**
Another interminable Bond film, this one gummed up with specious Star Wars-style backstory ("I am your father"). At this point, whoever 007 is, he isn't James Bond. With his crime-fighting team of M, Moneypenny, and Q, he has more in common with Jack Bauer of TV's 24. This time around Bond follows up on a lead from the previous M (Judi Dench) and gradually uncovers a nefarious international crime organization known as Spectre. Fans of the Daniel Craig films may enjoy the interconnections with earlier films, while fans of Ian's Fleming's creation will find themselves constantly cringing. Not that the latter is anything new, but the assault is at its most insidious here. One fight sequence ends with an odd (and irrelevant) Jaws-inspired flourish. Still, the photography is nice, and Léa Seydoux is particularly appealing (if too much the "powerful" woman) as a psychologist Bond has sworn to protect. Based on absolutely nothing.
Another interminable Bond film, this one gummed up with specious Star Wars-style backstory ("I am your father"). At this point, whoever 007 is, he isn't James Bond. With his crime-fighting team of M, Moneypenny, and Q, he has more in common with Jack Bauer of TV's 24. This time around Bond follows up on a lead from the previous M (Judi Dench) and gradually uncovers a nefarious international crime organization known as Spectre. Fans of the Daniel Craig films may enjoy the interconnections with earlier films, while fans of Ian's Fleming's creation will find themselves constantly cringing. Not that the latter is anything new, but the assault is at its most insidious here. One fight sequence ends with an odd (and irrelevant) Jaws-inspired flourish. Still, the photography is nice, and Léa Seydoux is particularly appealing (if too much the "powerful" woman) as a psychologist Bond has sworn to protect. Based on absolutely nothing.