Quantum of Solace

...perhaps the worst Bond film of all time??

As many of you may already know this, I usually let the movie “sink in” for a few days, then recall the greatest (or worst) elements of the film, sort of piece it back together, and lastly try to write not necessarily an objective, but fairly adequate review of the feature.

Unfortunately, for the latest Bond installment – Quantum of Solace – there is not much to recall. Quite frankly there is barely anything I can remember from it. Was it really that bad? I’m afraid it was… and this critique is coming from a huge Bond fan such as myself.

* * * WARNING: mild spoilers ahead * * *

What I do remember is that Quantum of Solace starts out with a car chase on a highway that leads through mountain tunnels from Nice through Monte Carlo down to Portofino, Italy – probably the most beautiful road to travel in Europe, but Marc Forster’s (The Kite Runner) direction and Richard Pearson’s (The Bourne Supremacy) MTV style editing completely ruin it. The entire chase is cut so quick that it does not even give the viewer the edge nor the suspense one would expect from a Bond film or any other good action film. But wait…it gets worse…

The plot – unfortunately I never did figure out the plot or the message of Quantum of Solace. It had elements of Bond’s personal vendetta to avenge Vesper’s…suicide…but…against whom exactly? Quite confusing, since she willingly killed herself in the previous Bond installment -- Casino Royale. Then there is some weasel looking fella (villain) named Dominic Greene, and his pathetic henchman with a medieval monk haircut, who had nothing to do with Vesper nor her suicide. Then there is Vesper’s lame ex-boyfriend, then the CIA (Jeffrey Wright’s worst performance yet), and of course Bond’s old pal Rene Mathis; about half way into the feature comes a really pretty red haired MI6 gal in a Burberry trench coat -- perhaps the only likable character, but unfortunately she gets less than 2 minutes of screen time before she gets iced (a flashback from Goldfinger, eh?); then we’re introduced to a Bolivian military general who supposedly enjoys raping women…what is this…the Schindler’s List???... and this is all topped off with Olga Kurylenko and her poor looks followed by even worse acting, as the supposed Bond girl whom Bond never sleeps with? WTF!? I think even Judy Dench' role as M. was poorly written this time.

But all the characters and B category acting aside, this film really lacks the actual story itself, and is therefore quite confusing, but not in the sense that I didn’t understand what was happening, but more like what is the point of all this? On the other hand, Quantum of Solace did have a surplus of MTV style 1-cut-per-second action that…lead nowhere. For instance: Bond chasing a double agent in Siena, Italy – plenty of action, but no resolution; then we see Bond engaged in a boat chase in Haiti, but that entire scene could have been left out since it serves no purpose what so ever; and lastly we see Bond at the opera in Lake Constance, Austria, where gunfire is overpowered by the musical score (exact replica of John Woo’s in Face/Off). Wow…that was really "original"…can it get any worse…yes, the actual ending is even worse, but I will save you the surprise and end this review right here…


* (one out of five) – Quantum of Solace is probably one the worst Bond films of all time and definitely the biggest disappointment of the year. Don’t even bother renting it; wait till it airs on cable.

Oh yes...did I mention that there is no sensible dialogue, no smart lines, or witty comments made by Bond? He is truly a blunt instrument with no charm or charisma. A complete 180 from the Casino Royale...utterly disappointing, to say the least.


V.

Enjoyed Quantum of Solace? Viira recommends: Casino Royale, The Bourne trilogy, and perhaps even psychotherapy – since there must be something seriously wrong with you if you truly enjoyed this film:)


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