Quantum of Solace played out as I expected. James Bond relentlessly (and stylishly) hunts down the devils responsible for Vesper's death and the attempt on M's life. "Quantum" is indeed everywhere. Mr. White and Dominic Greene really give off the feeling that this is an organization to be taken seriously.
I've already seen it twice. I cannot recall ever having seen the same movie in theatres twice in less than 24 hours. Clearly, it must have done something right! It was incredibly satisfying to see Bond work his way through Greene's web. James Bond truly feels vulnerable: he bleeds and he makes mistakes. He's also terribly far away from home, and on his own. There are complaints that there isn't much character development, but I'm not sure I can agree. Greene and Camille are adequately fleshed out, Yussef is used as much as he needs to be, and Fields doesn't require much exploration. It is, after all, a story about James Bond. Once again, the production successfully avoided making this just another film that happens to have James Bond in it.
And this film is truly Bond. Some of the style might be Bourne, but there's a real sense of cool, calm, and swagger that sets Bond apart. Bond beats the absolute hell out of everyone, but there's always a sense of necessity and emotion behind it. I never got the feeling that Bond is a mindless robot of destruction.
The reasons Roger Ebert gave for hating the villains are exactly the reasons I enjoy them: they aren't simply megalomaniacs with deformities and a need to spill the beans to Bond. Like real people, real villains, they're after money and power. They don't care about the consequences. Greene might not be stark raving mad, but his control and focus is what makes him dangerous. Medrano is a power hungry thug with no qualms of killing, raping, pillaging whatever or whomever stands in his way. They're bad men.
Camille is certainly not the blandest Bond girl ever. For all of Graham Rye's supposed expertise and objectivity in the realm of Bond, he definitely appears to have overreacted here. She isn't the best, but she's not bad. She has an adequate background story, and a legitimate reason to be hanging around this film. Camille is another in a long line of supposed "Bond's Equal" but I never once felt that she was getting in the way of the story. She doesn't stomp all over the film and look ridiculous like Jinx. Also, unlike many of the other "Bond's Equals": Anya, Wai-Lin, Pam, etc. doesn't need to be saved the whole time and have Bond do work for her. She accomplishes her mission alone.
Daniel Craig. No previous Bond has truly been able to pull off what he's done. On one hand he is an absolutely brutal blunt instrument capable of slugging it out with just about anyone. On the other hand he oozes genuine charm and charisma. I'd say Craig's Bond is the embodiment of what Brosnan tried desperately to achieve. He can be cold, playful, and efficient at the drop of a hat.
And I don't know if I just have a morbid sense of humor, but I was laughing all the way. Anything involving Fields, Dominic Greene and the oil can (
), Mathis's retirement hideaway, etc. Dry, dark humor that doesn't feel crass or stupid.I am sure there's more to say, but I think I've made my feelings clear. Quantum of Solace is a truly unique and refreshing James Bond adventure. Very rarely do I go into anything with such high expectations and have them fulfilled or exceeded. I truly hope this series continues down the path laid down by Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace. The James Bond series has never been this good.
A firm 9/10.
