Spectre

 

''You are a kite dancing in a hurricane, Mr Bond''

This is the fourth and final chapter of Daniel Craig's James Bond. Once again, directed by Sam Mendes, and written by John Logan, Neal Purvis and Robert Wade. The story follows on from the end of Skyfall, with Bond on the hunt. After he is left a mysterious message, he has been bending the rules to find someone. As we have grown to expect, this sends him on a whirlwind journey across the globe.

The cinematography is great throughout; this time Hoyte Van Hoytema was recruited fresh from Interstellar. I enjoyed the expansive landscape as we transition from an urban environment, to the snow covered mountains and vast desert. The pace of this film is perfect, from the rip-roaring opening to its explosive finale.

The cast as expected is quintessential Bond. Playing Lucia Sciarra, Monica Bellucci delivers a measured performance for such a small role. Léa Seydoux is superb as Madeleine Swann, coming across as both predator and prey. Mr. Hinx, played by Dave Bautista, commands the room in all his scenes and definitively pulls off menace, with a slight “Jaws” feel. The supporting cast all bring their A-game, as you would expect from a Bond film.

Now we come to the man who steals the show and ties the whole film together. I am of course talking about Christoph Waltz as (no spoiler due to Korea) Ernst Stavro Blofeld. He is flawless as the iconic Bond villain. Bringing his usual crisp feel, he also brings a new ruthless edge to the character.

I really liked the way the movie brings together the previous three and has a added nostalgic feel to it. Hints of “On Her Majesty's Secret Service”, with the hotel atop a peak. The train journey has a certain “From Russia With Love” feel, and the base in the desert has a “You Only Live Twice” feel. All this I believe they want you to sense.

I was enthralled from the opening shot to the closing credits -- once again they have nailed it. One to watch over and over, a true masterpiece.

Spectre gets a perfect 10.

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Sicario

In Mexico, Sicario means Hitman

This tense thriller from director Denis Villeneuve (Enemy and Prisoners) is a stylish and very gritty picture, which at times makes you almost feel dirty. This really comes across great with Roger Deakins’ cinematography (Shawshank and Skyfall).

Sicario stars Emily Blunt as Kate Macer, an FBI Agent who is thrust into a special team to smash or marginally disrupt the Mexican drug cartel.  She does a great job of bringing the straight cut, by-the-book agent to the screen, as she is pushed from her comfort zone and forced into a grey world of blurred lines.

Benicio Del Toro plays Alejandro, and Josh Brolin plays Matt Graver. Both are CIA Agents and both do a stellar job, involved in all the action sequences brilliantly.  Del Toro especially brings his usual flare, and throughout, really brings to screen his character’s internal turmoil and drive to destroy the cartel.

This film really builds its suspense well and was clearly well-structured before shouting “action”.  Some will find this slow at times and may feel 2 hours is a little lengthy.  However, I truly enjoyed this film and definitely recommend it.

A definite, award-grabbing movie. I give this tense and gritty crime thriller a solid 8 out of 10.