Not so hot

Rating: 5/10 (20 November 2008)

People must look at this movie in two ways, it must be judged as a stand alone film in the bond series and as a sequel to Casino Royale (which I think is highly underrated on IMDb) As a stand alone bond movie, this movie was mediocre. A lot of people say it had action, but the rapid motion camera angles and succession of frames, made every attempt to comprehend what was in progress nearly impossible. Additionally, the plot was wholly deficient both in terms of character development and general story line. I mean look at how the movie started, in media res, bond is driving recklessly away from random thugs which are neither explained nor given a purpose in the movie other than randomly trying to kill bond. One must only assume that they are Mr. White's bodyguards who were never present in Casino Royale, even when their employer got shot in the leg or goes to kill Le Chiffre. Mathis is suddenly innocent with no explanation, and dies with the same lack of clarity. The movie had a few good scenes on the whole though, like the creative meaning of Quantum members at the opera (though quantum is the dumbest name for an evil organization). Another interesting scene was the pre-chase interrogation of Mr. White, and the following humor about having people everywhere. Without seeming to echo other generic critics of the movie, I have to say dominic greene was severely under developed and he could have been a really memorable bad guy. His henchmen on the other hand looked like a cross between stewart from mad-TV skits and a 40 year old virgin (with corresponding bowl-cut hair) As a sequel to casino royale, I think the movie is flat out bad. With the successful plot and character development of Casino Royale, they had a chance to make one of the best bond movies ever, but needless to say I think they dropped the ball. Instead of showing a cold angry bond out for revenge, this director misused Craig's clear talent, instead portraying bond as an almost incompetent agent who kills people because he doesn't fight well enough to keep them alive and question. In this respect, it is similar to Diamond are Forever where bond hunts down blofeld, though that was slightly more comical. He really has no clear motive to go after Greene, and only does so out of coincidence encounters with random people. Incidentally Bond seems to randomly stumble onto leads endlessly in this movie, from the surveillance of Quantum members, to meeting Camille, to the dammed water in bolivia. Greene's scene to control water in bolivia was not anywhere near on par with the organization portrayed in Casino Royale. Camille was another senseless character in that her reasoning for going after Gen. medrano was cliché and quite topical. Felix Leiter I'm glad to say was one of the successes of this movie in terms of being a sequel. Additionally, oddly enough, the continuity of M (the director of MI6) going places virtually unguarded and getting into trouble hasn't changed. The Theme used for the film is hardly worth mentioning other than to say it was almost totally inappropriate to the movie.
Though the bar was set high with Casino Royale being such a success, that doesn't serve to justify this movies complete disregard for bond tradition. There is no style in this movie, no seduction (especially with regards to Agent Fields, who just randomly appears to have had sex with bond, despite her earlier rigid personality), he doesn't even make a play for Camille. Finally , with some what of a petty detail, I must note that the gun barrel sequence was graphically very poorly done. If you are a true bond fan I'd see it just on principle, if you are just looking to see a good movie, I'd steer clear of Quantum of Solace. It isn't the worst James Bond movie ever (as that title has already been solidly claimed by On her Majesty's Secret Service, being that never say never again is not technically a bond movie), but it comes in a close second. In short, seeing this movie is another way to die.