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Joined: 23/6/2006
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Director: Marc Forster
Screenwriters: Paul Haggis, Neal Purvis, Robert Wade
Starring: Daniel Craig, Olga Kurylenko, Mathieu Amalric, Judi Dench, Giancarlo Giannini, Gemma Arterton, Jeffrey Wright
Synopsis
Seeking revenge for the death of his love Vesper Lynd, secret agent James Bond (Craig) sets out to stop environmentalist Dominic Greene (Amalric) from taking control of a country's water supply. During his mission, he encounters Camille (Kurylenko), who too seeks revenge on Greene.
Review
Two years ago, the world was introduced to the sixth actor who would step into the shoes of Ian Fleming’s iconic super spy: James Bond. His name is Craig, Daniel Craig, who has already established himself as a brilliant actor, with such hits as Layer Cake and Steven Spielberg’s Munich. His interpretation of Agent 007 was the task to achieve for the film adaptation of Fleming’s first novel, Casino Royale. Luckily, the film succeeded at staying true to the author’s very simple story, along with complex characterizations. But does Craig’s second outing as Bond brings the same capacity as before? Here are the answers.
Firstly, the title of the film, which was announced earlier this year, as it is a peculiar one to name a James Bond film. The idea was that the British agent was looking for a sense of comfort, while he searches for the villainous organization, which turns out to be called ‘QUANTUM’. How ironic, ay? However, it is hard to say that Bond has finds his quantum of solace in the end, as he just expresses the same face from start to finish. But still, Craig pulls off Fleming’s original vision of the character as “a very human and flawed assassin”, who is searching for what is right and wrong.
The concept of the antagonistic group QUANTUM is intriguing, as their goals and philosophy is uncertain, and to remain in the shadows. And like many Bond films, the villains has such treacherous schemes, but it is not clear what Dominic Greene is trying to achieve here, as the writing challenges the audience, such as oil becomes an involvement, and suddenly, the plan shifts to water. So much for an original story, conceived by producer Michael G. Wilson.
Making his debut into the action genre, Marc Forster, director of such complex dramas as Monster’s Ball and Finding Neverland, seems to be having a hard time blending both action and drama. While having cracking action sequences that have that Bourne influence, thanks to second unit director Dan Bradley, the film lacks the emotional involvement, as well as the intelligence that made its predecessor so brilliant. Another blow to the film, which makes it disappointing, is that the action does not have the intensity, which could make the audience feel the pain. Because there are so many explosions in the way of the story, it makes the film too long, despite having a hundred and six minutes.
While I had no problem with the Casino Royale theme that was performed by Chris Cornell, this film’s theme tune ‘Another Way to Die’ is one that cannot be sung. Despite being the first duet to perform for a Bond film, The White Stripes’ Jack White and Alicia Keys have produced a track that makes the film too modern and unserious.
While the film feels long, a lot of its ensemble cast felt underused and don’t show the full potential of what their characters are capable of. Though Mathieu Amalric is an interesting choice as a villain, due to his menacing eyes, there is a psychotic side to him that could have been shown. Though I am glad to that Bond’s CIA partner Felix Leiter gets more screen time than he did before, Jeffrey Wright seems to be in a very bad mood and is not much of an active character.
Of course, this wouldn’t be a Bond film without the sexy presences of the Bond girls. Olga Kurylenko, who you’ll remember from the videogame adaptation Hitman, fits well into the role of Camille, who is the female equivalent to Bond. Unfortunately, her chemistry with Craig lacks the snappiness of what made the Craig/Eva Green chemistry humorous and emotional. Meanwhile, Gemma Arterton, who plays MI6 Agent Strawberry Fields (don’t laugh); feels more like a prop who is just there and will eventually get a good snog.
Verdict
Following an excellent series relaunch, Bond 22 is a visually-captivating action thriller and nothing more. But for Bond 23, please do not have another song conducted by Jack White.
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