Quantum of Solace | Jacquie Kubin reviews, Blu-ray, Action | DONNE TEMPO
Quantum of Solace
Note: No plot spoilers for Quantum of Solace here, but if you have not seen Casino Royale, stop reading now.
Or are they?
Daniel Craig returns to the role of 007, which in it self is somewhat satisfying. He just seems to fit the archetype so well. He is not bigger than the role, such as Sean Connery, or even Roger Moore, were.
He is more believable in the role than Pierce Brosnan, though I have to admit that I liked that Bond in, and out, of that tux , thank you very much.
Craig brings a believability to Bond that is neither larger than life, or imagination. It is interesting to note that Craig’s first foray into the role was in a film based the franchise’s first novel, when Bond was new and not quite as defined as he was by, say, Octopussy, which was based on Flemings final short story written in 1966.
Solace borrows its name from an Ian Fleming story, but not the plot. Here Bond comes back to find out who killed Vesper Lynd, a woman we can accept as the only woman James has ever truly loved.
Willing to walk away from the British Secret Intelligence Service and live a life of sun, sail and private islands loved.
Of course, that could not happen.
Quantum brings Bond back on the prowl looking for answers. And, based on the films opening moments, including an agonizingly confusing battle in a bell tower, he plans to take no prisoners.
Dame Judi Dench comes back as a more maternal “M,” one that recognizes the pain and has bucket loads of forgiveness for her favored child.
The only complaint that could be levied about this film, which after all follows a fairly pre-determined formula was that an ensemble of acting talent that includes Dench, Craig, Giancarlo Giannini and Catherine Zeta-Jones look alike, Olga Kurylendo were often overlooked as the director relied on flashy special effects presented during improbably high speed chases on land, sea and air.
It is testament to the strength of these actors that they held the camera, and the viewer’s attention, even as chaos exploded. And there was plenty of chaos.
Also allowing this film to pass, is that if one accepts that Casino Royale created a flawed James Bond, one that was vulnerable, and therefore corruptible, then we can sit back and enjoy the flash of the explosions knowing that Quantum of Solace serves as an excellent bridge to the next film, featuring a now redeemed, and wholly focused James Bond.
If you are fan of Bond and the explosive action film genre, this is definitely a film to watch. If you are looking to once more explore James Bond and what motivates him – women, martinis, a sense of duty -- then you can take, or leave, this one.
Extras: Not much to mention. There is the Alicia Keys and Jack White video for Another Way to Die but after that a couple of trailers.
Other features include Bond on Location, Start of Shooting, Olga Kurylendko and the Board Chase and the de-rigeur feature on director Marc Forster, the music and crew files.
Buy it on Blu-Ray for the high quality audio and video transfer, not the extras. There is nothing Blu-Ray exclusive about them.
- Jacquie Kubin