Quantum of Solace - movie review

By naming the latest Bond film “Quantum of Solace,” the producers risked alienating many of the movie-going public, who no doubt would not understand its meaning.  This boldness was seemingly part of the new direction in which the Bond franchise was heading with the gritty, psychologically nuanced “Casino Royale,” as well as a refreshingly brutal and explosive version of James Bond (Daniel Craig).  Yet, instead of continuing to evolve, the film regresses into classic, mundane, James Bond themes.

“Quantum of Solace” begins where “Casino Royale” left off.  Bond is seeking revenge for the death of his beloved, Vesper Lynd.  He has captured the person supposedly responsible, Mr. White.  Once questioning of the subject begins, Bond quickly discovers that Mr. White is only part of a larger, secret society that plans to dominate the world.  Of course, Bond then sets out on a path of destruction in order to reveal the other participants in this powerful cabal before their evil plans can be exacted.

Though the idea of a revenge-seeking sequel seems novel, do not be fooled.  James Bond sought the same revenge in “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service” and “Diamonds Are Forever.”   In those related films, Bond hunted Ernst Stavro Blofeld, the man who murdered Bond’s wife.  Similar to the “Quantum” organization, Blofeld was the leader of a secret organization, SPECTRE, bent on world domination through the threat of world annihilation.  

The director of “Quantum of Solace,” Marc Foster (“The Kite Runner” and “Monster’s Ball”), is an accomplished director who should have been able to run circles around his predecessor, Mark Campbell (nothing of any merit, except “Casino Royale”).  However, Foster starts the film with a routine car chase in which he substitutes extreme close-up shots for well-choreographed action.  In fact, “Quantum of Solace” is riddled with frenetic chase scenes that are difficult for the eye to follow.  This includes the clichéd airplane chase scene where Bond and his companion have to make good with only one parachute after they bail out.  Oh, no!  However, not one of these action sequences is half as exhilarating as that in “Casino Royale” when Bond and his cheetah-like foe turned a construction work site into an adult’s version of a jungle gym.  Furthermore, nothing in “Quantum of Solace” reaches the intensity of the torture scene in “Casino Royale.”   

Nonetheless, for all of its shortcomings, the acting saves the film.  Judi Dench is still a worthy “M.”  She knows how to be intelligent, capable, and tough, while still showing a weakness for the constantly insubordinate Bond.  Daniel Craig continues to be a brilliantly charismatic James Bond; perhaps, a better one than Sean Connery.  Craig’s adept portrayal of Bond as a brooding, untamable, and remorseless spy reveals Bond as a three-dimensional character with human qualities, unlike the unflappable, perfectly kempt Bonds of the past.  The new Bond is a portrait of an assassin.  He is a sociopathic killer with a sense of duty to his country.

I have always been a fan of the Bond movies, even through the nearly unbearable, Timothy Dalton years.  So, it is easy to state that “Quantum of Solace” ranks as one of the best Bond movies.  The 2006 version of “Casino Royale” set such a high standard that it could be compared to other films outside of the Bond realm.  When sitting down for “Quantum of Solace,” I was hoping to see a film of equal, if not exceeding caliber.  Unfortunately, “Quantum of Solace” brought out the bigger gun barrels, but failed to meet the size of “Casino Royale’s” character.

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