Quantum of Solace - pow, bang, boom
Quantum of Solace, starring Daniel Craig. Trailer Website IMDB page
I've seen The Matrix, probably, a hundred times. It's a great movie. Complicated storyline that really makes you think. Action. Adventure. Love. It has it all. But it wasn't until halfway through the 15th or 16th time I saw The Matrix did I actually understand what was going on. The same is true for the Bond films. Are they above my head? Is there so much going on that I can't quite following it to a t? Am I distracted by all of the colors and sounds that I just can't seem to pay attention to the plot? The answer is "yes." But do I care? Not really.
Quantum of Solace started out with a splash. No, I am not referring to the chase scene in the sewers of Italy, but me spilling 32 ounces of Root Beer on Mr. Brian Kemper (Sorry Brian!). But aesthetically speaking, the film is nothing short of spectacular. With the parkour influenced action scenes, this film is visually stunning. Each fight scene is like a well choreographed forbidden dance of sorts - but nothing like what you see on Dancing With the Stars. And these dances are dangerous (I mean, people die... a lot). From what I was able to pick up, 007 is pissed. I mean, like really really pissed. Either about a girl named Vesper or a Vespa bike, I cannot be sure. Either way, he is out for blood. And someone tried to kill M. I am pretty sure Bond is looking for a secret terrorist group, like the Sierra Club or something (yeah, I totally think they are up to something... you can't just give away free backpacks without being up to something, but I digress). And some guy in said terrorist group is retaining water (but not in the "that time of the month, I'm bloated" kind of way) from some South American country. The point is, Bond is pissed and there is a lot of action. Nuff said.
But I do miss my old Bond. Craig, as Bond - even with his piecing blue eyes - is cold and emotionless (I don't think he smiled once). I get it, you're pissed, but past 007 agents were always open to drowning their sorrows in a signature drink (shaken, not stirred of course) and with the comfort of a fine looking lady. Bond is supposed to be suave and debonair and certainly flashes a bright white smile every once in a while. And Craig as Bond had his Bond moments - opening a hotel room with a credit card - classy! A dry comment about being a teacher on sabbatical - hilarious! Hopping over a railing and prancing across the edge of the hotel balcony - hot! But something was missing. Maybe it was Q. Or the famous Bond gadgets. But at least we still have M, played by Dame Judi Dench, and she is spot on. But then again, she is always spot on in everything she does. And of course, there is this installment's Bond Girl. The perfect mixture of wholesome and exotic in her perfectly bronzed skin.
I still don't know what Quantum of Solace means exactly. And I am pretty sure I only heard the word "quantum" muttered, maybe, two times. But, I must say, this was a solid effort. Action was everywhere! By Land! By Sea! By Air! This film had it all. Even a crotch shot. Yes, a crotch shot. (And I am pretty sure they slowed it down a bit so that everyone in the theater had just enough time to process it - "yes, i did indeed see what I thought I just saw.") And let's not forget the knife fight - there is nothing I love more than a good knife fight! As for the overall plot, I'll let you know what I think after my 15th or 16th showing.
Next Review: Twilight
I've seen The Matrix, probably, a hundred times. It's a great movie. Complicated storyline that really makes you think. Action. Adventure. Love. It has it all. But it wasn't until halfway through the 15th or 16th time I saw The Matrix did I actually understand what was going on. The same is true for the Bond films. Are they above my head? Is there so much going on that I can't quite following it to a t? Am I distracted by all of the colors and sounds that I just can't seem to pay attention to the plot? The answer is "yes." But do I care? Not really.
Quantum of Solace started out with a splash. No, I am not referring to the chase scene in the sewers of Italy, but me spilling 32 ounces of Root Beer on Mr. Brian Kemper (Sorry Brian!). But aesthetically speaking, the film is nothing short of spectacular. With the parkour influenced action scenes, this film is visually stunning. Each fight scene is like a well choreographed forbidden dance of sorts - but nothing like what you see on Dancing With the Stars. And these dances are dangerous (I mean, people die... a lot). From what I was able to pick up, 007 is pissed. I mean, like really really pissed. Either about a girl named Vesper or a Vespa bike, I cannot be sure. Either way, he is out for blood. And someone tried to kill M. I am pretty sure Bond is looking for a secret terrorist group, like the Sierra Club or something (yeah, I totally think they are up to something... you can't just give away free backpacks without being up to something, but I digress). And some guy in said terrorist group is retaining water (but not in the "that time of the month, I'm bloated" kind of way) from some South American country. The point is, Bond is pissed and there is a lot of action. Nuff said.
But I do miss my old Bond. Craig, as Bond - even with his piecing blue eyes - is cold and emotionless (I don't think he smiled once). I get it, you're pissed, but past 007 agents were always open to drowning their sorrows in a signature drink (shaken, not stirred of course) and with the comfort of a fine looking lady. Bond is supposed to be suave and debonair and certainly flashes a bright white smile every once in a while. And Craig as Bond had his Bond moments - opening a hotel room with a credit card - classy! A dry comment about being a teacher on sabbatical - hilarious! Hopping over a railing and prancing across the edge of the hotel balcony - hot! But something was missing. Maybe it was Q. Or the famous Bond gadgets. But at least we still have M, played by Dame Judi Dench, and she is spot on. But then again, she is always spot on in everything she does. And of course, there is this installment's Bond Girl. The perfect mixture of wholesome and exotic in her perfectly bronzed skin.
I still don't know what Quantum of Solace means exactly. And I am pretty sure I only heard the word "quantum" muttered, maybe, two times. But, I must say, this was a solid effort. Action was everywhere! By Land! By Sea! By Air! This film had it all. Even a crotch shot. Yes, a crotch shot. (And I am pretty sure they slowed it down a bit so that everyone in the theater had just enough time to process it - "yes, i did indeed see what I thought I just saw.") And let's not forget the knife fight - there is nothing I love more than a good knife fight! As for the overall plot, I'll let you know what I think after my 15th or 16th showing.
Next Review: Twilight
This is the exact reason I had no desire to see this movie: action bores me. I need substance, not just glitzy bamboomcrackalackshwoosh stuff. Yeah, that's a real word. But I must say, I might just watch it for the crotch shot because, let's face it, I'm sick seeing nudey ladies in movies. Time for the dudes to drop trow, right?
Reply to this
Oh perhaps I should clarify... it was a nudey lady. Com'on it's Bond - do you really think they would subject guys to that? No way!
Reply to this