Quantum of Solace

Quantum of Solace



Connery was gritty and witty, Lazenby was forgettable, Moore was camp, Dalton was dark and Brosnan was suave. Each of the actors has brought something of their own personality to the James Bond character. By this rationale, you wouldn’t want to get on the wrong side of Daniel Craig.

Quantum of Solace is the first direct sequel in the 22 film Bond franchise. It picks up the action exactly where it left off at the end of Casino Royale. Bond is transporting Mr White to M (Judi Dench) for interrogation.

Tied up and supposedly subdued, Mr White reveals that he’s part of a secret criminal organisation, before expertly escaping assisted by M’s own bodyguard. M is visibly shaken by how influential the previously unheard of group can be.

Bond follows the trail to Environmentalist/megalomaniac Dominic Greene, who is plotting to monopolise the Bolivian water supply and usurp the country’s current Government.

Along the way, Bond teams up with Camille(Olga Kurylenko), an ex- Bolivian agent driven by revenge for an evil General at the centre of the plot.
To make matters worse, the CIA also gets in Bond’s way this time around as they’ve been hoodwinked into siding with Greene.

This film is filled with memorable scenes and set-pieces. From the moment you’re launched into the action with the frenetic car chase at the beginning, the moment Bond coolly reveals that he’s listening into the criminal’s conversation, to the point where Bond fights his way through the burning complex to rescue Camille. They’re all filled with such energy that you can’t wait to see what happens next.

The only criticism I can give this film is the handheld camera work. Sometimes the frame sways so much you can’t make out what’s happening. It’s a sign of what impact the Bourne series has had on Bond. A lot of people complain that Bond has become the new Bourne, but don’t forget that without Bond, Bourne wouldn’t exist.
QOS owes more to the early Connery films like Thunderball and Goldfinger, where the car chases were perilous and Bond didn’t drive invisible Aston Martins.

Alongside Casino Royale, Quantum of Solace presents the same kind of rejuvenation of a franchise that Christopher Nolan accomplished with Batman Begins and The Dark Knight. It is a much more realistic storyline with believable villains and vulnerable heroes.

Daniel Craig has certainly silenced his critics and turned them into fans. His Bond is hard as nails with a true grit determination. Fuelled by duty to his country and vengeance for his lost love, he is the first fully formed, human Bond.

Verdict 10/10
Almost a better film than Casino Royale. Almost.