Unfairly Hated.....

Rating: 8/10 (27 March 2009)

Quantum Of Solace as we all know is a direct sequel to Casino Royale, and not too much of a stand-alone Bond movie. I think this is where the negative reviews start to come in. I have seen this movie twice now, once in the theater, and again just recently upon its DVD release. I have to admit I was a little disappointed after my theater viewing. I had seen Casino Royale, but didn't remember nearly enough of it for Quantum's plot to make any kind of sense to me at the time. I had forgotten specific characters' relevance to the storyline, I had forgotten much of the whole deal with Vesper, so plain and simple it was a big action packed mess the first time I watched it. It was released on DVD, I watched Casino Royale and immediately afterwords put Quantum in the DVD player and I must say, this is how it was meant to be watched.
No it doesn't fix the awkwardly edited action scenes (at least the beginning) and it doesn't fix the lack of all the usual "Bond" dressings we have all come to know and love. But the story is very well executed in this movie once you remember what happened in Royale, and moves along at a frenetic and action packed pace. Bond is out for revenge on the organization that killed Vesper, and the movie evokes that feel from start to finish. Craig is magnificent as Bond (again) and the anger yet sadness and remorse show through and some particularly well done scenes. (The one with Bond and Leiter on the jet comes to mind) Along the way he picks up Bond girl Camille, and she is as tough as any of the Bond girls to date, and holds her own the whole way through the movie. The villain Dominic Greene serves his purpose, but doesn't feel as threatening as Le Chiffre or some other past Bond villains. This movie has guns firing and things blowing up 95% of the time, and the stunt work is impeccable. Some of the editing is a bit to "artsy and frenetic" but the movie settles down about 30 or so minutes in and the sets and action scenes are terrific. Gone are the CGI days with bond kite surfing off an iceberg. Thank God.
I would have loved to see another 20 or so minutes of Quantum, and after my second viewing that is one of my only problems with the movie. The funny quips are still there (listen carefully) and the bad ass Bond from Connery's days is back. When viewed after Casino Royale this movie is terrific and places itself among the top of the Bond franchise.
8/10