Friday, Nov. 21, 2008

The Big Screen: Bond is back

The Bond franchise is approaching a fresh breath of air. It's about time. Before "Casino Royale," the 20-something Bond flicks were beginning to grow stale. It probably has something to do with the return of Daniel Craig as 007, the writing of "Crash" director Paul Haggis and the sensitive direction of "Monster's Ball" director Marc Forster. Forster has much to do with the intellect of "Quantum of Solace," a film that chases down a wealthy French diplomat named Dominic Greene who stimulates military coups in third world countries in order to steal precious resources. First he tore apart impoverished Haiti and is setting his sights on Bolivia.

"Quantum of Solace" picks up where "Casino Royale" left off. Bond has lost his one true love Vesper who sacrificed herself after betraying him. He isn't the same charming playboy and his vengeful attitude worries M and the rest of the intelligence team. After a trip to Haiti where Bond kills the only hopeful lead M tries to keep Bond under control but Bond sees a clue in Camille (Ukranian model turned actress Olga Kurylenko) and follows her to Bolivia.

Camille presents an interesting character. Bond and Camille lack the romantic chemistry of a typical Bond relationship. But the point of their union isn't romance. Camille is set on her own mission. As a young girl she was forced to watch her family being murdered by General Medrano, a hellish Bolivian military man. General Medrano is seeking the help of Dominic Greene, and is willing to hand over 40 percent of the country's water supply in order to take control of the vulnerable country. Camille's mission is just as much an attempt to save her country as it is to honor her family's name.

This is where the genius of "Quantum of Solace" lies. Haggis writes a relevant political film. But Haggis and Forster never lose the charm of Bond films. The two create an exciting film filled with chases, fights and explosions -- the final scene filmed a record 54 controlled explosions -- still maintaining the sexual charm of Bond -- Bond seduces a young intelligence agent. But it's much more intelligent than anything we have previously seen. Although they never accomplish the same suspense of the infamous poker scene in "Casino Royale", the fight over power and water is fresh and relevant.

It's exciting to see the evolution of the new Bond. Pierce Brosnan was all sex and no excitement. Craig, almost simultaneously, can do it all. As Bond he is both charming and physical. And if Haggis continues to write challenging and fresh Bond films, the combination is lethal.