Action packed but lacking a lot in emotional involvement ...

Rating: Null/10 (5 November 2008)

Note: This doesn't give away any vital plot revelations so it's free of spoilers as far as I know. I hate it when people spoil films for me so I try not to do that to others - only fair isn't it?
The sequel to what I think was the brilliant Casino Royale just really disappointed for me and comes nearly top of my list of most disappointing hyped blockbusters of the the year(along with Cloverfield and Indy 4). Why? I hear fans yell at me as I dare to speak against such a popular brand as Bond? Well, it's all flash and not much substance to be honest.
Acting: Craig does his usual best as the character, but this time, his Bond is a rather one-note killing machine - I was shocked in one particular scene seeing Bond treat a supposed male friend in such an uncaring way, 'he doesn't care' he said. Well I did and it makes Bond look pretty heartless. It's hardly Craig's fault though, as the script dictated this and it seems to mess up the characterisation and very essence of what Bond is in such a sorry, shameful way - showing more of his gritty heart would've helped tons to show at least some remorse for some actions he did. We need to believe he's a 3D human being even though he's completely fictional if the film wants to be brilliant.
The new Bond girl Camille is a bit stiff at first but OK after she settles into the atypical role (she's especially good in a scene towards the end when she's surrounded by flames and scared stiff as we learn why this is so).
Agent Fields in in it too briefly to judge but I didn't really like her obviously put-on 'clipped' posh London accent.
The villain(without a white cat or some sort of creepy disability) instead of the usual stuff is fairly normal apart from his flash of a maddening, disturbing stare at moments. He's also good but not the best villain I've seen. He could've been written better.
Judi Dench's M is good in her few scenes as she does her best to sort out Bond's situation.
Pacing and Plot: It's a fine running time, but the main problem is the haphazard script and plot - it just doesn't make a lot of sense nor is there a sense of real cohesion and purpose as such. This revenge mission is filled with elements that don't make a lot of sense nor are they fully explored satisfyingly enough(like Bond's inner thoughts).
I sort of worked out what the title meant by consulting a dictionary after I'd seen the film at home. Things like Quantum are mentioned along with oil but it went through one ear and didn't register. Maybe this so-called 'Quantum' helped Bond to finally relieve his grief over Vesper? I dunno, it's anyone's guess. Maybe the scriptwriters were as mind boggled as I was and hoped flashy stunts would cover this up?
Cinematography: It's shot well and the stunts thrill with some obvious nods to Bourne in at least three action scenes but a film should work on all levels to be outstanding, however
Fast cut editing technique, dangerous stunts and endless action pieces all make it entertaining but this misses out on the gadgets and witty one liners that make Bond ... well Bond. Take away the references to MI6 and it's hardly any different to your regular action blockbuster.
Music: Argh, dear Lord I hated the Another Way to Die song played in the beginning with the silhouetted figures in the desert for the standard Bond opening - it has to have one of the worse choruses after the potential in the intro for the song itself. The score is fairly good though.
Overall: An 'avenging Vesper' tale following on from Casino Royale that's not really based on any of the official books(as they've apparently exhausted them) and is almost entirely a newly thought-up storyline from the minds of the scriptwriters.
With all it's thrilling, high octane, daredevil action pieces and various locations, it's a cold, brutal Bond presented without crucial emotional involvement - we just don't get to see more of what's going on in his head. There seems to be more of these exciting yet generic action scenes at the cost of it not really having enough of a heart at it's center to make the audience care more about the characters.It's just another blockbuster action film with the charm and essence of Bond missing.
The plot confused the heck out of me along with the title that still doesn't make that much sense. With a reference to Goldfinger but a lack of solid characterisation in the script, it's a hollow, disappointing affair. This could and should've been so much better.
It seemed to anger a teen male audience member so much that he swore loudly just as the closing credits came up and left. I think it's safe to say from my point of view, Casino Royale is a better film.