Year: 2008
Accolades: Not many.
Quantum of Solace, as we all know, is the second Bond film to star Daniel Craig as Bond and is the only Bond film that follows on from a previous film - in this case Casino Royale, obviously. The film continues the tradition of the darker, grittier Bond film that was started with that film. As we also know, the film was not as well received as Casino Royale, which is why I have held off watching it for a while.
Having now seen the film I think it's main problem is that it tries a little too hard to continue this tradition of dark and gritty. The opening action sequence really sets the tone for what's to come in terms of cinematography - a whole bunch of excessively quick shots to the point where it's a real struggle to follow what's going on. Which car is Bond driving? Did he just hit that truck or was it someone else? And so on. The ultimate result of this confusion is that any tension or adrenaline that the action sequence intended to deliver is noticeably absent. Even the transitions in the computer generated opening title sequence that immediately follows end up too fast.
On top of that, the plot is also difficult to follow. This film commits one of the cardinal sins of sequels, in that you can't assume that the audience has seen the previous film immediately beforehand. You have to gently remind them of what's going on, as well as give people who haven't seen the first film enough information to follow the plot. I really struggled to follow what was going on in terms of Bond hunting down the person responsible for the death of the woman he loved.
The stand-alone plot this is structured around – stuff about an organised coup in Bolivia and whatnot – was easier to follow, as was the subplot concerning the Bond girl of the film. However at the same time the nature of this plot doesn't really allow for any dramatic tension to arise. There's nothing really at stake. Bond seems invincible and it's rather difficult to see what the main villain's plan is actually meant to achieve.
All this is not to say the film is a bad film – it's not. It's still an enjoyable action film, and there were many moments that drew my attention and got me investing in the film. It's just that in order for this to have been a great Bond film, everything should have been much easier to follow.
Updated 27/11/2012: Fixed a silly mistake in the first paragraph. Thanks Trav.
You're probably simultaneously going to hate me and possibly somewhat thank me for correcting you.... but re-read the first paragraph. I think you'll find the mistake...
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I've not seen Quantum, but I think you've pointed out a major issue that I'm having with many Hollywood movies in the past 5 or so years: The pacing, shooting and piecing together of Action sequences.
There is too much of this "Let's give handheld cameras to 10 epileptics and splice it together at random" thing happening. It makes it unwatchable... which should be a cardinal sin of action films.