Quantum of Solace

A lot has been made about the new James Bond being more...emotional than the others. Really? Daniel Craig twitches an eyebrow and suddenly he's a crybaby? Really?

I don't think so.

I've heard differing opinions about Quantum of Solace, with a group generally hating the new turn Bond has taken, preferring the world of ridiculous gadgets, dry one-liners, and outlandish villains and sets. I, if it isn't obvious yet, belong to those who applaud the new direction.

Bond, at least the way Flemming wrote him, was a cruel featured, cold-hearted sonofabitch whose gadgets were usually limited to a bible hiding a gun in it. I grew up on that Bond, the one who, interestingly enough, is more like the Daniel Craig Bond. He kicked ass, with no need for silliness or gadgetry. Instead, Bond relied on his head, his gut, and his fists.

In my opinion, that Bond rocked.

And Quantum of Solace, despite the typically goofy title, actually delivers more of that kind of, well, literary, Bond. There were homages to the older films, too. Strawberry Fields (yes, that was Agent Fields' name) was covered in oil, in reference to Goldfinger's gold-plated victim.

If there is a quibble, it's that the action sequences were over-edited, reducing them to an almost incomprehensible mash of images. But tight plotting (though not as tight as Casino Royale) saves the film, as does the sight of a vulnerable Bond.

Bond's seeming emotional detachment becomes an entire sub-plot and back story, something that explains why he is such a lovable bastard. The reset of the franchise decided to take things back to basics, but at the same time, retain as much of the Bond formula as they could without getting silly. The result is a more believable Bond, devoid of any cliche or kitcsh. And it works. Get used to it folks, this Bond's here to stay.

And I, for one, am glad.