There's an interesting similarity between the routes the 007 and Batman film franchises have gone recently. Roughly around 2000, both series were feeling dated, and suffering from installments that went a little too far (Batsuit nipples, massive satellite firing solar blasts, planes flying through and surviving said solar blasts, etc...), and both were in desperate need of a kick in the pants. Only one year apart (05 and 06 respectively), both franchises got what they desperately needed, in the forms of "Batman Begins" (B+/A-), and the superlative "007: Casino Royale" (A). Both films, in eerie coicidence, were also story reboots, beginning more or less as origin stories. Now, in 2008, the first follow ups from the grittier/more real reboots arrive, with high expectations. July gave us the sublime "The Dark Knight", which left only "Quantum of Solace". Unfortunately, where "The Dark Knight" surpassed its predecessor, Quantum falls a little short of Casino Royale, in a solid, yet oddly uneven entry into the Bond canon. Beginning only a half hour or so after Casino ended, we start with a high octane car chase in Siena, Italy. It's here where we first notice that something is...different. Apparently Bond has contracted "Bourne" editing syndrome (ie: frantic, jarring close ups meant to disoriente the viewer). I understand that this is the "new" Bond, but there's no need to completely turn him into Jason Bourne and steal all of his cinematographic tricks. Now, I don't usually do this, but since there are certain key components to any Bond film, I'm breaking the rest of the review up into individual grades for those sectors, before giving the final verdict.
The theme song: (C) Though sung by the talented (albeit odd) duo of Jack White and Alicia Keys, there's something about "Another Way to Die" that's frighteningly unmemorable. Not only is the main chorus choppy and the lyrics sometimes unclear, but it's simply lacking in rhythm. You won't be dying to download this one as you leave the theater.
The opening title sequence: (B) One word: Sand.
The action: (A-) In spite of the frantic camera work and editing, most of the action sequences do get the adrenaline going (the superb sound work only adds to this). Rooftop chases, aerial battles, and a (quite literally) explosive finale, it's all well staged and executed (especially when you realize that this was directed by the man who gave us Finding Neverland...).
Bond: (B-) Though Craig gets more to do action wise this time around, the character isn't as fully developed as he should be (given that his newfound rage is all masking his grief over Vesper's death, etc...). Hopefully Craig sticks around for more; he's still one of the better Bonds.
The Bond Girls: average: (B-). Olga Kurlyenko's Camille sometimes misses the mark tonally, as if she's wandered onto the wrong film set. The problem is, she's too much like Bond; a victim of tragedy, out for cold blooded revenge. Gemma Artreton's Agent Fields, despite limited screen time, displays signs of serious spark, but it never goes anywhere (though it does set up for a BRILLIANT homage to a scene in Goldfinger). However, neither one comes close to Eva Green's Vesper Lynd.
The Villain: (B) Though he lacks any colorful deformities, Mathieu Amalric still does a solid job as a bug-eyed sleaze bag.
The exotic locales: (C+) We globe trot so much that there's barely any time to get a sense that we're actually in Vienna, Italy, Bolivia, Port Au Prince, etc...
The overall plot: (C) So much revenge, yet so little story to channel it through. Though Bond is clearly on a search and destroy personal mission, the sequence of events either feels rushed, undercooked, or misfocused (a subplot involving the CIA doesn't add much).
The Bond Theme: (A) Sounding as great as ever thanks to David Arnold's lush orchestrations. The rest of the score is also fantastic in that it matches the rhythm of, but never overpowers, the action scenes (and there are a LOT of them).
Final Side Note: Please, never EVER get rid of Judi Dench as M. She's perfect.
Final Grade: B-
Nominations: Best Makeup (#5), Best Sound Editing(#2), Best Sound Mixing(#2)
Number of 2008 films seen: 40
