Quantum of Solace: I Could Really Use a High-Tech Gadget to Save my Life Right Now

Quantum of Solace is a James Bond movie that can stand on its own two feet, continue where the previous one left off, and provide a decent amount of quality action and one-liners, so long as forget the first 20 James Bond movies. It is missing gadgets, funny names, womanizing, Moneypenny, Q, and a diabolical plan to be ruined. It nails chases, Bond's dark killing rage and hidden emotions, and a wonderful M played by Judi Dench. The drama is between M and Bond when it is suppose to be about making love when he's not distracted by saving the world.

Daniel Craig plays James Bond. I believe he plays out better than everyone else minus Sean Connery (of course) and the earlier works of Pierce Bronson. Quantum picks up where Casino Royale left off. Bad guys are in hot pursuit of Bond, driving around cliffs in Italy with the villianious Mr. White stashed in the trunk. Bad guys are shooting bullets at him, but you'd think that at some point they would pull out rockets or grenades, as obviously the bullets aren't working. After this is an interrigation scene, which is probably the best dialogue to be found in the movie. From here it is a chase which looks similiar to Jason Bourne's. There's leaping from balconies, running on rooftops, and the occasional shooting.

Where is all this heading? Everyone slowly figures out as Bond grasps at stray hairs for hints that an evil CEO of a company is trying to... wait for it... sabatoge the water supply of Bolivia. This villian is obviously not up to grand heist of Goldfinger or foresight of stealing a Goldeneye satellite. His name is Dominic Green. The love interest's name is Camille. Perhaps Green's name is referencing his environmental position, but then what is up with the simplicity of Camille? Bond has fallen a long way from bedding women like Pussy Galore, Xenia Onatopp, Vesper Lynn and Dr. Christmas. He exploited his way into Solitaire's bed, which established him as womanizing instead of romantic. Here, they seem to be about revenge rather one-liners wrapped in bedsheets. I don't even believe Bond slept with Camille. He did sleep with Strawberry Fields, although you have to read the credits to see the point in the name.

I remember back when the movie ended with a zippy one-liner, a kiss, and they rolled in the bedsheets just before the credits rolled. Here, Bond will pull the car over, tell the girl it has been nice, and they part ways. Hardly as much fun as the first 20 Bond films or dramatic as Vesper's death.

While I don't mind the action since it was done well, it feels like all other action. Bond's action is suppose to have gadgets and toys. When the SWAT team storms in, I couldn't help but think of how in any other movie, Bond would throw down a pin that was actually a smoke bomb or flash-bang and disappear. The action is brutal and we understand Bond's doggish pursuits are a sign of a violent obsession with revenge, but that doesn't mean he has to do everything the hard way. The watch could include a laser, radio disruptor, or something. What does his watch do? Wait for it... it glows in the dark!

Is it entertaining? As the movie gives you more chases, they get shorter, as though they know the audience is getting tired of it, so they were smart. It's entertaining.

Is it for everyone? No. Those fans of the classics will have a tough time adjusting.

Is it memorable? No. Casino Royale was. This one isn't.