As for story, Quantum of Solace is underdeveloped, but interesting, as Bond attempts to track down the members of the mysterious organization Quantum. Along the way, he runs into an environmentalist, Dominic Greene, with plans to gain control of an entire country through one of its essential resources.
Mathieu Amalric (The Diving Bell and the Butterfly) excels as Greene, finding just the right balance between slimy and brilliant. Also in the picture for Bond is Camille (Olga Kurylenko), a Russian agent, driven by her own plans for revenge against Quantum.
Camille is one of those unusual Bond girls who doesn’t actually sleep with Bond, and indeed, the film is almost entirely devoid of love scenes – James Bond is heartbroken and out for revenge. He’s uninterested in dallying with the beauties that cross his path. (Okay, so not entirely.)
Craig plays Bond with the same steely-eyed coolness that defined his character in Casino Royale, but something’s missing this time around, and it’s really not his fault. Quantum of Solace is a gritty departure from the typical Bond film, and that’s fine. The problem lies in the lack of anything memorable to fill the gap left by missing Bond hallmarks – the vodka martinis, the sly and sarcastic remarks, the wanton sex romps. I’m no Bond purist – by all means, take that stuff out if it means creating a better film.
But Solace has no replacement in store. What we’re left with is a straight-up action film, and not a very well executed one. The future of the Bond franchise is in good hands with Daniel Craig in the starring role, and Quantum of Solace is not an utter failure by any means, but it’ll likely be remembered only as a stepping stone between Casino Royale and the better Bond that’s hopefully coming next time.
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Article comments
1 - Triniman
If you were trying to write a spy thriller from scratch, you likely wouldn't come up with a story like this one. It isn't particularly succinct or even compelling.
Bond fights like nobody's business and in that capacity, Daniel Craig is very watchable. Too bad he suffers from what appears to be a permanent bad hair day throughout the film. There are no cool gadgets, but lots of action with doesn't really help make this a film worthy of the Bond franchise.
If you really must see this film, I'd suggest renting it instead of shelling out $10 or wait for it to appear in the cheap theatres.
2 - Patrick
Quantum of Solace is entertaining at least... a lot of high quality visuals, but the movie as a whole could stand to lose six or seven fewer chase scenes