Sidewalks On The Corner

James Bond is back in his 22nd film, a direct sequel to the 2006 film "Casino Royale." Is Daniel Craig's 2nd go around in QUANTUM OF SOLACE as good as the first time?

Follow up:

QUANTUM OF SOLACE
MGM/Columbia Pictures
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, and some sexual content.
RUNNING TIME: 106 minutes
URL: 007.com
Directed by: Marc Forster
Produced by: Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli
Screenplay by: Neal Purvis & Robert Wade and Paul Haggis
Cast: Daniel Craig, Olga Kurylenko, Mathieu Amalric, Judi Dench, Gemma Arterton, Jeffrey Wright

Studio’s Synopsis:
QUANTUM OF SOLACE continues the high octane adventures of James Bond (DANIEL CRAIG) in CASINO ROYALE.

Betrayed by Vesper, the woman he loved, 007 fights the urge to make his latest mission personal. Pursuing his determination to uncover the truth, Bond and M (JUDI DENCH) interrogate Mr White (JESPER CHRISTENSEN) who reveals the organisation which blackmailed Vesper is far more complex and dangerous than anyone had imagined.

Forensic intelligence links an Mi6 traitor to a bank account in Haiti where a case of mistaken identity introduces Bond to the beautiful but feisty Camille (OLGA KURYLENKO), a woman who has her own vendetta. Camille leads Bond straight to Dominic Greene (MATHIEU AMALRIC), a ruthless business man and major force within the mysterious organisation.

On a mission that leads him to Austria, Italy and South America, Bond discovers that Greene, conspiring to take total control of one of the world's most important natural resources, is forging a deal with the exiled General Medrano (JOAQUIN COSIO). Using his associates in the organisation, and manipulating his powerful contacts within the CIA and the British government, Greene promises to overthrow the existing regime in a Latin American country, giving the General control of the country in exchange for a seemingly barren piece of land.

In a minefield of treachery, murder and deceit, Bond allies with old friends in a battle to uncover the truth. As he gets closer to finding the man responsible for the betrayal of Vesper, 007 must keep one step ahead of the CIA, the terrorists and even M, to unravel Greene's sinister plan and stop his organisation.

J.P.'s Takes:
If there were ever a defining moment in Daniel Craig's career as an actor, it would be taking on the role of James Bond. Craig is back as 007 in “Quantum of Solace.” What I liked about the new film in the Bond franchise is that it’s a brutal, quick paced, mysterious, nail bitter. It’s more about the character development and less about the toys, gadgets and the expensive luxury items.

There is a sentimental connection with the title of the film and the motivation of the characters. The whole driving force behind the film comes from the story of “Casino Royal,” involving the death of Vesper, who was once Bond’s main squeeze at the end of the movie. It provides “JB” with enough fuel for fleshing out his plan in the sequel. What you can expect to see is a volatile secret agent with a personal vendetta toward the ones’ responsible for her death. The story becomes deeper as you continue on the journey. It’s a nice way of tying both “Casino Royal” together with “Quantum” using a common theme, and it works very well.

Aside from the deep storyline, “Quantum” is your typical James Bond action flick. It’s full of heart stopping action thanks to director Marc Forster. It’s full of death defying stunts and the quick as lighting fight scenes, which are bone crunching and realistic. Then, of course, there are the fast sports cars, hot women and exotic locations. Oh yeah, don’t forget about the hailstorm of bullets and a gang of evildoers lurking around every corner. All of which puts the audience on the edge of their seats.

What I didn’t like about the movie is the simple fact that Bond is no longer the suave ladies man, with dashing good looks and a gentlemen’s touch. Those are the qualities I miss, which make him seem more human rather than a killing machine. Instead he's gruff, gritty and he feels more like the terminator than James Bond. In other words, if his enemies aren’t safe, then his friends aren't any safer around him.

Daniel Craig looks like he’s enjoying every moment of getting his revenge. Craig is such a physical actor, who is able to do his own stunts that he allows the Bond character to be more flexible. As a result, the new James Bond doesn’t wimp out in a fight or pull a gun because he’s afraid of getting his suit dirty in close combat. Instead Craig digs in with both hands and gets down and dirty alongside the villains.

The tradition of beautiful Bond girls continues as the newest beauty Olga Kurylenko plays Camille Montes. The Ukraine born actress dons a tan and plays a Latin hottie who befriends 007 and wins his affections; she even has the accent down spot on. But where Kurylenko really shines is when she turns into an avenger as she works her way into the criminal underground and sabotages their plans. She's both sexy and dangerous.

Mathieu Amalric is the new criminal mastermind as he plays Dominic Greene, an environmentalist terrorist. At first Greene doesn't seem like much of a villain until you discover his plot. It's not that he's scary looking or that he sounds scary or even that he makes idles threats. It's the fact that he has the power enough to pool his resources together in a secretive manor and conquer his opponents is a silent way. He was a true villain in the literal since.

Over all, "Quantum of Solace" is a true Bond film for a new generation, and I feel it's going to spark a whole new following. Maybe it will keep the old fan interested as well, because of its fresh ideas. This one was a great follow up, and I'm definitely looking forward to the next several Bond films.