“Quantum of Solace”

Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, and some sexual content.

 

Bond (Daniel Craig) is back in “Quantum of Solace” and he is bit rough around the edges. The loss of his girlfriend in “Casino Royale” has taken a toll on him, even though she betrayed him. “Love ‘em and leave ‘em” Bond must be getting a little loopy for the she-folk. I am not the only one wondering if Bond is losing it. “M” (Judi Dench) is a little concerned as well.

“Quantum of Solace” is supposed to take place just a few minutes after “Casino Royale” ends. It is almost two years since I saw that picture. My memory is a bit fuzzy, but that is probably a good thing since I didn’t notice the “goofs” in continuity listed on the Internet Movie Database (www.imdb.com). These boo boos don’t harm the film, probably because I didn’t care that much.

Frankly, I was not impressed. It seemed to be a rather skimpy story bereft of witty Bondish dialog. Instead there is one chase scene after another with human gymnastics that would be a stretch for Spiderman.

Bond is not using his “graceful” skills. He seems to prefer killing people outright rather than finessing them. (I thought that was what his “00” status was all about, but times they are a-changing and perhaps he is now expected to use his license to kill with frugality.)  All this killing worries “M” somewhat. When it turns out that there are traitors in MI6, she begins to worry about her pet agent. She cancels his credit cards and orders him to go home.

Of course he disobeys and commences globe-trotting.

The bad guys are pseudo-environmentalists. They go around preaching “green” but are, in fact, trying to tie up a country’s (Bolivia) water resources. The bad guy’s name is Dominic Greene, a strange name for a Frenchman, but I am grateful he is not an American.

And yet, I am not sure that America fares well in the film. The CIA seems to be somewhat amoral, if not downright corrupt. To make sure Homeland Security doesn’t confiscate all of the prints, the producers have a CIA underling redeem our country by helping Bond defeat the baddies. (OK, I confess, I don’t know if the producers really did that to keep Homeland Security off their backs, but my theory is as good as any.)

The usual cool technical gadgets in Bond films are absent in “Quantum of Solace.” In fact, an airplane chase scene features a hunk of junk outpacing modern aircraft. “Quantum of Solace” is sort of a minimalist Bond film … and that makes things a little disappointing.

Craig does a good enough job, however he strikes me a little emotionless; which is probably a very good thing for a spy. His good looks, however, help make all the other actors look especially slimy, sweaty, and smelly.  I just think more could be done with him. He doesn’t even smirk in this picture. To me, Bond should be acting super cool but have this look on his face that sort of says, “Do you people in the movie theatre really buy this … uh … hogwash?” And we all think, in response, “Heck, no, but it sure is fun to watch, Bond, James Bond!”

Bond does “get” a girl. A Bond film can’t be totally sexless; Albert Broccoli would be spinning in his grave otherwise. Alas, she gets a “treatment” that is reminiscent of that poor girl in “Goldfinger.” Seen that before … boys … could you have been a tad more original?

All in all, “Quantum of Solace” is a little limp. Bond films should be over the top…and this one just makes it under the wire.

“Quantum of Solace” earns two and a half bow ties out of five.