Quantum of Solace (M)
A review by Barry Gittins
Everyone's fave British spy has returned to our cinemas in Quantum of Solace, but this version of James Bond (played by Daniel Craig) is not the suave, 'wink to the audience' chap of yore.
This time, as really bad actions films (of which this film is not numbered among)suggest that the hero is back 'and this time it's personal' - there is more than a grain of truth in using the phrase to describe Quantum.
Quantum, the first direct sequel in the Bond film's, catches up with what went wrong at the end of Craig's first bond performance (Casino Royale). In that last exciting episode Bond's gal, the enigmatic Vesper, was feloniously slain. So we get a morose Jimmy who spends the bulk of Quantum pining over Vessie and smashing his way through people and architectural obstacles, trying to hunt down her murderers. All while saving the free world, of course.
All bets are off for Bond fans. This remorseful, rejuvenated agent is fairly unlikely to crack wise with a gag (here's hoping he lightens up in the next fillum!). He is near platonic in comparison with earlier incarnations of the character. He doesn't woo the main 'Bond girl' (robotically played by former model Olga Kurylenko), instead rescuing her and enabling her to pursue her goal of redemption/revenge.
He is a broken, wounded figure emotionally - and he gets the tripe beaten out of him frequently in a physical sense, which is virtually new ground for Bond.
In essence, selling Bond as a vengeful sociopath takes the franchise into extremely bleak territory populated by the likes of Matt Damon's Jason Bourne and Keifer Sutherland's TV psycho from 24, Jack Bauer. Not since Timothy Dalton has any actor taken Bond down this path (Pierce Brosnan, Craig's predecessor, was known for maxing up his character's charm).
James Bond films have historically been known (and parodied) for their cartoohnlike violence, as connery, Moore and co. dispensed Austin Powers-styled karate chops to dispense villains. Bond a la Craig relishes realistic, coldblooded executions.
Folks have gotten used to Judi Dench as Bond's boss, M, and the Dame delivers yet again. But the biggest winge of Bond fans is that there's no gadgets, and as yet no reintroduction of mad scientist/gadgetmaster 'Q' (most recently played by John Cleese).
Thematically, beyond halfbaked conspiratorial theories about the Yanks, Poms and various secret organisations and dictators, the film touches on the age-old ethical koan: can an 'end' achieved ever be redeemed ethically, regardless of its means? Quantum also shadow boxes around questions of betrayal, loyalty and trust. The big question, however, is whether poor James can gain his quantum of solace (that little bit of peace and healing he's hankering after) by revenging his loss.
Quantum of Solace provides non-stop action, largely ripped off from the Jason Bourne franchise. James has been humanised, but the flesh they are putting on his bones is quite rancid.
For all its failings, and it does fail to a significant degree, plotwise (not that the Bond movies are ever going to be considered serious fodder), this film captivates. If you are a Bond tragic you may be disappointed, but hang in there for the next installment.
