Friday Movie Review - Quantum of Solace

As you know, mommy and grandmama went to see the new James Bond movie without me. That did not deter me from my purpose in the slightest. I know how you kitties depend on me to bring you the latest and greatest movie reviews and recommendations! Therefore after mommy fell asleep last night, I prowled through the bottomless black hole she calls her purse and borrowed her plastic card thingy, donned my disguise, and had Loki drive me to the nearest theatre.

As Igor Kittenovsky, Russian Foreign Exchange Student, I bought my ticket, popcorn, Dr Pepper, and some gummy bears and settled down to watch. (I also took a few extra straws. A kitty can never have enough, and I mean, that dispenser was RIGHT THERE next to the napkins and I could HEAR it calling my name.)

Quantum of Solace (2008)

Directed By: Marc Forster

Written By: Paul Haggis and Neil Purvis

"Quantum of Solace" takes place shortly after "Casino Royale" ends . . . so if you plan to see this film and haven't seen "Casino Royale" yet, make sure you do so. Knowing what happened previously will make sure you enjoy this movie much more.

James Bond is trying to uncover the truth about the organization that blackmailed his love interest Vesper, and ultimately lead to her death. Struggling against his own grief and sense of betrayal, Bond is as much driven by his need for vengeance as he is by a sense of duty or justice in this film. Traveling from Italy to Haiti, Bond meets Camille and through her discovers Dominic Greene, an environmentalist who seems to have connections to Quantum, the evil organization that Bond was up against in Casino Royale.

Bond discovers that Greene is only using his environmentalist company as a cover for much more greedy and non-environmentally friendly ends. Greene has promised both England and the United States large oil shares in Bolivia, if they will ignore the junta his organization is supporting there. While making such promises, he is hoarding all of the water in an underground dam, and forcing the new government to pay him an exorbitant amount of money for using his now monopolized natural resource. Also, the General who Greene is working with in Bolivia is the one who murdered Camille's family when she was just a child. Camille's association with Greene is just a way to get closer to the General. Bond and Camille understand each other well, since they are both ultimately after the same thing: vengeance.

"Quantum of Solace," while very good, does not quite live up to the excellence of "Casino Royale." However, when taken as the sequel to and continuation of the "Casino Royale" story, it is excellent. Daniel Craig's Bond is a much more well-fleshed out character. You understand more what drives and motivates him throughout the entire film. Just seeing his expression can let you know what he is thinking; words aren't necessary for him to explain his thoughts. "Quantum of Solace" is less dramatically violent than "Casino Royale," and is much shorter. Apparently, "Casino Royale" is the longest Bond movie ever made, while "Quantum of Solace" is the shortest!

I give "Quantum of Solace" two paws up and a whisker spread, for being full of action, drama, and even some wonderful and dry British humor. . . not to mention the latest installment in the Bond franchise!