Pierce Brosnan criticises Spectre: ‘The story was kind of weak’

LOS ANGELES — Like some critics and viewers, former 007 Pierce Brosnan was disappointed with Spectre.

In an interview with HitFix, Brosnan shared his less-than-glowing review of the 24th Bond film.

“I was looking forward to it enormously,” said Brosnan. “I thought it was too long. The story was kind of weak — it could have been condensed. It kind of went on too long. It really did.”

Brosnan, who played the super-spy in four films from 1995 to 2002, went on to say that Spectre didn’t quite feel like a Bond film. He did, however, have some kind words about the current Bond, Daniel Craig.

“Spectre is neither fish nor fowl,” he said. “It’s neither Bond nor Bourne. Am I in a Bond movie? Not in a Bond movie? But Daniel, in the fourth go-round, has ownership of it. He had a nice looseness to him.”

He added, “He’s a mighty warrior, and I think he found a great sense of himself in this one with the one-liners and a nice playfulness there. Just get a tighter story, and he’ll have another classic.”

Regarding Craig’s recent suggestions that he’s finished with the Bond franchise, Brosnan said he thinks Craig might return if he gets enough downtime.

“By the time you finish making a Bond movie, you don’t want to hear the name, see the name or have anything to do with it because you just want to go to ground,” Brosnan said, adding, “Give him another year off here, and he’ll be ready to rock and roll for sure.”

Spectre bowed on Nov 6; its worldwide gross is nearing US$550 million (S$783.6 million). VARIETY.COM/REUTERS