Spectre director Sam Mendes understands the tradition each new James Bond movie must recognize. The films need to be packed with real action, constructed with real stunts, and smattered with real explosions. While speaking on the Spectre set, he emphasizes the reality. If the audience is to believe 007 is the suavest spy in MI-6, it needs to feel bullets whizzing by Bond's head and flames singing the side of his face. Real. "You have to roll up your sleeves and work it out," Mendes says. Bond can't be a poser. Neither can the world around him.
Anyone doubting Mendes' ability to uphold the banner of brutality and braggadocio... well, see Skyfall. But for anyone still doubting him, the filmmaker released the above video showcasing Spectre's on-location stunts. And thanks to bajillions invested into Bond's future, the franchise's 24th installment looks up to snuff. If the tease is indicative of the final product, Spectre will involve every flying vehicle imaginable crashing into every driving vehicle imaginable. Because it's Mendes, it's really happening. Verisimilitude: the backbone for bombast (though Bond directors like Terence Young, Guy Hamilton, and John Glen knew that early on).
Along with the video comes a detailed summary for the film, contextualizing the breakneck set pieces. The spoiler-inclined should avoid.
A cryptic message from the past sends James Bond (Daniel Craig) on a rogue mission to Mexico City and eventually Rome, where he meets Lucia Sciarra (Monica Bellucci), the beautiful and forbidden widow of an infamous criminal. Bond infiltrates a secret meeting and uncovers the existence of the sinister organisation known as SPECTRE.
Meanwhile back in London, Max Denbigh (Andrew Scott), the new head of the Centre for National Security, questions Bond's actions and challenges the relevance of MI6, led by M (Ralph Fiennes). Bond covertly enlists Moneypenny (Naomie Harris) and Q (Ben Whishaw) to help him seek out Madeleine Swann (Léa Seydoux), the daughter of his old nemesis Mr White (Jesper Christensen), who may hold the clue to untangling the web of SPECTRE. As the daughter of an assassin, she understands Bond in a way most others cannot.
As Bond ventures towards the heart of SPECTRE, he learns of a chilling connection between himself and the enemy he seeks, played by Christoph Waltz.
Spectre hits cinemas on October 26.
This article was originally published on Esquire.com
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