The new James Bond film, "Quantum of Solace," opens nationwide today and review are mixed but positive, if not glowing. No one denies the action or beautiful scenery.
The NY Post gave Quantum of Solace 3 stars and called it "The Bond Ultimatum" for its Bourne similarities:
REVENGE is a dish best served with bullets, high explosives and giant rolling flameballs. In "Quantum of Solace," James Bond orders the revenge buffet, deluxe.
We begin just after "Casino Royale," with Bond's girlfriend Vesper dead and her (other, missing) boyfriend suspected in forcing the events that led to her death, which was perhaps the first suicide by drowning in an elevator yet recorded on-screen.
With Vesper gone, the only woman around who understands Bond (a well-scuffed Daniel Craig) is Judi Dench's M, and the way these two hurl flameball glances at each other re-creates the kind of raw sexual tension unseen since the early days of the Siskel and Ebert show. Who needs Moneypenny when you've got Wenchy Denchy?
The New York Times hates the opening song and is a little confused by the movie:
I know grief has always been part of the Dark Knight's baggage, but the same can hardly be said of James Bond, Her Majesty's suave, cynical cold war paladin. His wit was part of his -- of our -- arsenal, and he countered the totalitarian humorlessness of his foes with a wink and a bon mot.
Are these weapons now off limits for the good guys? Or can moviegoers justify their vicarious enjoyment of on-screen mayhem -- and luxury hotels, high-end cocktails and fast cars -- only if there are some pseudoserious bad feelings attached? The Sean Connery James Bond movies of the 1960s were smooth, cosmopolitan comedies, which in the Roger Moore era sometimes ascended to the level of farce. With Mr. Craig, James Bond reveals himself to be -- sigh -- a tragic figure.
"Quantum of Solace," a phrase never uttered in the course of this film (though it has something to do with Greene's diabolical scheme, itself never fully explained), means something like a measure of comfort. Perhaps that describes what Bond is looking for, or maybe it is what this kind of entertainment tries to provide a fretful audience. If so, I prefer mine with a dash of mischief.
The NYDN also gave Quantum of Solace 3 stars:
[It] isn't bland, but it's not exactly Bond either.
In "Quantum," only a few of these callbacks actually click, notably an echo of the gold-painted girl in "Goldfinger." Others are totally mishandled: A major character killed offscreen? A mere walk-on for Jeffrey Wright's Felix Leiter? A henchman named Elvis whose scariest trait is his bowl haircut? C'mon.
Still, Craig's place as the best Bond since Sean Connery remains secure, and his scenes with Dench are great spy-vs.-spymaster games. Amalric ("The Diving Bell and the Butterfly") makes a nice oily villain. But Bond fans underwhelmed by the whole shebang can take solace that James Bond will return. Hopefully in a better movie.
And HuffPost blogger Darrell Hartman thought the new Bond was good, if not as good as Casino Royale.