Decent Bond flick marred by ridiculous quick-editing

Rating: 6/10 (30 October 2015)

Released in 2008, "Quantum of Solace" is the second Bond film with Daniel Craig as Agent 007. Bond seeks revenge for the death of his babe in the previous film as well as those responsible for an assassination attempt on M (Judi Dench). The trail leads from Italy to Haiti to Bolivia and Dominic Greene (Mathieu Amalric), a world-renowned developer of green technology. Greene is intent on securing a barren area of Bolivia in exchange for assisting General Medrano stage a coup there (Joaquín Cosio). Since the CIA looks the other way, only Bond stands in Greene's way with assistance from a retired spy and two beauties (Olga Kurylenko and Gemma Arterton). M wonders if she can trust Bond or if his need for vengeance has corrupted him.
Daniel Craig makes a great James Bond and I appreciate the serious vibe of his installments. The problem with "Quantum of Solace," the 22nd Bond film, is the rapid-fire editing during the action scenes. Take, for instance, the opening chase-sequence that takes place on the tollway that leads through mountain tunnels from Nice through Monte Carlo and down to Portofino in Italy. It's a spectacularly scenic area. Unfortunately you won't see much of it here, just quick flashes; more importantly, you'll hardly understand what's going on due to the moronic fast editing. The camera switches about 3 or 4 times per second! I have no doubt that the filmmakers think such quick angle changes convey energy, but when it's done this fast all it does is confuse, disorient and annoy the viewer. It wouldn't be so bad if this was the only sequence put together like this but, no, after Bond's initial meeting with M (Judi Dench) there's another ridiculous rapid-fire action scene.
The filmmakers need to get a grip on this fact: James Bond is not a mindless action hero! He's too smart for that. He's the ultimate 'cool' attitude. Violence for him is an irritation resorted to only when necessary. He exists for the mental play, the checkmate and, later, the martini – shaken, not stirred; the babe too, of course. The only way the average viewer can successfully make it past the 25-minute mark of "Quantum of Solace" and enjoy the movie is if s/he drinks a pot of heavily-caffeinated coffee beforehand. If you do this it's an entertaining Bond picture, but it's not in the top tier of the franchise.
The film runs 106 minutes and was shot in England, Italy, Austria, Spain, Panama (standing in for Haiti), Chili (the Atacama Desert) and Baja California (the last two standing in for Bolivia).
GRADE: C+ or B-