Well, it's been a while since I've done one of these...
Quantum of Solace is the first movie in the Bond franchise's history to be a direct sequel to the movie before it (Casino Royale). The movie starts off promising, with an action-packed car chase, something Casino Royale was lacking. But, at the same time, the action is so erratic that you can't really tell what's going on for the most part. Still fun though. This is followed by the opening credits, which brings a song performed by Jack White and Alicia Keys. The song is alright, but I'm pretty sure Mr. White could have written something better.
While you need to watch Casino Royale to understand most of the references thrown around, you'll still probably get lost in the first 15 minutes. There are so many names spouted out during the course of the movie that I lost track of who is who, or who I should give a shit about. The main characters are the only ones I remember. On the topic of characters, Camille (played by Olga Kurylenko) is not only amazingly hot, but she actually has a good role...until she pusses out. Gemma Arterton, who plays Strawberry Fields (yes, that is her name in the film), is also amazingly attractive, and has a great charm which helps you become emotionally attached to her. The villian, Dominic Greene (played by Mathieu Amalric), starts off very frightning, but near the end he doesn't seem very threatening. Judi Dench plays her part as amazing as always, and Daniel Craig plays a super lucky/bulletproof/man-whore/super-spy James Bond just as good as he did the first time. He has those charming one liners, and actually shows some emotion, but he seems to get out of situations way too easily...even for Bond.
Camille, Bond, FieldsThat brings me to the action. I had no clue what is going on, for the most part. It seems like they tried to copy the same camera style as the Bourne Supremacy...which is not a good thing. The resulting shaky camera action leaves you asking what the hell is going on. I wasn't sure who was hitting who, all I knew was that Bond was somehow going to win. I'm not saying the action was bad, it was very entertaining, I just wish I could tell what was going on half the time.
Overall, it was fun to watch, but was kind of an empty experience. They never even mentioned what the Quantum of Solace even was. If they did, they did such a shitty job with it that I don't even remember what it was. I really wanted to like this movie, but it felt like they threw a bunch of action scenes into a revenge story that makes no sense and has no real ending. Oh yeah, that's right, it has a open ending. I can see how they want to make sequels forever, but I wish they ended it. I want them to continue like the series always has, with no mention/relation to the movie preceeding it. While it was an enjoyable movie, I wish I knew what the fuck was going on. I will give this a 3.5 out of 5.
I suggest spending your money on Role Models and/or Zack and Miri Make a Porno, first. Those movies are fantasticly hilarious. If you liked Casino Royale, then I would suggest seeing Quantum of Solace, but don't expect any real conclusion.
