Movie Review: 'Quantum of Solace' more than typical action film

With 22 films spanning 46 years, the James Bond/007 franchise is one of the longest-running and most prodigious in Hollywood history. Grossing more than $4 billion, the Bond franchise is second only to the Harry Potter series.

When "Dr. No" hit screens in 1962, the Cold War was freezing and spy themes - from Bond to "The Man from U.N.C.L.E." to "I Spy" to "Get Smart" - were soon to be all the rage. Every young male wanted to grow up to be someone like "Bond, James Bond," and their fathers probably all had numerous Walter Mitty moments.

Although George Lazenby filled in for "On Her Majesty's Secret Service," the hubbub that surrounded the first replacement Bond - Roger Moore took over when Sean Connery got a bit too old for the role - was enormous. That change broke the ice, though, and fans now realize that to stay viable and vital, the Bond character will be changing actors from time to time. But to many of a certain age, Connery will always be 007.

The latest actor to play Bond takes 007 into new territory. Daniel Craig, who signed on for 2006's "Casino Royale" and returns for "Quantum of Solace," is not quite as dapper, suave or pithy as previous Bonds, or at least not as dapper or suave as often. Craig and directors Martin Campbell ("Casino Royale") and Marc Forster in the new installment have retooled Bond for the times. This 007 is part Bond, part Jason Bourne ("The Bourne Identity," et al) and part John McClane ("Die Hard" series).

Other Bonds could fight, shoot, drive like madmen and even kill with their bare hands. But they usually did it without breaking a sweat. Connery, especially, always looked like he was in on the joke. Author Ian Fleming's early books (and the early films) saw Bond being influenced by Hugh Hefner's fledgling Playboy ethos.

Breaking the mold for the series, "Quantum of Solace" picks up immediately where the preceding film ends.

In final scenes of "Casino Royale," Bond's lover, Vesper Lynd, betrayed him and was murdered. In the James Bond universe, 007 having a full-fledged lover, rather than just another in his never-ending line of bedmates, is a big deal.

As "Quantum of Solace" opens, Bond (in a massive chase scene) is hauling a person connected to the murder to an interrogation by other members of MI6, including head agent M, played by Dame Judi Dench. Mayhem breaks loose, and the best of many chase scenes ensues as Bond pursues his prey across terracotta-tiled rooftops. Eventually we will see chase scenes featuring motorcycles, more cars, boats and even airplanes.

The 007 we see in "Quantum" is a vengeful one. M admonishes him, "If you could avoid killing every possible lead, it would be deeply appreciated." He can't avoid it, and soon M is forced to call him in. Of course 007 won't acquiesce.

Enlisting the aid of his old friend Mathis (Giancarlo Giannini), Bond is on the tail of a super-secret organization hell-bent on world domination.

The trail leads him to another Bond staple, the evil genius. In this case it's Dominic Greene, a well-known businessman who heads an environmental organization. But Greene has ulterior motives for his "green" concerns. He and other members of the secret organization are plotting to help stage a coup in Bolivia and restore that country's dictator to power. All they want in return is a piece of the barren Bolivian desert. We learn later, after a red herring, that Greene is out to control one of the world's most precious commodities.

When Bond gets to Bolivia, he meets the first of two "Bond women" in the film, Camille. She's exotic and beautiful, but we soon find she's more than that and has her own agenda.

There's another Bond girl, Agent Fields from MI6, who ends up in a situation that gives a nod to "Goldfinger."

The chase leads around the world and finally back to the Bolivian desert, where the grandest of grand finales is staged.

Forster and Director of Photography Roberto Schaefer keep the action pumped up throughout the film. The chase scenes are dizzying and original (if that's even possible anymore), and the location shots are beautiful when they need to be and squalid when that's required.

To borrow a phrase, "This is not your father's 007." Many old-school fans are complaining, but the agent simply has to change with the times.

And there's enough Bond here to make "Quantum of Solace" more than a run-of-the-mill action film.

Jim Wunderle owns Wunderle Sound Services and is a Springfield freelance writer and musician. He can be reached at info@wunderlesound.com.[[In-content Ad]]