REVIEW: Quantum of Solace
Quantum of Solace
By: Lee Rice
“Quantum of Solace,” the newest entry in the James Bond franchise, proves that lightning really can strike twice.
The direct sequel to “Casino Royale,” which attempted to re-invent Bond as a more believable character grounded in reality, “Quantum” manages to take all the best qualities of “Royal” while fixing what little was wrong with it.
“Quantum” picks up directly where “Royale” left off, with the abduction of Mr. White, a member of the mysterious organization responsible for the death of the woman Bond loved.
That action sequence sets the tone for the rest of the movie, a frantic chase through opera houses, state of the art hotels, and across roofs that follows Bond as he desperately seeks vengeance against those responsible for his loss. While the action sequences are both fast and frequent, they don’t detract from the story, a believable espionage tale that centers on a plot to steal valuable natural resources from
Having a secret organization for a consistent foe is nothing new for the franchise, and although the main villain here, Dominic Greene, feels more realistic than the likes of Hugo Drax or Blowfeld, he doesn’t seem all that threatening. In “Royale,” Le Chiffre had that creepy blind eye that wept blood, and it seems that the only thing that Greene has going for him was the ability to fight like a cornered ferret in the last 5 minutes of the movie. All the same, I was more involved in this plot than in most other Bond films, and I see it as a serious step in the right direction that Bond has gone from fighting Korean generals turned British playboys with space lasers to dealing with far less cartoonish enemies.
But plot doesn’t really matter unless the actor in the lead measures up, and Daneil Craig proves his own here.
When Craig first stepped into the role of James Bond (big shoes to fill for anyone), I was instantly won over by the way he seemed to instantly make the character his own.
Throughout the years, many men have worn the Bond name like a mantle, and each one has brought something new to the table. Sean Connery, considered by many to be the best of the Bonds, brought a certain charisma and toughness to the screen. Roger Moore made him more of a debonair playboy. Pierce Brosnan portrayed him as being a serious man with a wry wit. What Craig brings to the screen is a combination of believable physical toughness and a rugged, rough-edged persona that, while distinct from his predecessors, is still undeniably Bond in all the right ways.
As with any Bond movie, the acting, directing, and everything else is top flight, although I did feel that there were a few too many quick cuts to keep everything clear during the action sequences.
“Quantum of Solace” proves that the success of “Casino Royale” wasn’t a fluke, and that the breath of fresh air provided by the reboot ensures that Bond, now the subject of more than 20 films, will continue to be shaken rather than stirred for a good long time to come.
Final Verdict- A-
