Quantum Of Solace

After “Casino Royale” was released in 2006, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM for short) developed a second installment of the rebooted James Bond series with Daniel Craig reprising his role as Bond. During filming, “The 2007-2008 Writers Strike” happened. As MGM went on a deadline, Daniel Craig wrote the screenplay uncredited in order to finish the project.

Quantum Of Solace was released in 2008. (same year Iron Man came out) Unlike Casino Royale, the second film earned mixed reviews from critics, fans and movie goers alike. Quantum Of Solace is followed by three installments titled, “Skyfall” “Spectre” and the upcoming “No Time To Die.”

Daniel Craig will portray Bond one last time in No Time To Time slated to come out on April 2020. To prepare for his last hurrah, I’ve decided to look back at Daniel’s iteration as 007. Phoebe Waller-Bridge (Fleabag, Killing Eve) was recruited by Daniel to write the script. He’s a fan of “Fleabag” & “Killing Eve.” By the way, “Knives Out” is currently in theaters.

Today’s review does not contain no important SPOILERS whatsoever. If you haven’t got a chance to watch all of Daniel Craig’s movies as Bond, feel free to read my non-spoiler article.

Positive & Negative Aspects

Positive: Daniel Craig did a fantastic job for his performance as James Bond. In addition to playing 007, Daniel did uncredited writing for the script, back when The 2007-2008 Writer’s Strike happened. MGM was on a deadline.

Judi Dench & Jeffery Wright reprise their roles as M & Felix. They both did a decent job for their respective performances.

Newcomers to the series such as Olga Kurylenko, Matthieu Amalric & David Harbour (Jim Hopper from Stranger Things) all did a good job for their respective performances.

Marc Forster (Monster’s Ball, Finding Neverland, World War Z) did an ok job for directing the second entry.

Action Sequences were legit. My favorite one is The Plane Sequence. Thank god it wasn’t idiotic like that illogical lifeboat scene from “Indiana Jones & The Temple Of Doom.”

Cinematography never had any technical problems.

Practical Effects were heavily used to bring action scenes to life. MGM learned their lesson not to overuse Computer Animation. Care to explain “Die Another Day?”

Camille has a backstory prior to the events of Quantum Of Solace. I’m relieved she didn’t act like an obnoxious screaming idiot like Willie from “The Temple Of Doom.”

Chemistry between Bond & Camille felt mutual. It’s not a rehash of Bond always getting the girl.

A battle at an opera predates a similar from “Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation,” but a more practical approach.

One character is named after a Flintstones character. I’ll give you a hint, he’s named after Fred Flintstone’s boss.

An agent is named Strawberry Fields is named after a Beatles song titled, “Strawberry Fields Forever.” As a Beatles fan, I’ll allow it as a positive thing, because Paul McCartney contributed to the theme song for “Live & Let Die.” Fields’ name ain’t stupid like Christmas Jones from “The World Is Not Enough.”

Dominic Green is loosely based on Al Gore. A real life environmentalist who lost The 2000 Presidential Election to George W. Bush.

Somebody covered in oil pays homage to “Goldfinger.” A wink to longtime 007 fans.

An elevator scene predates a similar scene from “Captain America: The Winter Soldier.”

Jack White & Alicia Keys contributed to the theme song titled, “Another Way To Die.”

Fun Fact: Before Jack White & Alicia Keys were hired by MGM to write the theme song, Amy Winehouse was considered to sing Quantum Of Solace’s theme song. Unfortunately, her alcohol addiction caused MGM to reject Amy when she had to go to rehab. (no pun intended) In a twist of fate, she died on my 18th birthday. May she Rest In Peace.

If you’re scratching your head why the infamous Gun Barrel Sequence isn’t in the very beginning, it’s actually at the end before The End Credits commence. I didn’t mind the change. MGM wanted to make Bond unique to avoid doing the same plot points again and again.

Negative: Dominic Greene isn’t a memorable villain like Le Chiffre or cinematic villains in 2008 including Obadiah Stane/Iron Monger, Emil Blonsky/Abomination & Joker. I don’t remember a unique trait from him besides working as an environmentalist. At least Al Gore in “South Park” had a few quirky traits wearing a cape, saying super cereal and of course, ManBearPig.

Dominic’s henchman Elvis, has a haircut like Howard Wowitz from “The Big Bang Theory,” Having a bowlcut is not intimidating. I find it laughably bad, it belongs in something intentionally funny like “Austin Powers.”

The Final Verdict: B, FOR BREAKOUT!

In my opinion, Quantum Of Solace is an underrated entry to the James Bond series. Daniel Craig did a fantastic job as Bond. The rest of the things I’ve listed on the positive section, indicates it’s not as bad as I thought it would be. If you’re a huge fan of James Bond like me, go ahead and watch all Bond films related to Daniel’s portrayal of the character before No Time To Die comes out on April 2020.