In the aftermath of the events of Skyfall and the beloved former M’s death, we see James Bond (Craig) stripped of his licence to kill just as he uncovers a sinister international crime syndicate named SPECTRE. At the same time MI6’s new M (Fiennes) finds himself in a power struggle with a slimy bureaucrat (Andrew Scott from “Sherlock”), who hopes to dissolve MI6 in order to merge all of Britain’s security into a new international surveillance service. These two plot points merge together so that ultimately Bond and MI6 must delve deeper into the mystery – a mystery that leads him straight to the head of SPECTRE (Waltz), the master of all of Bond’s miseries.

The fourth of Craig’s Bond films – and the 24th overall – kicks off with a spectacular single-shot opening sequence in Mexico City, and continues the classic formula of fast cars, big guns, slick suits, larger-than-life villains and beautiful women. It may even seem a little bit campy at times a la Roger Moore, which could either be a yay or nay depending on personal preference. The women in Spectre features both Monica Bellucci and the beautiful and talented Léa Seydoux, who plays a doctor with a link to someone from Bond’s past. Could she be the one to finally reignite his cold dead heart?

All in all, Spectre may not be as gritty or as compelling as Skyfall or Casino Royale, but it’s still very entertaining with plenty of throwbacks to earlier entries that will definitely please classic Bond aficionados. After consultations with my cat, who is an intense film buff and critic, I’m giving Spectre 3.5 out of 5 stars.