Issue date: 11/14/08 Section: Features

Media Credit: Courtesy of MGM [Click to enlarge]

If a movie is successful there may be a sequel, and if sequel is successful the franchise could be made into a trilogy. Usually that's where the line ends. Usually, of course, is the key word. The 22nd installment of the James Bond franchise hit theaters today and for the first time in its history will present audiences with a true sequel, "Quantum of Solace."

This is the second Bond film staring Daniel Craig, who took over the role of James Bond from Pierce Brosnan in the 2006 remake of "Casino Royale." In that film Craig helped to reinvent the image of bond as a fresh agent who relied more on his stubbornness and brute strength then on flashy gadgets and charm.

Of course the latter two qualities showed themselves throughout that film and this one as well. The new Bond is the one who recaptured the spirit of the original Bond films and introduced a new generation to its grandeur. "Quantum of Solace" however, has already started to diminish that sheen.

The film starts out with an exhilarating high-speed car chase. Leading to more classic Bond moments of excitement and cringing, Bond hurls himself, without regard to his body, across rooftops and between buildings. More of this follows as the new characters start to show themselves and we become quickly aware of who the bad guys are and what they're trying to do. There is drama, of course, because although the bad guys are apparent to us in the audience and Bond, no one else can seem to agree.

Now this is supposedly a sequel to "Casino Royale" and in a sense it is. A lot of Bond's motivation for tracking down some of these people is due to his desire for revenge of those that were responsible for the death of his love interest from the first movie.

This is basically the only thread connecting it back to the first movie. That doesn't necessarily make it a bad thing. The bad things start when, through the actions of the new bad guys, the filmmaker's global warming agenda is shoved down the audiences' throat for the next hour and a half. I go to the movies to escape reality, if I wanted a lesson in global issues and the environment I would've stayed home and rented an "Inconvenient Truth."

Although I didn't love the idea of global warming infiltrating my Bond experience, there was enough action and suspense that made me want to keep watching. And I wanted to keep watching, but before I knew it the bad guys were beaten, Bond was absolved from his troubles and the houselights were coming up. The film lasted less then two hours, which was easily the biggest surprise. Especially due to the length of the "Casino Royale," I expected this film to reach at least two hours if not longer.

With a rushed feeling at times and an annoying agenda creeping up at every corner, "Quantum of Solace" did have its few bright spots. This includes the theme song written and performed by Jack White of the "The White Stripes" with Alicia Keys adding her vocals, and of course Craig's excellent interpretation of the Bond character. For those who love the Bond franchise, this film is worth watching, but I would go to a matinee showing to save a few dollars.

Matt Rascher can be reached at mrascher@statehornet.com

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools