Being a James Bond fan, having read all the books and seen all the movies, I felt compelled, maybe even required to attend the latest fare titled Quantum of Solace. Like everyone else, I was originally cautious with the choice of Daniel Craig as the new James Bond. He was an unknown, nearing middle age, and somehow not as strikingly handsome as previous Bond actors. His ruddy, earthy look and demeanor does not seem as comfortable in the refined arena of high finance, sophisticated parties, and elite environments. Yet, in contrast, Roger Moore, whose appearance is nearly opposite to Craig's, never looked entirely at ease with the action scenes. Moore's refinement and sophistication somehow prevented him from getting his hands dirty, giving his performance a lofty disconnect from the brutal requirements needed from a spy of Bond's stature.
Daniel Craig, in contrast, performs admirably in quality social situations, yet even in the most relaxed, elite world, one gets the feeling Bond is always ready for action and absolutely committed to reaching his goals. Also, what has changed in the new Bond thrillers is the silly emphasis on sexual puns and sly, not-so-clever humor found in earlier Bond movies. A recent watching of "Goldfinger" reminded me of the strange smooth hero (who is really not so heroic) approach that we came to accept as James Bond. For example when the main female character, Miss Galore, introduces herself, he says, "I must be dreaming." In "Goldfinger" the villain doesn't seem all that bad, and the good guy, James Bond, appears to be apathetic about danger but primarily concerned with having a relationship with the lady.
Whereas in Quantum of Solace we find action from a serious James Bond, who although not perfect, accomplishes his mission in spite of the odds and the obstacles placed in his path. The filming and story are fast-paced with an energy not found in earlier Bond movies and action that borders on the impossible but never actually crosses that line. Without resorting to silly puns and inane, pointless humor, Quantum is edge of the seat viewing and bad guy versus good guy polarization. It is an escape, feel good kind of film that does not disappoint. As in other Bonds, we are treated once again to pretty ladies, villains, guns, and clever conclusions to the problems presented, plus the ongoing concern from Bond's authority figures that James is too autonomous. What is very different, however, is the general serious tone of the movie and the ubiquitous, unrelenting dedication to accomplishing the mission.
On the negative side, the story is a bit difficult to follow, perhaps requiring a viewing of Casino Royale prior to seeing Quantum, and the filming is almost dizzying in its quick alteration of setting changes particularly in the action scenes. Plus the viewer has to question how much punishment Bond can handle and keep coming back strong.
This latest Bond adventure, like many great stories in literature, can be viewed on several emotional levels. One of the most artistically stunning moments is the Tosca scene, a glorious opera by Giuseppe Verdi, where gunfire, death, and destruction are accompanied by lovely singing and melodious, tonal music that causes an unsettling sense of confusion when violence and beauty are blended together. In addition, there is the inevitable personal motivation for revenge level which includes almost extreme pain and death, the geo-political "save the world" level, and another level that is difficult to pinpoint. It is a dimension dating back to Homer's Odyssey that finds fruition in Shakespeare and onward to McMurtry's Lonesome Dove, and even Cormac McCarthy's masterpiece, The Road. It is the dimension of destiny or calling. James Bond now has a serious and relentless destiny to make the world a better place and stop the evil tyranny that lies just below the surface of existence. Bond seeks a moment of peace but is forced to use violence to create the moment.
This is a film worth seeing that can be viewed on many levels. A fine achievement in terms of acting, story, filming, and music. I look forward to many more James Bond features with Daniel Craig.
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