Quantum of Solace
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Movie Reviews of Quantum of Solace
Movie Review: Masterfully done chapter in the new Bond saga
Summary: 5 Stars
Fans of "classic" Bond movies will probably not be pleased. If you didn't like Casino Royale, this Bond is not for you. Since I didn't like "classic" Bond movies, Casino Royale was a breath of fresh air. In Quantum of Solace, I was just lucky to catch my breath through all the action.
Having given up the idea of having Bond win the day with fake, high-tech gadgets, this new take on Bond instead has Bond relying on his gun, fists, intelligence, and pure determination. And he looks like it. This move towards realism is one of the things I love about the Daniel Craig Bond movies.
Also gone are the outlandish "save the world" plots. I say "HURRAY" but this is one of the biggest complaints many have about this movie. Like my title implies, this movie is more a chapter than a book. This movie script was written for a more "mature" audience (I'm not talking about age). The audience must accept the idea that in the real world, good and bad become ambiguous, evil doesn't always (or even usually) consist of trying to destroy or take-over the world in one big move, and their is no magic number to call to get the number of the sinister head master of it all.
The bad guys in this movie are very patient, with a complex organization and a long-term plan. Bond must follow the leads that he has, and they don't take him straight to top. Some leads can't even be followed because they are sheltered by a credible government structure.
This leaves Bond desperately trying to chase down the one solid lead to Quantum that he can--Green. Bond is tormented by his personal demons, doubted by his government, and quickly finds himself alone, except for Camille, who wants Green as well, but for a different reason.
The leading lady is another source of enjoyment for me, but another disappointment to "classic Bond" fans. She also relies on real-world weapons and strategies, including both sex appeal and sex. She gets dirty (actual dirt here, not a euphemism) like no Bond girl has before. This leading lady is not arm candy, though she knows how to play that role when it suits her. I got the feeling that Bond respects her, a feeling not present in any of the "classic Bonds." I don't know whether it is her toughness, Bond's respect, or the fact that she doesn't sleep with Bond that turns some people off. Personally, these are the reasons that I love her.
Though Camille and Bond have separate missions, they are both seeking revenge, which creates a compelling bond between them, even though it doesn't lead to love. Bond's loyalty to M and his country (though maybe not their orders) also provides emotional drive to the story.
I sincerely hope the director and Daniel Craig both stay on to continue making Bond movies.
Movie Review: continues to push Bond into new territories
Summary: 5 Stars
As a fan who followed Bond since his first incarnation (i.e. he was Connery), up to now I have always been disappointed with his follow-ons. Moore was too corny, Dalton too glum, etc. It seemed that the plots were more or less the same, all so tightly wrapped in formula that in a way the gadgets, girls, and special effects were all that mattered. I grew indifferent to the films, though would see them in passing. Now, with this new series, I am in awe of how they are both re-making the character and enlarging the themes.
First, the films form a series, so it is still uncertain what is really going on. There are clues, connections between the films, but the whole remains a mystery. I find this absolutely and delightfully intriguing for the imagination, if one is so inclined to exercise it for fun. All we know is that there is a shadowy international organization that has not only infiltrated MI6, but has ambitions that are truly global in scope, at once a web of conspiracy but also of geopolitical proportion. Bond has been able to muck up their immediate schemes in both films, but it doesn't seem to have gotten them very far. So, we await the next film, where more of it will come together from the seemingly significant incidents and re-appearing characters. It is on a par with the Bourne films in my opinion.
Second, Bond is a grittier, more emotional character, who is deeply wounded because of Vesper and hence on a personal quest, a mix of mission and vengence. I could completely believe that he is tormented, even obsessed with the puzzle, and has no problem breaking the rules or risking disavowal. Plus, there is a fabulous physicality to his acting - he gets injured, has limits to his strength, and hence is more realistically vulnerable. Again, one thinks of Jason Bourne.
It is so new and fresh - with superlative acting and an intricacy that fits with current filmmaking - that it surpasses Connery in certain ways. Sure, I will always like Connery, but this territory has gotten me back as a very serious fan. Bravo!
Movie Review: JAMES BOND GROWS UP
Summary: 5 Stars
I grew up with James Bond movies. Various Bonds through the years were really just new faces on old formulae. I was upset when this most-recent reincarnation broke the mold with Casino Royale. No more corny innuendo, stiff editing and just-plain awful bantering dialogue. I initially missed the quips, puns and cardboard characters. Craig didn't fit my conceptiuon of this legendary series.
The last Bond flick, and this one more-so, takes an attitude adjustment. Like, maturing. Quantum of Solace also took -
for me - a few critical viewings to realize that although it's not the same spy comfort candy, it offers far more depth and excitement.
The editing, particularly, is new; not just for the Bond franchise, but versus all other films
of this new millennium. Far more intense and visceral, it hits on many more levels.
The writing is far more mature and multi-leveled. Sometimes, demanding. It fits with all
other production and creative aspects. Overall, this can be seen as a new or next-step
evolution of the action-intrigue-character-searching film genre. For me, five stars. Can't
wait to see if the producers have the courage to continue pushing the cinema envelope.
Do see the film several times. Not end-to-end necessarily. But look at the film critically.
Alot will be revealed. depth, motivation and so much brilliant craftsmanship.
Movie Review: More "old skool Bond" than was "Casino Royale"
Summary: 5 Stars
The latest Bond is more of a throwback to the Connery days than was its predecessor, "Casino Royale". Though the 2008 film is not as long as most JB films - running under two hours - and it does bear a striking resemblance in the action scenes to the Matt Damon "Bourne" films, it still has a few elements that make it a definite continuation of the series that began almost five decades ago.
Like any good Bond film, there is the menace (Mathieu Amalric) with the villainous plan up his sleeve, the despot from a foreign country (Joaquin Cosio), the cool car, the hot women (Olga Kurylenko and Gemma Artherton), and the splashy destruction of the bad guy's lair near the film's end. Though the "Quantum of Solace" is not clearly understood, there's enough of the good to outweigh that aspect of the story line.
Daniel Craig is continuing to carve a unique characterization of the Ian Fleming creation, adding equal parts of menace and vulnerability. His tough-as-nails demeanor still masks a man with a lot of BONDage carrying around, especially after the death of his beloved Vesper.
Judi Dench is still commanding and perfect as "M" and Jeffrey Wright is again underused as Felix Leiter. Maybe in the next film, he'll have more than a "cameo".
Movie Review: My Favorite Bond is Back!
Summary: 5 Stars
This is the second movie to star Daniel Craig as James Bond. Though it is not as great as the first movie Casino Royale, it is still a wonderful movie in the series. I remember my first reaction on hearing Daniel Craig was going to be the new Bond, I remember thinking "He's not even cute and definitely not suave." After the first movie, actually only ¼ of the way through, I was captivated and hooked. In this movie "Quantum of Solace," the events start on a few hours after the ending of Casino Royale. The movie starts with an action sequence that involves M. The action scenes are stellar, the plot is as usual an evil person wanting to take over the world. The Sean Connery and Roger Moore's depiction of James Bond was a smooth, suave, lady's man; Coolness personified. The Bond movies featuring Craig are darker and delve deeper into the character and intelligence of Bond. Craig as Bond is totally believable as an agent for an intelligence agency. He's smart, sexy, dangerous and lethal.
I hope they have Mr. Craig signed to play Bond into eternity. I just can't imagine anyone doing such a fantastic job of turning this franchise of such a loved character on it's head and being better than it's predecessors.