Quantum of Solace continues the Bond franchise's transition into the 21st century that Casino Royale laid the groundwork for (let's be honest, Die Another Day didn't lay anything). With the violence at an all-time high and the camp at a low, this is the film that most resembles a regular action film. In line with that, it's a bit of a departure stylistically too, with the quite extreme high-frequency editing; I didn't clock it but it has to be a good fifteen minutes before we get a shot longer than a couple of seconds. Arguably it's just modern action schlock, but I think the opening segment is probably the most exhilarating ever in a Bond film.
Other terrific action scenes abound. Among others, there's a wonderfully executed and sweeping segment taking place during a performance of Tosca, as well as a brief but really cool hotel elevator scene.
One of the complaints about the film is the bland villain. I have been known to complain about uncharismatic villains as well, but here I think Dominic Greene works perfectly well as a modern, faceless villain whose main attribute is a lack of mannerisms. After all, he is the leader of an organization about which M asks "how can they be everywhere and we know nothing about them?" All in all, I've seen the film three times now and it just gets better each time, and now holds its own among the best of the Bond films. It might trade some of Casino Royale's character development and sensitivity for high-octane action, but it's not without emotional depth; it's just that Bond has now been burnt by the fire and won't go near it again. The emotional theme of the film is getting over deception and loss, and how Bond balances dangerously on the edge while doing so. Quantum of Solace might find him at his most emotionless, merciless and clinical, but also at his most tormented.
Other terrific action scenes abound. Among others, there's a wonderfully executed and sweeping segment taking place during a performance of Tosca, as well as a brief but really cool hotel elevator scene.
One of the complaints about the film is the bland villain. I have been known to complain about uncharismatic villains as well, but here I think Dominic Greene works perfectly well as a modern, faceless villain whose main attribute is a lack of mannerisms. After all, he is the leader of an organization about which M asks "how can they be everywhere and we know nothing about them?" All in all, I've seen the film three times now and it just gets better each time, and now holds its own among the best of the Bond films. It might trade some of Casino Royale's character development and sensitivity for high-octane action, but it's not without emotional depth; it's just that Bond has now been burnt by the fire and won't go near it again. The emotional theme of the film is getting over deception and loss, and how Bond balances dangerously on the edge while doing so. Quantum of Solace might find him at his most emotionless, merciless and clinical, but also at his most tormented.