Reveiw: Quantum OF Solace

Here he is again. Ian Fleming's legendary super spy James Bond better known in his circles as agent Double Oh Seven, is making his much awaited and highly anticipated 22nd appearance in this sequel of a prequel - Quantum of Solace.

Quantum of Solace is a horse of a different colour and I'm willing to bet that you are, and will probably will be as baffled as I am before and after watching the movie as to what that name actually means. Allow me to clue you in just in case though - very literally Quantum of Solace means a measure or level of comfort. And you'll understand it much better after actually watching the movie. Maybe.

Director Marc Foster who you should remember from masterpieces like Monster's Ball, Kite Runner and Finding Neverland, has done a pretty good job of directing the cast that includes Daniel Craig and his Bond Girl Olga Kurylenko who's relatively a newcomer to the big screen but has appeared in movies like Hitman and the soon to released Max Payne. Dame Judy Dench reprises her role as M and Jeffery Wright has also come back as CIA Agent Felix Leiter. Another new comer is Gemma Arterton who plays the vivacious Agent Fields. Bond’s villain, Maurice Greene is played by French actor Mathieu Amalric, and is quite convincing as an environmentalist with a hidden agenda.

The movie starts off with a bang and some thrilling action scenes. The movie picks up from where Casino Royale ends and through the rather vague storyline follows the seemingly gone 'rogue' Bond through various picturesque locations in his quest to find his ex-lover's (Vesper Lynd) killers. There's plenty of action - from car chases, running through buildings and little streets, boat chases and even those in planes. It seems like they’ve covered all bases – Land, water and air.

But to get down to brass tacks, Daniel Craig is as stone cold a killer as they come. This is truly a very unlikely Bond movie made in as hardcore a manner as possible. Bond's expressionless visage remains consistent in the face of all kinds of adversity. Although it does seem to be a bit different from Casino Royale, the level of indifference seems less subtle. This is extremely well portrayed by Craig and the level up in Bond's attitude is quite evident.

While Quantum of Solace manages to capture some aspect of the Bond franchise in the form of gorgeous women and exotic locations, it isn't vintage Bond. The absence of the Q character and his 'gadget lab' as well as Bond's age-old trademarks like his introduction and drink order make this Bond flick as bad (or good) as the last one. I'm a fan from Dr. No and I'm not entirely certain that Daniel Craig makes a good Bond. He's a great actor, but a Sean Connery he ain't.

VERDICT: What Quantum of Solace brings to the big screen is nothing more than a rather generic action-packed spy sequel with some snappy dialogues and pretty good acting. Watch it for the hard hitting action sequences but as a Bond fan I’m sorry, I think traditional would have been the way to go. Don't try to fix that which ain't broke.
2.5/5
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