Take solace in Craig as Bond. (Quantum of Solace (DVD))

Member Name: dididave

Product:	Quantum of Solace (DVD)
Date:	23/03/09 (110 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great action, Craig is immense, Dench is ever reliable.

Disadvantages: Nonsensical plot, poor supporting characters.

In vengeful mood a grief-stricken James Bond is on the trail of Dominic Greene, an environmental developer who seems to be involved in a secret organisation. The same organisation that is responsible for a failed assassination attempt on M. Wit the CIA feigning ignorance it is up to Bond to find out what Greene's intentions are, and God help anyone who gets in his way.

"Quantum of Solace" is a visually impressive continuation of the Bond series. Daniel Craig's second outing as Bond continues directly after his debut in "Casino Royale" and Craig is simply brilliant as our bitter and vengeful hero. Undoubtedly the most intense Bond yet, Craig is easily the best actor to take up the role to date. I have to admit I do occasionally miss the suave cheesiness of a Connery or Moore but Craig definitely heralds a new, more serious 007.

This does mean "Quantum of Solace" is now devoid of several things many of us would consider essential in a Bond movie. This is a film pretty much devoid of gadgets and the usual silliness and innuendo you had from previous films and the emphasis is more on hardcore action. Fortunately, there are a few homages to the franchise including a "Goldfinger" bit and an appropriately stupidly named female...I mean "Strawberry Fields? All of these things remind you that this is not "The Bourne Identity".

You see, essentially Bond films are now a British version of Bourne. It is all about the action sequences and the gritty fight scenes. No longer is Bond a completely invincible hero and "Quanum of Solace" is better for this. Bond is undoubtedly an agile and capable spy but no longer is he getting shot at with barely a scratch to show for it. Craig is the ideal man for this as his face shows the scars of battle well and he looks generally world weary. This makes Bond a far more realistic and attainable prospect than previously.

As you can see I love Craig in this film, he is beyond brilliant. However, the film itself is not quite the success I was expecting. The action sequences are undoubtedly immense with the now obligatory car, boat and rooftop chases all impressively shot in scenic locations. However, it all falls down a bit thanks to a very loose plot that is not only difficult to follow but often seems to lead nowhere. There is an unsatisfying conclusion to the whole thing and it all seems as pointless as its stupid title compared to the tight plotting in "Casino Royale".

Craig is not helped either by poor support. His love interests are given very little characterisation and Gemma Artetion as Strawberry Fields in particular is so vapid that her inclusion is pointless. Other than the reliably cold Judi Dench as head honcho "M" there is really no other decent performances to hold the film together. Particularly disappointing is villain Dominic Greene played by Mathieu Amalric. There is just no menace, no detachment and the supposed psychosis he is supposed to instill in his character just never occurs to the point were you cannot see Bond possibly losing to him.

Nonetheless, "Quantum of Solace" is a watchable film that is largely carried by Daniel Craig and some epic action sequences. It all goes by quickly enough but I did find it a little unmemorable. Still worth a watch if only to see what the next film might bring.

Summary: Not as good as Casino Royale.