And loved it!

It was an advance screening, arranged by Omega, at the Chinese Theater in L.A.

I bought the Spectre Seamaster 300M in September...and the Omega boutique was kind enough to invite me to attend.

Cool audience of watch aficionados. One gentleman, with an extensive Omega collection (all vintage) had the original Seamaster on which the Spectre watch is based.

I thoroughly enjoyed the film. First rate performances all around. Daniel Craig was in top form.

Many references to earlier Bond films. As a life long 007 fan, I like the way the last few films offer an homage to the past movies and also to the Ian Fleming novels.

It opens on the 6th in the US. I will be seeing it again...

Oh, here's my watch, along with the lanyard used to enter the theater. The attaché case might look familiar. It's the same model used in "From Russia With Love", though without the exploding tear gas cartridge, throwing knife, .25 caliber ammo, gold sovereigns and AR-7 rifle!

It's still available and is made by Swaine and Adenay, London. Top notch!

 

I saw it too and I could not agree more with you. I asked in another thread what Aqua Terra he was wearing? I assume the older blue? I doubt the Spectre model with the cost of arms on the second hand

 

It was good, but not great. The villains were too underplayed, too flat. Maybe they didn't want to play it quite so unhinged as Javier Bardem did in Skyfall, which is a shame. I don't need my villains to be all "MWAHAHAHAHA" but a bit of menace, rather than acting like a bored administrator is nice. Also the central goal of the baddy was just dull. Where's the sharks with frickin' lasers? (OK, different franchise but you know what I mean). But the action sequences were great. The pre-credit single-pan shot was awesome.
And, I know it's only a 17 year gap, but anyone else thinking its a little creepy him cavorting (spoiler alert: bond has relations with a lady) with with Lea Seydoux? Ok it's not quite like Roger Moore and the ice skater but time for some younger blood I think.

Oh, and the watch was actually pretty subtly shown I thought, despite it being a cool gadget this time. Beats the gratuitous lingering shot in Skyfall when he's driving the JCB

 

@ Lew Archer: Bravo on your attaché and LE. I so want that watch!

 

I agree with you on that. I saw the avant-premiere on Monday in Biel.
I loved how the dial became red when he used it as an explosive !
The audience had a good laugh when MI6 chief scientist gave Bond the watch

 

Yeah, my wife gave me a nudge as if that was the big moment I was waiting for. It wasn't of course

 

Hey there @Lew Archer, @Tiny Iota -- I was in attendance also, as was @tpatta . I had done some homework in the months leading up to Spectre, watching all 24 of the previous Bond films (I'm including the Thunderball re-make "Never Say Never Again" and excluding David Niven's spoof Casino Royale in my count). Probably because I was tired at the end of a long work day, Spectre seemed long-ish to me and I was not super-engaged by the plot. For comparison, I thought the storyline in the latest Mission Impossible installment was much more interesting. However, Spectre is absolutely top-notch in cinematography, music, sound, and overall presentation. There appeared to be very little digital trickery in the action sequences; instead, there were with loads of scary, live-action stunts that must have been incredibly difficult to set up and execute. I'm not surprised one bit that this film cost $300+ million to make. I suppose one's storyline expectations shouldn't be too high for a Bond film, so I would consider Spectre to be overall a winner, and worth seeing. In fact, I plan on seeing it again.

Also @Lew Archer -- that briefcase is fabulous!

 

Yes, that was one of the most fascinating aspects of last evening's screening. In the last six months or so of scanning peoples' wrists for Omega watches I've only spotted TWO in the wild (both Speedmasters). Last night, though, spotting Omegas was like shooting fish in a barrel

 

I will hold off discussing characters and plot until the film has been out awhile so others will have seen it--and also so I've had a chance to see it again. Bond films always have so much going on that it takes me a couple of viewings to get my mind around the whole of the film. I was completely engaged, though and enjoyed the film. I particularly enjoy the subtle references to the preceding films. The plot ties together the Craig Bond films, but there are many, many nods to all the films that have gone before. They don't distract from the film, as only fans and students of the 007 films will notice, but, for me enhance the film. It is a true Bond movie.

 

Wish I'd known you'd be there, would be nice to meet! If you saw a guy in a three piece suit and a dark blue trilby hat, that was me...

 

Great evening. Nice to see @Jones in LA once again. Agree with @Lew Archer that the bad guy just wasn't "bad" enough. As always the opening 5 minutes are awesome. Don't want to say much more until you all have the opportunity to see it. I will comment on one line in the movie.......When Q gives Bond his Omega and James asked "what does it do" the response is classic. "It tells time".

 

In an early thread on the Spectre watch, when it's functions were being discussed (and criticized as not having a true GMT function or traditional dive bezel, both fair points), I remarked that it told time quite well. I was amused that Q stole my line. He must be a member.

 

It also has an alarm function.

 

The name's Bond, Craig Bond.......

 

Spoiler alert!!!!

 

Doesn't flow, does it. I, of course, meant the Daniel Craig Bond films, which uniquely, have a continuing plot line that builds from "Casino Royale" through "Spectre". It's a series of its own, within the larger Bond series.

 

I agree wholeheartedly. Just amused me.

 

Definitely a classy event organized by the Southcoast (Costa Mesa) Boutique. Nice organization, great people, and bad@$$ Aston Martins parked in front. The wife and I had a blast....I do think Craig's top movies with him being Bond are Casino Royale and Skyfall but this was fairly entertaining as well. Glad everyone had a good time!

 

Just got in from seeing Spectre. No advance screening for this guy. I slid my $12.50 across the counter for an IMAX ticket and thoroughly enjoyed the ride. Absolutely loved it. Craig was great; my favorite Bond of them all. I really hope he signs on for one more.

Have to admit I was a bit afraid the movie wouldn't live up to expectations, but after seeing the film, I'm guessing many of the authors who penned poor reviews didn't have either a cursory historical knowledge or elementary appreciation of Bond. At least not as much as I do.

Go see this film. If you have testosterone pumping through your veins, you won't be disappointed.