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movie review - Quantum of Solace

the journal of Michael Werneburg

twenty-seven years and one million words

First, a note on what this movie is or is not "for the franchise". I've heard a lot of complaints about this movie. That it's "no longer bond". That the old magic is gone.

I disagree. I thought it was a modernized telling of a very different world. No longer would I be interested in more of the 50's-80's style Bond with his Playboy magazine kind of hammy schmoozing and womanizing. Bond is supposed to be a 'black operations' agent in a very turbulent and violent world, not some frivolous twit cruising the world on a limitless trust fund.

I approve of what they've done with the franchise.

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As for this flick itself, I found its constant focus on action worked. Yes, the pace is unrelenting, but it's really a second part to the previous Bond flick and as such there isn't really a reason to be spend a lot of time on bringing the viewer up to speed on what's been happening. They should already know. The opening scene has Bond motoring at breakneck speed through a European countryside while fleeing unnamed antagonists only to arrive at his destination to reveal that he's had a prisoner in his trunk the entire time. It sets the tone and that tone stays with us throughout.

I recommend this film to fans of the Bourne Identity trilogy.

Recommended.