“Spectre,” the latest James Bond film, has the earmarks of a classic 007 thriller.

There’s the Aston Martin (a Db10 and a vintage Db5 under restoration), a breathtaking car chase, zooming helicopters (including an amazing mid-air struggle), far-flung locales (Mexico City, London, Rome, Austria, Morocco), secret lairs for villain and spy, gadgets galore, a beguiling “Bond girl” (Léa Seydoux as Madeleine proves more of a spy partner) and a nefarious “Bond villain” (Christoph Weiz as Blofeld at his whimsically malevolent best).

The scintillaing “James Bond Theme” by Monty Norman is woven throughout the soundtrack by composer Thomas Newman. The James Bond opening movie credit extravaganza recalls 1970s’ Bond opening credits, with the title song, “Writing’s On The Wall,” sung by British sensation Sam Smith.

There are the iconic Bond phrases: the “shaken, not stirred” directive applied to Bond’s favorite drink, a dirty martini, and “Bond. James Bond,” said by way of introduction. The movie-goer is given just enough of the old and plenty of the new to feel and stay involved.

The cinematography is spectacular. The opening seemingly continuous-take foot chase tracking shot is quite a piece of film-making. Director of Photography Hoyte Van Hoytema (“Interstellar,” 2014; “Her,” 2013), working with seasoned Production Designer Dennis Gassner, steeps the scenes in brown tones, as befits the weathered feeling of a weary Bond.

“Spectre” is the 24th James Bond. “Dr. No” (1962) was the first. Daniel Craig (“Skyfall,” 2012; “Quantum Of Solace,” 2008; “Casino Royale,” 2006) has reinvigorated Her Majesty’s Secret Service. Craig’s pugnacious face and compact frame recalls another great wound-tight actor, Steve McQueen (1930 - 1980). A smile rarely graces Craig’s impassive face. His blue eyes tell otherwise. It’s to Craig’s credit that we wonder what he, i.e., Bond is thinking.

Terrific in supporting roles are Ralph Fiennes as M, Her Majesty’s bureaucrat; Ben Whishaw as Q, Her Majesty’s computer geek; Andrew Scott, as C, Her Majesty’s Secret Service heir apparent; Naomie Harris, as Her Majesty’s Moneypenny, and Dave Bautista as Mr. Hinx, one of Blofeld’s minions.

Director Sam Mendes (“Skyfall”; “Revolutionary Road,” 2008; “Jarhead,” 2005; “Road To Perdition,” 2002; and Oscar director recipient for “American Beauty,” 1999) keeps you on the edge of your recliner (A newly-opened screening room at the still-renovating AMC Tilghman Square 8, South Whitehall Township, has reclining seats, providing a home-theater experience but with a huge screen the size of your house’s roof. Alcoholic beverages are on the way). Mendes keeps the pace steady, knowing when to give his actors room to interact before returning to a breakneck pace. There’s ingenious use of parallel action, and ticking-clock, cell-phone and computer-driven plot devices.

The screenplay by John Logan (“Skyfall,” “Gladiator,” 2000), Neal Purvis and Robert Wade (Bond films: “Skyfall,” “Quantum Of Solace,” “Casino Royale,” “Die Another Day,” 2002, “The World Is Not Enough” 1999) and Jez Butterworth (“Black Mass,” 2015; “Edge Of Tomorrow,” 2014) from a story by Logan, Purvis and Wade based on characters by Ian Fleming, is as relevant as today’s headlines and social media trending. Blofeld (Waltz) wants nothing less than a worldwide surveillance force (“Information is all,” he leers.) that he will use to control the world’s nations.

“Spectre” is classic Bond, classic James Bond. It’s a very satisfying time at the movies.

“Spectre,” MPAA rated PG-13 (Parents Strongly Cautioned. Some Material May Be Inappropriate For Children Under 13.) for intense sequences of action and violence, some disturbing images, sensuality and language; Genre: Action, Adventure, Thriller: Run time: 2 hrs., 28 mins., Distributed by MGM and Columbis Pictures-Sony.

Credit Readers Anonymous: “James Bond will return” states “Spectre.”

Box Office, Nov. 13: New films didn’t have a ghost of a chance against “Spectre,” No. 1 two weeks in a row with $35.4 million, $130.7 million, two weeks, with “The Peanuts Movie” holding at No. 2, with $24.2 million, $82.4 million, two weeks, while movie-goers did not “Love The Coopers,” opening way back at No. 3, with only $8.4 million.

4. “The Martian,” $6.7 million, $207.4 million, $197 million, seven weeks; 5. “The 33,” $5.8 million, opening; 6.“Goosebumps,” $4.6 million, $73.4 million, five weeks; 7. “Bridge Of Spies,” $4.2 million, $61.6 million, five weeks, 8. “Prem Ratan Dhan Payo,” $2.7 million; 9. “Hotel Transylvania 2,” $2.3 million, $165.2 millon, eight weeks; 10. “The Last Witch Hunter,” $1.5 million, $26 millioin, four weeks.

Unreel, Nov. 20:

“The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2,” PG-13: Francis Lawrence directs Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth and Woody Harrelson in the final installment of the science-fiction adventure.

“Secret In Their Eyes,” PG-13: Billy Ray directs Chiwetel Ejiofor, Nicole Kidman and Julia Roberts in the mystery thriller about police investigating the death of a teen daughter.

“The Night Before,” R: Jonathan Levine directs Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Lizzy Caplan, Seth Rogen and Miley Cyrus in a comedy about friends’ Christmas Eve reunion.

“#Horror: Tara Subkoff directs Chloë Sevigny, Taryn Manning, Natasha Lyonne and Timothy Hutton in a thriller inspired by real events about an online social media game and cyber bullying.

“Legend,” R: Brian Helgeland directs Tom Hardy, Emily Browning, Taron Egerton and Paul Anderson in a crime thriller based on the story of identical twin British gangsters Reggie and Ronnie Kray in East End London during the 1960s.

“Carol,” R: Todd Haynes directs Rooney Mara, Sarah Paulson and Cate Blanchett in a drama about a department-store clerk who falls in love with an older woman in 1950s’ New York.

Four Popcorn Boxes out of Five Popcorn Boxes