Netflix tip: Quantum of Solace

March 28, 10:49 PMClassic TV ExaminerDoug Krentzlin

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           Daniel Craig & Olga Kurylenko in Quantum of Solace

Being a life-long fan of the James Bond movies, I wasn’t about to let the barrage of complaints that the latest entry Quantum of Solace (2008) was “too dark” and “too serious” discourage me from getting it when it was released on DVD this week (especially since the exact same gripes have been made about one of my all-time favorite Bond films License to Kill).

Having watched Quantum of Solace twice now (and thoroughly enjoyed it both times), I can only conclude that when people say a Bond film is “too serious,” they are lamenting the absence of comical redneck sheriffs, lame sex jokes and animals doing double takes. (How the original Ian Fleming novels succeeded without those elements, Lord only knows.)

Quantum of Solace takes up exactly where Casino Royale (2006) left off. While seeking revenge against the men responsible for the suicide of the woman he loved, Vesper Lynd, Bond (Daniel Craig) learns of the existence of a shadow organization plotting world domination called Quantum. (If Quantum sounds suspiciously like the terrorist group SPECTRE from the 1960s Bond films, that’s because the producers can no longer use the previous name due to copyright conflicts.)

Bond’s investigation leads him to philanthropic environmentalist Dominic Greene (Mathieu Amalric) who is, in reality, a Quantum agent in cahoots with deposed Bolivian dictator General Medrano (Joaquin Cosio). Greene has offered to restore Medrano to his former position in exchange for over 60% of Bolivia’s water rights, which is part of an even more grandiose scheme to monopolize the world’s water supply.

During his globe trotting, Bond crosses paths with Camille (Olga Kurylenko) who is also, as Greene contemptuously puts it, “damaged goods.” Camille had been posing as Greene’s mistress in order to gain access to Medrano and avenge the deaths of her family members murdered by him. Bond and Camille end up joining forces in their campaign to bring down Greene and Medrano’s conspiracy.

One of the main attractions of the Bond franchise is the impeccably staged action sequences and director Marc Foster and screenwriters Paul Haggis, Neal Purvis and Robert Wade certainly don’t skimp on these. Quantum of Solace boasts a car chase (in the pre-credits teaser), a rooftop foot chase, a motorboat chase, an aerial dogfight involving an airplane, a fighter jet and a helicopter and a shoot-out in a Viennese opera house during a performance of Tosca. According to tradition, there is a spectacular grand finale in which Bond and Camille confront the villains at their headquarters, a deserted luxury hotel situated in the Bolivian desert, which (also per tradition) ends up being blown to smithereens. (David Arnold’s superb music score respectfully echoes the work of original Bond composer John Barry.)

The bottom line? Don’t let the naysayers fool you. Craig still makes a terrifically gritty, no-nonsense Agent 007 and Quantum of Solace is exciting entertainment that has everything a James Bond fanatic could hope for and more.