Quantum of Solace: The AMG Review

James Bond embraces the Jason Bourne model with Quantum of Solace, a rough-and-tough 007 adventure whose aspirations are admirable, even if the aesthetics are not. Back once again is Daniel Craig as the thuggish brute who pummels his way to solving the mystery continued from the previous installment. Stripped away of nearly every trait that the character has worn so well, this isn't the cinematic Bond of yore, rather a closer fit to the Ian Fleming mold of sophisticated brawler. Tonally, Quantum of Solace is a sobering hangover from the rousing experience of its predecessor. Where there was finely crafted action in the first, in its place are jarring action set pieces where disorienting camera moves and rapid editing rule the school. The days of the series' escapist entertainment are momentarily shelved, thanks to the unsteady hand of indie filmmaker Marc Forster, who seems far out of his league when painting on a canvas this large. What he brings to the table is a yearning to delve more into Bond's psyche -- it's just too bad that he felt the need to ape Mr. Bourne, Bond's cinematic cousin, when it came to crafting its action scenes, of which there are many. Dour, hyper-stylized, and completely gadget-less -- nobody does it better? Not in this case.