Monday, November 17, 2008
Quantum of Solace Movie Reviews
Scorsese did it with Christ and Nolan most recently did it with Batman. Those are two iconic film characters that usually embody pristine souls of clarity and goodness. Their emotions aren’t usually played upon because they don’t usually find themselves being rattled. That was until Scorsese and Nolan injected their heroes with a Shakespearian sorrow and made them human. Now, Marc Forster - with the 22nd James Bond film from Ian Flemming entitled “Quantum of Solace” – injects the same serum to James Bond; the only man in the history of cinema that is lusted by children and men and women of all ages. Now after seeing “Quantum” how would they like to embody a Bond that has an unwelcoming conscious that craves a vulnerable soul?James Bond has become a pinnacle to our society today. If his name were to be found in the dictionary it would indicate the words smooth, suave, dreamy and charismatic, not a tragic figure who invites bruises and scratches to his face preferably over kisses. Most Bond films, including last year’s “Casino Royale” where “Quantum” picks up an hour after, provides the audience to escape the everyday casualties of life, not to sulk our hero in them and watch him slowly become – how can I put this? – Human. When Daniel Craig signed on to play Bond it was an awakening to a new chapter in the franchise. Dreamy love-boats, who adorned perfectly cropped hair and always a step ahead of their nemesis, were replaced by a more rugged man whose first instinct isn’t to bed women but to put a bullet in the bad guys’ heads. He rightfully accepts the bumps and bruises that follow throughout the process.
In “Quantum,” Bond (Craig) isn’t motivated by any high-tech gizmo or sumptuous woman, but has his killer instincts set out to revenge the death of Vesper (Eva Green), his lover turned double-crosser in “Casino Royale.” In pursing her killer he uncovers Dominic Greene (Mathieu Amalric), a business mogul who’s looking to control Bolivia’s entire water supply and eventually the world. He’s more of an Al Gore, economy friendly villain than the all cunning, blood crying La Chiffe. Greene manages to have people working all over for him, especially doubling as M’s (Judi Dench) M16 agents. New Bond girl Olga Kurylenko as Camille is used as bait by Greene for business deals, but it’s Bond who understands what she really desires for because it’s the same thing he’s driven by; revenge.
Director Forster is a worthy entry to direct a Bond film that has for the first time James Bond’s heart ripped from his insides. The proof lies within Forster’s repertoire. “Quantum” calls for revenge and emotion and he answers its call. Just watch his “Finding Neverland” and “Monster’s Ball” for further reference of humans apprehending life’s pitfalls.
The script is co-written by Oscar winner Paul Haggis and is a bit too congested. It’s become almost mentally impossible to follow any Bond film without asking yourself questions at the end. “Quantum” ultimately can do away with the script because it’s a movie that’s only interested in a maimed humanity, two actually, and how each goes through action scenes, jumping from Italy to Haiti to Bolivia, to satisfy their hungry hearts. To portray James Bond, the epitome of cool, like that can be dour to some. There isn’t any love interest between Bond and Camille because they’re so fueled by revenge. No sarcasm or exotic foreplay. No showcasing extravagant cars or gadgets. No lines of dialogue containing “Bond….James Bond.” Bond doesn’t say anything about his martini being “shaken, not stirred,” because his soul is literally shaken to the core and he’s mad as hell and isn’t going to take it anymore. It may take a while to warm up to this new portrait of cool. But when you do, you actually realize for the very first time that you’d hate to be James Bond. Well, kind of.
Starring: Daniel Craig, Olga Kurylenko, Mathieu Amalric, Judi Dench and Giancarlo Giannini
Director: Marc Forster
Release Date: November 14, 2008
Running Time: 106 min.
MPAA Rating: Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, and some sexual content.
Distributors: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) and Sony Pictures
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