Movie Review: Quantum Of Solace

The short of it: 4 out of 8 Nations

The long of it: Bourne. Jason Bourne.

Or at least that's who my buddy Mots think the new Bond was more like in Quantum of Solace. And I agree with him. And neither of us think it's a good thing.

Some background: I'm a pretty big Bond fan. I have this for crying out loud. I've read Ian Fleming's Casino Royale and have plans to read the other Bond novels he wrote. And Mots and our friend Crazy J are big Bond fans as well, and I dare say they are even bigger Bond fans than I am. So it was with them two, Wetseel and Bruno that I watched Quantum of Solace with; needless to say the standards we have are pretty high.

Nevertheless, I have to say that we left the theater with a hollow feeling. The story itself wasn't bad, but here were my issues with the flick:

a) The cinematography during the fight and chase scenes were horrible. It was in extreme close up and in "shaky hand held camera" modes it seemed, with quick cuts between shots. It was confusing, not to mention motion sickness inducing. It was hard to follow what was going on during those scenes and it kinda sucked.

b) Yes, the Bond in the novels was the serious type, but this Bond is WAY too serious. Even Sean Connery (THE best Bond ever, and that's not even open to argument) had a little smirk on his face and had the funny lines. Daniel Craig's Bond is on the Jason Bourne killing machine program it seemed. I mean seriously, they're taking this Jason Bourne bent way too far. (Side note: while Connery is the best Bond ever, Roger Moore is still my favorite Bond - yes, there is a difference. I grew up with Moore as the James Bond I watched in the theater, so he was the first one I ever saw as Bond, ergo he will always be my favorite).

c) And speaking of which, Bond never took the 00 privileges lightly. He never liked the killing, even in the novels. And yet, there he was, all serial killing happy it seemed because of his lust for revenge (again, like Jason Bourne).

d) Yes, there is now less emphasis on the gadgets, but it does not mean you should completely forget about the great Bond support characters like Ms. Moneypenny and Q.

e) I hope the "Quantum" group will turn out to be SPECTRE. Give us Blofeld!!!!!!!

f) You CANNOT, CANNOT, CANNOT have the opening credits with the bullseye on a walking Bond who suddenly turns and shoots, followed by the familiar Bond theme, at the END of the movie. That's why it's the OPENING credits, for pete's sake.

g) Distinct lack of the Bond theme as well during the movie! That is one of the most recognizable and loved themes ever, and you did not hear it until the end of the movie. Stupid. Imagine watching Indiana Jones or Star Wars and not hearing the familiar musical strains you are used to hearing????

Anyway, that's all I have to say I think. Maybe the next film will make me see this film in a better light, as it would serve as a bridge to a more satisfying experience.