The Charmless Bond

[007]

http://www.petersfieldpost.co.uk/guide- ... 4649837.jp

An action-packed first hour but, ultimately, Daniel Craig's emotionless and charmless Bond struggles in an incoherent plot.

Agent 007 returns, all guns blazing, in the action-packed follow-up to Casino Royale, set in the immediate aftermath of the blockbuster 2006 film. Quantum Of Solace opens with a spectacular car chase through the historic streets of Siena, Italy, culminating in a pursuit over the rooftops which recalls the breathtaking Moroccan sequence from The Bourne Ultimatum.

It's no surprise that many of the behind-the-scenes crew have close ties to the Bourne franchise, including co-editor Richard Pearson, second unit director Dan Bradley and stunt co-ordinator Gary Powell.

At times, the similarities become more of an imitation and, unfortunately for Bond, his American counterpart does it far better.

Director Marc Forster ensures the pace doesn't slacken for the opening hour, including a fist-fight on a series of ropes and pulleys, a high-speed boat chase and an aerial dogfight.

Once audiences finally catch their breath, the ramshackle plot unfurls with no sense of urgency and all of the adrenaline pumping through the film's veins dissipates, building to a deeply-disappointing final showdown in Chile.

Perhaps for the first time ever, Bond's arch foe dies off screen.
Quantum Of Solace is also the first film where the principal lovely doesn't disrobe and succumb to James's charms.

Amusingly, there is more sexual tension between M and her headstrong protege. Bond is evidently losing his touch.

Following the death of Vesper Lynd, Bond (Daniel Craig) joins M (Judi Dench) to interrogate Mr White (Jesper Christensen), part of a secret organisation responsible for his beloved's demise.

'The first thing you should know is that we have people everywhere,' smirks Mr White, who has good reason to feel cocky.

The trail of evidence leads to beautiful Haiti, where Bond meets the enigmatic yet alluring Camille (Olga Kurylenko), a woman pursuing a secret vendetta against ruthless businessman Dominic Greene (Mathieu Amalric) and his associate, exiled General Medrano (Joaquin Cosio).

Greene and his allies plan to sweep Medrano back into power, overthrowing an entire Latin American regime, in exchange for a seemingly worthless piece of desert.

As the vengeful British agent edges closer to discovering the identities of the men responsible for Vesper's death, he takes justice into his own bloody hands. Quantum Of Solace pales next to its predecessor, lacking a compelling lead villain or coherent storyline. Craig's lead performance, which was unconvincing in Casino Royale, is even more cold and aloof here, and virtually starved of emotion.

In one solitary scene there is a flicker of grief but we soon realise the tear rolling down his cheek is actually sweat, which quickly evaporates.

Kurylenko is a largely ineffectual sidekick and Gemma Arterton is superfluous to requirements as Agent Fields, whose ultimate fate is an obvious nod to Goldfinger. Thankfully, Dench dominates her scenes, constantly berating her operative for his reckless actions.
'If you could avoid killing every possible lead it would be deeply appreciated,' she quips.

Fans of the series will thrill to the action scenes, but the 21st-century 007 is in danger of severing all ties to his glorious past, losing the gadgets, double entendres and the charm – indeed, everything that made us fall in love with Bond back in 1962.

[John Drake]

Daniel Craig's emotionless and charmless Bond struggles in an incoherent plot.

Quite.

[bjmdds]

I hope Eon is reading this. The solution is first and foremost ridding Bond of Craig, not just going back to what we here all knew was a proper Bond film.

[katied]

I hope Eon is reading this. The solution is first and foremost ridding Bond of Craig, not just going back to what we here all knew was a proper Bond film.

Doubtful that EON is reading this,sadly.I think they read the bad reviews, think about it for a minute and say "screw it.We'll do it our way"

[Terry]

I'm sure Eon have noticed the general trend of critics turning agaisnt their vaunted reboot already but I never really got the impression that BB gives a s**t what anyone thinks. It's her toy now and she'll do whatever she wants.

[Kristatos]

Educated the expensive way
He knows his claret from his Beaujolais
I think Craig's playing him as Ronnie Kray
But Ian Fleming never wrote him that way

And when you put it all together, you've the model of a Charmless Bond
(with apologies to Blur)

[CaptainLewis]

Craig's Bond is really angry, but apart from that Craig's Bond has all the warmth and depth of a glass of water.

[katied]

I'm sure Eon have noticed the general trend of critics turning agaisnt their vaunted reboot already but I never really got the impression that BB gives a s**t what anyone thinks. It's her toy now and she'll do whatever she wants.

Exactly.She wants to do it *her* way and Mikey G. or anyone else be damned.

[Felix Leiter]

but the 21st-century 007 is in danger of severing all ties to his glorious past, losing the gadgets, double entendres and the charm – indeed, everything that made us fall in love with Bond back in 1962.

Sums it all up really.