I’m really enjoying the new reboot of the James Bond franchise. I was never a huge Bond fan. Most of the films were bland and repetitive. Sean Connery was clearly the best Bond. He was suave and just a lot of fun. After the initial excellent Bond films I really lost interest in the series. Pierce Brosnan (not a bad actor) did what was required of the role, but nothing more. Goldeneye was a rousing start with the lovely Famke Jansen (crushing men between her thighs….what’s not to love), but his series of films quickly grew as rotten as Halle Berry’s acting in Die Another Day. Daniel Craig renewed the energy and brought the gritty (and the pain) as James Bond in Casino Royale. The massively entertaining Bond film which breathed new life into the bland Bond franchise. The underrated Quantum of Solace is a highly entertaining action piece that follows the Bourne model of action flicks.
Solace starts with a terrific opening song from Jack White (White Stripes) and Alicia Keyes and plunges us into a nifty car chase. Bond is out for revenge after being betrayed by his former love Vesper. Feeling conflicted over his betrayal, and mostly wanting revenge for her death and to find the man (or organization) that set her up, Bond goes on a massive manhunt. The trail leads to a beautiful (but quite deadly) woman named Camille (the lovely Olga Kurylenko) who has her own reasons for revenge and an environmentalist named Dominic Greene (the fine actor Matthieu Amalric, OK, but kind of wasted) who has a sinister plan for stealing an important natural resource for his own profit. Judi Dench (as M) and a few other actors return from Casino Royale and the acting is generally strong with Craig in firm command as Bond. A cold, calculated killing machine, he doesn’t mesh with the older Bond fans and what they want out of Bond. They want a bland cipher who sips martinis and beds hotties. That just won’t do for me in this post- Bourne era. Craig now just needs a compelling (and more physical villain) to go up against, and the next Bond could be one of the all time best in franchise history.
Fast-paced and well-made, Quantum of Solace is solid entertainment. It’s not as good storywise as Casino Royale, but its easily the best Bond film (besides Casino Royale) since Goldeneye. The older Bond fans may not like this new, gritty Bond but I’ll take his intensity any day over the bland Bonds of the past. Daniel Craig is the Bond of the future, and the franchise can only get better from here. Solace is something of a solid filler film, and the next Bond should be thrilling and an equal to Casino Royale.
Film Grade: B
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Magnus782
Nov 16, 2008 -
”Quantum of Solace” was a decent, bloated action film. Daniel Craig gave a good performance, and did not appear to be in autopilot. The older James Bond fans are taking the newer Bond films a little too seriously these days (due to the mixed reaction the film received in the press).
Reboot
Nov 16, 2008 -
I wasnt impressed with the first 007 he did, and im sure i wont be impressed with the new one either.
Im not a big fan of 007 movies.
John Spartan
Nov 16, 2008 -
This film was all over the place with the story. On the one hand, we were lead to believe the story was about the revelation of this secret organization that quicly turned into a story of man saving girl from other man with oil.
I highly enjoyed Casino Royale and Mr. Craig’s version of Bond. Great action sequences too, especially the parkour sequence in the beginning.
Cricket
Nov 17, 2008 -
The movie wasn’t as good as Casino Royale but it was entertaining enough that I’d recommend it. Craig was still good as 007 but I was disappointed with the “Bourne” style fight scenes.
I’d also give this movie a “B”.
frandy barathii
Nov 17, 2008 -
With many talks around whom the best bond girl. It was clearly good supporting role been played by Olga Kurylenko she is out standing with the nightly look of her. She may be the next decade bond girl. So much technology put in to the movie Quantum of Solace and with http://www.80millionmoviesfree.com I have seen this perfect action bond 22 movie.
John Kaufman
Nov 17, 2008 -
I might point out that Ian Fleming’s choice for Bond was Cary Grant who turned down the role.
I suppose that means that Roger Moore is the closest to the Bond Fleming wanted to see on screen.
Me? I think Sean Connery IS James Bond.
Ccfmds
Nov 17, 2008 -
Anyone else think that this new Bond needs a more menacing and physical baddie than some short french dude? Someone like Vin Diesel comes to mind. Daniel Craig uses his fists and kicks ass and he needs a stronger baddie, not some sneering eurotrash.
John Spartan
Nov 17, 2008 -
No, lets not use Vin Diesel as the baddie. I think someone that’s tough, respectable and with a strong screen presence. Someone like Russell Crowe or Liam Neeson. Oh, or Bond against Denzel?
Cricket
Nov 17, 2008 -
I agree with CCFMDS, the next villain should be a bit more bad ass. I don’t have a problem with the previous two bad guys because it fits their characters.
I think Crowe or Denzel might overshadow Craig. I say get Paul Bettany(voice of Jarvis in Iron Man). He was my pick for the Joker before Heath was picked. He looks like he can be menacing and give Craig a run for his money.