Quantum of Solace

Bond realizes he left the keys in his locked car...
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Quantum of Solace

The Bond Ultimatum

This newest James Bond movie has a sharper story, but has some serious pacing problems toward the end of the film. Quantum of Solace has a collection of faster action scenes than Casino Royale, but retains the darker and grittier elements from the earlier movie. We finally see Bond becoming a better agent throughout this second story.

Quantum of Solace begins nearly an hour after the last scene from Casino Royale. The movie begins with an impressive shaky-cam car chase. The actual stunts, like the rest of the movie, are impressive, but the crazy shaky-cams and frantic editing hamper those stunts.

One of the stronger elements from this movie is the tight continuity between the two films. You have to watch both movies to see the larger picture. And, the larger picture involves a new organization called Quantum; very much like the old villain group SPECTRE from the early Bond films. Learning about the Quantum group is what keeps the movie interesting, and will keep you interested into watching the next Bond film.

Daniel Craig again will impress you with his version of James Bond. Let’s just say he’s even more of a badass here, and he ruthlessly kills Quantum agents left and right without a pause. Craig plays a better brooding Bond than Timothy Dalton did back in the late 80s.

Olga Kurylenko is the newest Bond girl, and she really handles herself fairly well. It’s good to see a stronger Bond girl in these films. Olga is very restrained in her role, which is a nice change of pace. Judi Dench has a slightly bigger role in the second reboot film, but she just playing “I’m the boss and I’m pissed off at you, James,” role again. Mathieu Amalric as Dominic Greene (the bad guy) is a bit of a letdown, but the writers are going for more restrained villains in these newer films. It’s forgivable.

Overall, Quantum of Solace is an entertaining film, but not as enjoyable as Casino Royale. It is certainly light-years ahead of most action films that Hollywood releases today. If you’re going to watch it, watch it for its interconnecting storyline with the first Craig Bond film and the acting.

Grade: B


James Bond tries a new attack called 'The Super Mario Attack'. It involves a person jumping on top of their enemies and flattening them. Don't let Bond get that floating feather or fire plant.

Comments

Anonymous said…
Quantum of Solace was entertaining for sure, but sometimes i got the feeling that the movie was making fun of itself... everywhere pane of glass Bond crosses was broken, he can't get a gallon of milk from the store without it turning into a chase scene, and every time he punches someone in the face, they die
Sunday, November 16, 2008 12:33:00 PM
Anonymous said…
Not the usual Bond from the past - but good acting, good action, good entertainment
Sunday, November 16, 2008 9:05:00 PM
Semaj said…
Media Boy: I never realized that while watching but you're correct about the chase part. Every time he left a building (or entered) someone would chase him or attack him. good point.


Stop Smoking: I think they're trying to move Bond out of some of the things that held the franchise back in earlier films. This is opening Bond up to a younger crowd.
Monday, November 17, 2008 3:24:00 AM
Ammaro said…
i didnt like it that much... sure it was an action movie, good effects etc but i dont think it brought anything special... i think the whole bond thing is dying out now... just an overpowered action flick, nothign special
Monday, November 17, 2008 11:35:00 AM
Semaj said…
I think many people felt that way, despite the huge amount of money it made at the Box Office.

The audience I saw it with really was calm and not into the movie that much.

I liked it, it just didnt have the kick the first movie had.
Monday, November 17, 2008 7:45:00 PM
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