Continuing the story one hour after the end of “Casino Royale,” the new James Bond movie, “Quantum Of Solace,” is another roller-coaster ride that has thrilling action and another fine performance by Daniel Craig in the lead role.
Taking over the role in 2006 with “Casino Royale,” Craig was a Bond very different from what most people remember. He was rough around the edges, had a much tougher determination and didn’t care how a martini was made.
It was a nice change of pace from the suave, tongue-in-cheek ladies’ man made famous by Sean Connery and Roger Moore. Pierce Bronson’s portrayal was of a tougher Bond with a menace behind the sophistication.
Craig is just menacing and tough. And in the current Bond flick, he is out for revenge. His Bond has lost a woman he fell in love with, and he wants the men responsible for her death to pay.His determination almost causes his termination from MI6, the agency he works for and which is directed by “M,” played again tremendously by Judi Dench. She wants to believe Bond is doing his job, but she is worried that his tactics may have gone too far.
Bond and M are interrogating Mr. White a major character from “Casino Royale” when things begin to spin out of control and the line between the good guys and bad guys gets blurred.Bond turns renegade to solve the latest menace, this time a group led by environmentalist Dominic Greene played with perfect sleaziness by Matthew Amalric.
It is Greene’s objective to control the world’s supply of a valuable natural source and he will go to any level to achieve his goal.It is Bond’s objective to stop Greene by any means possible.Of course there is a woman who figures into the plot. This time it is Camille Montes, played by newcomer Olga Kurylenko, who has a bit of revenge to attend to, as well.
The director of this installment is Marc Forster, who is better known for smaller, more emotional films like “Monster’s Ball,” “Stranger Than Fiction” and “Finding Neverland.”It is an interesting choice and a gamble, but Forster gets the most out of the action.
And in a strange way the director humanizes 007. Bond is not just a killing machine, even though there is a high body count, and he does share a couple of tender moments.If action is what you like in your Bond movies, you will not be disappointed with “Quantum of Solace.”
The car chase scene that opens the movie is thrilling, as is a plane sequence and several foot chases. Bond faces several hand-to-hand combat sequences, and they are not pretty.Giancarlo Giannini as Rene Mathis and Jeffery Wright as CIA agent Felix Leiter are back from the prequel “Casino Royale” which actually tells the first story in the Bond series.
Even though there were several recurring characters in the past, this latest installment is the first one to continue a particular story line. And as a sequel should, it does find resolution to earlier plot points.There is even an homage to one of the first Bond movies that features Gemma Arterton as Strawberry Fields, who works for the British consulate in Bolivia. Believe me when I say, you will know it when you see it.
This Bond is not your father’s Bond, but he is still a fascinating character. Craig is once again outstanding.
The action is exciting and well done, and the Bond girl is beautiful and tough, as well. David Arnold’s musical score keeps the mood just right, while still playing light homage to the Bond theme, and the new song over the opening credits is another good one. Jack White and Alicia Keys perform the song called “Another Way To Die.”
QUANTUM OF SOLACE Rated: PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, and some sexual content Rating:4 stars out of 5 Now Playing: Wide Release Brad's Picks: Top 5 best Bond movies By Brad Memberto/Staff Writer.
This week I am beginning a weekly column exclusively on our Web site that will list a set of my favorites. Each week will cover a different entertainment category. One week may cover favorite situation comedies, favorite rock songs used in a motion picture, favorite Westerns or even favorite bad movies.
I expect most of the lists will be related to the play, movie or television program I will be reviewing in a particular week. For example, this week I reviewed “Quantum of Solace,” so why not list my favorite Bond movies?
We will be asking you for your responses, as well, which we will put in the following week. Did I miss one? Am I crazy for putting that one on the list? We want to know. Simply send me an e-mail response to 5 FAVORITE BOND MOVIES 5) TOMORROW NEVER DIES (1997).
The 18th installment in the series has all that is needed in a Bond flick — a great bad guy (Jonathan Pryce as Elliot Carver), a great Bond girl (actually two: Michelle Yeoh as the toughest one yet and Teri Hatcher), and lots of great action.
I liked Pierce Brosnan as Bond. 4) GOLDEN EYE (1995) It is the first Bond movie not based on anything written by Ian Fleming, but the title is named after his estate in Jamaica. The escape from the mountaintop weapons facilities before the opening credits is absolutely spectacular. Sean Bean as Alec Trevelyan, agent 006 gone bad, is cold and mean just like a classic Bond villain should be.
Isabella Scoropso is a lovely Bond girl, and Famke Janssen as the villainous Xenia Simonova is one of the best female bad guys ever.Also this was the debut of Judi Dench as “M.”3) CASINO ROYALE (2006)-In the 21st official Bond movie, Daniel Craig is the perfect Bond in the re-booting of the series. Fantastic action scenes and a great storyline.
Eva Green is the new wave Bond girl sexy and tough. Mads Mikkelsen as Le Chiffre is another unique and creepy villain with lots of menace. And watch out for Mr. White. 2) DR. NO (1962) To quote Carly Simon, “Nobody does it better” than Sean Connery.
Everything that Ian Fleming probably wanted in the screen version of his hero is right there. Connery is classy, cunning, manly and humorous in this the first Bond movie.Joseph Wiseman as the evil Dr. Julius No, a leader of SPECTRE, is downright chilling as the first and one of the best villains. Crab Key Island is one of the best hideouts ever.
Even though her voice was dubbed, Ursula Andress as Honey Rider is the first of the great Bond girls. Her entrance is one of the icons of all of moviedom. Look out for Jack Lord, who is the first to play the reoccurring role of CIA operative Felix Leiter.
1) GOLDFINGER (1964)-The third Bond movie is still the best. Gert Frobe as Auric Goldfinger is a great bad guy, and Honor Blackman as Pussy Galore more than holds her own with Connery. Then throw in the memorable Oddjob, played by Harold Sakata.
Shirley Eaton played Jill Masterson, a member of Goldfinger’s staff who is seduced and turned by Bond, paying the ultimate price in spectacular fashion.The climatic battle at Fort Knox is exciting, as is the demise of Goldfinger on a plane.
The latest Bond movie has another very good song that plays over the opening title sequence. Jack White and Alicia Keys team up for “Another Way To Die.” Which brings up the question. What are the best Bond songs?
Here is my quick list.5) “Nobody Does it Better” (Carly Simon) from “The Spy Who Loved Me” (1977) 4) “Live And Let Die” (Paul McCartney and Wings) from the movie “Live And Let Die” (1973) 3) “Casino Royale (Herb Albert and the Tijuana Brass) from “Casino Royale” (1967). So sue me it’s not from an official Bond movie, but from the parody in 1967 starring David Niven, Peter Sellers and Woody Allen.