James Bond (Daniel Craig) returns in SPECTRE.
Few movie franchises do a better promotions job than Albert R. Broccoli’s EON Productions, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios and Sony Pictures Entertainment, or to put it simply, the James Bond team.
Think about the streaming Dec. 4, 2014 London press conference announcing the title of the 24th James Bond adventure, SPECTRE, and its cast including returnees Daniel Craig, Ralph Fiennes, Naomie Harris, Ben Whishaw and Rory Kinnear and newcomers Christoph Waltz, Léa Seydoux, Dave Bautista, Monica Bellucci and Andrew Scott.
Go back and re-watch the productions shorts from SPECTRE’s Austrian locations and read the regular blog posts at 007.com. Just when anticipation begins to slacken for Bond fans, there’s a new blog post and behind-the-scenes image to reignite their excitement.
Yes, the Bond team knows how to build and sustain hype.
The hype moves up a notch this weekend with the first teaser trailer for SPECTRE.
Skyfall director Sam Mendes reunites with veteran Bond screenwriters John Logan, Neal Purvis and Robert Wade.
The title SPECTRE says its all, Agent 007 coming face-to-face with the villainous organization best known from earlier Bond films and Ian Fleming books.
The teaser aims for artistry and subtle menace when compared to action-oriented spots for competing franchises like Mission: Impossible, Mad Max and Terminator. In many ways, the SPECTRE teaser strikes a similarly, somewhat subtle tone to the recent Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens teaser.
James Bond (Daniel Craig) meets Oberhauser (Christoph Waltz, center) in a scene from the SPECTRE teaser.
The Reveal: SPECTRE is more than just an enemy organization. This time, there’s a personal connection from Bond’s past that ties him to SPECTRE.
The Tease: We hear the playful voice of Christoph Waltz, identified in production materials as a character named Oberhauser, welcoming Bond to the SPECTRE’s inner sanctum. Yet, we don’t see him in the part believed to be Blofeld, the head of SPECTRE.
Here are Three Takeaways that make the SPECTRE Teaser worth watching multiple times.
An Arty Action Movie
No offense to the many filmmakers behind Marvel Studios releases but few action franchises can claim a director as arty as Sam Mendes. Pair Mendes with an extraordinary cinematographer like Hoyte Van Hoytema (Her, Interstellar, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy) and the result is stunning images from Bond motoring across a still Austrian lake to the luxurious meeting room where Oberhauser welcomes Bond.
An Incredible Cast
Credit the producers for smart choices and applaud Mendes’ clout for attracting top-notch talent to SPECTRE from up-and-comers like Léa Seydoux to acclaimed veterans like Monica Bellucci and Christoph Waltz.
A Hero Like No Other
James Bond remains the Tiffany standard of movie heroes and Daniel Craig continues to look the part after nine years. Craig is currently attached to Bond 25 along with Mendes. That’s good news for 007 fans.
Did You Know?
The creative collaboration between Daniel Craig and Sam Mendes goes back to the 2002 period gangster drama Road to Perdition starring Tom Hanks and Paul Newman.
SPECTRE, from Columbia Pictures, is in U.S. cinemas November 6, 2015.