Bond Seeks revenge in Quantum of Solace (2008)

So we pick up where we left off in Casino Royale, with Bond (Daniel Craig) seeking revenge for the killing of his beloved Vesper Lynd. In this latest installment of the James Bond series we get to see a harder side to the James Bond character, not really typically seen from previous films. After Bond's betrayal, he and M (Judi Dench) are determined to uncover the truth about Vesper and the organization which blackmailed her. However, as the story begins to unravel they realize this situation is a bit more complicated than anticipated.

In Quantum of Soalce, the audience is able to see the reuniting of old friends who team up with Bond to help uncover this mystery. Bond must stay one step of everyone including the terrorists, M, and even the CIA so that he can uncover what is really going down. Now in your typical Bond fashion, we have an enemy and a mission to solve, in this one Bond battles Dominic Greene (Mathieu Amalric) who is a member of the Quantum organization as well as posing as an environmentalist staging to take control of Bolivia's water supply. One might say that this villain was not your typical grotesque villian, but the modern day corporate villain.

Now it has all the ingredients for a classic Bond film, but I think it takes a left turn somewhere and the focus seems to shift. One thing I will say is that I missed the gadgets that Bond would always get, it kinda of would have given me a little nostalgia for the soul (lol). With this movie, Bond was seen more as an action hero versus the cool, suave M16 agent that we are used to seeing. For a little bit of the movie I thought I was watching Jason Bourne, but then I snapped back and said this is James Bond, even though throughout the whole movie he really did not come off as charming or the suave Bond that we are used to seeing. Even when interviewed Craig emphasized that Quantum required a different performance for him since it was a revenge film versus the love story in Casino Royale (Spy Harder, John Naughton, GQ). However, I was pleased to see the continuation of Jeffrey Wright's character CIA agent Felix Leiter (even though his character seems a bit far-fetched in certain moments).

Now just in case you missed this scene or did not conncet the dots there was a little tribute connection with Quantum and a previous Bond film Goldfinger (1964). It is not unusual for us to see the Bond women go out in some interesting ways, but this was quite interesting to see 44 years later bringing back the wicked ways!! Producers were hoping that the image would be as memorable as the sixties scene that inspired it. One might say it was quite an iconic part of the film.

Goldfinger (1964)
Quantum of Solace (2008)

Overall, I will say that the film was action-filled and definitely kept my eyes glued to the screen. And just like with all great movies there is trial and error, but sooner rather than later I am sure it will be back to its original form. Quantum (like the Lord of Rings series) was a continuation of a bigger story with a bigger plot. One might say it was a film of character development, starting a new so to speak. Many may predict the future Bond films will re-introduce the gadgets and a more suave, polished Bond (Shout out to Mr. Thompson). One can't help but miss the charming and refined, yet still full of action M16 agent. I have no worries that Craig will be back, and I will be looking forward to his reprise of... Bond...James Bond.


Grade: B+