Nobody Does It Better

I have always felt that Casino Royale was the best book in Ian Fleming's 007 series, it featured a Bond who was noticeably different to that in the films that followed, a more human Bond. Daniel Craig captures the essence of Fleming's Bond better than any, including Connery for my money.

In Quantum of Solace agent 007 goes renegade in a raw story of revenge to find out who is behind the funding of the terrorist activities which caused his lover Vesper to take her own life. I'm ecstatic that the producers decided to make Quantum Of Solace the first direct sequel of a Bond film by picking up the action only a matter of hours after Casino Royale ended. And hope the series continues on this route.

I found the action engaging but over-edited in some sections of the film. QoS runs at a breakneck pace and is the shortest Bond at only 106 minutes. The strength of character Daniel Craig brings to the film, and extended screen-time given to Judi Dench made me want to stay with them long after the credits.

I especially enjoyed watching Bond and Camille (Olga Kurylenko) and their contrasting motivations of revenge. Bond struggling between a sense honour and duty too his employers and a desire to avenge Vesper's death, and Camille who is 100% hell-bent on revenge on the man who slayed her family.

I viewed the film with six friends and many opinions were thrown into the ring following the films climax. Amongst them... “The villains were weak”. This I can agree with. Environmentalist Dominic Greene (Mathieu Almaric) is less fearsome than the grim reality of his intended plans, but the Bond villains of old no longer have a place in this franchise. Mike Myers and Dr Evil put pay to that. 007's main enemy here is himself and his struggle to control his own actions.

“What happened to all the gadgetry?”. I won't deny that I would like to see more gadgetry. The producers seem to be more interested in product placement, on convincing you to buy the latest Sony Ericsson cellphone, than keeping the fanatics updated with the latest in the modern day spy's toolbox.

“I miss the cheesy one-liners of the Bond of old”. Daniel Craig is not Roger Moore, thank god. This is not the seventies or eighties. Bond is now a man of the naughties, there is no room for cheese in his fridge. Read Casino Royale and get back to me.

Quantum of Solace confirmed to me that 'Nobody Does It Better' than Daniel Craig. Secure a director for the next film who is equally talented and we'll have a winning combination.


8/10