Good action film with a character named Bond, but not a Bond film

Rating: 4/10 (20 November 2008)

This film like Casino Royale lacks the elements that make it a true 007 Bond film. No Q, no Moneypenny, none of the cool toys that we have came to know and love about the Bond films and no direction or briefing at the beginning as in past films. To me, it was just another action movie just like the others Hollywood is pumping out these days and not a true Bond film. The title sequence was utter torture. Both Jack White and Alicia Keys sounded like they were shrieking in agony and I couldn't make out what they were shrieking about. The only intelligible words were "Another Way To Die". Director Marc Forster has made a first rate action thriller -- in fact, it's one of the year's best. Next time, however, we'd like to be reminded that the hero of the movie is called Bond...James Bond. I think overall, the Producers have forgotten what makes Bond unique. Bond is supposed to be fun, over the top escapism. Not gritty and real. We want to be Bond, not have Bond be us. Solace is one relentlessly dour, emotionless movie.