A Poorly done, disappointing sequel

Rating: 5/10 (18 April 2009)

This James Bond movie came out right after Casino Royale, so you'd expect it to be excellent, but it's not. Quantum just lacks too many essential elements of a good James Bond movie: the clean-cut fight scenes being the most noticeable of these missing elements. The Q character, the gadgets, Miss Moneypenny... etc. It's like they're abandoning the old formula. This is an honorable idea, but it just doesn't work. M needs a hot secretary James can flirt with! He needs the gadgets!
One of the most important things that Quantum of Solace lacks that I think is most necessary is clarity. James Bond is not supposed to be difficult to understand, you aren't supposed to have to think too hard while watching it. In Quantum, you basically have to figure out the villain's plan by yourself. In most movies, James is the captive audience of the villain as the villain explains his plan to him. The action sequences are also supposed to be clean and easy to view, not in the rough, jerky cinematic style that has been adopted by most filmmakers for action movies.
I do have to admit that the James Bond villain this time around was well written, and Dominic Greene was a good character. And he was clever in his plan, once the audience figured it out after the third time watching it. And the bond girls are good, too. Strawberry Fields was sort of a throw-away character with a forgettable role in the film, but she is well balanced by Camille, who is a very strong, headstrong woman with a plentiful history of her own. She is certainly a memorable bond girl.
Overall, I like it half and half. 5/10.