The full trailer for SPECTRE covers everything you’d want from a Bond film, especially following Casino Royale and Skyfall’s more layered approach to the character, as well as more of the over-the-top action sequences and gadget-filled cars from the character’s past. It also has a few things you don’t normally see, including the look of fear on Bond’s face when Christoph Waltz’s character locks eyes with him. More detailed thoughts, including my deeper look at what S.P.E.C.T.R.E. means for Quantum, below.
The chilling line, “…the author of all your pain,” from Franz Oberhauser (Christoph Waltz’s character) points to the small connective thread being woven between the Craig starring films and a likely re-branding of the organization they introduced originally as Quantum. Back when Casino Royale came out in 2006 (almost 10 years ago now!), the rights for the S.P.E.C.T.R.E. name were still out of MGM’s hands so a new, shadowy organization was created for the film: Quantum. One of their agents, Mr. White, was captured by Bond at the end of the film and was subsequently interrogated for information on the group in semi-sequel Quantum of Solace. Rescued by a traitor within MI6, Mr. White has been in the wind ever since. Skyfall broke away from any real mention of Quantum, but Mr. White’s reappearance in SPECTRE, as well as Bond tracking him down to get more info on S.P.E.C.T.R.E., leads me to believe the recent regaining of the rights to the villainous Bond organization means Quantum will be retconned into being another arm of S.P.E.C.T.R.E. While that’s not terribly significant, what it means for Bond and Oberhauser is very important going forward.
Which brings me back to Oberhauser’s quote, which implies he’s been the one making the calls for the Quantum arm that has resulted in the death of Bond’s first love, Vesper, and putting traitors within MI6, among other things. Instead of Oberhauser being some nefarious, non-personal head of a shadowy organization Bond must face, now he is an enemy who has caused Bond personal pain, which means it’ll be harder for Bond to deal with as dispassionately as he normally would; Nothing makes me believe that more than when Oberhauser looks up at Bond and there is a hint of fear on his face. And having an actor of Waltz’s quality in such a role means we’ll be in for a real treat, I think.
The synopsis of SPECTRE from the official James Bond website:
A cryptic message from the past sends James Bond 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 organisation known as SPECTRE.
Meanwhile back in London, Max Denbigh (Andrew Scott), the new head of the Centre 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, played by Christoph Waltz.
Here are a few other points:
- Mr. Hinx looks to be decidedly deadly and they are using Dave Bautista’s imposing figure to its full advantage.
- Since Casino Royale, the women in Bond films haven’t been as easily swayed by Bond’s charms and not always completely damsels in the distress. While the new trailer doesn’t show the new female characters continuing that trend, besides say Naomie Harris’ Moneypenny, a recent chat with the stars over at USA Today reveals they’ll be even less like Bond girls of old than ever before. USA Today also has a run down of the most pertinent information on each actress from the film.
- At this point Franz Oberhauser should just be named Blofeld, as the second outfit we see him in screams Blofeld to the point of it being blatantly obvious….unless they really are going to use the Oberhauser name, which was in the books, where a Hannes Oberhauser at one point trained and cared for a young Bond.
- Sam Mendes is even less likely to return for another Bond film after this one, but he revealed we should know who is doing the theme song soon! And Ellie Goulding seems to be dropping a hint she may have the gig, who’s song “Lights,” you may recognize.
- For most of the day after watching the trailer, I just couldn’t place the earlier Bond theme reused here right after Bond and Waltz make eye contact, but thankfully this poster on Kotaku’s article pointed out it was from On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.
- There will also be a release of Steelbook Blu-ray’s for previous Bond films containing the SPECTRE organization with new bonus features recounting its history throughout the series. There are also a few other updated Blu-ray releases coming as well, more details here.
SPECTRE arrives in the UK on October 26, with a worldwide release following November 6.
Ryan is Mynock Manor’s Head Butler. You can follow him on Twitter @BrushYourTeeth. You can follow the website @MynockManor.
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