Quantum of Solace (Movie Review)

Rating:

The new Bond film Quantum of Solace isn’t better than its predecessor Casino Royale, and its story isn’t as fun as Wanted. So, where did the $225 million they spent on it go?

This 22nd James Bond adventure picks up the story just an hour after Royale ends. Fueled by the betrayal of Vesper, the woman he loved, Agent 007 (Daniel Craig) fights back the temptation to make his new mission personal. Treading through a minefield of betrayal and deceit, Bond aligns himself with old friends in search of the truth. As you know, nothing is ever as it seems in the spy world.

In this high-octane sequel, you’ll meet a colder and more soulless version of Bond. Each time he murders someone, it’s his indifference that’ll strike you, not how violent the murder is itself. It’s a side of Bond we’re not used to seeing in the 46-year-old franchise, but it seems audiences have welcomed his ‘darker’ self.

The action sequences are always fun but do not live up to those in Royale. And just as disappointing are the lack of high-tech gadgets that are so synonymous with the saga.

But getting back to our original point—where did they spend this exorbitant amount of money? It looks like a fair share was spent on the various filming locations throughout Latin America, including Panama City, the Atacama Desert in Chile, and the city of San Felipe in Mexico.

Overall, the cast turns in performances worthy of the money in our pockets, but the bottom line is that the movie doesn’t deliver on the promise of being one of the best Bond movies ever. This is a distinction we can make for Royale, a movie far superior in every aspect.

If you don’t get a chance to see Quantum of Solace, don’t fret. You’re not missing anything special.