A quantum of “Quantum of Solace”
The new James Bond movie “Quantum of Solace” hit Dutch cinemas last Thursday. I saw it in Amsterdam yesterday. Here’s my thoughts, in five quantums:
[Minor spoilers ahead...]
A quantum of crypticity
The movie title has been criticized for being too cryptic. True enough, quantum and solace aren’t everyday words, but they’re not all that difficult either. A quantum is a small amount and solace is relief or consolation. Taken together, those terms certainly cover the story. In fact, the title is much less cryptic than “Die Another Day” or “You Only Live Twice”.
Capital M
M plays a much bigger role than in most movies—maybe even his/her biggest ever. This was a good idea, I think. “Quantum” has a Bond who is still growing up, still learning what it is to be a Double-O agent. M is the ultimate mother figure: stern, yet compassionate, and proud when her boy comes out the hero at the end.
Bolivia Chile
The final part of the movie plays in Bolivia, but location shots of these scenes were actually done in Chile. The villain’s hideout, the fictitious Perlas de las Dunas hotel, also stands in Chile: it is the Residencia (guest house) of Paranal Observatory, home of the European Very Large Telescope. I was there in May 2006, so the movie had an extra dimension for me. The Residencia was rebuilt to scale in the Pinewood Studios in London with a very different interior. The large indoor garden and swimming pool don’t exist in the movie and the normal entrance has made way for a garage. This is where Bond causes a car to hit a hydrogen tank, which eventually leads to the complete destruction of the hotel.
Qadgets
Like “Casino Royale”, “Quantum of Solace” was low on gadgets. The entire Q Branch is never mentioned. They do appear to exist, though, because the MI6 offices are equipped with two giant touch screens, serving as a video table and video wall.
And seeing how completely digital everything at MI6 is, why does have M have such a huge bunch of pencils on her desk?
Bond becomes Bond… again
“Casino Royale” was marketed as the movie that shows how James Bond becomes the person we know, and it did a very good job at it. By the end, Bond has become Bond. One of the ways this was shown symbolically, was by only playing the James Bond Theme in the very last scene. But apparently, Bond wasn’t quite Bond enough, as the producers continue along the same track in “Quantum of Solace”. Indeed, by the end, Bond has become even more Bond. The symbolism this time: the gun barrel sequence that opens all other movies (except “Casino Royale”) is now played at the very end.
November 16th, 2008 at 23:12
Quantum of Solace is entertaining at least… a lot of high quality visuals, but the movie as a whole could stand to lose six or seven fewer chase scenes
November 22nd, 2008 at 01:14
From an action standpoint to movie was very good and I really enjoyed it. But, I would have liked more suspense than just old fashion “shoot-em-up” and “blow-it-up.”