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Quantum of Solace: Wham, Bam, Thank You Mam, and I Loved It
James Bond’s 22nd screen adventure has been widely criticised for lacking an emotional core, but what stronger expression of emotion could have driven the plot than the desire for revenge?
2008Director: Marc ForsterStarring: Daniel Craig, Dame Judi Dench, Mathieu Amalric, Olga Kurylenko, Gemma Arterton
Quantum of Solace picks up directly where Casino Royale left off, with our hero mourning the loss of his lover Vespa, and burning with rage at the nefarious organisation which forced her to betray him. This is the first time the Bond franchise has ever continued a direct plot line through more than one film, and the narrative occasionally suffers as a result as the viewer may struggle to follow the complex web of deceit which Bond attempts to unravel. Bond films have never before been too hung up on the plausibility of the plot, however, and Quantum of Solace is no exception, saving it’s energy for it’s visually stunning, viscerally breath-taking action sequences. It’s a cliché to say so, but I was actually on the edge of my seat, wincing in sympathy as Daniel Craig pounded the bad guys to pulp, while taking quite a bashing himself. The opening sequences in Italy are particularly amazing.
The other Bond prerequisite is of course beautiful girls, and in Quantum of Solace they come in the form of the shockingly underused Gemma Aterton, and the powerful newcomer Olga Kurylenko, who shares bond’s passion for revenge. My only real disappointed with Quantum of Solace came with the anti-climatic final battle. Perhaps I was burnt out from the stomach churning action sequences which preceded it, but I didn’t think the burning cardboard compound made a particularly dramatic setting for the finale, and the action itself seemed lacklustre compared with the earlier dynamism and power displayed. This alone, however, would not be enough to deter me from recommending this film, and I think it is another fine addition to the 007 catalogue. It may not have the wow-factor of Casino Royale, but given that that film was so utterly different to every other Bond film, there was no way that Quantum of Solace could have surprised or impressed the critics in the same way. ***3*s
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I really enjoyed this film too, perfect example of a film that is entertaining but does not require too much thinking! Plus, Daniel Craig is so charismatic- he brings a human side to Bond I think.