Hector's Take

Warning: Spoilers Aplenty

Let me be perfectly frank: Quantum of Solace is one of the year's biggest disappointments.

For die-hard Bond fans, this is undoubtedly a bitter pill to swallow, but regrettably, it's true.

As the direct sequel to Casino Royale, the 2006 revitalization of Ian Fleming's classic 007 series, Quantum of Solace was tasked with accomplishing one rudimentary goal: providing audiences with—at least—some insight into the crime syndicate that orchestrated the events of the first film.

What is this ethereal organization, and who is a part of it?

These two questions have puzzled fans of Casino Royale for two long years, but don’t expect to find any answers within Quantum of Solace.

That’s right – despite bearing its name, the film isn’t actually about the organization at all.

No, at its core, Quantum is nothing more than a high-budget, high-octane revenge flick with very little substance. From start to finish, the film revolves around Bond coming to terms with Vesper’s death, and the overarching [READ: more interesting] plot involving a crime syndicate of diabolical, cat-stroking super villains takes a backseat.

While the action entertains, the narrative disappoints. There is zero plot progression, and the film’s climax—the revelation that the organization is, in fact, named Quantum—is wholly underwhelming.

Take my advice, Bond fans. Temper your expectations, because if you do, you'll find Quantum of Solace to be a serviceable experience marred by a paper-thin narrative.
 

Paul's Take

Screw you Hector, Quantum of Solace rocked.

Alright, there were some minor problems, like Bond would walk into a room, interrogate someone to get valuable information, and walk out without telling us anything that was just said, but I’m willing to overlook that.

And he says that nothing happened and no information was divulged about the company, but that’s not true. SPOILERS AHOY!

We didn’t even know there was a company until the end of the Casino Royale, and in Quantum of Solace we didn’t just learn that they’re named “Quantum.” We discovered that they’re a far reaching body with hands in almost every government, and they like to cause political coups for their own personal gain, aka MONEY. Yeah, we didn’t get to see the CEO, but whatever, this whole thing is at least a trilogy isn’t it? Sure, I’m still very confused about a lot of things, but there was an adequate amount of information given, even if I did want a bit more.

SPOILERS BE GONE!

And you completely glossed over why most people see Bond movies in the first place. It’s not the complex narrative. It’s because they’re gorgeous. In previous Bond films, camp and gadgetry often superseded what should have been the beauty of the films, and now I finally see why the series needed a reboot. Everything is breathtaking, the locales, the cars, the women, and hell, I’ll say it, even Daniel Craig.

Quantum is better than its predecessor Casino Royale, there’s much more action, and it has a better sense of humor about itself. No more windswept walks through gardens while James Bond’s balls heal.

So don’t listen to Hector, go see it, in IMAX if you can. It’ll take your breath away whether you can understand what’s going on or not.