In Defense of 'Quantum of Solace'

2008's Quantum of Solace is often referred to as one of the lesser Bond films and, while it isn't my favorite, I think that it's better than a lot of people give it credit for. I love the Bond film franchise but it isn't without it's flaws; Bond once diffused a nuclear device while dressed as a clown in Octopussy. Bond parasurfs on a horrible looking CGI wave in Die Another Day. He snowboards down a mountain on a water ski while California Girls plays in A View to a Kill. In You Only Live Twice Bond to disguises himself (poorly) as a Japanese man despite being played by Sean Connery who is 6' 2" and makes no attempt to hide his accent. Moonraker… just all of Moonraker.

With regards to Quantum of Solace, I think the film gets a bit of a bad rap. It came out just two years after, what is considered by many, to be one of the best Bond pictures, Casino Royale. I remember as a fan having high, and maybe unrealistic, expectations for the follow-up to that film. There are some things I don't like about this entry in the series but I think there are plenty of positives too. I like Daniel Craig as James Bond and I like that this film builds off of the events of Casino Royale rather than being another one-off Bond adventure. Also, Judi Dench is always great as 'M' and the song "Another Way to Die" by Jack White and Alicia Keys is one of my favorites of all the Bond opening credits songs.

A criticism I hear a lot is that this movie is boring. Boring? The movie contains a car chase, a chase on foot across rooftops, and a boat chase all within the first 25 minutes. Later there is also an aerial action scene, and a shootout in an exploding hotel... I think the plot is a little underdeveloped and the villain's plan isn't incredibly interesting but, I personally haven't ever considered it a boring film. My only critique of these action scenes is that I feel the editing is a bit frantic. 

Overall, I don't think Quantum of Solace should be considered one of the great Bond films but, it's not one of the worst in my book either. I think more people should give this one another chance. 

It gets a solid 3 out of 5 from me.

Best Bond Girl Names

With 24 official films dating back to the early 1960's, the James Bond franchise has become a staple of both cinema and pop culture. One of my favorite quirky things about these films are some of the fun and unique names of the women Bond encounters on his missions. So, just for fun, I decided to make a list of my favorites.

Kissy Suzuki 

Actress: Mie Hama

Film: You Only Live Twice (1967) 

Mary Goodnight 

Actress: Britt Ekland

 Film: The Man with the Golden Gun (1974)

Plenty O'Toole

Actress: Lana Wood

Film: Diamonds are Forever (1971)

Xenia Onatopp

Actress: Famke Janssen

Film: Goldeneye (1995)

 Octopussy

Actress: Maud Adams

Film Octopussy (1983)

Chew Mee 

Actress: Francoise Therry

 Film: The Man with the Golden Gun (1974)

Honey Ryder

Actress: Ursula Andress

Film: Dr. No (1962)

Dr. Molly Warmflash 

Actress: Serena Scott Thomas

Film: The World is Not Enough (1999)

Holly Goodhead

Actress: Lois Chiles

Film: Mookraker (1979)

 Pussy Galore

Actress: Honor Blackman

Film: Goldfinger (1964)

80's Month Day 9: Octopussy

With over 20 James Bond films dating back to the the early 60's, there is always debate among Bond fans as to which movie is the best. One movie that no one ever seems to argue in favor of is 1983's Octopussy. Already in his mid-50's by this point Sir. Roger Moore was getting a bit old for the part of Britain's top secret agent. For reference; Sir Sean Connery was 41 when his last official Bond movie Diamonds are Forever was released in 1971.

The plot, in short, involves James Bond being assigned the task of following a Russian general who is stealing jewels and relics, most notably a Faberge egg. This ends up leading Bond to a wealthy Afghan prince named Kamal Khan, and his associate, a woman named Octopussy (played by Maud Adams) who owns a n island exclusively populated by beautiful women. Eventually James uncovers a plot to force disarmament in Europe with the use of a nuclear weapon and, as in all Bond films, 007 foils the evil plan and saves the day.

 The action scenes, for the most part, are average at best and unfortunately in this one James Bond doesn't even have a gun for the majority of the film. Even those signature 007 one-liners, which when done right can result is some of the most memorable Bond moments, make up virtually all of Roger Moore's dialogue in the film. The lines aren't clever and overall it's the whole thing isn't that well written. 
Two of James Bond's gadgets in the movie include a fountain pen filled with acid (the pen cap is also a hearing device) and a small airplane that fits inside of a horse trailer and apparently runs on regular gasoline. Neither one is one are the silliest gadget in a Bond film, but they're not particularly awesome either. That being said, this film also contains the crocodile shaped personal submarine, which is simply ridiculous.

Just look at it... Someone thought this was a good idea.

Overall, I don't think Octopussy is the worst Bond movie but, it's pretty close and definitely not one I  recommend. I give this one a 2 out of 5. 


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Today's Movie: Dr. No

Before all the fancy gadgets and huge action set-pieces would become common-place in Bond films, there was a simple but entertaining spy movie that would kickoff the James Bond franchise. That movie is 1962's Dr. No.

The film is based on the 1958 Ian Fleming novel of the same name and it's one of the few James Bond stories that I actually have not read so I won't compare the two, but as far as the film goes plot is pretty simple: James Bond (played by Sean Connery) is sent to Jamaica after a British Intelligence radio transmission regarding the disruption of rocket launches from Cape Canaveral is unexpectedly interrupted. Once in Jamaica he learns of this mysterious guy named Dr. No (played by Joseph Wiseman) who owns an island called Crab Key. No one who ever goes to Crab Key comes back alive, but since it seems that Dr. No may be behind the rocket launch tampering Bond goes to the island. Of course Dr. No is the bad guy and he works for the evil organization SPECTRE. In the end, Bond foils Dr. No's plan, kills him, and gets the girl in the end.

So, with 24 Bond films to choose from why does this one stand out? First off, Sean Connery (the best Bond in my opinion) is really good in the film. Also,Honey Ryder (Ursula Andress) is one of the most iconic of all the 'Bond Girls'. Now, like I stated before, the film doesn't get caught up in all the fancy (and sometimes stupid) gadgets: there's no invisible car, rocket cigarette, or alligator submarine. Sure, one could argue that Dr. No's plan is kind of dumb, but there are far more convoluted and idiotic evil schemes in other Bond films.

Overall, I think this one is a fun, entertaining, and it's one of my top James Bond flicks.

I give it a 4.5 out of 5.

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