I know, that’s probably one of the most embarrassing confessions I’ve posted on this blog so far.

I really don’t know why I haven’t been watching the Bond flicks, considering the world of Bond has all the things I love about a film, if I were to base it on the latest installment, Spectre: exciting plot and action, handsome actors, subtle humor, beautiful destinations, breathtaking cinematography, and elegant fashion. Each scene looks like a magazine editorial, and Daniel Craig is the picture-perfect model, whether he’s running away from a collapsing building, firing at bad guys in the snow, or getting into hand-to-hand combat with someone.

Better late than never, as they say: I finally got the chance to catch my first James Bond flick when I attended Heineken’s first-ever event in the Philippines—two huge firsts in one event!—an exclusive screening of Spectre on opening night last November 6 at IMAX SM Aura.

It was a celebration of the long-time partnership between Heineken and James Bond that spans 17 years (it began in 1997, with Tomorrow Never Dies). According to Heineken Philippines Country Manager David Tulloch, while “shaken, not stirred” is one of the most famous Bond catchphrases, James has actually been drinking Heineken beer in seven films—Spectre included.

Heineken was also involved in The World is Not Enough, Die Another Day, Casino Royale, Quantum of Solace, and 2012’s Skyfall. In Spectre, in fact, the drink plays a role in helping Bond discover something he’s been searching for (I won’t spoil it for you).

So going back to Spectre, Albert R. Broccoli’s EON Productions, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios, and Sony Pictures Entertainment recently announced that Spectre has shattered box office records in nearly every market in which it has been released, led by a historic performance in the United Kingdom.

In the six released territories, the film has taken in a total of $80.4 million. In the UK, the film has opened to an estimated £41.7 million ($63.8 million USD) in its first seven days of release, securing new records for the biggest opening of all time in UK box office history. Spectre has also set a new IMAX record, recording the highest per-location average in IMAX history as the first film ever to top a $100,000 per-location average, with $105,000 in 47 IMAX locations.

As this is my first Bond movie, I won’t comment on it so much, but I can tell you it’s one hell of a ride that got me wincing, cringing, recoiling, holding my breath, and sitting on the edge of my seat in excitement. I was oohing and ahhing over the clothes (I absolutely love Bond’s skeleton suit), admiring just how dapper Daniel looks and how mesmerizing his ice-blue eyes are in each shot, and sometimes rolling my eyes at the super cheesy romantic scenes, hehe.

Spectre, the 24th James Bond adventure, continues the longest running and most successful film franchise in cinema history. A cryptic message from the past sends Bond (Daniel Craig, reprising his role as 007 for the fourth time) on a rogue mission to Mexico City. The opening scene is one of my favorites from the movie, which featured a celebration of the Day of the Dead, as it showed how colorful and fun they make it—the upbeat background music is still playing in my head. And can I just say that’s when I fully appreciated the theme song by Sam Smith, “Writing’s On The Wall”? Been hearing it on the radio, but it wasn’t until I watched the film that I really felt how powerful it is.

Going back to the plot, eventually Bond goes to Rome, where he meets Lucia Sciarra (played by the ever-beautiful Monica Bellucci), the widow of an infamous criminal. Bond infiltrates a secret meeting and uncovers the existence of the sinister organization known as Spectre. Meanwhile, back in London, Max Denbigh (Andrew Scott—who plays Moriarty in my favorite adaptation of Sherlock from BBC), 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 (the cute and funny Ben Whishaw, my second favorite actor in the flick next to Daniel, of course) 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 toward the heart of Spectre, he learns of a chilling connection between himself and the enemy he seeks, played by Christoph Waltz. The movie just keeps you guessing, leading you to one plot twist after another—I feel like I’m in one long roller-coaster ride that I don’t want to end (although yeah, it is quite long).

Sam Mendes returns to direct Spectre, now open in cinemas across the Philippines.

Heineken is an international premium lager and was first brewed in Amsterdam, the Netherlands in 1864. It has since expanded its footprint and is now enjoyed in 192 countries around the world—the world’s most international brewer. Heineken is available in the Philippines at leading supermarkets, convenience stores, and bars.

Photos courtesy of Columbia Pictures