Quantum of Solace
By Nick Manteris · 0 Comments · Leave a Comment
I had hoped the trend that was started with Casino Royale would continue with Quantum of Solace, but, unfortunately, the film bounces around from location to location without any real explanation, and Bond seems to accidentally show up just in time for the next action scene. The movie opens up with a car chase (on a road that I’m sure I’ve raced along in a video game) and immediately tries to overdose you with a quick-cut editing style that is extremely reminiscent of Paul Greengrass. This type of editing works in some situations, but it feels out of place in a Bond film. In fact, almost all of the sequences in this film feel out of place…mainly because they seem like scenes from other films. And if the quick-cut editing wasn’t enough, the car chase is followed by a rooftop foot chase, and a little later by a close-quarters knife fight, proving that a completely different spy with the initials J.B. is calling the shots in this genre. The Bond franchise deserves better.
Don’t mistake me for a James Bond purist though…I won’t claim that Sean Connery was the best Bond and I’ve never read any of Ian Fleming’s books. My introduction to the character was in the movie Moonraker, and, since I was probably five or six years old at the time, the far-fetched and cheesy moments didn’t bother me at all. Despite that particular indoctrination, I don’t think that Bond’s villains need elaborate volcano lairs, space stations or secret undersea bases…and they definitely don’t need buzz saws, lasers and sharks in order to try and kill him. Although some of these things seem more believable than an organization so secret that a captured agent will boast about how the intelligence agencies of the world have no idea that they exist…but then they will coordinate a way to hand out “Q” pins for the members to wear during a meeting that takes place in public.
It’s also difficult to believe the mistreatment of Gemma Arterton, who plays the character of Agent Fields. She arrives with a spark, but then she’s suddenly in bed with Bond (covering herself up like there’s a camera in the room) and, almost as quickly, gone for the rest of the movie. Of course she’s going to end up in bed with the protagonist…he’s James Bond. He sleeps with two and a half women per movie, but the fun part is watching how he does it…the clever exchanges and the interplay between characters. Are we just supposed to assume that the girl was so impressed by his choice of hotel that she decided to sleep with him? And her last appearance in the film contains an inexcusable (although minor) plot hole, which is kind of remarkable since there isn’t really much a plot to contradict.
This movie is pure popcorn…and they left out the butter, but if you like your action recycled (or, to put a more positive spin on it, remixed) then you will find plenty to like in Quantum of Solace. If you want any substance at all or you’re thinking this will be anything like Casino Royale then you will probably be disappointed.
