No solace in the plot

Rating: 3/10 (15 November 2008)

The movie proves, if proof was needed, that endless action sequences are no substitute for a half decent plot.
You'd think that a franchise like the Bond movies would have access to the very best in story and script writers, but it seems not. There is almost no plot to speak of and the film lurches, uncomfortably from one location to another with little reason other than to provide exotic backdrops. Dialogue has never been a great strength in Bond movies but in 'Quantum' it plumbs new depths and is contrived and flimsy.
It's also a bit disappointing that the film doesn't have a Bond atmosphere to it. Whilst the move away from gadgets and towards a 'harder' edge, is good, they could at least have used the Bond theme music to remind us occasionally that this is Bond and not Bourne that we're watching.
The lack of anything resembling a plot probably explains why the film is 40 minutes shorter than most Bond exploits and it's stretch even at 90 odd minutes.
On the plus side; Craig is excellent and the action scenes are good. But you just don't really care anymore after about an hour.
After the terrific 'Casino Royale', 'Quantum' is a big let down. I sincerely hope Craig's era in the role isn't going to go the same way as Brosnan's after the classic 'Goldeneye'.