Directed by Sam Mendes (American Beauty, Skyfall), SPECTRE initially follows James Bond (Daniel Craig) on a rogue mission to Mexico City and eventually Rome, where he meets Lucia Sciarra (Monica Bellucci), the beautiful and forbidden widow of an infamous criminal. Bond infiltrates a secret meeting and uncovers the existence of the sinister organization known as SPECTRE. Back in London, Max Denbigh (Andrew Scott), the new head of the Center for National Security, questions Bond’s actions and challenges the relevance of MI6, led by M (Ralph Fiennes). Bond covertly enlists Moneypenny (Naomie Harris) and Q (Ben Whishaw) to help him seek out Madeleine Swann (Léa Seydoux), the daughter of his old nemesis Mr. White (Jesper Christensen), who may hold the clue to untangling the web of SPECTRE. As the daughter of an assassin, she understands Bond in a way most others cannot. As Bond ventures towards the heart of SPECTRE, he learns of a chilling connection between himself and the enemy he seeks.
Okay, so I’ve been a massive James Bond fan since I was 12-years-old and this trailer for SPECTRE is filled with a smorgasbord of callbacks and Bond-isms for die-hard fans of the franchise. Sure, the action looks spectacular, the music thrilling and the dialogue and villainous monologues sublime, but the thing that gets me excited is how Mendes and his team are respecting and incorporating hallmarks of the Bond franchise that were featured throughout the Sean Connery and Roger Moore-eras. Not only is the nefarious global crime syndicate SPECTRE (Special Executive for Counter-Intelligence, Terrorism, Revenge and Extortion) returning, but we also catch a glimpse of a car that features a few gadgets (Flamethrowers! Yaaay!) and Bond wearing the exact same white dinner jacket from Goldfinger (complete with red carnation!).
One of the best things about the trailer, other the general awesomeness it emits every second, is that it clearly wants to showcase that SPECTRE has a diverse cast of Bond women. Not only does the film seem to feature the talents of Bellucci and Seydoux heavily, but it’s also so great to see that that Naomi Harris’ Moneypenny is taking a more active role in SPECTRE. Those who’ve watched Skyfall know that Harris’ take on Moneypenny was a like a rebirth for the franchise favorite character. No longer playing the secretary or presented as an object of flirtation, Moneypenny appears to firmly be an active player in the action.
On the more villainous side of things, Dave Bautista, who stars in the film as Mr.Hinx, looks suitably intimidating. Mendes has described Hinx as a villain that’s inspired by other notable Bond henchman, including Jaws, Oddjob and Red Grant. Though he doesn’t say anything in the trailer, I imagine his actions will most likely speak louder than his words, and given the fact that he looks like he probably has 100lbs of muscle on Craig, I doubt he’ll need a mouthful of steel denchers or a razor rimmed bowler hat to take him on. To be honest, I wouldn’t be surprised if he attempted to crush Bond with his thighs. Hey, it worked for Xenia Onatopp in Goldeneye.
While I’m obviously impressed by everything the trailer is showing, I can’t help but feel slightly annoyed that the marketing for SPECTRE insists on not revealing that Waltz is obviously playing Ernst Stavro Blofeld. Yes, Waltz is listed as playing Franz Oberhauser, the son of Bond’s childhood guardian, but the fact that he’s clearly the leader of SPECTRE and its sub-organizations is a dead giveaway to his true identity. At this point, it feels like an unnecessary secret that everyone is already in on. That’s not to say Waltz won’t totally kickass at playing the villainous leader of SPECTRE, but when it’s inevitably revealed in the film that he is Blofeld, they’ll be little to no shock value.
SPECTRE will be released in theatres on November 5, 2015.
What about you reader? What do you think of the new trailer for SPECTRE? Catch any references to past films in the franchise? Let us know in the comments below!
