Quantum of Solace

~The title for the latest James Bond movie has been announced, and it's almost as trippy as the musical sequences that open Bond films. Specifically, the new title will be "Quantum of Solace". Yes, that sound you're hearing is the world's Bond fans collectively saying, "Huh?"



Actually, "Quantum of Solace" is the title of a short story by Ian Fleming, the author of the original James Bond novels. Of course, the film franchise has long since exhausted the novel titles, and directors and producers have been forced to concoct new names for their action flicks. Interestingly, "GoldenEye" (my favorite Bond film) was named after Ian Fleming's Caribbean home, so like "Quantum of Solace", there is a tenuous Fleming connection.

It is unknown at this time whether "Quantum" will be based on the actual short story, a tale of tragic love in the Caribbean. More promisingly, the new film is supposed to have "twice the action" as its predecessor, Casino Royale. Personally, I thought Daniel Craig was fantastic in the role of Bond, but Casino Royale was dull at times, especially with the hour-long poker game.

I realize that the director is aiming for a "more serious" Bond, but you don't go to a James Bond film expecting seriousness. You go expecting gun fights, car chases, hot women, explosions, airstrikes, and witty one-liners. Casino Royale was too far on the serious side, and I hope "Quantum of Solace" moves the franchise back in the other direction. Although hopefully not as far as "Moonraker", which was awesome in its own way, but otherwise absurd.