So, What’s New In The World Of “Bond…James Bond?”
Everything!
Fans were stunned when Amazon announced that they bought out all rights to the 007 franchise from Producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli.
Amazon MGM Studios, Wilson and Broccoli formed a new joint venture in which they will co-own James Bond intellectual property rights — but Amazon MGM will have creative control!
That has Bond lovers worried that Amazon will create spin-off characters, TV series etc…we will see, but first they have to settle on a new 007 and explain where they plan to go after his death in the last installment, more than 4 years ago.
As some of you know, I have been re-watching and reviewing all of the films in order, and the timing on the news about the future of Bond comes as I wind down with the 22nd film in the series – and the sophomore effort of Daniel Craig in the role, after taking over in 2006 with the widely entertaining “Casino Royale”:
Craig’s first outing was hugely successful, but the tone and style of his 007 was decidedly more serious, so where would “Quantum Of Solace” take Bond? The official poster gives a clue:
Here’s what we got: a dour Bond walking away from something on fire, with a woman next to him, looking equally serious…a far cry from the most colorful Bond posters of the past like this:
A sexy “Bond Girl” next to him, big sets and cool gadgets all around – a classic bond poster! I raise this because the seriousness of the poster pervades the entirety of “Quantum Of Solace” as well – and here is the answer to the next question: what does the title even mean?
James Bond Creator, Author Ian Fleming says that “if you don’t have a quantum of solace in your relationship then the relationship is over.” It’s that spark of niceness in a relationship that if you don’t have you might as well give up.
So what dos that have to do with Bond? Here’s my review of “Quantum Of Solace”, beginning with the trailer:
So this is Bond in revenge mode, pure and simple. No gadgets, just a tough gritty action thriller where 007 has one focus: revenge.
I was immediately frustrated by the fact that the iconic opening graphic of Bond walking across the screen with the rifle scope following him wasn’t there, and I assume it’s for this reason…Bond trails a shadowy network of corruption and blackmail to seek revenge for the death of Vesper Lynd at the end of “Casino Royale” – because the opening scene in the film is what happens after that.
Here’s what I found:
“Daniel Craig revealed that the script originally wasn’t intended to be as much of a sequel to Casino Royale (2006) as it ended up being. However, because of the writer’s strike, they had only the “bare bones” of a script, and Craig and director Marc Forster ended up re-writing a lot of scenes between them, with many decisions being made on the fly, and at the last second. Much of the content that made it such a direct sequel to Casino Royale (2006) was a last-second addition. Also, the title was chosen more or less at random, with Craig saying that most Bond movie titles are “meaningless” anyway, and they hoped it would sound intriguing. The title didn’t really connect with the script they had at the time, and the revenge story elements that actually made the title relevant were last-second additions.”
And that, my friends, is the biggest issue I have with “Quantum Of Solace”: it feels puts together haphazardly, and it has one focus: 007’s revenge for the death of Vesper Lynd at the end of the previous film.
So, for two hours we get terrific action sequences as expected, but the sole focus of 007 didn’t engage me as much – because the “bad guys” were just “bad guys” being dispatched by a very dour 007…in one scene he stabs a bad guy in the neck and dispassionately watches him die…
This is a very grim James Bond. Death surrounds him. There is absolutely no joy, no smirk, no charm, nothing to lift the film out of its “so so serious” mood. As one review said:
“In the end, Bond learns to trust again and finds redemption in saving the ones he loves, something he was unable to do with Vesper.”
OK…but I want more from my Bond. I know some fans love this version of 007, but for me it’s too far removed from Connery, Moore and even Brosnan’s Bond: I miss his charm, his sense of humor, a “lighter” Bond.
That said, “Quantum of Solace” grossed $589,593,688 worldwide. This made it the fourth highest-grossing James Bond film. It was a step back from the $670-million that “Casino Royale” grossed, no doubt due to the mixed reviews.
By the way, I admit there were serious Bond films before:
Even with the “Bond Girls” front and center on the poster, “From Russia With Love” is also gritty and tough as nails…here is my review:
“From Russia With Love” was Connery’s sophomore outing as 007…how did “Quantum Of Solace” compare to other 007 sophomore outings?
Roger Moore’s second effort struggled with a weak story as well…and a darker Bond than Moore wanted to play – here is my review:
Perhaps the most familiar in tone and style to “Quantum” was Tiimothy Dalton’s sophomore outing:
This outing was also filmed with torture, death and revenge…see my review here:
Then there was Brosnan’s sophomore effort – with one of the great “Bond Girls” of all time!
This one soared up my list of Bond films when I re-watched it after years – see why here:
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Categories: Action Films, Art, Cult Movies, Film Fight Club, Film Noir, Movies, Pop Culture, Revenge Movies, Talent/Celebrities
johnrieber 
I would prefer O’Connor’s sophomore outing to a serious revenge Bond.
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Agree!
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p.s. I was not a huge fan of ‘solace’ after watching it this week. I hated the opening, not a fan of the song, felt like a miss-mash with bond elements kind of cobbled together, and very much a downer. that’s my review )
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You nailed it…SO downbeat and dour…nothing like the James Bond we used to enjoy…and I HATE seeing him kill someone with a robotic lack of any empathy…he was turned into a cold-blooded killer seeking nothing but personal revenge…vying for the worst of the series to be sure…thanks for your note!
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I like Connery and Moore. Dour doesn’t capture my imagination.
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That’s how I feel about these latter Bond films: too dour – and while that was their artistic choice, it didn’t resonate with me…thanks for the comment!
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I agree with you about the poster. Not sure Amazon will be a good thing, but we’ll see.
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Fans are very worried and probably for good reason, but we can only just wait and see…based on the direction the character had gone with Craig, I had lost interest anyway,w which makes the last few reviews difficult to write!
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Exactly right, John. Now it’s a wait and see.
I’m with you on Craig.
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Something fundamental, went wrong with James Bond from his very creation and only Ian Fleming is to blame. Indeed, as they say in Hollywood, “What a mistaka to maka” … Ian Fleming didn’t know what a secret agent really was!
At least Le Carré had few blunders compared with Ian Fleming who dubbed James Bond a “secret” agent yet simultaneously depicted 007 as an employee on MI6’s payroll. You may say “so what” because Bond is fiction. So is Postman Pat but his creator John Cunliffe never called him an Uber or Deliveroo courier.
Now an MI6 secret agent would never have: (1) been an employee on MI6’s payroll who took holidays and submitted expense claims etc; (2) reported directly to the Head of MI6, had annual appraisals and been on extremely familiar terms with many other MI6 employees such as Q or Moneypenny; (3) been a frequent visitor to MI6 HQ and other MI6 buildings; and (4) even used his own name when he met ministers et al in Whitehall.
Given Ian Fleming’s background in British naval intelligence in World War 11, that contradictory classification of 007 was about as absurd as calling a Brain Surgeon a Hair Dresser or a Navy Seal a Coastguard as noted in the latest intriguing news article in TheBurlingtonFiles (advert free) website which is a tad similar to a virtual espionage museum with no entry fee.
To quote from the article … “As for 007 being “secret”, … since everybody knew … his favourite drink was shaken not stirred, I’m surprised he wasn’t poisoned more often … especially as he insisted on letting everyone know his name was “Bond, James Bond”! Perhaps Bond’s true skill lay in being so conspicuously ostentatious that no one believed he could genuinely be a spy!
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Two things: first, thanks for sharing this as it’s a completely new take on the character and makes so much sense because second, the poisoned Martini is hilariously true: 007 was an easy mark! Thanks for the comment!
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shocker about the amazon deal, and by coincidence I have quantum ready to go for viewing tomorrow, I’m almost done with my journey through the bond films and enjoying something about each.
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I look forward to your thoughts on “Quantum”
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I fear Amazon will screw up the franchise….I have seen this movie yet it is on my list but things just keep getting in the way…..great review….great post chuq
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It’s a DARK DARK DARK Bond film: incredible stunts but he has completely closed down – it was a tough watch for me but they are things to appreciate in every film
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This Amazon ‘sell-out’ has caused uproar on Twitter. I have been watching it unfold. Now I suppose they have to invent a ‘he didn’t really die’ story.
Best wishes, Pete.
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