That is a spectacularly brilliant idea!
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Even if it is and probably will stay my least favorite Bond film from the Craig era, Spectre does deserve reappraisal because of all the care they put in doing this movie (as for the others). There is definitely more to it than what we catch in the first place, even if it may not be always perfectly executed.
There are some very interesting discussions here about the narrative and the hidden interpretations, that may be 1st intentions from Mendes and Logan, so very much worth reading.
All this thematic especially arounds spectres is interesting. By the way, the movie is called Spectre. Not S.P.E.C.T.R.E.
There has been some ludicrous theories in the past saying that Lucia was actually Irma Bunt and that Bond was dreaming the whole final act. Except nothing in the storytelling suggest anything like that…
Regarding Spectre’s reception, there are still people as Tarantino who praise it for being the “true classic Bond”, but I fully disagree. Spectre is pretty much a continuation of Skyfall and has nothing to do with Thunderball or Moonraker.
Sounds like people are so much starving for the light-tone classic Bond adventute that they will praise anything that comes a little close to it.
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I find SP to be a break from SF. Bond is no longer a sexual predator or M(other) obsessed, which I find to be all to the good. Bond has also come into his own as an agent–he is a fully-functioning state assassin, who follows the demand of M(other).
I think Bond landing on the couch in the PTS evokes the mood of MR, where Jaws crashes into a circus tent in the PTS. Overall, the lighter spirit of SP recalls Moore Bond.
I think it is more than a little close. It is not candy-colored as it was with Moore Bond, using a different color scheme to push away from heavy reality.
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You’re right. No Bond movie has fully embraced darkness and I’m glad about that. Absurdity and convenience (such as the couch gag) can be great when done right and it gets what makes this world what it is. I’m playing through the fantastic Great Circle Indiana Jones game and they understand that all too well.
They are both elevated realities where fun and adventure is allowed to thrive. The DB10 chase in Rome, the train fight on the suddenly empty train and Bond’s visit to the crater base all qualify in SPECTRE. I love that the last two Craig films especially gave us their version of classical elements before it came to a close.
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But therexis a major difference. The crouch scene, Fiat 500 old guy, Bond winking at Hinx in the airplane, those are only small bits of the movie. Looking back at Moonraker ot Thunderball, the whole movie is light-heart and colorfull (even in the frightening sequence of Moonraker, this is more like a ghost train).
And Bond is entirely focused on his mission, while enjoying his time like in holiday. Whereas in Spectre the plot is still a continuation of the exploration of Bond’s past, present and future. Leading to him being personally involved in the last act, and not just accomplishing his mission.
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But in SPECTRE, Daniel Craig’s James Bond is enjoying himself more than in any other of his films except for maybe Casino Royale–but in that one he’s not fully the 007 we all know and love till the last scene. In SPECTRE, Craig is fully James Bond 007. However well or not the film is executed, it is the Craig film that is closest in spirit to the Bond films pre-Craig.
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I see what you mean, but I do not find such bits as limited as you do. Some light touches: “New York, New York” in the car chase; Bond’s gifts to Q and Moneypenny; Bond’s casual acknowledgement to the Italian street sweeper. Also, the lightness, while Moore-inspired, is executed in a Craig vein. As a consequence, these bits add up for me.
As D-OA notes:
Agreed. In his performance, Craig samples the Bonds who came before him, adds his own touches, and serves up a delightful portrayal.
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Waving to Lucia Sciarra’s “bodyguards” at the funeral is pure Craig, but it’s so Roger. Priceless. 
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Yes I liked that too very much I only wished that Craig did this kind of stuff more.
Also his reaction to Lucia when she says to him: “Can’t you see I’m greeving?” (or something like) and he just answers back: “No!” Haha!
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Bond having to place his gun on the silver tray is probably my favourite classic Bond moment from SPECTRE. At the time I was pleasantly surprised to see something like that in his era. Bond stopping mid fight to pour a drink with Paloma, then swaggering outside with the machine gun, is one of the best fully evolved Bond moments from the entire Craig run. By the very end he’s well and truly seasoned, using the watch EMP to quip it blew Cyclops’ mind.
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IIRC, it was on Craig’s insistence (after he worked with her on Knives Out) that she was brought in on the 11th hour. They had to write the part for her into the whole thing. Craig knew what he was going into, and that he’d have to give his best in order to not let her steal the scenes.
He failed
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I’ll be suited and booted for Ballerina’s first session on opening day.
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