Story Lines Followed More Closely

Leaving the Grand Blanc theatre after being part of the first audience to see Quantum of Solace, the new James Bond flick, I have feelings of amazement and dismay simultaneously. I enjoy how after Pierce Brosnan they have started to glamorize bond less and follow the original story lines that were written by Ian Fleming. The originals portrayed Bond as the more human secret agent who felt extreme feelings of anger, passion, hate, revenge, whereas the more glamorized Bond was a womanizer who only cared about the cool gadgets he was using, if his car had the invisibility option, and if he was going to get some good old fashioned Pussy Galore. Since Daniel Craig has taken the Bond role, the character has become not only more human but more realistic in the stunts being preformed. The stunts I am mainly referring to have to deal with some of the outrageous gadgets, which are ridiculously sweet most of the time no doubt, but a bit unrealistic. 

Make sure of two things before you see this film. 1). Watch the end of Casino Royale to get a feel for Quantum Solace, as it begins just twenty minutes after Casino Royale ends. (If you don't own it, check out www.sidereel.com.) 2). Make sure you sit in the back of the theatre for this flick, I was in the middle section with ample leg room but a sore neck from following all the action. The cinematography was excellent but quite a bit shakier than usual. They had to accentuate the fight scenes somehow so when bond is kicking everyones ass on the screen, the camera appears as if it might too have gotten its own ass kicked. Sit in the back to make up for the immensely shaky camera. 

The beginning of the movie, with a badass car chase scene, catches your attention right away. Especially with how cool Bond drives away after defeating all bad guys, acting as nothing has happened other than his Aston Martin receiving minor damage. The bad guys in this film were very real and doing things such as exploiting third world countries, that makes this film more believable than its predecessors. Although the ending of this film has to be worked on a fair amount. Bond comes into the film wanting revenge for the people who killed his love and leaves empty handed, not even with the new Bond Chick, Olga Kerylenko. Though there is much controversy over the new Bond girl being fiercely independent with her own agenda and there not being enough sex in the film, yes and no. Yes, due to the pattern of the Bond girls and no due to sex between them might have ruined the film. Can't say enough about the new English Cool as redefined by Daniel Craig. Yes, we have all heard rumors of him getting hurt on set but can you tell me with a straight face that he sucks as Bond? Don't even try. Watch Layer Cake if you would like to see where he emerged onto the main stage, excellent English Gangster film. 

Trevland Rating: 4 out of 5 stars - Quantum of Solace