Fred's Take on "Quantum of Solace"

Let me be up front and admit to being a huge James Bond fan. I saw my first 007 movie (Diamonds Are Forever) in the theatre in 1971. My 007 philosophy is pretty basic: when Bond is good, it's great. And when it's bad, it's still pretty good (except for A View to a Kill)

So let me hit the standard checklist for Quantum of Solace, the 22nd official James Bond adventure:

Opening Sequence
You get dropped right into that opening chase after about 15 seconds. My only complaint is that the action is shot so tight and edited so quick that it's difficult at times to tell exactly what's going on. What works for me is that it's simple driving skill from Daniel Craig's 007 that gets him out of trouble instead of calmly relying on the multiple gadgets (oil slick, smoke screen, bulletproof shield) that Bond normally has handy to dispatch the bad guys.

Title Song//Opening Credits
I'm convinced you can't write a Bond theme song that everyone is going to like. If you try to recreate those Shirley Bassey classics, then you're just repeating the 1960s and 1970s in some eyes. If you go for a song that's 21st century, the hardcore Bond fan will complain that it's not a real 007 song. Remember, it's been 23 years since Duran Duran hit number on with A View to a Kill (the only good thing about Roger Moore's farewell turn).

As for Jack White and Alicia Keys duet Another Way to Die, it's just kind of there for me. Didn't like the song much when I first heard it, but it fit a little better on the big screen with the opening credits. Not bad, not great.

The Story
I've read a few critics who say there's no story, but I think there is a really interesting tale here. I'm always looking for that one real Bond moment. I think it came at the opera performance, when 007 includes himself in the QUANTUM conference and manages to get pictures of three or four members of the criminal group.

SPECTRE vs QUANTUM
For the first time since 1969, there is an evil organization at work. I loved SPECTRE in the Sean Connery days with Blofeld and the cat, all the henchmen wearing matching black or orange jumpsuits and the massive meeting halls. But QUANTUM sounds really cool, since MI6 and the CIA know next to nothing about them.

The "Oh, Come On!" Moment
It's the point in the film that Bond does something to get out of a situation that makes you want to yell "oh, come on!" at the screen. The number one ridiculous example of this is in Die Another Day when Bond hang glides off an iceberg and a tidal wave to safety. In this case, it's the parachute escape from the plane in the middle of Bolivia.

Daniel Craig
I saw Layer Cake before he was picked to replace Pierce Brosnan and thought he was going to be good. He showed everyone just how good a selection he was in Casino Royale.

Nothing more to say, Daniel Craig is James Bond. My wife and mother-in-law agree 100%.

Bottom Line
My wife liked Quantum of Solace more than Casino Royale. I give Casino a slight edge on this new one. Then again, Quantum of Solace made over $70 million in it's opening weekend in the U.S.

Bond 23
Reportedly due in theatres in 2011. Hope they reintroduce Q and Moneypenny. I also hope they realize they've done three straight films with Bond as a rogue or out-of-control agent. Love to see some more of Craig cool in his take on James Bond.