Rating of
3/4
*Sarah* - wrote on 12/29/08
Forensic intelligence links an MI6 traitor to a bank account in Haiti where a case of mistaken identity introduces Bond to the beautiful but feisty Camille, a woman who has her own vendetta. Camille leads Bond straight to Dominic Greene, a ruthless business man and major force within the mysterious organisation, Quantum.
That time has come again for another Bond film's release and I was once again there to catch it. Ever since I was 11, back in 1999 for the release of The World is Not Enough, I've caugh every Bond film since at the cinema. This time around the cinema was packed full of people of all ages. All I can say is Quantum of Solace equals Casino Royale but for me I prefer the realistic take on the story here than Casino Royale.
Althought I loved Casino Royale, it had a full cheesy moments which downgrades it's superiority over previous Bond's. What is great about Quanum of Solace is the realism inserted into the film by Marc Foster. Quantum has an Art House feel to it which I love, and it makes for an even more better film. Like many films released this year, it touches on upon world issues that are going on. The Dark Knight, for example touched upon our fears of Terrorism and this film uses the Oil situation in the west as the main part of the story. It's because of that I think many people have commented on the confusing plot. Having said that because it's a Bond film and the plot isn't always a necessry thing to focuss on.
Daniel Craig seems to be coming if not one of the best Bond's of all time. Surpassing even the great Sean Connery. His cold-blooded brutality creates his Bond as convincing as ever. This creates his appearance on screen as incredibly real and one which could be exsisting today. I have to see him in a few more films before he could become my favourite and surpass Connery. Judi Dench is brilliant as M and seems to be underated in many reviews. I think even her character could match Bond. The more films i see of them the more I'm convinced that's the way the writers are going. Gemma Arterton, who impressed me in Tess of the D'Urbevilles, made a brief appearance as agent Fields and was again impressive on screen. Would like to have seen more of her character than what was shown. Mathieu Amalric, was excellent as Dominc Green. Perhaps he was undeveloped and under-used but he definatly surpasses the previous Bond villian. Would also liked to have seen more of Jeffery Wright, as he makes for a great Felix Leiter.
One great strength of Quantum of Solace is just how great it's filmed. The stunning locations and photography, particularly at the end, make for an interesting film to watch. Many of the sequences were shot very very well and I loved one slow motion sequence shot against an opera, which related releated to the scene and film well. Would like to have seen a more intense build up to the arrival of Dominc Green, as I felt it was rushed a little and not allowing us to understand the character either.
Perhaps some weaknesses of the film, keeping it from being 5 stars, is the first half of the film. I felt a little underwhelmed throughout that and felt that there was something missing. The film does pick him in the middle and makes for a great film. I think the key to remember is that Bond films will never be perfect, some might say that films are never perfect but for me some are. Forster like Campbell previoulsy, is trying to move the franchise into a new era. This is evident in many scenes of the film. What's important to remeber is that, whilst doing that not everything you've seen in previous films will be in this one. The dialogue is less witty and more convincing, thus relating to the context of the film. Less action means that there is more focus on characters and the plot, meaning we can find deeper meaning within the film and enjoy it better. That's somehing I think the franchise will do in future films. Not only to move the franchise forward but to compete with other action films and add more meaning to Craig's Bond. After all this is only the second film he's in and the more he does the more we can get a sense of the way Craig plays his version of Bond.
Overall, Quantum of Solace takes a more emotional stance than Casino Royale. Less action and more meaning in the plot. Far more dialogue and attention to detail in the devlopment of characters. In only his second Bond film, Craig is shaping up to be one of the best Bond's if not the best. Both Casino Royale and his are pretty much equal in terms of quality. f I had to pick out of the two, it would be Quantum because of the realism it depicts. Without a doubt in my top 3 of the year so far!
Highly recomend. Go and see it when it reaches you a.s.a.p!
8/10
