"Quantum of Solace" is a heavily flawed. It is a fast paced and action filled Bond flick that lacks a few defining characteristics of a Bond film

Rating: 7/10 (25 November 2008)

Now after hearing overwhelmingly negative reviews towards "Quantum of Solace", I entered my local theatre with low expectations, but quite frankly I was pleasantly surprised. Whilst "Quantum of Solace" is quite flawed it is still a rather enjoyable action experience. Now the film picks of literally where "Casino Royale". Bond is transporting the mysterious Mr White to an interrogation with MI6. Unsurprisingly Bond is attacked by henchmen, after disposing of them he takes Mr White to Sienna, Italy. The interrogation is interrupted with a shootout and Bond is sent to Bolivia to try and discover information about a mysterious villainous network- "Quantum". After reaching a few "dead-ends" Bond encounters the films villain Dr Greene, whose diabolical plan is to control the water supply of Bolivia- yep I know, that's probably the worst evil plan any Bond villain has ever had.
OK enough about the plot. The real problem with the film is that it focuses on presenting good action by sacrificing a coherent story, character development and all the Bond essentials. The story itself is really rather poor and structured about as bad as the houses be see in Bolivia. Bond just seems to jump from country to country killing people, finding information and killing more people until the finale. The problem with this is it moves to fast to develop a sense of drama. "Casino Roayle" (the franchises reboot) had this. In "casino Royale" tension developed between Bond and the villain of that film Le Chiffre and between Bond and his Bondgirl Vesper. Quantum lacks this, and leaves us with a rather dull action experience, at least from this angle. Even the characters are poorly developed, when really if the film was maybe 20-30minutes longer, more time could have been dedicated to exploring characters relationships and even past relationships. Perhaps spending some time exploring Bondgirl Camille (Olga Kurylenko) past (this included her family being murdered by General Mendaro, another antagonist of the film). But instead the filmmakers over looked this and hence the film failed to make me care about the character receiving vengeance upon the General, or to present the General as a vile, sadistic man.
Astonishingly enough, I was able to see past these flaws of the film and appreciate what the films had to offer. There were thankfully great, faced paced and energetic action sequences including; a boat chase, plane chase (which brings pack some of the cheese "Casino Royale" abandoned) and car chase, as well as chase through Siena in similar format to that of the one in Madagascar in "Casino Royale". These action scenes were quite well choreographed, but shockingly filmed, with the shaky camera effect proving to be more of a nuisance, than a visual aid. Another striking occurrence in the film is the level of brutality; this is possible the most brutal Bond film. Bond kills people with no remorse and no empathy. This creative decision makes Bond's quest for vengeance far more convincing than if he had been left as he was pre-"Casino Roayle", more sympathetic and cruel. Now this upset most bond fans but, I myself was never a hardcore fan of Bond so understand that while reading the review.
Now I suppose ill spend some words addressing Craig's portrayal of Bond. Frankly I was "quite pleased with his performance" (as the queen said to Craig after viewing "Casino Royale". Craig portrays a charismatic Bond not on level with the Charisma of Brosnan nor Connery, but still he has some. This entices audiences to attempt to understand this far more complex portrayal, and multi-level of Bond. Craig never feels uncertain in a scene, regardless of the circumstances. He acts fine in the slower more drama orientated scenes and just as well when he is about to be burnt alive in the middle of the Bolivian Dessert. Whilst as I said not as well as Sean Connery; he still is an impressive actor for Bond (my personal second favourite).
One final aspect of the film, which has let forth bursts of outrage from fans, is the lack of gadgets, Q or Moneypenny. Perhaps not the worse flaw of the film it is amplified by the legions of Bond fans. The film contains no gadgets of any sort which sucks some enjoyment out of what should be a cheesy but fun action flick. Hence I look forward with anticipation that the next films will have some, if not simple gadgets. From what I understand the filmmakers tried to do to Bond, what "Batman Begins" and "The Dark Knight" did for superhero movies? But they fail to realise the importance of the gadgets. Removing the gadgets from a Bond film is like removing a superhero costume from a superhero- you just don't do it. If you do do it, then expect severe negative reviews.
Overall "Quantum of Solace" is a heavily flawed, but a fast paced and action filled Bond flick that lacks a few defining characteristics of a Bond film. Overall "Quantum of Solace" receives a 6.5/10. Not the best Bond film, but certainly not the worst.