James Bond 007: Spectre is the best film in the franchise yet

DANIEL Craig has certainly done a good job of bagging James Bond in recent weeks, but is the film any good?

In this image released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures/Columbia Pictures/EON Productions, Daniel Craig appears in a scene from the James Bond film, "Spectre." The movie releases in U.S. theaters on Nov. 6, 2015. (Jonathan Olley/Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures/Columbia Pictures/EON Productions via AP)

DANIEL Craig has certainly done a good job of bagging James Bond in recent weeks, which is ironic, considering this is by far the best Bond film in the franchise yet.

In recent years, 007 has seen an evolution of sorts — gone are the days when storylines were sloppy and relied on the same-old formula of sleazy sex scenes and evil geniuses. This time around there’s depth to James Bond, we learn more about the man and his motivations.

Sure, we can expect a Bond girl or three and a vodka martini or ten, but Craig continues to bring an essence to the franchise that was somewhat lacking before Casino Royale.

Spectre picks up shortly after 2012’s Skyfall, and sees Bond battling both new and old demons. With the death of Judi Dench’s M, a new face appears in the intelligence agency and Bond finds himself in trouble internally and externally. With a cast of new faces and betrayal in the air, who can he trust?

Meanwhile, with a cyber technology threat and the potential closure of the 00 program, Bond is forced to go rogue after a cryptic message from the grave sends him on a perilous journey chasing terrorists across the globe. How very modern.

It’s here that Bond is led through a series of clues where he uncovers secrets about his parents, and how his past connects with the present. It’s all very clever, really.

Ralph Fiennes does a marvellous job stepping in Dench’s shoes as the new M. He’s given plenty of screen time and gives the audience a break in between all the Bond-ness.

Director Sam Mendes, on his second outting with the franchise, also consistently blends the old with the new, drama with comedy and sex with, could it be, a relationship?

The two stand-out Bond girls in Spectre, Stephanie Sigman and Monica Bellucci, outshine Léa Seydoux, the third. There’s nothing particularly compelling about Seydoux’s performance. She looks great but she fails to light a spark where the other Bond girls succeed.

Belluci, at 51, is stunning and just nails it. It’s a shame she’s not given more screen time but it’s wonderful to have a mature woman in a James Bond film that’s not an old Russian crone that would eventually be spoofed in Austin Powers.

Craig was right when he told Esquire he hoped this incarnation of Bond was “not as sexist and misogynistic”.

And if you’re scared the hyped-up opening scene won’t be as good as you’ve heard, fear not, it defies expectations. You will, of course, have to suspend disbelief as you watch Bond duke it out in a helicopter fight. It is, after all, a Bond film.

Then there’s the usual boats, planes, trains and automobiles that all end up in the line of fire, but the spectacle of Spectre never disappoints.

As for the villain? Christoph Waltz does a truly marvellous job. It’s an odd choice, one might think at first, but as the movie rolls along and the truth becomes clearer, he does seem to settle in the role.