Other than the usual Bond embellishments (thanks only to Q this time), there is nothing clever or fresh in Sam Mendes's Spectre unless you consider a poker-faced, lethargic Daniel Craig, a predictable and cheesy narrative made to look like convoluted, or a surprisingly unconvincing Cristoph Waltz who was born to a play a Bond villain anything even remotely good for human consumption. TN.

It's been quite a while since I have reviewed a Hollywood movie & what better than one which belongs to the James Bond series, undoubtedly the most famous franchise of all time. The latest to arise from the Bond stable is "Spectre" helmed by Sam Mendes with Daniel Craig reprising the famed protagonist for the fourth time. So the question is whether the movie could live upto expectations after all performing better than its predecessor is never an easy task.

The film unfolds in Mexico at the danse macabre where Bond (Daniel Craig) is in hot pursuit of a group on the posthumous orders of the previous M (Judi Dench). Bond eliminates the group & attains a ring from one of the assassins whose insignia reveals that they were members of the terror organisation "Spectre". At the same time in London, the present M (Ralph Fiennes) is having his hands full as C/Max Denigh (Andrew Scott), the head of the Joint Intelligence Service had almost drawn curtains on the "00" program in favour of the "Nine Eyes" a global surveillance & intelligence initiative of nine nations. Though suspended by M, Bond decides to dig up further info on Spectre & manages to infiltrate one of their meetings where he learns that it is being led by Franz Oberhauser (Christpher Waltz), who was believed to be dead. The mission gets all the more personal as Bond & Franz had their pasts intertwined which meant both of them had a measure of each other. So can Bond emerge triumphant yet again & if so, at what cost ???

About 3 years have passed since "Skyfall" had released which was brilliant to say the least & so it was always going to be a gargantuan task for Sam Mendes right from the onset to produce something similar to that. Well the fact is "Spectre" fails to live upto its predecessor inspite of a credible script on offer. The problem is its too long and dreary at times that it takes a toll on the audience that we struggle to suppress our yawns. However, the action sequences were awesome as always (though it was too less) which was brilliantly picturised by Hoytema. As for other technicalities, Thomas Newman's music didnt quite have the punch while the rest were top notch.

Daniel Craig was brilliant as Bond as he excelled in the action sequences but the romantic scenes which are integral to any Bond movie seemed forced and lacked passion. The Bond girl tag belonged to Lea Seydoux this time around & she didnt seem an apt choice at all as she shared no chemistry with Craig. Ralph Fiennes, Naomi Harris as Moneypenny & Ben Whishaw as Q have all done utmost justice to their roles. However, Christopher Waltz barely evoked terror that the character required while Monica Belucci barely got a chance to shake her booty.

Verdict: Well it's a Bond movie, so it's naturally going to garner mind boggling collections; but will it challenge "Skyfall's" collections...hmm, I dont expect it to. From my point of view, it's definitely one of the blandest Bond movies to have released in recent times. In short, you can give it a try if you are a 007 fan or else, wont hurt to give it a miss!!!

Rating: 2.5/5

Regards...Ben

Its fun while it lasts !! Nothing more, nothing less !