Movie Review: "Quantum of Solace"

"Quantum" Needs More Bond, Less Solace.

007 does it again; but this time, he has his work cut out for him.
In Quantum of Solace, an ailing James Bond is struck between exacting revenge on those who have hurt him from Casino Royale, and saving a country’s water supply from a greedy environmentalist. While this seems like a good plot, it skews what makes Bond movies great. We can all admit that 007 has never really been a box-office favorite, but the movies are always fun to watch with their amazing gadgets and explosions, beautiful women and impossible situations.

The explosions and women are here in Solace, but the others are gone. No more crazy contraptions, not even an appearance by a “Q” of any sort to give Bond cool things to tinker with. There’s about 5 minutes of James’ Aston Martin speeding around, and that as well is pretty sad. The movie had an overbearing feel to it, and a darkness that was felt through the flick, which is great, but I miss my old Bond.

Director Mark Forster obviously wanted this movie to be a hit with critics, and strayed away from the closet humor used in previous movies, and went with more periods of speaking between off characters that made the movie not only drag, but make little sense at some junctures as well. As far as acting goes, Daniel Craig (Bond) did a great job yet again; He’s no Sean Connery, but he is probably the best since then, and his intensity and charm are a good fit for Bond’s overwhelming persona. M is again played by Judi Dench, and I don’t really think it should be otherwise, she has done a fantastic job in her roles as the leader of MI6 to this point.

Overall, it was a good showing, but I expected more. If Forster can somehow combine this movie and Casino Royale for the next installment, it will be a blockbuster, But for now, the lack of historical Bond elements combined with shoddy acting by those other than who is listed above, and the loss of an upbeat, happy and funny action movie has made me somewhat disappointed. I may watch it again, but I would be happier popping in just about any other movie just as much. I give it a 6 out of a possible 10. It is worth a view at the theaters simply for the explosions and overall feel, but unless you’re a Bond maniac, saving this one for a rainy day at home will make for a much better showing.