Quantum of Solace: The 22nd Bond

Bond and Vesper in a 'warm' embrace.

I don't quite understand the criticisms that Quantum of Solace isn't Bond enough; on the contrary, it's more Bond than Bond. Let us see for ourselves: awesome cars you would sell your mother to own, — Check. Intense car and foot chases, — Check. Exotic locales, both salacious and bad-ass ladies, — Check and Check.

In this installment we return to a more worldly and manly 007 (read: more Connery than Brosnan), as well as a return to the Cold War type of plot which splits retarded and apropos right down the middle. Unlike the pure cartoon of yesterday's Bond. Throw in a borderline ridiculous über-villian bent on some sort of diabolical master plan ad one couldn't ask for anything more! The contention that this installment's lack of "gadgets" makes it any less enjoyable is a farce. Seriously, the gadget thing has been nearly exhausted.

That being said, a noticeable amount of the realism that Martin Campbell brought to 2006's Casino Royale disappeared with this, Marc Forster's installment. Sure Royale featured borderline unreal action, but Solace's brand of action comes across far too transparent. And its abrupt style seemed to call for spinning Batman-like logos between scenes. I hate to pile on, but this is mid-tier Bond all the way down to the unbalanced title track courtesy Jack White w/Alicia Keys. Oh it's cool, just not as charming as a Bond theme should be. Sue me.

So to sum it all up, yes indeed critics, this is quintessential Bond. In the case of this installment: if only it were slightly more.