"Quantum of Solace", AKA "Casino Royale: Part II"
Okay, let me start by saying that if you thought the last Bond flick lacked in action, this one more than makes up for it. The action sequences are crisp, brutal, and in your face. Furthermore, they actually serve a purpose and advance the plot, they are not sequences around which a plot is written. Basically, they're not the Bonds of the Brosnan era.
Having read some reviews for Quantum, there seems to be some common complaint that it gives the action in question priority over character development. In short, it isn't Casino Royale. Well, I have to disagree with them. Quantum of Solace begins almost an hour after its predecessor ends, and hence should not be viewed as a stand alone Bond flick as has been the tradition in the past. One needs to view this as if they just watched Royale, went to the lobby for an intermission, and then came back for the second half. This movie is meant to build upon the first one. It is the second half of a story (or the halfway point in a series, as it seems they intend to stretch out a story to honor actor Daniel Craig's four picture deal). The character development and motivations for Bond have already occurred, as well as those of "M" (Judi Dench is always brilliant in this role) and Bond's CIA buddy Felix Leiter. View the movie as a continuation of the previous story, and you will have no problem with enjoying for the pure entertainment value it offers.
This movie offers a lot of homages to films of the past for Bond junkies (one for Goldfinger is obvious), but most of all, it remains true to the characters created by Ian Fleming. This Bond is not a superman quipping one liners; he is very human, capable of being harmed, and as is the case in this one, doing much harm to others. After losing the love of his life in the previous chapter, he is an individual driven by vengeance and does not want to admit it. Perhaps the greatest illustration of Bond's obsession over his lost love (Vesper Lynde for those who have forgotten) is the lack of a "Bond Girl" in this outing. Bond does have a fling with one woman, but the one that could be classified in the traditional romantic counterpart role is more of a protege to him as opposed to a lover. The love of his life has died, and he has no desire to love or forgive in this movie.
I believe that the whole vigilante approach for Bond works rather well in terms of a two part story. One might make and argument that this Bond story is one that could appeal to both women and men in a certain sense. The first half involves meeting a special someone, falling in love, and then suffering the tragedy of the loss of that loved one. The second half is about getting even with assholes who are responsible for her death. What's more romantic?
In short, go see this damn fine movie!
Having read some reviews for Quantum, there seems to be some common complaint that it gives the action in question priority over character development. In short, it isn't Casino Royale. Well, I have to disagree with them. Quantum of Solace begins almost an hour after its predecessor ends, and hence should not be viewed as a stand alone Bond flick as has been the tradition in the past. One needs to view this as if they just watched Royale, went to the lobby for an intermission, and then came back for the second half. This movie is meant to build upon the first one. It is the second half of a story (or the halfway point in a series, as it seems they intend to stretch out a story to honor actor Daniel Craig's four picture deal). The character development and motivations for Bond have already occurred, as well as those of "M" (Judi Dench is always brilliant in this role) and Bond's CIA buddy Felix Leiter. View the movie as a continuation of the previous story, and you will have no problem with enjoying for the pure entertainment value it offers.
This movie offers a lot of homages to films of the past for Bond junkies (one for Goldfinger is obvious), but most of all, it remains true to the characters created by Ian Fleming. This Bond is not a superman quipping one liners; he is very human, capable of being harmed, and as is the case in this one, doing much harm to others. After losing the love of his life in the previous chapter, he is an individual driven by vengeance and does not want to admit it. Perhaps the greatest illustration of Bond's obsession over his lost love (Vesper Lynde for those who have forgotten) is the lack of a "Bond Girl" in this outing. Bond does have a fling with one woman, but the one that could be classified in the traditional romantic counterpart role is more of a protege to him as opposed to a lover. The love of his life has died, and he has no desire to love or forgive in this movie.
I believe that the whole vigilante approach for Bond works rather well in terms of a two part story. One might make and argument that this Bond story is one that could appeal to both women and men in a certain sense. The first half involves meeting a special someone, falling in love, and then suffering the tragedy of the loss of that loved one. The second half is about getting even with assholes who are responsible for her death. What's more romantic?
In short, go see this damn fine movie!
posted by Darth Liberal at 5:04 PM
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