11.08.08
A Quantum of Solace
I saw the new Bond flick A Quantum of Solace last night at the Everyman Cinema in Hampstead. While it’s not as close as it was when we lived in West Hampstead, it’s worth the trek for the cool bar, comfy sofas and arm chairs and the fact that you can order wine or treats to be brought to your chair. It was a group outing and we caught up with a bunch of friends and met some of their friends, which was nice.
I didn’t think too much of the movie to be honest. I’d heard some people rave about it and others pan it so I wasn’t sure what to expect. I never go into a Bond film with overly high expectations and I’m prepared to take it for what it is – pure entertainment. I was pleasantly surprised last time to be quite emotionally engaged with the character and the story. Unfortunately this doesn’t really seem to follow on in the same vein – even though it quite literally follows on with the story picking up immediately where Casino Royale left off.
Even though it was fast-paced with no saggy bits, I found it strangely boring and unmoving. I didn’t care about the characters so the car chases and fight scenes were just pretty choreography (if that’s what I wanted, I’d go to the ballet!). Even though they kept upping the ante, I never felt like there was anything really at stake. The plotting was almost too tight in a way as I couldn’t follow every twist and turn and didn’t understand the significance of the ending until it was explained. It wasn’t a bad movie but I was left a little dissatisfied.
If you do want to see it, don’t pay any attention to me as most of my friends enjoyed it. Maybe I just wasn’t in the mood. I would suggest rewatching (or watching) Casino Royale beforehand as some of the characters recur.
