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[A Kristatos]

Just got back from seeing Quantum Of Solace. I must say on first impression it is quite a bit better than expected. I just need time to digest whether or not this felt like a genuine Bond film or a very novel approach toward the character that may eventually be viewed as brilliant. I'm not sure at the moment, but I'm sure I feel like people felt almost 40 years ago walking out of the theatre after watching OHMSS. I think it is safe to say (and I don't necessarily mean this in a good or bad way) that QOS will replace OHMSS as the very odd feeling Bond movie!

Just to summarize quickly, this movie starts out like none other (and I'm not talking necessarily about the lack of a gunbarrel either). We dive right into a car chase which eventually segues into the most bizarre title sequence in series history! I can't even begin to describe this, but different fonts and computer generated graphics make this a site to behold! Once done with this, the story continues with Bond's foray into trying to uncover the organization that started his current mess in Casino Royale, intersperced with some breathtaking action sequences and a few interesting plot twists. However, as some have heard, don't expect any major revelations about the organization. After lifting back all of the layers of this film, the central plot still revolves around a standard plot where the villian attempts to play havoc with the world's water supply, and Bond's attempt to avenge the death of Vesper Lynd.

A couple of other points of interest. Both main girls are terrific, the return of Mathis and Mr. White adds some interesting plot points, and the locales are once again showcased quite spectacularly. And Judi Dench as M gets her biggest role in her Bond career. There is some great dialogue between her and Bond. Also watch for the "Minority Report" nod in her office!

And kudos to David Arnold for IMO providing the best Bond score of his career! While the frenetic nature of this movie does not provide as good an opportunity to showcase his romantic scoring skills, the fact that a good majority of this movie had to be scored to fast paced action sequences meant he had his work cut out for him. And he delivered big time! Finally he showed what he could do without just stringing together lots of random notes with no emotion. There was more emotion in his action cues this time around, and I believe this will be a fun soundtrack to listen to on its own.

Too bad though that the camera work has now fallen into the same trap. While I give Forster a lot of credit in his work with Arnold (he had him write the score without actually seeing the action on the screen), it's too bad he does not know how hold a camera steady! Jason Bourne has indeed invaded the Bond world, and particularly in the form of jerky camera movements and split second jumpcuts from one shot to another. While I can ignore this somewhat if I'm engrossed in a movie, just think of how much better things would look if this practice were "outlawed". It didn't work in any of the Bourne's or his clones, and it most certainly does not work in a Bond film! Now I know most outside the Bond circle don't know who John Glen is, but at least HE knew how to direct these type of sequences. Yes Mr. Forster, it is allowable to actually allow the audience to look a shot of a moving vehicle for more than a couple of seconds at time! And that without making us feel like we live within a major fault zone! This practice needs to stop immediately, and that includes you Roger Spottworthie in TND! Hopefully the next Bond director will realize this, unless it's either Glen or Martin Campbell in which we should have nothing to worry about.

That being said, this still was a great movie, but the biggest issue will be how well it holds up in coming years. Heck, I might be changing my opinion by the day for awhile! This as said earlier really feels different, and even somewhat out of place within the Bond hierarchy. But it is a great action thriller, and should stand out as one of the most unique Bond entries for a long time. My first impression gives this movie an 8.5 out of 10.