‘Quantum of Solace’
‘Quantum of Solace’ picks up directly from ‘Casino Royale’, the much loved reinvention of the James Bond franchise from 2005. Having been betrayed by Vesper, the woman he was willing to resign from duty with MI6 for, ‘Quantum of Solace’ shows the formation of Ian Fleming’s 007 (Daniel Craig), into a cold-hearted killing machine. The film-makers have wisely avoided the often cheesy formula of Bond movies past, and have finally created the character Fleming had penned.

Craig has made this role his own, fusing rugged physicality with a razor-sharp wit, sadly missed since the Connery glory days. Certain traditions of past Bond remain of course, such as the exotic locations, stunning ladies, and of course, the Aston Martin.

Gone, however, are the extravagant gadgets, the obligatory ‘Q’ scene in which Bond would receive a convenient array of high-tech toys that somehow always manage to come in handy, just at the right moment.

The closest comparable movie series which the new Bond has borrowed from, or been inspired by, is ‘The Bourne Identity’ and its sequels. However, Robert Ludlum could be criticised for borrowing liberally from the Fleming series first– Jason Bourne and Commander Bond going so far as to share the same initials. The action scenes, in particular, most notably the hand-to-hand combat, bear a striking resemblance to the Paul Greengrass directed ‘The Bourne Supremacy’, shaky-cam laden as they are.

It may have something to do with both series now sharing the same second-unit action directors, but make no mistake, it is no coincidence. They needed to make Bond relevant to a sophisticated and more movie-savvy audience, and where better to take the lead from, than the most successful spy franchise of the decade.

The question is, though, has it worked? To a point, yes. The aforementioned action scenes are nothing short of spectacular, pushing boundaries with a perfectly-executed opening car chase, and numerous foot/ boat/ motorcycle chases, which all manage to get the heart racing.

The key, however, to a successful action scene is that the characters are put in legitimate danger. The audience must feel as though there is a sufficient element of danger involved, and actually question the characters’ ability to emerge unscathed.

This is what ‘Casino Royale’ pulled off with aplomb, the audience for the first time witnessing Bond being beaten and bloodied (and even tortured), raising the threshold for perceived danger, and showing consequences to actions. ‘Quantum of Solace’ has stumbled on this point. All the hard work in achieving this sense of danger from ‘Casino Royale’ has been washed away for its follow-up, which is a crying shame. The audience never feels as though the characters are in any real danger.

The pacing feels off. One gets the impression of studio interference, or perhaps producer interference. Director Marc Forster, known for character-driven pieces ‘Monster’s Ball’ and ‘Finding Neverland’, never gives the impression he is comfortable with a studio action picture, admirably trying to flesh out the character, but being stopped in his tracks, to provide more action at the behest of the producers.

All in all, ‘Quantum of Solace’ does it’s job, while never quite living up to the high expectations set by its predecessor.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5