‘Quantum of Solace’ Follows Trends Beneath It
-----I initially hated the Bond reboot ‘Casino Royale.’ Pierce Brosnan, my favorite Bond, had been cheated of his finale for the stiff, and virtually without-suave, Daniel Craig. Upon my second viewing of ‘Royale’ however, (thanks in part to the great trailer for ‘Quantum of Solace’) I enjoyed it much more, understanding the changes and enjoying the retro grit. Now I just had to wait a few months for the newest Bond adventure of which ‘Casino Royale’ had spent its near entirety building up for.
-----Taking place just hours after the end of ‘Casino Royale,’ the film starts off with Bond on the run. As he looks for vengeance for deceased love, he and ‘M’ discover a corrupt environmentalist agency. Appropriately named, Dominic Greene is at the head of the organization and it’s up to Bond to stop his villainous deeds involving a deadly coup in Bolivia.
-----Daniel Craig is back as Bond and, mercifully, brings a bit more of the classic Bond mentality with him. Both intense and physical, he’s not the problem behind this film. Judi Dench returns as the always entertaining woman held accountable for Bond’s shoot first methods, ‘M.’ Olga Kurylenko co-stars as Bond’s primary love interest, that’s what they sold anyway. Unfortunately, in an attempt to bring a retro style to the film, Director Marc Forster takes one of the most genuinely stunning women in Hollywood and neutralizes her looks to a nonchalant level. Putting her in the strangest, most conservative wear seen in recent Bond women, her true beauty is hidden; not just on a sex appeal level either, she just doesn’t look very good. Not to mention an odd haircut and no help from the makeup department. You may even begin to wonder if this is indeed a real Bond woman. Add this to her somewhat boring character with little to do but follow Bond around, and you’ve got one of the worst female leads in a Bond movie to date. I don’t blame her for the atrocity however, she proved she could look good and be intriguing in 2007’s ‘Hitman.’ Her character in that film would have made a much better bond girl than the weak imitation seen here. On an agreeably more positive note, Jeffrey Wright returns into his bit role as Bond’s helpful friend from the CIA, Felix Leiter.
-----The script is, unfortunately, a bit too reliant on weak action scenes to carry it. There are definitely some good moments, but it is a disappointing payoff for all of ‘Casino Royale’s set up. While the film does get you excited for the next installment, it seems to be merely a bridge to get there, never standing alone effectively. All of this pales in comparison to the bottom line though. The cinematography, choreography, and believability of this film are all thrown to the lions as soon as the first action scene starts.
-----This movie promised some spectacular action sequences in the trailer, but you will feel cheated when you leave the theater. There is about one excellent shot in each fight, battle, or chase, which are all given in the trailer. The rest of the respective scenes are reliant on shaky camera techniques that don’t let you see what is going on, or even where Bond is. Completely reminiscent of the style in the Bourne movies, it tries to be something it’s not. Why can’t they just let the choreographers do what they’re paid for? If you have an excellently designed scene, let us see it. By relying on quick, half second shots that continuously shake; we can’t see anything and feel as if we’ve missed the potentially amazing action. It’s not like they didn’t have the effects money or the need to hide anything. Why can’t they follow the examples of ‘The Matrix’ or even ‘The Forbidden Kingdom’ and just let the choreographer’s do their job. Let me forget I’m watching a movie and just sit in awe, taking in the action, rather than running to keep up with blurry visuals that are supposed to make you feel like you’re in the battle. If they want you to feel like part of the action, why don’t they just attach punching bags to our seats that sock us during the fight scenes?
-----The music is just another source for disappointment. It isn’t that the score is bad, it’s what is missing. The classic Bond theme has thrilled fans for decades in over twenty films. At least once a movie, you can use this, and immediately grab the attention, heart, and excitement of your audience. I remember watching as a child and the moment those classic sounds would fill the theater; I’d be as excited for Bond as any character ever to grace the silver screen. Whether he was punching out a bad guy, or shooting his way out of enemy lines, I knew the second the crescendo reverberated through my ear drums that Bond had arrived and brought the climax of the film with him. So why wouldn’t you use the strength of a score twenty-plus films in the making? Instead we are forced to sit through the credits for the classic theme spawned from Bond’s first major film event in the classic ‘Dr. No.’ I, for one, don’t like sitting through credits.
-----If the Bond series expects to maintain a strong level of fan following, it’s going to have to get back to the basics that the franchise was built on. This means bringing back the score, the quality action, more returning characters (including the gadget guy, I mean where is ‘Q,’ or even ‘R’?), and yes, even more sex appeal from the female leads. I’m not saying the Bond women shouldn’t have a brain and motives, but they definitely shouldn’t be lacking in both smarts and looks as is Kurylenko’s character.
-----Despite my many misgivings with what may be the disappointment of the year, a bad Bond flick is still better than most movies, and for die hard fans of the franchise this is at least worth a few viewings, and probably a purchase in some pack years from now. This is simply because some things do take place in the film that will potentially relate to the Bonds around it, which will hopefully contain better direction and action. I even really like the idea of a continuing story, but there has to be a payoff somewhere. ‘Casino Royale’ was cool, but felt like a prequel, with very few action sequences. Somewhat following suit, ‘Quantum of Solace’ feels like the middle section, never really establishing itself as a memorable film; providing too many lack luster action sequences. Not to mention a climax that couldn’t even keep up with the rest of the movie. I remember thinking, ‘wait, is this the finale?’ Bond enthusiasts like me won’t hate it, will definitely see it, and will most likely enjoy a fair a mount of it as did I. Newcomers however, will most likely just shrug it off. When push comes to shove I expect more from the classic franchise, and that is why I find so many faults in the newest installment.
