James Bourne: Quantum of Solace Reviewed

Here's something you might not realize: James Bond movies kinda suck. With the exception of the early Sean Connery films (which themselves are only merely "very good"--try watching the last reel of Thunderball again without dozing off), the franchise has sputtered along for most of its history. Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton and Pierce Brosnan are all fine actors, but they managed to suck the creative life out of the iconic secret agent. Ironically, it was Mr. Brosnan's tour-of-duty as James Bond that killed the credibility of the character, despite incredible box office totals. His Bond films were increasingly more laughable and ridiculous. Filled with terribly over-the-top special effects (everything in Die Another Day) and worse one-liners (Bond to Dr. Christmas Jones in a post-coital moment: "I thought Christmas only comes once a year"), Mr. Brosnan left one of the best brand names in the movie-making industry totally bankrupt.

And then Daniel Craig came along and reinvented everything you've ever known about James Bond. Casino Royale was as strong of a reboot as Hollywood has given us in the last decade--better than even Batman Begins. Mr. Craig's James Bond was cold, calculating and totally bad-ass, and while Casino Royale was too long by thirty minutes, it was easily the best James Bond film we've ever seen. Yes, even better than Goldfinger.

Mr. Craig is back in Quantum of Solace, and the return is welcome, if not as strong as the previous entry. Solace picks up right where Royale left off, dropping the audience smack in the middle of a ridiculous car chase that looks like the climax to some un-made James Bond film. You can almost hear director Marc Forster (Monster's Ball) telling Bourne director Paul Greengrass to "suck it!" The action doesn't stop there, hurtling James Bond into a web of international intrigue, globe trotting (I think I counted at least ten different location changes), stunts and explosions. Lots of stunts and explosions. In fact, whereas Casino Royale sizzled when the action stopped, thanks in no small part to the palpable chemistry between Mr. Craig and co-star Eva Green, Quantum of Solace drags along during the dialogue heavy exposition scenes, waiting for the next rooftop jump or bone crushing body blow.

The first hour hums along at such a tight and crisp pace that you feel like the film stock might actually mis-calibrated. Then things bog down. The plot is a murky mess of revenge and, uh, I don't even know what. As the main villain, Matthieu Amalric brings his A-game: smarmy charm that belies his big and warm saucer shaped eyes; Mr. Amalric looks like he should be the nicest guy in the room, but he ends up being the meanest. Still, as good as he is in Quantum, I don't actually know what his dastardly plot was--something to do with overthrowing governments, cutting off the water supply and the world's oil supply. Between that confusion and the constant double-crosses and reluctance on MI6's part in believing James Bond, there were times when it felt like I was watching an episode of 24. That's not a good thing.

Still, every time Quantum of Solace slowed down, there was an action scene right around the corner to pick it back up. Mr. Forster gets in tight with the way he shoots action, but he fares much better than Christopher Nolan did at the end of The Dark Knight. The scenes here are easier to follow and totally harrowing. And the stunt work is fantastic--there is something very cool about seeing Mr. Craig jumping from rooftops and hanging on wires. It makes all the action feel more intimate.

Shockingly, Quantum of Solace has gotten negative reviews from many critics. And to that I say, get over it. These are the same critics who no doubt railed against the Brosnan Bond films (and with good reason), claiming they were killing the franchise. Now, when a Bond film is giving us all what we really want--breakneck action and a strikingly good 007--people questions its merits. What gives? Because Quantum of Solace isn't directed by Paul Greengrass it mustn't be any good? Well it's damn good! And if you don't like it, I have to ask: what you do expect from a James Bond movie?