Two Moments That Renewed My Faith in Movies
Yesterday I finally got to see the new James Bond film Quantum of Solace. I’ll hold off on any deep review because I hate spoilers as much as the next guy. However I will say that it has taken Bond films in a whole new direction. Quantum is really unlike any other Bond movie you’ve ever seen. It does not feature a visit to Q branch, there really are no gadgets (even his beautiful armor and smoke bomb less Aston Martin gets badly beat up before the credits), there is no Money Penny, and not even an order for a vodka martini. Yet as someone who has been watching Bond movies as long as I can remember I have to say I loved it.
When word first hit the tubes a few years back about Daniel Craig taking over as Bond the Internet did what they always do in the face of change, they whined and whined and bitched and complained and whined and whined. Fans don’t like change, they want the same comfortable thing they’ve seen hundreds of times before because it’s safe(Though that’s a rant for another post). Any who saw Casino Royale can agree that he did not destroy the franchise and may have very well saved it. Taking Bond into the 21st century without loosing what makes him they guy we all dream we are every time we put on a tux.
Overall it was very good. Quantum acts as a follow up to Royale, in fact the two could probably be watched back to back and make one very nice Kill Bill esque experience. It opens with Jeremy Clarkson’s wet dream featuring Bond in an Aston being chased by baddies in an Alfa Romeo. It has good action, evil villains with global ambition, pretty girls, helpful friends, and Dame Judi Dench’s M proving why she is one of the coolest and toughest characters in recent cinema.
And now for the second moment. It’s from yet another font of fan boy hate. The new J.J. Abrams directed Star Trek. Before Quantum there is a trailer for the new film, and I have to say if you didn’t already have enough reason to see Quantum you now have even more. I literally found myself with my jaw dropped and my eyes open wide so I wouldn’t miss one single second. As soon as it hits the web Monday I’m sure I’ll watch it several more times. The move looks freaking amazing. I know that only a Sith deals in absolutes but, anyone who sees this trailer and can still spit bile at this movie (until it comes out) is just a hater who could never be pleased. I know that some movies can produce a great trailer then be crap upon release (see Mark Wahlberg’s magnum opus The Big Hit and you’ll know what I mean), but this looks great. The casting looks great, and I can’t wait for next summer. It is going to be fantastic.
Movie rating: 9.5/10
Trailer rating: 11/10
