SPECTRE (2015)

Sam Mendes’ film based on a original screenplay by John Logan, Neal Purvis, Robert Wade & Jez Butterworth based on the character of James Bond by Ian Fleming is the 24th film in the franchise. Though obviously filmed on a lavish budget of between $250-300 million dollars I did not find the film as compelling as it might have been though the actors involved elevated the entire enterprise even when the script came up lacking. James Bond makes it his mission to uncover the international criminal organization, Spectre and destroy it's leader Ernst Stavro Blofeld played with the necessary aplomb by the always estimable Christoph Waltz, after having uncovered a last request from the former M played by Judi Dench to destroy Blofeld at all costs. Support throughout this film is provided by the likes of Monica Bellucci, Lea Seydoux, Ralph Fiennes, Ben Whishaw, Dave Bautista and Naomie Harris. I was never bored by this film, the pace and the plot are kept moving at a brisk rate, the locations are beautiful, the music compelling, but there is an overall coldness to the film. I nevertheless liked the picture and found it a good addition to the Bond franchise.