Another solid entry to the Bond franchise, but it never manages to elevate itself enough to become something more memorable. As it has been with the other more recent films, Daniel Craig’s portrayal of James Bond is what carries the movie. And once again, it succeeds. His Bond has a quiet strength mixed with a vulnerability that humanizes the character. The rest of the cast put out solid performances, but I was a bit disappointed that Christoph Waltz didn’t have a lot of screen time and he had a somewhat dialed back performance. Also, Dave Bautista was enjoyable as the virtually unstoppable hit man Mr. Hinx. However, I was a little surprised at his lack of dialog, especially after proving himself a capable actor in “Guardians of the Galaxy.” The story itself was nothing special, but did a great job of tying in elements from Bond’s past. That includes the previous films and elements of his childhood. The Bond pics are famous for their locales, stunt pieces and gadgets. While the stuns and gadgets weren’t very memorable, there was some great imagery, especially from the opening sequence in Mexico.
*** out of *****