Quantum of Solace

Quantum of Solace is a film that must be approached with precision. Some reviews have evoked the Jason Bourne comparison as a simulacrum, others an effigy. The difference in my mind is that Bourne is anchored to this world, and Bond is a force of nature above it. In other words, Bond is pure fantasy, unstoppable, implacable, always calm and in control of the world around him. He is the center of the fictional universe. And Craig's Bond more than any other is rough, hewn, and weathered.

Before Craig, Bond was played with an increasingly inhuman emotional detachment. That Bond perhaps was an action hero, one with style. Not that this Bond is now brimming with character development. His sole purpose is one of survival to complete the mission, and in one of the defining scenes of the movie, Bond reveals the true value of a dead agent, worthless and forgotten, no soul to redeem. Craig has a style, and it's ominous and brooding. There was certainly something cold and ruthless in Fleming's work.

The action is ubiquitous and at times difficult to follow, but the cinematogrophy and visuals are striking. The story itself is a never ending carousel filled with unclear motivations that could stand for a few moments of clarity. There is definitely a foundation here that could have been cultivated a little better. The world marches against Bond, and one only gets a basic sense of why.

Vesper Lynd made a much better companion to Bond, but it is the fact that Camille is more of a detached killing partner that she works, kindred spirits in parallelism only. She stays with Bond in order to find the soul-cleansing revenge that she seeks. Whether Camille finds it or not, much of the movie delineates along the lines of Bond seeking his own solidarity. As Bond is deposed by the consequences of his actions, he discovers who he hurts and who he must keep his distance from. This is not of the caliber of Casino Royale, but it is a proper companion piece that compliments the origin story well.