453 replies to this topic

[Vauxhall]

I'm intrigued by this "the dead are alive" bit. Is it an actual message on screen before the gunbarrel? That's new.

Huh? What are you referring to?

Telegraph review: http://www.telegraph...spectre/review/

"The four-word epigraph that begins the film – “The dead are alive” – reminds you that no film series has been better at raiding its own mausoleum, and throughout Spectre, ghosts of Bond films past come gliding through the film, trailing shivers of pleasure in their wake."

[Guy Haines]

I'm intrigued by this "the dead are alive" bit. Is it an actual message on screen before the gunbarrel? That's new.

Huh? What are you referring to?

Telegraph review: http://www.telegraph...spectre/review/
"The four-word epigraph that begins the film – “The dead are alive” – reminds you that no film series has been better at raiding its own mausoleum, and throughout Spectre, ghosts of Bond films past come gliding through the film, trailing shivers of pleasure in their wake."

And SPECTRE has been "dead" for over thirty years, for legal reasons. Is that what we're hinting at?

[kneelbeforezod]

Sadly there are a lot of middling, even quite negative, reactions. I'm always crossing my fingers for a Casino Royale-level classic so I have to admit I'm hugely disappointed we won't be getting that. That said, the 5 star review from Peter Bradshaw in The Guardian is encouraging. 

[Simon]

The Mirror review makes me wonder if in fact they have seen it as it seems only to regurgitate all that which has been spoken about over the past months...

[kneelbeforezod]

The Mirror review makes me wonder if in fact they have seen it as it seems only to regurgitate all that which has been spoken about over the past months...

Yes that review is absolute nonsense. Clearly pre-written with a couple of details added once the writer saw the film this evening, I expect.

This is probably not the place for this but I am CRESTFALLEN at the mixed reaction! Are any of you familiar with a guy called The Incredible Suit on twitter? Huge Bond fan... he ranked this film lower than Quantum of Solace. He also said that Newman has recycled roughly half his score from Skyfall. 

[Vauxhall]

Most of the professional reviews seem largely positive - which has surprised/pleased me to be honest. I think Bond fans' reactions may be more mixed.

[DamnCoffee]

Interesting points on the soundtrack. I literally just stumbled across this post from someone who has listened to it.

 

I've been fortunate enough to get a copy of the Spectre soundtrack and have been living with it for the past few days.

It really does feel like a step up from Skyfall and it's clear that Newman has become more comfortable working in the Bond idiom. There are some beautiful moments of expansive, soaring strings on tracks like 'Donna Lucia' and 'Madeleine', which recall Newman's work on The Shawshank Redemption and American Beauty.

The action cues are also suitably intense and rousing - 'Los Muertos Vivos Eshan' makes terrific use of the chord structure of the Bond theme, as does 'Snow Plane'. There are lots of split notes in the top brass parts throughout, recalling John Barry's scores of the 60s and David Arnold's in the Brosnan films.

Other observations - sadly you never get to hear the James Bond theme in full on the soundtrack (like 'Breadcrumbs' in Skyfall). In fact, the Monty Norman duh-duh-duh-duh-duh-duh-duh-duh Bond theme doesn't appear at all. Newman does tease the 'be-bop' middle section of the Bond theme quite a bit though.

And as commented earlier from the snippet released on Classic FM, a choral section is present for a few of the cues. It's a little Batman in places and not as subtle as the one John Barry used in Moonraker, but it still adds to the piece.

My main thought from listening to the soundtrack is that it's very enjoyable and engaging as music in its own right, without the visual stimuli of the movie. I felt enjoyment of the Skyfall soundtrack came from listening to it in the context of the movie. This soundtrack is great stand-alone.

 

 

I've read a lot of postive reviews on SPECTRE and bad reviews seem to be creeping in but still not to the extent that has me worried in the least.  It seems more like a 75% / 25% split. Like I said before the positive reviews are outweighing the negative ones as far as I can see. I was on twitter for an hour and a half checking updates tonight and I read more posts from people who where genuinely blown away by SPECTRE than those who didn't think much of it. I think Skyfall comparisons are fair but I never really expected SPECTRE to live up to it's hype in the least, at the same time I'm not expecting it to be terrible in the slightest. Skyfall would alway will be a very tough act to follow, and the majority of reviews are either praising it, saying it's not as good as Skyfall or saying it matches/exceeds it. I'm expecting a solid 4 star film. It'll no doubt blow me away, but i'm definiately not going into it expecting it to be Skyfall 2 but more a standalone piece of escapism. 

[Tiin007]

Most of the professional reviews seem largely positive - which has surprised/pleased me to be honest. I think Bond fans' reactions may be more mixed.

 

I agree.

 

Truth is, I think most of my negative thoughts of the film will likely stem from plot points I already know (such as the continuation of the tired tropes of "this time it's personal," Bond going rogue, and the constant questioning of the relevancy of the 00-section). So given that I am already disappointed by these aspects of the film, I think from here on out my reaction will only be positive. I find it highly unlikely that I will have much else to criticize. 

[DamnCoffee]

[kneelbeforezod]

In my experience, whenever reviews are this mixed - and they are mixed - the film usually ends up being in the 3 stars ballpark. Which is fine, but I was hoping for a little more. I've noticed hardly anyone is really mentioning the snow plane sequence, or the car chase... I was hoping these sequences would blow people away. Reaction to Waltz is muted too.

 

Anyway I'm being a little negative here, I'll stop being a miseryguts and wait for more reviews to come in!  

[sharpshooter]

Spoiler

I'm very interested in what the torture scene may be.

Any ideas?

[DamnCoffee]

Spoiler

Needles?

[FredJB007]

In my experience, whenever reviews are this mixed - and they are mixed - the film usually ends up being in the 3 stars ballpark. Which is fine, but I was hoping for a little more. I've noticed hardly anyone is really mentioning the snow plane sequence, or the car chase... I was hoping these sequences would blow people away. Reaction to Waltz is muted too.

Anyway I'm being a little negative here, I'll stop being a miseryguts and wait for more reviews to come in!

Right now, Rotten Tomatoes has Spectre at a 94% rating. Sounds pretty good, so far.

[MattofSteel]

Interesting points on the soundtrack. I literally just stumbled across this post from someone who has listened to it.

 

I've been fortunate enough to get a copy of the Spectre soundtrack and have been living with it for the past few days.

It really does feel like a step up from Skyfall and it's clear that Newman has become more comfortable working in the Bond idiom. There are some beautiful moments of expansive, soaring strings on tracks like 'Donna Lucia' and 'Madeleine', which recall Newman's work on The Shawshank Redemption and American Beauty.

The action cues are also suitably intense and rousing - 'Los Muertos Vivos Eshan' makes terrific use of the chord structure of the Bond theme, as does 'Snow Plane'. There are lots of split notes in the top brass parts throughout, recalling John Barry's scores of the 60s and David Arnold's in the Brosnan films.

Other observations - sadly you never get to hear the James Bond theme in full on the soundtrack (like 'Breadcrumbs' in Skyfall). In fact, the Monty Norman duh-duh-duh-duh-duh-duh-duh-duh Bond theme doesn't appear at all. Newman does tease the 'be-bop' middle section of the Bond theme quite a bit though.

And as commented earlier from the snippet released on Classic FM, a choral section is present for a few of the cues. It's a little Batman in places and not as subtle as the one John Barry used in Moonraker, but it still adds to the piece.

My main thought from listening to the soundtrack is that it's very enjoyable and engaging as music in its own right, without the visual stimuli of the movie. I felt enjoyment of the Skyfall soundtrack came from listening to it in the context of the movie. This soundtrack is great stand-alone.

 

 

I've read a lot of postive reviews on SPECTRE and bad reviews seem to be creeping in but still not to the extent that has me worried in the least.  It seems more like a 75% / 25% split. Like I said before the positive reviews are outweighing the negative ones as far as I can see. I was on twitter for an hour and a half checking updates tonight and I read more posts from people who where genuinely blown away by SPECTRE than those who didn't think much of it. I think Skyfall comparisons are fair but I never really expected SPECTRE to live up to it's hype in the least, at the same time I'm not expecting it to be terrible in the slightest. Skyfall would alway will be a very tough act to follow, and the majority of reviews are either praising it, saying it's not as good as Skyfall or saying it matches/exceeds it. I'm expecting a solid 4 star film. It'll no doubt blow me away, but i'm definiately not going into it expecting it to be Skyfall 2 but more a standalone piece of escapism. 

 

 

 

FINALLY, some details about the score.

 

Disappointing that we don't get an iconic twangy guitar moment on the soundtrack - but plenty of other famously good Bond scores haven't technically included it, either. 

 

As long as it's big, brassy, and Bond - I'll live. I'm just dying to get my hands on it now.

[sharpshooter]

I've read good things about Kleinman's title sequence. Some say it's his best in years.

[Royal Dalton]

http://www.timeout.c...on/film/spectre

[Vauxhall]

Spoiler

I'm very interested in what the torture scene may be.

Any ideas?

This is a guess, rather than anything I know:

Spoiler

Electric cattle prod at Oberhauser's lair

[SecretAgentFan]

The more reviews I skim the more it seems that SPECTRE does achieve what it should: being absolutely entertaining.

 

I pity those reviewers who always have to state that they are above enjoying a Bond film or that one has to feel guilty about it.

[iexpectu2die]

Sadly there are a lot of middling, even quite negative, reactions. I'm always crossing my fingers for a Casino Royale-level classic so I have to admit I'm hugely disappointed we won't be getting that. That said, the 5 star review from Peter Bradshaw in The Guardian is encouraging.

Sadly there are a lot of middling, even quite negative, reactions. I'm always crossing my fingers for a Casino Royale-level classic so I have to admit I'm hugely disappointed we won't be getting that. That said, the 5 star review from Peter Bradshaw in The Guardian is encouraging.

[Shrublands]

Spoiler

I'm very interested in what the torture scene may be.

Any ideas?

This is a guess, rather than anything I know:

Spoiler

Electric cattle prod at Oberhauser's lair

The words
 

Spoiler

'needles' and 'high-tech'

have been used.

Also that it's 'darkly funny' at times yet 'strains the 12A certificate.'

[PPK_19]

Getting 5 stars from that absolute philistine Bradshaw at the Guardian is very encouraging. 5 stars from the Telegraph too.

Those of you who are looking forward to Newman's score will be disappointed though, if Twitter is anything to go by. It's "recycled" from Skyfall apparently.

[Guy Haines]

The more reviews I skim the more it seems that SPECTRE does achieve what it should: being absolutely entertaining.
 
I pity those reviewers who always have to state that they are above enjoying a Bond film or that one has to feel guilty about it.

I've read alll the reviews posted on Rotten Tomatoes, and it seems on the whole quite encouraging. A couple of them may have revealed a bit more than necessary about one character - not saying which or what - and it reads like the title credits are along the lines I was expecting. (Won't know for certain until Monday, obviously!)


A number wonder if this is Craig's last but given what he's been telling the press recently it's not surprising.

The film reads like it's going to be an attempt not only to pull together loose ends from the previous three Craig movies but elements from the whole Bond canon but written with Craig in mind. After all these years of re-introductions of things - now the complete package? We'll see.

On the subject of reviewers - there was one reviewer in the Brosnan era and I think he may have reviewed Craig's first two who seemed to go out of his way to pour cold water on the films in an "I'm above all this" manner. Message to media - if your reviewer of choice is, to use a word I've picked up since becoming a councillor "pre-determined" to be against, why bother sending that reviewer to the press screening in the first place?

[Pierceuhhh]

The film opens with the phrase "The dead are alive..."

Could this be our first solid hint that Vijay is set to return...?

[sharpshooter]

The film opens with the phrase "The dead are alive..."

It's an interesting choice. The only thing remotely similar to this is the 'Zorin' notice before AVTAK. 

 

I'm okay with it, though. They're really playing up to the title, and the Day of the Dead sequence which immediately follows.

[Guy Haines]

The film opens with the phrase "The dead are alive..."

It's an interesting choice. The only thing remotely similar to this is the 'Zorin' notice before AVTAK. 
 
I'm okay with it, though. They're really playing up to the title, and the Day of the Dead sequence which immediately follows.

Could be a reference to the Day Of The Dead - but could it have a double meaning? That after over thirty years - forty if you disregard NSNA - SPECTRE is back?

[sharpshooter]

I think it could also be about

Spoiler

the references to Bond's past we see in the film, namely Vesper.

[iexpectu2die]

I'm not concerned at all by the reviews. In fact I'm thrilled. 5 stars from Peter Bradshaw?! And the Telegraph, and the Times? They're probably the three highest calibre possible. I'd rather a film that blows some people away than a film that leaves everyone 'pretty happy'. 

I think this sums it up: http://www.bbc.co.uk...t-arts-34600980

Edited by iexpectu2die, 22 October 2015 - 07:40 AM.

[Guy Haines]

Sharpshooter - you may be right about "the dead are alive".

As for the reviews - Peter Bradshaw has been enthusiastic about Daniel Craig as Bond from his first review of CR, and gave SF a particulaly good review three years ago, so I'm not entirely surprised - and I imagine if SP wasn't up to it, he'd have said.

Well, we're now in that brief period - post-reviews but pre-seeing-for-ourselves when we wonder if the reviews are just hype, whether what the reviewers have seen in it will match what we get out of it. Still, I've got the soundtrack CD to look forward to in-between - not something I had in that similar period before SF.

(Incidentally, so far I've noticed one absentee in the reviews - the BBC. I haven't found anything on the website so far. ITV did a review - nothing from the "Beeb" that I've seen, but they must have had someone there last night, surely?)

[sharpshooter]

Sharpshooter - you may be right about "the dead are alive".

Also, I forgot to mention

Spoiler

the pre-recorded message from M beyond the grave, which helps set up the film.

[Vauxhall]

Spoiler

I'm very interested in what the torture scene may be.

Any ideas?

This is a guess, rather than anything I know:

Spoiler

Electric cattle prod at Oberhauser's lair

The words

Spoiler

'needles' and 'high-tech'

have been used.

Also that it's 'darkly funny' at times yet 'strains the 12A certificate.'

Oh right, I'd missed that. Thanks.