Quantum of Solace is finally here in the US and already recieving mixed reviews from Critics and viewers alike.
Having said that, I say go and see it, and judge for yourself.
Having seen it in the UK a couple of weeks ago I would have to say I too had mixed feelings about it and yet since I can't stop thinking about Daniel Craigs performance.
It is simply breathtaking and refreshing in the light of recent Bonds.
This reimagining of the Bond franchise is, yes different, and yet I think one of the best Bond's ever.
It has an edge, like no other Bond before 'Craig' could pull off. Yes Timothy Dalton tried, George Lazenby failed miserably, but here it is and I have to say with all my mis-givings about the way this movie was directed and more to the point edited, I love Daniel Craigs take on Bond.
There are some great moments and supprisingly most are in the non-action sequencies to the movie.
For me, 'A Night at the Opera' part of the movie is just pure magic, the combining of the Opera, with David Arnolds score and the resulting slow-motion action sequence, whilst not pure Bond, is Cinemagic Brilliance.
The major annoyance for me is the obvious directorial and editoral decision to not remain in any one frame of shot for more than 2-3 seconds. Bond movies are not to be messed with, they are a pure work of Art and not a framework in which to try a new technique. Leave that to the Art House.
And so I say to whoever takes up the directors chair in the third installment, who by the way I think should be Martin Campbell again, (who did a brilliant job with Casino Royale and Goldeneye for that matter ), don't mess, just tell a great story in a classy bond way.
This Bond though looks set to be one of the most profitable, but I just wonder whether if we had Martin Campbell at the helm it would have been THE DARK KNIGHT of the Bond franchise cause this story certainly had the potential.
