Bad direction for Bond

Rating: 5/10 (15 November 2008)

Although loaded to concussive levels with rapid-fire edits, explosions and high impact action, the nod to story and character Casino Royale so effectively returned to the Bond series is mostly absent. Though it keeps a hard edge throughout, the implied vengeful, out of control direction Bond was pushing towards as Casino ended is never effectively communicated in Quantum of Solace. Daniel Craig makes another good turn as 007, providing a depth of character the film's writing doesn't deserve. The plot is vague and meandering, the villains are substance-less and dull and the evolution of the Bond character misses a chance to effectively detail the eventual birth of the super spy, choosing rather to wallow in dizzy, witless brutality with few glimpses of the well played humor and charm of Casino. The supporting cast is adequate, though forgettable. While a fun ride in terms of pure action, Quantum never feels like much of anything resembling a Bond film. Rather than push the character towards the witty, charming and deadly character Casino Royale was carefully molding, we step backwards into Steven Seagal territory. Many are comparing this movie to the Bourne trilogy, but even Bourne took enough time from the whirling storm of fists and edits to put together a cohesive story and characters. If this new Bond seeks to imitate Bourne, it has some work to do.