The name's Bond, James Bond

Its that time again when our favourite spy returns to the big screen. This time we also see the return of the elusive organization that has been a thorn in Bond's back side, Spectre. As the movie is also called it is by far the biggest Bond film of them all, topping Skyfall. The film begins in Mexico City during the Day of the Dead festival. Bond is tracking a spy, when he finds him, he eliminates him. We eventually learn a friend from the past told him of the spy. Its a terrific opening, the biggest Bond opening ever.

We are then treated to a beautiful, melancholy song "The Writing's on the Wall" by Sam Smith. It's also another beautiful title sequence that references the film's themes, while having the iconography of a squid (that which represents Spectre).

Since the aftermath of Skyfall a new upcoming member of the British government who goes by the name C, as Bond calls him, plans to scrap the 00 program and switch to a more digital age. Mallory, the new M, is at fighting stance, not withstanding Bond's persistence to follow orders from the old M (the friend from the past I mentioned before) Bond had received an video recording from the previous M, Olivia, about going after the assassin and attending his funeral. Moneypenny for the most part trusts Bond but finds it a bit challenging with him.

The funeral leads Bond to the widow Lucia, portrayed by the 50 year old actress Monica Bellucci. He learns through her of the meeting in Rome and a warning as well, that once he crosses that line he won't be able to come back. Monica is by far the best Bond girl in years as she portrays her version as very seductive. She also adds mystery to her character as well.

Bond then comes face to face with the organization known as Spectre. I love how the classic organization is back, pitting Bond against an old enemy is very fruitful and really does go back to the classic era of Bond. Some critics I believe felt like the new film is to content on following the Bond formula but this is Bond, following the formula is not really a bad thing.

Christophe Waltz plays the head of the organization and he is terrific. He puts on a diabolical demeanour plus he has Dave Bautista as his bodyguard known as Hinx. Dave has only one line but there is no need for him to speak as he is 100% terrifying without him speaking.

French actress Lea Seydoux appears as Dr. Madeleine Swann, daughter to old arch rival Mr. White. She is Bond's way of getting to the head of Spectre, with a little help from Q too of course Bond does eventually find the head of the organization. Lea is fantastic in her part as she struggles with dealing with a man like Bond. She does eventually fall for him but becomes conflicted as his life is nothing more than what her father's life was like, always in danger.

Q, MoneyPenny, M all get more to do this time as Q and MoneyPenny help Bond on his mission and M deals with C and the eventual convergence of M15 and M16.

My favourite part of the film is how it felt like a conclusion to Daniel's Bond, referencing all past Bond films from Casino, Quantum and Skyfall. It's brilliantly done and I love it even more for the references to past characters, especially like Vesper.

Sam Mendes is of course back in the director's chair for this brilliant instalment and he continues to build on the excellent foundation that he built with Skyfall. I love the dark, gritty atmosphere and love how Sam continues to dive into Bond's past.

Thomas Newman also continues to build on the terrific themes he brought with Skyfall. A tantalizing score that goes headlong with Sam's gritty direction. Its like a snake that moves in and out of classic Bond motifs and newly dark corners.

Spectre, like Skyfall, is another dark and gritty chapter into the Bond canon. Its fun as well and has its funny moments along with its classic throw backs to the older era of Bond. Spectre is Bond at his finest and one cannot imagine where the franchise can go from here.

Rating: A-