Continues Craig's reign as Bond...but still not quite the quality of Casino Royale

Rating: 8/10 (15 January 2009)

As much as I love sequels it is a rare thing to have the second installment as good or better than the original. This is probably part of the problem with Quantum of Solace besides its questionable title. This is the first time a film has been a direct sequel to a previous Bond title. Quantum of Solace is like an exact continuation of Casino Royale which was a masterpiece in reinventing Bond. There is nothing wrong with that but it means there is a lack of an original story, repeat characters, and rehashing some of the original concept. All that being said Quantum of Solace has some truly incredible action moments, some amazing battles, but lacked the depth of plot that Casino Royale had. The film jumps right into incredible action and picks up exactly where Casino Royale leaves off. I made sure I watched Casino Royale literally hours before going into Quantum of Solace and I do think it enhanced how much I enjoyed it because it could succeed in being one big film. If you loved Craig's turn as Bond then you won't be disappointed because he does return in a big way although I will say what I said after Casino Royale...he is not your Grandpappy's Bond. They have reinvented him with an edge and a much darker side.
Daniel Craig has the perfect balance of suave smooth character with that tough as nails, license to kill psychotic side to him that they seem to be giving to the new era of Bond. He is still a kick ass hero and really holds his own on screen. I don't think he gets nearly the depth of character in Quantum of Solace but he is still really great to watch. Olga Kurylenko is the sultry new Bond girl and fits the bill to a T. She fills all the previous shoes just perfectly and her and Bond have a sexy passionate and chemistry ridden relationship. She is terrific and should have a promising career ahead of her. Mathieu Amalric could have been a really great villain. Here is the issue...it seems like they downplayed him as a villain and he doesn't really get the full treatment of being a Bond villain like they did previously. He is almost forgettable as a villain and yet has this really great look and style to him. Judi Dench and Jeffrey Wright return as their cameo roles that suit them very well although Wright is hardly used in this film.
Director Marc Forster takes over direction and does a good solid job. Forster has done some really terrific films and he has a good handling on style and action. Many IMDb reviewers have said how dark this Bond film is and how he goes over the edge but it seems like they are over analyzing the film because while the plot is that Bond is on a revenge kick I don't think he goes over the edge and that there is this truly dark kick to the Bond story. Craig's Bond has had edge since the minute Casino Royale started and that hasn't changed. The whole plot which it seems they had to force the title into making sense is a little much and with all the action in the film it would have made more sense to be about weapons, or computers or something other than water...which is the basis of the film. Still Bond fans can rejoice because the franchise is in tact and still terrific with Craig making us proud. 8/10