Director: Sam Mendes
Starring: Daniel Craig, Lea Seydoux and Christoph Waltz
‘A Superb Sequel’
Not many actresses have made movies which audiences value like Lea Seydoux. Ever since her rise to stardom in the 2000’s, Seydoux has become a beloved icon. Whether it’s feminist spies facing dangers, heroic space scavengers or lesbian lovers, Seydoux has played several strong characters. Arguably, Seydoux’s finest strength as an actress is her commitment. She is one of those rare actresses which has often poured her heart and soul into each and every role. Seydoux has never been afraid of taking a risk in her career by playing characters that aren’t always likeable. An actress with strong commitment towards her craft, Seydoux has become a celebrated artist in entertainment. A French icon, Seydoux has become a beloved actress whose memorable movies audiences value. Through her abilities to create powerful characters that audiences can easily relate to, Seydoux has become an actress whose iconic movies audiences value. Throughout her bold career, Seydoux has made many unforgettable movies which are definitely worth talking about without a doubt.
I’m a huge fan of Lea Seydoux and admire all the films she has made in her career. However, “Spectre” is my favourite. Released in 2015, Sam Mendes’ film offered a spectacular Bond sequel. Packed with breathtaking production, engaging storytelling and strong acting, it is one of the best Bond movies ever made. At the centre of it all is a fantastic performance by Lea Seydoux, who portrays a female agent that becomes involved in a romantic affair with Bond. Ultimately, what makes “Spectre” one of the best Bond movies is its universal appeal. Unlike most Bond movies, it tackles powerful themes that everyone would relate to. A bold masterpiece about a bondable spy, there are several strong reasons why “Spectre” is a film that’s worth seeing.
Following the events of “Skyfall”, “Spectre” follows the famous spy embarking upon a dangerous mission that causes a downfall. Daniel Craig portrays James Bond, a tense agent embarking on a dangerous mission. Stuck in a sad situation, Bond is forced to come out of retirement to defeat a villain causing destruction. Blofeld (Christoph Waltz) is a menacing villain that’s hell bend upon his mission of destruction. Assisted by his close companion Madeleine (Lea Seydoux), Bond embarks on a mission to stop a terrorist that is hell bent on world domination. As all the odds are stacked against his favour, Bond begins to wonder where it’s truly possible to accomplish a tough mission putting lives in danger. Faced with a dilemma, Bond wonders whether he can pull of a mission which causes him to endure trauma.
Sam Mendes is fascinated with James Bond. Before he had made “Spectre”, Mendes was well-known for producing movies in the Bond franchise. His Oscar-winning movie “Skyfall” offered a captivating tribute towards the spy with no time to die falling from the sky. With “Spectre”, however, he created his first Bond sequel. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture the barriers faced by agents whose lives are in dangers but he succeeded. Using captivating cinematography, Mendes captures an agent embarking on a dangerous journey to find his identity. Visually, the movie is a feast for the eyes as stunning as missions that Bond seeks to organize. Mendes has always had an aptitude for using long takes in his movies to build tension, and “Spectre” showcased his strengths as a filmmaker. For instance, long takes elevate the opening scene. During this memorable scene, Bond embarks on a tense mission to find a hitman in a crowded carnival. One appreciates commemorated long takes capturing intense hardships that agents on doomed missions are facing. Long takes are tricky techniques to use in movies. As Martin Scorsese’s “Goodfellas” had suggested, long takes elevate renowned gangster movies. Nevertheless, it works very well in this film. Through breathtaking visuals, Mendes captures the tensions that commemroated agents are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “Spectre” which merits appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, the movie is extremely well made. Mendes has always had a flair for creating stunning action sequences in movies, and “Spectre” demonstrated his strengths as a filmmaker. Mendes expertly uses practical effects to stage action sequences which are engaging. For instance, the practical effects elevate the final confrontation scene. During this tense scene, Bond confronts Blofeld in a tense fight. One appreciates action scenes capturing the tensions that agents are often facing. Practical effects are tricky to use in movies. As Christopher Nolan’s “Dark Knight” trilogy suggested, practical effects enhance comic-book movies. That being said, it works immensely in this movie. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. Thomas Newman’s music is key to the success of the movie. It gives the movie a tense atmosphere capturing a heavy burden that agents bear. Through exceptional production-design, Mendes captures agents whose lives decline.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Spectre” is a captivating spy film which is compelling. The film is beautifully written, effectively using sequences of silence to capture the tensions that spies are facing. Throughout the movie, Mendes effectively uses sequences of silence to capture spies facing tension. For instance, silence elevates the meeting scene. During this memorable scene, James Bond witnessed a secretive meeting between a dangerous terrorist firm organization. One appreciates silences that capture tensions agents on intense missions are facing. Through engaging sequences of silence, Mendes created a strong character audiences can easily relate to. Silence is a complex technique. As Steven Spielberg’s “Schindler’s List” claimed, silence is suited to Holocaust movies. Nevertheless, it works extremely in this movie. Through a superb screenplay, Mendes captures the lives of agents embarking on dangerous missions causing a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Lea Seydoux delivers one of her finest career performances Madeleine. Seydoux earned appreciation for portraying lesbian lovers in period pieces. With “Spectre”, however, she took on her most complex role. It isn’t easy to portray a strong woman in a celebrated spy franchise but Seydoux succeeded immensely. This is the actress unlike you’ve ever seen her before: intense, charismatic and emotional in her most vulnerable role. With captivating expressions, she captures the angst, grief and determination of a female agent that seeks success. It’s a phenomenal performance by one of the most commemorated fresh icons working today.
Daniel Craig is spectacular as an agent that embarks on a dangerous mission that causes disaster. Ever since he was first cast in Martin Campbell’s “Casino Royale”, Craig has proven to be the perfect actor for the Bond role. With “Spectre”, however, he showcased emotional vulnerability that audiences hadn’t seen in the past before. Whether he’s engaging in a tense fight on a train or facing emotional dilemma, Craig effectively uses his body language to create an agent that’s compelling. It’s a bold performance from one of the most celebrated actors working today.
The final, most notable standout in the cast is Christoph Waltz. As a terrifying villain, he brings menace to the movie.
Finally, “Spectre” will earn the appreciation of everyone for capturing the lives of spies. That face danger. Unlike most Bond movies, the film tackles strong themes everyone would relate to. Viewers aren’t required to be huge fan of James Bond to appreciate it. It delivers an inspiring message about childhood trauma which would resonate with everyone. Therefore, “Spectre” is one of those rare Bond movies everyone would adore.
Fans of Lea Seydoux will definitely recognize “Spectre” and so will movie-goers that seek exhilarating entertainment. A breathtaking tribute toward a famous spy, it’s a riveting reminder of an actress thar hasn’t lost her abilities to satisfy.
Nearly a decade following the release of a groundbreaking film about a spy seeking to discover shocking secrets about a spectre espionage organization that is frightening, it’s a riveting reminder about a talented Fench actress that has built a lasting legacy earning a huge fan following for her abilities to portray compelling characters in unforgettable movies which are definitely without a single doubt absolutely worth celebrating.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 