Quantum of Solace

The weekend before last we went to see the latest Bond film, Quantum of Solace. Analysis of the strange title notwithstanding, here is my review.

I should disclose up front that I didn’t catch 100% of the movie.  This wasn’t the movie’s fault; I saw this after working the night before, AND I had a glass of Pinot Noir at the restaurant before the show.  This combination led to some nodding off during the second act (the beginning of the middle of the movie, if you will).  This Bond picks up right where Casino Royale left off, and while I had a pretty good idea what was going on before my bout with the Sandman, I found myself not fully up to speed afterward.  I must have missed some expository dialog; my eyes never missed more than a few seconds of the film, but my brain was tasked with keeping me awake for a time and as such I don’t think I took in everything I was seeing.

Regardless of my inability to stay awake through the movie, I was pleased with the film overall.  In his pursuit of the people responsible for his beloved Vesper’s treachery and ultimate death in Casino Royale, Bond finds himself both a kindred spirit and a misunderstanding with MI6.  The good news is that he got some help from said spirit, Camille.  The bad news is Bond had to perform his duties without any support from his country for much of the film.  The storyline is fairly solid (from what I could gather), although I found some of the action scenes a bit too chopped-up.  There were very few shots where you got a true sense of what was going on (most of which were seen in the trailer); the rest had either such a tight camera angle or such a quick cut that all you got was a sense of intensely-paced action.  While I think these types of shots can heighten an action scene here and there, the overuse of them in this film didn’t do it any favors.

Like its predecessor, this Bond film breaks from the tradition of smarmy one-liners and impossible stunts.  Personally, I find this a welcome change.  For those who liked the suspension of reality seen in older Bond films, you may not enjoy this one.  I liked Casino Royale slightly more, but I think this film sets up the Bond franchise for many good movies to come.  The storyline from the last film is wrapped up and both Bond and MI6 have learned a little more about Bond.  I look forward to future movies (and better titles).

Rating (out of 4):