Five-star reviews in Guardian and Telegraph lead the praise for franchise’s 24th film, with the rest of the first-look reactions also largely favourable

Dinner jackets, gunplay, a frenetic carousel of exotic locations – even an Alpine chase scene.

As a legion of fans await the release of Daniel Craig’s fourth (and, he insists, final) outing as James Bond, the first reviews of Spectre on Wednesday have been quick to check off its classic 007 ingredients. But is it one of the franchise’s occasional duds or a crowd-pleasing firecracker?

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The general consensus among critics coming out of the first press screenings of the 24th Bond film would appear largely to lean towards the latter, with both the Guardian and the Telegraph going so far as to give it five stars.

A growing appreciation of recent Bond arrivals such as Ben Whishaw in the role of Q and Ralph Fiennes as M is also evident, although there is disagreement over whether fans should hope that Craig chooses to go back on his promise that he would “rather slash my wrists” than reprise the role.

Robbie Collin, The Daily Telegraph

There is a torture scene for the ages, peppered with dark laughs, but tense and shiveringly sadistic – which probably tests the film’s 12A certificate to its limit. But Spectre pulls it off in the grand old Fleming style. It’s a feat of pure cinematic necromancy.

Peter Bradshaw, the Guardian

Is this Craig’s last hurrah as Bond? His somewhat tetchy remarks in interviews preceding this movie – indicating a readiness to quit – oddly mirror the tetchy media comments that greeted the news of his casting almost 10 years ago. Craig showed they were wrong: and I hope he carries on now. He is one of the best Bonds and an equal to Connery. That great big handsome-Shrek face with its sweetly bat ears has grown into the role.

David Edwards, Daily Mirror

Craig, of course, is reliably superb. Once again he portrays the superspy as a thug in a dinner jacket who is quite prepared to shoot first and ask questions later as he wraps up the loose ends that have been dangling since Casino Royale in 2006.

Geoffrey Macnab, The Independent

Bond is described as being like “a kite in a hurricane,” a description which cutely sums up the cinematic mayhem that Mendes unleashes. The only disappointment in what is an exhilarating movie is the surprisingly clumsy and sentimental way in which the film ends.

The Sun

Fortunately Spectre is more in the vein of Skyfall’s predecessor and modern classic Casino Royale than 2008’s dismal Quantum of Solace. As Bond foils a terrorist plot in the jaw-dropping opening sequence set in Mexico City, the audience breathed a united sigh of relief. Bond is back – and at his best.

Nina Nannar, ITV



If you are a fan of Bonds of old you will love the many nods to the past, Mendes as promised producing a Bond film that respects the tradition. But … Is it as good as Skyfall? No, in my opinion, that was always going to be a tall order, fans will love it but I would be surprised if it smashes the box office in the way Skyfall did.

Allison Rowat, The Herald (Scotland)

Craig, as ever, is the best thing on screen, but at times he looked a little tired, as if he might well be coming to the end of his Bond rainbow. There will be another 007; there is too much left in this pot of gold franchise for it to be otherwise. In the meantime, enjoy this Craig-fuelled thrill ride.

Danny Leigh, Financial Times

After the sombre excellence of Skyfall, Spectre tries to tweak the formula while clearly being thrown into panic at the thought. Everything feels so reliant on its business-class sheen, the grooming, tailoring and tie-pins, that anything other than gunmetal and a scowl unbalances the tone.

Oliver Lyttleton, The Playlist

Plot holes might be forgivable in a Bond movie (even ones of the gaping, you-could-drive-a-truck-through-it size we get here), but they stand out more when you’re mistaking mystery for actual story, with Bond on a quest that jumps from set piece to set piece rather than building up to something more compelling.

Ryan Lamble, Den of Geek

Often sublimely, sometimes awkwardly, Spectre contrasts harshness and humour, violence and suspense, warmth and stark coldness. The ingredients that go into the Bond formula don’t hang together quite as successfully here as they did in Skyfall, and at 148 minutes, Spectre feels a touch too long. But Spectre more than satisfies as a big-screen spectacle, and among the superb performances from the top-notch cast, it’s Craig who again carries the day.

Simon Reynolds, Digital Spy

Craig is by far the best thing about the film, more at ease with the one-liners and showing he can still cut it in the intense action set-pieces. Even when Spectre isn’t firing on all cylinders, its leading man is never anything but immensely watchable. The same can be said for Waltz’s villain, who manages to induce shivers without ever raising his voice. Ultimately, though, he’s a malevolent force hampered by credibility-straining motivation that’s right out of Austin Powers.

Guy Lodge, Variety

Ricocheting from London to Rome to Morocco across action sequences of deliriously daft extravagance, the pic accumulates a veritable Pompeii of mighty, crumbling structures. What’s missing is the unexpected emotional urgency of “Skyfall,” as the film sustains its predecessor’s nostalgia kick with a less sentimental bent.

Stephen Dalton, The Hollywood Reporter