Quantum of Solace Review

Certificate: 12A
Director: Marc Forster
Starring: Daniel Craig, Judi Dench,
Giancarlo Giannini, Olga Kurylenko
Running Time: 106 Minutes


James Bond has clearly not driven his last Aston Martin judging by the latest block buster hit.
Daniel Craig continues to prove the critics wrong in Quantum of Solace with his smooth ‘shaken not stirred’ attitude when playing Bond and his wittiness is still making me giggle.
Although not my favourite Bond film, Quantum of Solace has definitely been worth the ticket fare. The action scenes were plenty and are bound to keep you on the edge of your seat with the opening car chase scene one of the most memorable. I did, however, notice a lack of gadgets which is not typical of a Bond film.
The plot is slightly on the confusing side but does have a lot of connections with ‘Casino Royale’ as Bond is trying to get revenge for the death of Vesper.
He is assisted by a number of old friends including the ruthless M, played by the legendary Judi Dench, and Mathis, played by Giancarlo Giannini. Both were excellent performances but the most surprising performance came from rising star Olga Kurylenko who plays Camille and Bond’s newest partner in action. The pair is brought together due to their search for revenge on those that have killed their loved ones.
Other brief but brilliant performance come from Gemma Arterton, typically named Miss Strawberry Fields, as Bonds latest ‘easy’ conquest and also the bad guys including Mathieu Amalric.
The only down side to this film would have to be the opening song sequence. Yes, we get the point that you special effects guys are good but was there any need for the (many) giant sand women at the beginning? And if that wasn’t enough the song that went with the sand people made me want to shut my eyes and my ears. When you here that Alicia Keys and Jack White are doing a duet it’s got to strike as a very odd combination and then you hear the song which I have to be honest and say is the oddest James Bond song I’ve ever heard. Sorry but listening to ‘Another way to die’ could actually be another way to die.
Thankfully, the film quickly made up for it and it is well worth seeing as is any James Bond movie, even if you are not a James Bond fan.