Spectre (2015)

Spectre opens with one of the best shots in the whole series, an unbroken walk through a Day of the Dead parade, and then spends two and a half hours walking away from it. Price tag: a reported $245 million to $300 million. Christoph Waltz is one of the best villain actors alive, and the movie hands him a shadowy table and not much else. Dave Bautista’s Mr. Hinx is a great near-silent bruiser who exits way too soon. Léa Seydoux does what she can, but her romance with Bond feels like the script ordered them to fall in love. The plot tries to tie every Craig movie together into one secret master plan, and it plays like homework. Ben Whishaw’s Q and Naomie Harris’ Moneypenny bring some life. It made $880.7 million worldwide anyway. A 5.4 because it looks expensive and feels empty. $648 says somebody on your couch falls asleep before the villain even shows his face.

What works: The Mexico City opening is a showstopper, the train fight with Dave Bautista is rough-and-tumble fun, and Ben Whishaw’s Q is great company.

What doesn’t: The plot strains to link every Craig film into one master plan, Waltz’s villain lands with a thud, and the central romance never feels earned.

Who it’s for: Bond completists who need to see how the Craig era connects, and anyone who mostly wants the opening scene.