Culture

First Reviews of Quantum of Solace: Grim, Dark, Heavy

by Jarrett Martineau | October 20, 2008 at 03:51 pm

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The first reviews of the new James Bond film, Quantum of Solace, have begun to roll in and, so far, the film sounds like a 007 version of The Dark Knight.

What is Hollywood's new obsession with anti-heroes and 'action' films that are so grim, macabre, and heavy?

If the collection of early reviews is any reliable sign (and the consistent tone in each would indicate it is), the next James Bond movie, Quantum of Solace, is an aggressive, tight, grim and moody thriller that leads directly into the next film in the decades-old series.

So far, reviews out of U.K. sources such as the BBC and The Daily Mirror praise the film and the performance of Daniel Craig as 007 for exploring the lead character's depth and motivation in a manner not seen in a previous Bond flick.

While celebrating Solace's tight pacing and effective action sequences, critics also question the film's heavy, moody tone as the grieving, vengeful 007 seeks out the deadly international criminal organization that killed his lover and threatens the world. It seems the fun, flippant Bond of Sir Roger Moore (and even Pierce Brosnan) is long gone.

Quantum of Solace premieres on Halloween in the United Kingdom and Nov. 14 in the United States.