. While Craig's physic is not his finest asset, his mind is. May he be remembered as the "thinking man's Bond." Don't miss Spectre to say au revoir to Monsieur Craig, to have a terrific time and to see and to hear Bond's Aston Martin DB 10 rev and roar.