Paul's View - Quantum of Solace

[Paul Heath]

Thought that I had better weigh in with my own, very quick, personal take on the latest big-screen exploits of Mr. 007. I finally managed to see the new James Bond last Sunday, with what I can only describe as the hangover from HELL! A day on the razz with my better half on Saturday definitely got the better of me. Anyway, I was still pleased to get to the screening of possibly one of the year's most anticipated flicks, QUANTUM OF SOLACE early in the afternoon.

We all know the story by now. Daniel Craig returns to our screens in the film which literally starts moments after the end of CASINO ROYALE. Bond is introduced bombing around the streets of Siena, Italy in a brand spanking new Aston Martin, which moments later he completely buggers up, in true 007 fash. It's a thrilling Bourne-esque car chase, which for me was the highlight of the entire movie. It's flash, it's brash, it's all shot with handheld cameras and there's a superb claustrophobic feel about it. My jaw dropped. Wow/ Unfortunately, it is, from that opening sequence,all down hill from there, and although the film is action-packed to the rafters, you can't avoid feeling left down by the end result. It's a short movie, running at about an hour and forty,and it seems, to me anyway, to be a film that has been rushed. There's very little in the way of story in between the action, which there is A LOT of. QoS delivers the explosions and fist fights in spades. All great action sequence, a stand-out moment being a gun battle at an outdoor theater production of Tosca in Austria, with director Marc Forster opting for a muted soundtrack of guns and shouting, instead favouring the music from the aforementioned production. Genius.

Now, I'm a massive fan of CASINO ROYALE, and the whole back-to-basics approach that the last two films have gone with. I love the 007 flicks in general, and I like Craig as Bond, and was really interested to see what 'art house' helmer Forster (FINDING NEVERLAND, MONSTER'S BALL) had come up with in this first true Bond sequel -- but I walked away feeling a little let down. Perhaps I set my bar to high and my expectation was too much - after all Bond has a lot to live up to in these days of the Bourne trilogy etc. This one wasn't up there. It's a worthy 007 movie, but certainly not the best.

Very much a film that's all guns and no glory, all bread without butter and all cock without balls. And what is it wuith that Alicia Keys and Jack White theme? Urgh!

Watch The Trailer


Find more videos like this on My Hollywood News