The Quantum of Solace

THE QUANTUM OF SOLACE (2008) - Nov. 10, 2008
Though it's still missing a lot of the elements that made James Bond such a compelling character in the first place, this is a definite step in the right direction after the sub-par Casino Royale. It's short, which helps, and though it does drag in parts, it's pretty much entertaining all the way through. Bond feels more like Bond here; he's more charismatic than he was in the last one, and there's none of the lengthy introspection that made him seem so egregiously un-Bond-like in Casino Royale. Daniel Craig still feels like an iffy choice for Bond, but I'm definitely more sold on him now than I was after CR. Marc Forster's direction was also pretty good, though he does rely a bit too much on the old shaky-cam/quick-cut style of action, but that is, lamentably, pretty much a given these days. My one major complaint is that Mathieu Amalric makes for a completely lame villain. He's more smarmy than sinister; more shady businessman than Bond-level supervillain. He's pretty much the opposite of memorable. ***