Quantum of Solace Movie Review

Quantum of Solace (2008)

MPAA Rating: PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, and some sexual content.
Runtime: 106 mins.
Director: Marc Forster
Writer: Paul Haggis and Neal Purvis
Cast: Daniel Craig; Olga Kurylenko; Judi Dench … complete cast
Tagline: Quantum of Solace
Genre: Action | Adventure | Thriller
Memorable Quote: “I think you’re so blinded by inconsolable rage that you don’t care who you hurt. When you can’t tell your friends from your enemies, it’s time to go.” … more quotes
Release Date: November 14, 2008
Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
Official Site: www.007.com/
View the Trailer: www.apple.com/trailers/sony_pictures/quantumofsolace

By Neka Opara

Blonde Bond is back, and this time its personal! Yes, after rising from the ashes, and proving the critics wrong with the genuinely entertaining and intelligent Casino Royale, Daniel Craig returns as the timeless, suave, innuendo-dropping British spy.

However, with Oscar winning writer Paul Haggis and Monster’s Ball director Marc Forster at the helm, as was the case with Casino Royale, blonde Bond brings something very different to the table which is perhaps best demonstrated in this outing.

Gone is the wisecracking, womanising, one liner dropping Bond, and instead he’s broody, serious, cold and revenge driven, desperate to bring down whoever is responsible for the death of betrayer, but true love Vesper Lynd.

Now this really is one hell of a grudge mission. As the trailer reveals, the fascinatingly named Mr White tells Bond and M We have people everywhere.. . Obviously so, since this outing leads 007 from Austria to Italy to the South American desert, leaving a rising body count behind, much to the chagrin of a particularly nonplussed M, and encountering the sultry ass kicking Camille and a ruthless mysterious organization known as Quantum. (Strange title explained then).

Sound a bit muddled? Well maybe that’s because it really is. Whilst Casino Royale although throwing in the required fight scenes, focused upon a war of nerves in the tense card game between Bond and Le Chiffe, Quantum of Solace has one concern; action, and lots of it. Things blow up, cue jumpy hand held camera sequence, cars, planes, and people chase each other frantically, hand held camera sequence Bond fights, Camille fights, yet another hand held camera action sequence. Indeed there is rarely a quiet moment in Quantum of Solace, and this is perhaps where the film’s issue is. Don’t get me wrong, it is very enjoyable. The Bond villains, rather than being hammy, two dimensional characters, are cold, intelligent and dangerous. Then of course there’s Craig. Craig has eternally transformed our conception of Bond, and really made the role his own, and his gritty, scrappy and altogether much more human interpretation of Bond is a welcome change. However, Casino Royale left some pretty huge shoes to fill, and despite the action and the reasonable plot, Quantum of Solace falls a little short.

Still it’s harmless good old fun, with plenty of eye candy with the rugged Craig, along with gorgeous Bond girls Olga Kurylenko, and Gemma Arterton, and without a doubt as the credit often tell us, 007 will be back!

Neka Opara

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