Quantum of Solace review

I love Daniel Craig's new version of James Bond, but it definitely needs some work. I'm all for a grittier, dirtier, more physical and action-oriented Bond. However, that does not mean it is necessary to strip away many of the series' signature mainstays. I have great anticipation for the future of Bond, but I think the idea of doing any more direct sequels should die with this movie, because as flashy and and visually enjoyable as Quantum of Solace was, it is NOT a real Bond movie, but merely an extended epilogue to the difficult-to-get-used-to-b

ut-ultimately-one-of-the-best-Bond-flicks-ever Casino Royale. It must be noted that this is by no means Craig's (or Olga Kurylenko's) fault, as the acting was probably the biggest strong suit of the movie (except perhaps special FX).


The problems start with the fact that apparently the script-writing period was cut short thanks to the Writer's Strike so they had to rush in this script. Let me tell you: IT SHOWS. This is the shallowest Bond movie (story-wise) ever made, and by no coincidence is it also the shortest. The piss-poor editing worsens the matter even further, and by the end of the movie you realize nothing really happened and that the few plot points that did exist were merely devices for initiating drawn-out--though impressive--action scenes, which felt fatally staged and "unnatural". This is especially true of the ridiculous boat and plane sequences.

Outside of Bond, M, and Mathis, the characters were worthless, again faulted by the script and not necessarily the fault of the actors themselves who were given nothing to do. The witty, charming secret agent we've all come to love over the years is absent, and he gives neither a smile, joke, or cunning one-liner during the entire movie (all 3 of which, mind you, WERE present in Casino Royale). Somewhat less minor complaints include the lack of Q, gadgetry, and "getting with the girl" (that stupid redhead that was in the movie for 5 minutes does not count), and the villain himself was also very shallow. The Quantum organization itself is an interesting concept, but once again this movie fails to deliver and we are all left wondering what a much better movie it could have been. I am almost tempted to denounce Quantum altogether if only to get away from this stupid sequel mentality, but if they can incorporate it into a "real" 007 flick things could get very interesting.


Now, despite my heavy ranting, Quantum isn't a bad movie per se. It's very much enjoyable to watch and without the 007 name it's a pretty solid Transporter-esque balls-out action flick. The problem is that it does carry that 007 brand and therefore it is held up to certain standards in every facet of its production, and that's why I think it ultimately fails as a Bond movie.

PS: what the fuck is a "quantum of solace"?