James Bond without James Bond

Rating: 3/10 (24 March 2009)

After the successful rebirth of James Bond in "Casino Royale", the expectations were high to the direct sequel "Quantum of Solace". As a non-stop brainless action film it works out pretty well, but it has NOTHING to do with James Bond.
Daniel Craig has turned James Bond into a cold, raw and very unsympathetic character. Gone is the charm, the style and most important: the Bond spirit. Craig's Bond is so heartless, cruel and vengeful and most of all reminds of a bulldog with rabies. This new style isn't a bad idea, it just isn't James Bond! I am very well aware that we're still in the "birth" of 007, but this doesn't suit the stylish and charming agent.
The 22nd chapter also offers an extremely anonymous and boring villain. Mathieu Amalric struggles against a bad script and does what he can to make the super villain Dominic Greene, with desire of world domination, interesting. The problem is that it never gets clear what he and his organisation is up to, which leaves you with frustrated and confused.
As "Quantum of Solace" is a direct sequel to the great "Casino Royale", a comparison is inevitable. "Casino Royale" also had a raw look, but opposite "Quantum of Solace" it had a bit humour and lots of style, this new Bond film has neither. The story is a big mess and has more loose ends than I ever thought it would be possible to have in a James Bond movie.
All in all the movie feels like a lengthy postlude to a very good film ("Casino Royale"), and if you absolutely want to watch "Quantum of Solace", then make sure to have seen the first film just before, as there are a bunch of references. This new film has an action volume to please the most hungry action fans, and though it is great to look at, it quickly gets boring and uninspiring. I can live without "Shaken not stirred", but I can't see any reason to kill James Bond and take away all the elements which defines this normally delightful agent.