In Spectre, the Bond franchise has again run out of steam
after a strong reboot that began with Daniel Craig in Casino Royale. The
element that has made Craig’s Bond so compelling – a humanized 007 who is strong
yet vulnerable – has given in to the inertia the always seems to overtake a new James Bond. Sam Mendes lets
Spectre settle into a stereotyped James Bond who lacks character complexity or
conflict, and the film is filled with franchise convention rather than reinvigorated
elements. Spectre is a competent movie with some fun parts, but
having felt Craig involve us in the risks that Bond takes in other films, we’re let down to be left here with watching what we've already experienced -- stunts, a bad guy, exotic locations, beautiful women....and an Aston Martin.
