Quantum of Solace

James Bond has had a long and proud history. It's mastery over the "Art of the Ridiculous" has become so flawless, that the things that occur seem perfectly inplace in our world. The gadgets, the names, the women. All have can have thier place in the 'real world' without seeming as strange and implausible as they actually are.

The newest addition to this francishe, is Quantum of Solace. An excellent action movie to be sure, I enjoyed much of the story...but an action movie it remains. It does not transend that moniker to Bond-dom (Bond-age?) Their are no gadget present in this new Bond-film, they seem  to have gotten gadget and technology confused. Windows that are computer screen, special phones are nice, but they are not true James Bond gadgetry, no pens that are gernades, no briefcase machine guns (ala Perfect Dark). This James Bond is too real. It doesn't feel like a Bond film. I found the complete lack of anything resembling Q branch to be depressing to the extreme.

Technically speaking the movie is strong, it looks believable and the acting is decent enough. The only complaint here is the camera work. Quick, jerk movement prevents a lot of enjoyment for the audience simply because you can't follow what is happening. Yes, I understand the point of creating that feeling through the camera work and editing, but if I am going to pay an arm and a leg to see a movie I want a few things from a Bond movie

1)Understand what the hell is going on screen visually

2)Hot woman (This was definitely included)

3)A crazed villain (This only gets a 50%)

4) Aston Martin (Check, but briefly. The Aston Martin was replaced with Hybrid cars and Land Rovers...BAH)

5)Nefarious Henchmen (0% The only henchman was some pedophile lookin' bastard with a toupee)

6)Q, goddamnit, I want Q!

Despite its shortcomings as a Bond Movie I give it an 7.5 to 8.0

As a Bond Movie it gets a 3.0

AVERAGE SCORE: 5.5 women drowned in oil out of 10.

Comments

[Van]

I wanted Q too...